In acts chapter 26 we inter the middle of months of Paul being put on trial for his belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He has proclaimed his faith to the Sanhedrin. He has told Felix and Festus and now has proclaimed the same to Agrippa. The reader should be moved with clarity at which Paul speaks. No doubt he is aided by the Holy Spirit of God to proclaim such truth. It is certain that the testimony Paul shares has power behind it.
One thing that gives Paul’s testimony power is that it is back up by a holy life. He starts from his youth and explains his upbringing. Many times, when I hear people give their testimony it starts with how bad they were, but not Paul. He was zealous for God from his youth. But he explains how he was wrong and how God sought him and declared his power. God is seeking the lost so that God can be glorified in their redemption. Paul shows that he still had to surrender his will to God’s and said that he was obedient to the heavenly vision. salvation is an act of the will.
The need to have a clean conversation before the eyes of men. Paul’s testimony would have been meaningless without a Godly conversation. Can you imagine a Paul that was a drunkard and a whoremonger? He stands before a king and says God has changed my life! I used to be one of those rotten pharisee but now look at me! He would be laughed to scorn and rightly so. Paul would have no standing. Christians that do not live a spirit filled life are guilty of blaspheming the name of God and bare the blood of those who know them who are destined to an eternal Hell! When you allow sin to rule over you, you allow a tarnish on the name of Christ.
Paul gives his testimony before king Agrippa, and it ends with Festus interrupting Paul claiming he has become mad – or crazy – with all his learning. Paul doesn’t miss a beat but puts the question to Agrippa – Don’t you believe the prophets? Paul is basically asking Agrippa if he Believes that Jeus rose from the dead as the prophets said he would. He is asking Agrippa to decide – to make an act of his will and decide whether Jesus is the Christ – or Mesiah. He is asking Agrippa if he would be saved. Do you not believe? How could you not? You must believe!
What is needed for salvation – Belief is what Paul asks Agrippa about. Belief is what saves a person. However, it must be accompanied by repentance which is a work of the Holy Ghost. For what man drinking poison unknowing, afterwards being fully convinced of the fate of his action and been turned on to the remedy, continues to drink the poison? We would call him mad! yet is that not what many who profess a belief in Christ as savior do? The have taken the poison of sin, profess they now have the remedy of Christ but continue to dwell in the pit of sin in which they were set free! Paul declares in Romans 6 that God forbid we stay the servant to sin! If you can continue to dwell in shackles of sin that Christ set you free from, have you truly been set free? Christ has called us to repent from the things he has set us free from. If you cannot or do not desire to be changed, you should consider if you have ever been born again by the power of God.
The free will of man – King Agrippa shows that conversion does not rest upon us, but upon the free will of the one needing Christ. Paul did not win everyone to Christ that he spoke to. I believe few believed his testimony. Few may believe us as well. it is not our job to persuade men, it is our job to be faithful to Christ. The man, or woman, or child must decide their own fate. No matter how much we desire them to be saved, salvation is an act of our free will.
But what could possibly keep a man from salvation. In the case of Agrippa, I believe a large part of it was his pride. Many in Hell regret that they let their own foolish pride kept them from believing in Christ. Many, like Agrippa, let their status and associations control their actions. They are unwilling to be taken as a fool for Christ, yet they end up in a place of torment. Pride has kept many from receiving forgiveness. In order to be forgiven it takes humility – to ask one who you have offended to forgive you. Is there a person in your life that you are unwilling to humble yourself for? Is there someone you have offended that needs you to be little before them and God and ask them to forgive you? Is your pride keeping them from a relationship with God?
A man who is living in close communion with God will have an over whelming passion for lost souls. This is evident in Paul’s desire to see men saved. he said, “I would to God!” everyone that can hear me would be persuaded about Christ! that they would be just like me, but without the bonds. Paul does not say this for effect; he is passionate about his desire to see men saved. This passion only coms from following God.
Paul is so committed to seeing men saved he is willing to die for just one more soul. He has become like Jesus, laying down his life so that others may live. Is this not what we are called to as Christians – true followers of Christ? We are to pick up our cross – that is not just a burden, it is our very death sentence. We are not to just pick up our cross and wait. We are called to follow Christ in death, in burial and in resurrection. Does that not show true faith? One who is willing to die, because he is convinced, he has eternal life?
Acts 26 KJV
27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
29 And Paul said, 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.
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