Acts 26 “Almost Persuaded”
“Then King
Agrippa said to Paul, you almost persuade me to become a Christian” (v.28)
In the
previous chapter we saw that the Jews asked Festus for Paul to be returned to
Jerusalem, so they might try him under Jewish Law. But Paul, being warned
of a plot to kill him (while on the road to Jerusalem), requested of Festus to
be judged by Caesar (25:11)
Now in
chapter 26 Paul is still being held by Festus awaiting his audience before
Caesar. Festus, wishing to have something to report to Caesar of Paul’s case,
explained it to king Agrippa, who had come to Caesarea to visit saying;
“When the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation
against him of such things as I supposed, but had some questions against him
about their own religion and about one, Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed
to be alive.”
Upon
hearing this king Agrippa agreed to here Paul - who uses the opportunity not
only to defend his position but to witness to all present testifying, “that
Christ would be the first to rise from the dead” (v.23). King Agrippa upon
hearing his testimony replied, “Paul, you almost persuade me to become a
Christian” (v.28). However, king Agrippa then stood up and ended the
proceedings (v.30).
By
standing up, King Agrippa II was declaring that his part of the proceedings was
over. Paul would not testify any further on that particular day, before
this minor king.
Sadly though, by ending the proceedings, he was refusing to hear any more about the Lord.
Sadly though, by ending the proceedings, he was refusing to hear any more about the Lord.
Jesus
Christ died for kings, just like he did for you and me. He loves us no
matter what our station in life is. Agrippa, was "almost" persuaded to
receive the Lord but, “Almost” isn't enough.
The Truth
“If you confess
with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your
heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
