Just some random thoughts on the passage : )

Acts 26:16-18
16 'Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

I saw some nuggets in here that I have overlooked in the previous times I have read this passage.

1) Jesus tells Paul to share his testimony. He says "what you have seen" (your past) and will see of me (his purpose/ calling...where God is leading him and what God is leading him to do and say)

2) Jesus promises Paul that He will rescue him out of the hand of his enemy (both Jew and Gentile)...while Paul is fulfilling his purpose.  Isn't it great that Jesus is in control : ) No wonder Paul had a sense of peace even while in prison, shipwrecked, and even after getting beat up.

3) Forgiveness is offered to both Jew and Gentile.

a) It would appear that Jewish folks, although God's chosen people, still need to be saved by faith just as the Gentiles.   

b) This verse would indicate that it is Gods will that none should perish...therefore contradicting Calvinistic teachings. (Some are chosen for salvation and others are not) This is a hot topic we should save for another time