September 21, 2023 | Be On Mission
Paul Tries to Convert Agrippa
Scripture: Acts 26:24-32(NIV)
24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”
25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”
28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”
29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”
30 The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. 31 After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.”
32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
Devotional
Paul had just shared his testimony of how Jesus changed his life. But Governor Festus was not impressed. He called Paul a madman, thinking that all his training had caused him to go insane. This was no surprise to Paul. In 1 Corinthians 2:14 he wrote, “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.”
So Paul turned his attention away from Governor Festus and focused in on King Agrippa, saying, “The king is familiar with these things.” Of course he was. Herod Agrippa II was the great-grandson of Herod the Great (who killed all the baby boys in Bethlehem when Jesus was born) the grand-nephew of Herod Antipas (who beheaded John the Baptist and mocked Jesus before sending him back to Pontius Pilate), and the son of Agrippa I (who executed the apostle James and imprisoned Peter). Paul knew this, and so did King Agrippa.
When the king impertinently asked him, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul said yes, no matter how long it takes. He wasn’t going anywhere. Agrippa’s buddy Festus had him locked up. He had all the time that King Agrippa would give him.
But, to no avail. Agrippa didn’t want to become a Christian, but he said that Paul should be set free. Governor Festus agreed, but said he had to send Paul to Caesar in Rome because of his official appeal as a Roman citizen. The final two chapters in Acts are about Paul’s transfer to Rome and first imprisonment there.
In Rome he would witness to his guards, since he no longer had King Agrippa and Governor Festus as an audience. As Paul would write, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22). Whether in the palace or prison, whether among the Jews or Gentiles, whether with the prestigious or the powerless, Paul shared the gospel of Christ.
Think about your last month. Do your best to think of every person with whom you have come into contact. Too hard? Keep a list for the next thirty days. You will be surprised at how many people you see at restaurants, stores, church, neighborhoods, sporting competitions, public events, family gatherings, and more. God places so many people in your life. What are you going to do about it?
Poem
Are You Listening?
Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” Acts 26: 29
When you wake in the morn
What’s the first thing you hear?
The greeting of loved one
Or daily news smear?
The word of the Lord
Or the word of the world?
Are you listening to truth
Or mentality’s mold?
When you enter your church
What’s the first thing you hear?
Believers in praise
Or the latest sport’s cheer?
Hymns, songs meant for God
Or the latest church buzz?
Are you listening for truth
Or agendas, ears plugged?
When you enter God’s word
What’s the first thing you hear?
The greeting of Loved One
With each word declared?
Whether grace note, command
Or a call on your way
Are you listening for truth
Christ’s salvation display?
