Apostle Paul the "Mad" Preacher?
Apostle Paul “Almost” Persuade me to be a Christian
Welcome to you, to our Book of Acts Bible Study, “Apostle Paul : Could a Mad Man Persuade You to be a Christian? ” Today, we shall conclude our study of Acts Chapter Twenty Six, Acts 26:24 – 32.
Apostle Paul summarized his life and the events of his life before King Agrippa.
While Apostle Paul was declaring the events of his life and the accusations of the Jews against him Governor Festus made an outburst. He shouted Paul is “mad” because of much education, Acts 26:24.
Apostle Paul “words of truth and soberness”
Apostle Paul responds, by saying, I’m not mad honorable governor, but I speak the “words of truth and soberness,” Acts 26:25.
Then Apostle Paul directed his attention and the remainder of his response to King Agrippa. He remarked King Agrippa knows about the things I speak. Paul contends the king knows about the things he speaks of for these things are not secrets, Acts 26:26.
Apostle Paul continued with his response, he asked, “King Agrippa do you believe the prophets? I know that” you believe, Acts 26:27 Then King Agrippa made a surprising confession, he said, you “almost” persuade me to be a Christian, Acts 26:28.
The Apostle Paul expressed his desire for his audience. He expressed his hope for all present (that they would be Believers of Jesus Christ as he is) except for his “bonds”. Paul hoped they would believe on Jesus Christ, Acts 26:29.
Then the king and his entourage signaled the end of Paul’s discourse by standing up, Acts 26:30. However, when the king and the governor were by themselves, talking, they remarked, Paul did nothing to warrant his arrest or “death”, Acts 26:31. Then King Agrippa said to Governor Festus, Apostle Paul may have been released, “if he had not appealed” to “Caesar,” Acts 26:32.
Observe how Apostle Paul quickly shift his focus to King Agrippa when Governor Festus shouted that he was “mad.”
How may Governor Festus have felt at the confession of the King? A “mad” man “almost” persuade the king “to be a Christian” but has not influenced the governor? Surely, Festus is the only person to think much education makes Paul a lunatic.
By implication, since none of the things Apostle Paul spoke about was done “in a corner” those persons (Governor Festus included) who knew nothing about them were obviously in some “corner.”
In closing, King Agrippa’s confession is surprising in light of Governor Festus’ outburst that Paul is “mad”. Obviously, the king thinks little of what anyone may think of his statement to Paul. The king made a bold statement to admit, he was almost persuaded to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior by a “mad” man. Are you as bold as the king; have you accepted Jesus Christ?
Get Exclusive Updates. Enter Your Email Address.
