What is the meaning of Acts 26:10? And that is what I did in Jerusalem. Paul is recounting his pre-conversion zeal before King Agrippa (Acts 26:9-11). • He is not exaggerating; Scripture records the literal facts of his past (Acts 8:3). • Jerusalem, the spiritual center of Israel, became the stage for his attack on the early church (Galatians 1:13). • His admission shows genuine repentance—he owns the full weight of what actually happened. With authority from the chief priests • Paul’s mission was officially sanctioned; he carried letters of authorization (Acts 9:2). • Religious leaders, meant to shepherd Israel, instead empowered persecution—echoing Jesus’ warning in John 16:2. • This authority underscores that sincere but misguided zeal, even when “legal,” can oppose God’s purposes. I put many of the saints in prison • “Saints” refers to ordinary believers set apart by faith, not an elite class (Romans 1:7). • The inspired narrative stresses how widespread the arrests were—“many” (Acts 22:4). • Imprisoning Christians was meant to halt the spread of the gospel, yet the church kept growing (Acts 8:4). • Paul now calls them “saints,” revealing his changed heart toward those he once viewed as heretics. and when they were condemned to death, I cast my vote against them. • Paul actively endorsed death sentences, likely as a voting member of the Sanhedrin or an officially recognized participant (Acts 7:58-8:1; 22:20). • “Cast my vote” shows deliberate, personal responsibility—not passive agreement. • Stephen’s martyrdom stands as the clearest example; Paul guarded the executioners’ coats while approving the stoning (Acts 7:58). • This admission magnifies the grace that later made him an apostle (1 Timothy 1:13-15). summary Acts 26:10 presents a straightforward, literal record of Paul’s former life: with full religious authority he zealously persecuted believers, imprisoned them, and endorsed their executions. These details highlight the depth of his sin and the even greater reach of God’s mercy, proving that no one is beyond redemption and that the gospel’s power rests not in human approval but in divine grace. |
    |