Zachary Peters

Acts 26:19-32

[19] “Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, [20] but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. [21] For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. [22] To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: [23] that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”

[24] And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” [25] But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. [26] For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. [27] King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” [28] And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” [29] And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”

[30] Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. [31] And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” [32] And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

A Quick Outline

If you weren’t here last week, let me share that I broke this scripture down into a very rough and loose outline organized by these little phrases or words:

• A response.
• A connection to the past.
• The Resurrection.
• Crazy.
• Not crazy.
• Not hidden but verifiable.
• Almost.

Last week we talked about the response — Paul responded to the gospel just as we are called to respond — and then we talked about the connection to the past. What Paul was describing in the gospel was not an unlooked-for shooting star. It was not random. Expectation had been laid for a savior from the very beginning.

In this connection to the past was the hope of a savior, and for some, the hope of what we would call a resurrection. Something new. And indeed, Paul once again brings up the resurrection — its uniqueness, its power, and its meaning.

Not Crazy — But Verifiable

Yet immediately, the resurrection, the fulfillment of these thousands-of-years-old prophecies, and Paul’s own testimony stirs a challenge. Festus screams out: “Paul, you’re out of your mind — you’re crazy.”

He noted the intelligence and learning of Paul, but when it comes to the resurrection, he just can’t stand it anymore.

To which Paul said — this is where we stopped last week — “No, no, it’s not craziness. It’s not madness. It’s truth and reasonableness that I am speaking with.”

The claims found in Scripture — most of which was finished and in circulation within 70 years of Christ’s death — could have easily been disproven by eyewitnesses at the time. And yet they weren’t. Christianity would have stopped in its tracks if those claims had been shown to be false. But it didn’t happen, and Christianity continues to grow.

If we think that people were any less skeptical then than they are now, we just do not understand how the human mind works. And yet people believed, and people could verify many of the claims.

Paul’s own testimony — who he was, and who he is now — is itself a truth claim. Just like your testimony of who you were before Christ and who you are now with Christ is a truth claim.

Additionally, Jesus’ ministry was public. His death was public. His resurrection was public. The church was public and out in the open — it was not hidden. Unlike some religious traditions founded on private visions received by a single individual in isolation, the gospel was proclaimed openly, witnessed publicly, and verified by many.

Almost

All of this leads us to where we pick up today. Paul turns to Agrippa: “For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.”

There are people out there who see the lighthouse from the boat. They hear what Christians say. They see glimpses of something in the distance. They sense there is more. They may even be well versed in the truth without holding on to the truth.

Many may even look at Jesus and like the concept of him. I watched an episode of a show recently where a doctor was asked if they believe in God, and the doctor answered, “I like the concept.” Almost — but not quite.

There are good people out there who do not even realize that on a practical level their lives are nearly aligned with God’s will and order, but there is no grace or surrender to the work of Jesus — not just some moral teachings. They are almost there. But almost isn’t enough.

“And Agrippa said to Paul, ‘In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?’”

Agrippa knows exactly what Paul is saying. Paul has not lied or misjudged his approach, but even though Agrippa has the knowledge and the understanding, it is still an almost story.

Don’t be an almost person. Often we see people who are very good at keeping a homeostasis in their life — very good at ignoring things that seem like they might change life too much. They hear the hope of Jesus, the Holy Spirit is calling them, but they are okay with almost because it is comfortable. If you are adjacent to a fire, you are warm but not consumed. That’s how they live — next to Christianity but not in it.

That’s why blessings can be so dangerous. God gives good things, and I want those good things. Yet if you are never challenged, if you never face trials, if everything is relatively perfect, you might be tempted to think you don’t need anything else. You don’t see a desperate need for him. Blessings — not always, but sometimes — can make people into almost people.

Short or Long — The Mission Doesn’t Change

“And Paul said, ‘Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am — except for these chains.’”

I love this for several reasons. First, it shows us once again that Paul is fixated on the mission. It doesn’t matter what he is going through — it is just another opportunity. And while he is addressing Agrippa, others are listening. While Agrippa might be stuck in almost, someone else in the room might be turning to God.

While we are focused on sharing the gospel with someone, our kids are watching. The Holy Spirit might be using your message — intended for someone else — for your own child.

God created time. Sometimes people seem to lock into salvation just like that — in no time at all. Other times — the long times — we might be helping God work on someone for decades. We might lay a foundation that someone else builds on. It can be frustrating. But short or long, it doesn’t matter. The mission doesn’t change.

Do not be discouraged by the passage of time — God is not bothered by that.

And of course Paul adds a little humor: except these chains. I want you to have what I have — well, just not these little problems.

The Question

The scripture goes on and those gathered basically confirm what we already know: Paul has done no wrong. Yet the wheels are in motion for Paul to head to Rome.

The question I have for myself and for anyone who hears this: Am I as dedicated to the gospel as Paul? Is every moment a chance to fulfill my calling as a Christian?