Table of Contents
|
|
Chapter 41
"Almost Thou Persuadest Me"
PAUL had appealed to Caesar, and Festus could not do otherwise than send
him to Rome. But some time passed before a suitable ship could be found;
and as other prisoners were to be sent with Paul, the consideration of
their cases also occasioned delay. This gave Paul opportunity to present
the reasons of his faith before the principal men of Caesarea, and also
before King Agrippa II, the last of the Herods.
"After certain days King Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to
salute Festus. And when they had been there many days, Festus declared
Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds
by Felix: about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the
elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him."
He outlined the circumstances that led to the prisoner's appeal to
Caesar, telling of Paul's recent trial before him, and saying that the
Jews had brought against Paul no accusation such as he had supposed they
would bring, but "certain questions . . . of their own superstition, and
of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive."
As Festus told his story, Agrippa became interested and said, "I would
also hear the man myself." In harmony with his wish, a meeting was
arranged for the following day. "And on the morrow, when Agrippa was
come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of
hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at
Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth."
In honor of his visitors, Festus had sought to make this an occasion of
imposing display. The rich robes of the procurator and his guests, the
swords of the soldiers, and the gleaming armor of their commanders, lent
brilliancy to the scene.
And now Paul, still manacled, stood before the assembled company. What a
contrast was here presented! Agrippa and Bernice possessed power and
position, and because of this they were favored by the world. But they
were destitute of the traits of character that God esteems. They were
transgressors of His law, corrupt in heart and life. Their course of
action was abhorred by heaven.
The aged prisoner, chained to his soldier guard, had in his appearance
nothing that would lead the world to pay him homage. Yet in this man,
apparently without friends or wealth or position, and held a prisoner
for his faith in the Son of God, all heaven was interested. Angels were
his attendants. Had the glory of one of those shining messengers flashed
forth, the pomp and pride of royalty would have paled; king and
courtiers would have been stricken to the earth, as were the Roman
guards at the sepulcher of Christ.
Festus himself presented Paul to the assembly with the words: "King
Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man,
about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at
Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.
But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that
he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him. Of
whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have
brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O King Agrippa,
that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write. For it
seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify
the crimes laid against him."
King Agrippa now gave Paul liberty to speak for himself. The apostle was
not disconcerted by the brilliant display or the high rank of his
audience; for he knew of how little worth are worldly wealth and
position. Earthly pomp and power could not for a moment daunt his
courage or rob him of his self-control.
"I think myself happy, King Agrippa," he declared, "because I shall
answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I
am accused of the Jews: especially because I know thee to be expert in
all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech
thee to hear me patiently."
Paul related the story of his conversion from stubborn unbelief to faith
in Jesus of Nazareth as the world's Redeemer. He described the heavenly
vision that at first had filled him with unspeakable terror, but
afterward proved to be a source of the greatest consolation--a
revelation of divine glory, in the midst of which sat enthroned He whom
he had despised and hated, whose followers he was even then seeking to
destroy. From that hour Paul had been a new man, a sincere and fervent
believer in Jesus, made such by transforming mercy.
With clearness and power Paul outlined before Agrippa the leading events
connected with the life of Christ on earth. He testified that the
Messiah of prophecy had already appeared in the person of Jesus of
Nazareth. He showed how the Old Testament Scriptures had declared that
the Messiah was to appear as a man among men, and how in the life of
Jesus had been fulfilled every specification outlined by Moses and the
prophets. For the purpose of redeeming a lost world, the divine Son of
God had endured the cross, despising the shame, and had ascended to
heaven triumphant over death and the grave.
Why, Paul reasoned, should it seem incredible that Christ should rise
from the dead? Once it had thus seemed to him, but how could he
disbelieve that which he himself had seen and heard? At the gate of
Damascus he had verily looked upon the crucified and risen Christ, the
same who had walked the streets of Jerusalem, died on Calvary, broken
the bands of death, and ascended to heaven. As verily as had Cephas,
James, John, or any others of the disciples, he had seen and talked with
Him. The Voice had bidden him proclaim the gospel of a risen Saviour,
and how could he disobey? In Damascus, in Jerusalem, throughout all
Judea, and in the regions afar off, he had borne witness of Jesus the
Crucified, showing all classes "that they should repent and turn to God,
and do works meet for repentance.
"For these causes," the apostle declared, "the Jews caught me in the
temple, and went about to kill me. Having therefore obtained help of
God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great,
saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say
should come: that Christ should suffer, and that He should be the first
that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people,
and to the Gentiles."
The whole company had listened spellbound to Paul's account of his
wonderful experiences. The apostle was dwelling upon his favorite theme.
None who heard him could doubt his sincerity. But in the full tide of
his persuasive eloquence he was interrupted by Festus, who cried out,
"Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad."
The apostle replied, "I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth
the words of truth and soberness. For the king knoweth of these things,
before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these
thing are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner."
Then, turning to Agrippa, he addressed him directly, "King Agrippa,
believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest."
Deeply affected, Agrippa for the moment lost sight of his surroundings
and the dignity of his position. Conscious only of the truths which he
had heard, seeing only the humble prisoner standing before him as God's
ambassador, he answered involuntarily, "Almost thou persuadest me to be
a Christian."
Earnestly the apostle made answer, "I would to God, that not only thou,
but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether
such as I am," adding, as he raised his fettered hands, "except these
bonds."
Festus, Agrippa, and Bernice might in justice have worn the fetters that
bound the apostle. All were guilty of grievous crimes. These offenders
had that day heard the offer of salvation through the name of Christ.
One, at least, had been almost persuaded to accept the grace and pardon
offered. But Agrippa put aside the proffered mercy, refusing to accept
the cross of a crucified Redeemer.
The king's curiosity was satisfied, and, rising from his seat, he
signified that the interview was at an end. As the assembly dispersed,
they talked among themselves, saying, "This man doeth nothing worthy of
death or of bonds."
Though Agrippa was a Jew, he did not share the bigoted zeal and blind
prejudice of the Pharisees. "This man," he said to Festus, "might have
been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar." But the case
had been referred to that higher tribunal, and it was now beyond the
jurisdiction of either Festus or Agrippa.
Previous Chapter l Table
Contents l Next Chapter
|
|
