Paul had been arrested and brought before King Agrippa to defend himself against the Jews. In this defense he gives his early history, a sketch of his conversion to the faith of Christ, then, of his labors and persecutions following that event, and finally appeals to Agrippa himself, as if assured that one, familiar with Judaism as he was, must believe the ancient prophets, and hence could not reasonably reject Jesus of Nazareth. “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe. Then Agrippa said to Paul, “YOU ALMOST PERSUADE ME TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN.” 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.” (Acts 26:27-29) Assuming that Paul preached not only the true gospel, but in the truest method and with the soundest philosophy, we conclude that men become Christians by means of Paul’s powerful anointing.
When we study this passage of Scripture, we come in contact with 3 characters:
- Festus – he represents those who are alienated from Jesus Christ. As we read this story, we find that he thought that Paul was a mad man. He mistook Paul’s sincerity for insanity.
- Paul – he represents those who are altogether for Jesus Christ. You have to admit that as you study the life of Paul, when he met Jesus Christ, you never question from that moment on that he was 100% for Jesus Christ. He was all out for the Lord Jesus. He was totally committed to the Lord. Paul lived
by one motto; “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain”. - Agrippa – he represents those who almost belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. Agrippa was so close to being saved – yet he was so very far. He was almost a Christian – and yet he was not altogether one.
I feel like one of the greatest tragedies in all of life for a person is to be “almost a child of God,” so close yet they are still lost. It is a great tragedy for a person to almost belong to Jesus Christ, and turn and walk away from Him.
So Amy, give your heart to Jesus and become altogether a Christian!!!
-Bill Stockham