was my
duty to do all in my power to oppose the cause of Jesus of Nazareth.
This I did in Jerusalem. With authority from the high priests, I put
many of Jesus' followers in prison. When they were put to death, I voted
against them. In all the synagogues I often punished them and tried to
make them speak against the name of Jesus, and in my insane fury I
followed them even to distant cities.

"When I was travelling to Damascus on this business, with written
authority from the high priests, I saw, on the road in the middle of
the day, a light from heaven, more dazzling than the glare of the sun,
shining around me and those who were travelling with me. We fell to the
ground, and I heard a voice say to me in Hebrew, 'Saul, Saul, why do you
persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' I asked,
'Who art thou, Lord?' and the Lord answered, 'I am Jesus whom you are
persecuting. Rise and stand on your feet, for I have appeared to you so
as to appoint you my servant and a witness to what you have seen and to
the things that I will show you. I chose you from the Jews and the other
peoples to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, that they may turn
from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God, so that they may
receive forgiveness of their sins and a place among those who have given
themselves to me because they believe in me.' O, King Agrippa, I have
not disobeyed the heavenly vision. To this day I have had the help of
God and have stood firm and, without adding a single word beyond what
the prophets and Moses said would take place, I have testified to small
and great how the Christ was to suffer and to be the first to rise from
the dead and to proclaim the message of light not only to the Jews but
to all peoples."

When Paul said these words in his defense, Festus cried, "Paul, you are
mad! Your great learning is driving you insane!" But Paul said, "I am
not insane, most noble Festus, but I am speaking the sober truth. For
the King, to whom I can speak freely, knows about these things, for I am
sure that nothing escaped his notice, since this has not been done in a
corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do."
But Agrippa said to Paul, "With but little persuasion you would make me
a Christian!" Paul replied, "I pray to God that whether with little or
much not only you but also every one who hears me this day may become a
Christian as I am."

Then the King, together with t