Acts 26:22 - Having therefore obtained the help that is from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would happen,

Generated Verse: Acts 26:22

What does "Acts 26:22" mean?


Acts 26:22 is a powerful statement by the Apostle Paul during his defense before King Agrippa. Let's break it down:

"Having therefore obtained the help that is from God...": This is a crucial foundation. Paul acknowledges that his survival, endurance, and ability to continue preaching the Gospel are not due to his own strength or cleverness. It is solely because of God's help and grace. This highlights the divine source of his mission and perseverance.

"...I stand to this day testifying both to small and great...": Paul has been preaching the Gospel for a considerable period (he's now under arrest and on trial). He has reached people from all walks of life – "small" refers to the common people, the poor, the marginalized, while "great" refers to the wealthy, powerful, and influential. He hasn't limited his message; he has shared it with everyone.

"...saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would happen...": This is the key to understanding the content of Paul's message. He isn't introducing a completely new religion or contradicting the Hebrew Scriptures. He is claiming that the Gospel (the Good News of Jesus Christ) is the fulfillment of the prophecies and promises made in the Old Testament (referred to here as the prophets and Moses). In other words, Paul is telling the King that his message is not new, but the fulfillment of the ancient prophecies.

In essence, the verse means:

Because God has helped me, I am still alive and preaching the Gospel today to everyone, from the most ordinary person to the most important official. And the message I preach is not a departure from the Jewish faith, but rather the fulfillment of what the Old Testament prophets and Moses foretold: the coming of the Messiah, who brings salvation and a new covenant with God.

Why is this verse significant?

God's Sovereignty: Emphasizes that Paul's ministry is divinely guided and empowered.
Universality of the Gospel: Paul's message is for all people, regardless of social status.
Continuity with the Old Testament: Paul presents Christianity as the logical continuation and fulfillment of Jewish faith and prophecy, not a replacement of it. This was a critical point in his defense, aiming to show that he wasn't abandoning or blaspheming against Jewish law, but rather interpreting it correctly through Jesus Christ.
Paul's Courage and Conviction: Even in the face of persecution and trial, Paul remains steadfast in his message and commitment to God.