Reading From the Acts of the Apostles King of Agrippa
The Acts of the Apostles
by Ellen 1000. White
Chapter 41: "Almost Thou Persuadest Me"
This chapter is based on Acts 25:13-27; 26
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Paul had appealed to Caesar, and Festus could not do otherwise than ship him to Rome. But some fourth dimension passed before a suitable ship could be institute; and equally other prisoners were to be sent with Paul, the consideration of their cases too occasioned delay. This gave Paul opportunity to present the reasons of his organized religion before the principal men of Caesarea, and also earlier King Agrippa II, the final of the Herods. {AA 433.one}
"Later on certain days King Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus. And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the male monarch, saying, There is a certain homo left in bonds past Felix: most whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to take judgment against him." He outlined the circumstances that led to the prisoner'southward appeal to Caesar, telling of Paul'due south contempo trial before him, and saying that the Jews had brought against [434] Paul no allegation such every bit he had supposed they would bring, just "sure questions . . . of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive." {AA 433.2}
As Festus told his story, Agrippa became interested and said, "I would also hear the man myself." In harmony with his wish, a coming together was arranged for the following day. "And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come up, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the identify of hearing, with the chief captains, and master men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth." {AA 434.ane}
In laurels of his visitors, Festus had sought to brand this an occasion of imposing display. The rich robes of the procurator and his guests, the swords of the soldiers, and the gleaming armor of their commanders, lent brilliancy to the scene. {AA 434.2}
And now Paul, withal manacled, stood earlier the assembled company. What a contrast was here presented! Agrippa and Bernice possessed ability and position, and because of this they were favored past the earth. But they were destitute of the traits of character that God esteems. They were transgressors of His law, corrupt in heart and life. Their course of activity was abhorred past sky. {AA 434.three}
The aged prisoner, chained to his soldier guard, had in his appearance nada that would atomic number 82 the world to pay him homage. Nonetheless in this man, manifestly without friends or wealth or position, and held a prisoner for his religion in the Son of God, all heaven was interested. Angels were his attendants. Had the glory of one of those shining messengers [435] flashed forth, the pomp and pride of royalty would have paled; male monarch and courtiers would have been stricken to the globe, every bit were the Roman guards at the sepulcher of Christ. {AA 434.4}
Festus himself presented Paul to the assembly with the words: "King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye run into this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought non to alive any longer. Merely when I institute that he had committed zippo worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have adamant to ship him. Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O King Agrippa, that, later test had, I might have somewhat to write. For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not nonetheless to signify the crimes laid confronting him." {AA 435.one}
King Agrippa now gave Paul liberty to speak for himself. The campaigner was not disconcerted by the bright brandish or the loftier rank of his audience; for he knew of how little worth are worldly wealth and position. Earthly pomp and power could not for a moment daunt his courage or rob him of his self-control. {AA 435.2}
"I think myself happy, Male monarch Agrippa," he declared, "because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: specially considering I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are amidst the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently." [436] {AA 435.three}
Paul related the story of his conversion from stubborn unbelief to religion in Jesus of Nazareth as the world'southward Redeemer. He described the heavenly vision that at beginning had filled him with unspeakable terror, just afterward proved to exist a source of the greatest consolation—a revelation of divine glory, in the midst of which saturday enthroned He whom he had despised and hated, whose followers he was even then seeking to destroy. From that hour Paul had been a new man, a sincere and fervent believer in Jesus, made such by transforming mercy. {AA 436.ane}
With clearness and power Paul outlined earlier Agrippa the leading events continued with the life of Christ on globe. He testified that the Messiah of prophecy had already appeared in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. He showed how the Quondam Attestation Scriptures had declared that the Messiah was to appear as a man among men, and how in the life of Jesus had been fulfilled every specification outlined by Moses and the prophets. For the purpose of redeeming a lost globe, the divine Son of God had endured the cross, despising the shame, and had ascended to sky triumphant over death and the grave. {AA 436.2}
Why, Paul reasoned, should it seem incredible that Christ should rise from the dead? Once it had thus seemed to him, but how could he disbelieve that which he himself had seen and heard? At the gate of Damascus he had verily looked upon the crucified and risen Christ, the aforementioned who had walked the streets of Jerusalem, died on Calvary, broken the bands of decease, and ascended to sky. Equally verily equally had Cephas, James, John, or any others of the disciples, he [437] had seen and talked with Him. The Vocalisation had bidden him proclaim the gospel of a risen Saviour, and how could he disobey? In Damascus, in Jerusalem, throughout all Judea, and in the regions distant off, he had borne witness of Jesus the Crucified, showing all classes "that they should repent and turn to God, and exercise works come across for repentance. {AA 436.three}
"For these causes," the apostle declared, "the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this twenty-four hours, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: that Christ should suffer, and that He should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles." {AA 437.ane}
The whole company had listened spellbound to Paul's account of his wonderful experiences. The apostle was dwelling house upon his favorite theme. None who heard him could doubt his sincerity. But in the full tide of his persuasive eloquence he was interrupted by Festus, who cried out, "Paul, yard art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad." {AA 437.2}
The apostle replied, "I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak along the words of truth and soberness. For the king knoweth of these things, earlier whom besides I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these affair are hidden from him; for this affair was non washed in a corner." Then, turning to Agrippa, he addressed him directly, "Male monarch Agrippa, believest one thousand the prophets? I know that thou believest." [438] {AA 437.3}
Deeply afflicted, Agrippa for the moment lost sight of his environment and the dignity of his position. Conscious only of the truths which he had heard, seeing merely the humble prisoner standing before him as God's ambassador, he answered involuntarily, "Almost thousand persuadest me to exist a Christian." {AA 438.1}
Earnestly the apostle fabricated answer, "I would to God, that not only thou, simply also all that hear me this day, were both near, and altogether such as I am," adding, as he raised his fettered hands, "except these bonds." {AA 438.2}
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Festus, Agrippa, and Bernice might in justice have worn the fetters that bound the apostle. All were guilty of grievous crimes. These offenders had that 24-hour interval heard the offer of salvation through the name of Christ. One, at least, had been almost persuaded to accept the grace and pardon offered. Only Agrippa put bated the proffered mercy, refusing to take the cross of a crucified Redeemer. {AA 438.3}
The male monarch'south marvel was satisfied, and, ascent from his seat, he signified that the interview was at an cease. As the associates dispersed, they talked among themselves, saying, "This human doeth cipher worthy of death or of bonds." {AA 438.4}
Though Agrippa was a Jew, he did not share the bigoted zeal and bullheaded prejudice of the Pharisees. "This man," he said to Festus, "might have been ready at freedom, if he had not appealed unto Caesar." Just the case had been referred to that higher tribunal, and it was now beyond the jurisdiction of either Festus or Agrippa. {AA 438.five}
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