by Robert C. Veil, Jr.
In Paul’s masterful speech before Herod Agrippa, he lays out “head-on” the two
controversial points of his preaching which had resulted in his being arrested and bound: 1)
Preaching the reality of the resurrection; 2) Preaching that the gospel extends beyond the Jews to
the Gentiles. The first of these contentions was challenging for his Roman hearers, men like Felix
and now Festus, who found the concept of the resurrection incredible. The second contention
challenged the smug thinking of the Jewish leaders, including at last, King Agrippa. Paul dealt
with both issues directly, straightforwardly, and earnestly.
The record of this amazing address is found in Acts 26, one of the most moving chapters in
the book. It contains the third record of Paul’s conversion (cf. Acts 9, 22). Here, he tells of his
journey to Damascus, his fateful confrontation by Jesus Christ Himself, and his total and complete
change of life from a persecutor of Christians to a servant of the Son of God.
“Why is it judged incredible with you, if God doth raise the dead?” What a question for King
Agrippa! And Paul broached it directly, surprisingly, head on. Surely, even upon a moment’s
reflection, Agrippa would have had to privately admit that the concept of the resurrection is not
really incredible. His Jewish training and upbringing would have taught him at least that much.
But in the presence of his secular, Roman friends, like Festus, whose support he had so skillfully
cultivated, he remained silent, and listened on. Paul’s speech became more personal, more
intriguing. Agrippa listened as Paul carefully and persuasively related the facts leading to his own
conversion.
“”Wherefore, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: but declared
both to them of Damascus first, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the country of Judea, and also
to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.” There
it was. That second contention, which had so aggravated the Jewish leaders and led to this
hearing—and yet Agrippa says nothing against it at this point. He was surrounded by Gentiles, by
Roman colleagues who were listening intently. They wanted to know about this “resurrection” but
Paul was focused like a laser on King Agrippa.
Then Paul lowered the boom and invoked the testimony and support of the very Jewish
prophets that Agrippa had heard about all his life: “Having therefore obtained the help that is from
God, I stand unto this day testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets
and Moses did say should come,” (26:22). This last fact, must have been intriguing and persuasive
to Agrippa most of all. He may have thought, “How could this man be condemned when he was
only following the revered Jewish prophets?”
And what had those prophets predicted? “How that the Christ must suffer, and how that he
first by the resurrection of the dead, should proclaim light both to the people, and to the Gentiles,”
(vs. 23). There they are again – the two points of contention laid out forcibly, persuasively, without
apology, in kindness and clarity for all to see.
There is suddenly a potential distraction, as Festus shouts out, “Paul, thou art mad; thy much
learning is turning the mad!” But Paul, like a skillful hunter, maintains focus, in fact, he brilliantly
uses the interruption to focus the climax still more. He turns back to Agrippa, no doubt looking
him straight in the eye, and says: “For the king knoweth…” And then this penetrating question:
“King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.”
The force of Paul’s powerful argument now rests squarely and publicly upon Agrippa. The
precise meaning of what Agrippa says next has been disputed by commentators. His answer
appears to be a shift, a delay tactic, an avoidance of the force of Paul’s persuasive argument.
“Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” Paul’s response shows he understood the full
import of Agrippa’a puzzling answer. He says in essence: “I wish that you and everyone else were
almost and altogether persuaded this day—like me, except for these bonds.”
Agrippa’s haunting answer echoes through the ages. His response was as close to obeying
the gospel as he would ever get. He was “almost” but not “altogether” persuaded!
