Paul’s address before Agrippa is much more than a defense of his own innocence, or a review of his personal religious experience; it is a superb statement of the very essence of Christianity! And as one reads this historic speech, two or three of its propositions should be especially noted. Paul insists that faith in the risen, Divine Christ is the very heart of Christianity, that His Resurrection is attested by competent human witnesses and by inspired Scriptures, and that the message of salvation through Him is intended for the entirety of the human race.
Paul’s introductory sentences are conciliatory. He pays to King Agrippa about the only compliment which would have been honest. This man was “expert in all customs and questions … among the Jews”; and since Paul has been accused by Jews in matters that were exclusively Jewish and religious, he is happy to present his case before such a judge. At the same time, however, he is implying that inasmuch as the matters are thus Jewish and religious, he is innocent of any crime which Roman law will recognize. As to the actual charge of heresy or sacrilege, for which he is a prisoner, Paul immediately shows that it is absurd; for he himself is a Jew of the strictest kind. And yet he is held guilty because he believes and teaches the essential doctrine of Judaism – namely, the hope of the Messiah! He is thus innocent in the view of Roman law, for Judaism is a religion that is permitted by Rome; however, it is just as evident that he cannot be accused as a heretic by the Jews. Nevertheless, there are two points in reference to the Messiah in which Paul does differ from his fellow Jews. One is his belief that Jesus of Nazareth is the promised Messiah, and the other is his message that – through faith in Jesus – Gentiles can be saved as well as Jews.
The Resurrection of Jesus convinced Paul that He is indeed the Christ – the Anointed Messiah and Savior! To Jews, the idea of resurrection is not an incredible thing; but the fact that Jesus rose from the dead is a truth which Paul was not willing to believe at first. Indeed, he once fiercely persecuted all who believed in Jesus; but on his way to Damascus, he actually saw the Savior – risen and glorified – and so he cannot question His claims any longer, or doubt His saving power. As for his preaching to the Gentiles, Paul shows that this was not a self-imposed task; rather, it was in obedience to a commission that was personally received from His Divine Lord. It was couched in words which each follower of Christ does well to keep in mind as he looks out upon a world that still lies in darkness and misery and sin: “I send thee, to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins, and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me.” How, then, could Paul be “disobedient unto the heavenly vision”? How could he fail to preach repentance and faith in Christ “at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judaea, and also to the Gentiles”? And how could the Jews be justified in seizing him in the Temple, and endeavoring to kill him? After all, the Jews – and not he – should be charged with heresy; for the Old Testament Scriptures had testified that Christ was to suffer and rise again, and that He was to be the Source of light and life to both Jews and Gentiles. Truly, therefore, one could be guilty of no fault if he accepted Jesus as the Messiah and testified of Him to everyone – both small and great!
As this defense is being delivered by Paul, the pagan Festus hears little that he could understand; and as the Apostle spoke of the resurrection of a crucified Jew, and of light and life being brought into the world through Him, he became impatient. In ignorant intolerance, he cried out, “Paul, thou art mad!” To this exclamation, Paul replied with composure and courtesy; and then he turned earnestly to Agrippa. The king must have understood all that Paul had been saying. To him, the arguments could not have been without force – particularly those based upon the Old Testament. “King Agrippa,” asked Paul, “believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest!” But the king would not allow himself to be so easily summoned as a witness on behalf of the despised followers of Jesus. In reply, he uttered his famous words: “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian!” But Paul had spiritual vision which saw human life in true perspective; and he appreciated, through faith in Christ, such joys as kings and princes might well envy. And so he cried, with the fervor of a faithful minister, “I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds!”
Thus closes the last great defense of the Apostle that is recorded in the Scriptures. The judges rendered their decision: Paul was innocent! But what shall be said of Festus, whose injustice has compelled Paul to appeal to Caesar in Rome? Or what shall be said of the Jews, who – by delivering this innocent man to the Romans – have once again rejected their Messiah, who was Paul’s Master and Lord?
Lord, we pray that You would give us the grace of the Holy Spirit so that we may not be like King Agrippa, who was “almost persuaded” to be a Christian. Give us the heart and the courage to surrender all, take up our cross, and follow our Savior! Amen.
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