19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the
vision from heaven. 20 First to those in
Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to
the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and
demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. 21 That
is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill
me. 22 But God has helped me to this very day; so I
stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond
what the prophets and Moses said would happen— 23 that
the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the
dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the
Gentiles.”
Paul again is leaning in here. After such a profound experience, he followed
the instructions. He has been preaching
to the Gentiles just as he was shown to do.
And this is why the Jews want to kill him.
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.”
Festus, knowing the peculiarity of the Jews to believe God’s
blessings are for them alone, erupts against Paul’s claim that Moses said God’s
Message is to the Gentiles. No Jew would
say that the Messiah they have been waiting on came not just for them, but for
everyone also. Blasphemy! But it is the what Jesus did as He is the
Truth.
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.”
Paul, who anyone would reason should be more interested in
making his defense to not be in chains and a prisoner, is working to witness
directly to the king and whoever is willing to hear the Message of
salvation. He is singularly focused on
presenting the gospel in any way that he can.
Verses 28 and 29 are better presented in my opinion in the NKJV:
28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to
become a Christian.”
29 And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you,
but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as
I am, except for these chains.”
These two interpretations have different meanings in my
opinion. One infers that the king is
tempted and intrigued regarding belief.
One only mentions that he recognizes that Paul is trying to convince
him. One mentions time, yet one doesn’t
mention it at all.
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.”
Paul has now spoken to kings and he has suffered much for
Christ. He has once again witnessed to
Jesus and testified of Jesus in his life.
He has simply presented his story of how Jesus met him and changed
him. Paul’s story is part of Jesus’ story. There is still more suffering to bear
unfortunately. He has been found
innocent by the king and governor of the region. How does Jesus in your life add to the story
of Jesus? If you were put on trial, what
would be your witness and testimony? Is
Jesus in it?
No comments:
Post a Comment