Acts - Week 13 / Friday

Reading for today: Acts 26:24-32

Paul's Faith Story was powerful, and Festus felt its conviction and reacted against it by interrupting Paul, and declaring that these writings Paul mentions are driving him mad. Paul gently replies by declaring his sanity and turning to the king and stating that he is familiar with what has been said.

The king could verify all of this, since none of it happened in a corner. All the things Paul mentions, the life of Jesus, the death of Jesus, the resurrection of Jesus, the gospel message, all happened in public and were well known and attested to.

Then, addressing Agrippa, Paul asked him if he believed the prophets. Without waiting for an answer, he added that he knew Agrippa believed. Suddenly, and with surprise, Agrippa realized Paul was trying to convert him.

By saying that Agrippa believed the prophets, Paul was implying that he would therefore have to believe what they said about the Messiah, and this should cause him to believe what Paul said about Jesus.

But it seems Agrippa was not willing to say he did believe the prophets; neither was he willing to say he believed Paul. Agrippa's response has been interpreted a number of ways, but whatever it was, it was a rejection of the message, and Paul's efforts to convert him. Paul, however, refused to be discouraged. He declares his desire that everyone would become like he (a follower of Christ), except for the chains that bound him.

Next week: Paul sets sail for Rome---finally!