Persuasion

Beeches and Bluebells
Originally uploaded by Giles C. Watson

28Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" 29Paul replied, "Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains." 30The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. 31They left the room, and while talking with one another, they said, "This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment." 32Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar." (Acts 26)

So, Paul had his defense, and he presented it to King Agrippa, Festus, and Bernice. Festus accused him of being insane, but King Agrippa’s response is what captured my attention today.

Agrippa asked, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" He got it. He knew what was going on. He understood that was the point of what Paul was doing. And he knew the Sanhedrin was jealous. He also knew that the point of Paul’s preaching was the salvation of souls.  It was geared to persuading his audience to become a Christ follower.  Agrippa quickly connected the dots and realized that Paul was preaching to him, too.  

Notice Agrippa used the word Christian. The sect of Christ believers was known as the Way. With that comment, and Paul’s response, Agrippa stood to leave. And he knew Paul had done nothing to deserve death or imprisonment and says so to Festus. But because Paul appealed to Caesar, he had to be held until that was fulfilled. So, in a way, Paul contributed to his own imprisonment. Yet, he was still preaching. Kind of like the Eveready Bunny…..still going. Paul just kept on going.

So, what’s the take away? The take away is found in Agrippa’s question to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" Short or long time, when God prepares a heart, that heart will discern the gospel message. That heart will be prepared. That heart will know. And that heart will make a decision to follow Christ or not. 

The take away is that the message is faithfully proclaimed. The take away is that the messenger may suffer, but the focus is on the message, on God, not the circumstances. The take away is that God is still in control, and His purposes will be fulfilled. 

LORD, may we take away the things from our circumstances that You want us to understand. May we also understand that our focus is on You. May we understand that we are to faithfully proclaim Your word. And may we trust you with the results. Amen.