Almost Persuaded

Now when Festus was come into the province…

He  began an investigation…

concerning Paul.

He spoke with the Jews in Jerusalem…

Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him, And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.  Acts 25:2-3

He spoke with Paul…

While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.  Acts 25:8

And he spoke with King Agrippa…

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:   Acts 25:14

Yet unresolved…

Paul’s case captivated the attention…

of royalty.

King Agrippa desired to hear Paul…

Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:

I think myself happy, king Agrippa, 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.   Acts 26:1-3

Paul testified of his youth…

My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.   

Acts 26:4-5

And his religious zeal…

I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.

And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. Acts 26:9-11

He spoke of what he saw…

At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.  Acts 26:13

And what he heard…

And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

And who he met…

on the road to Damascas…

And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. Acts 26:14-15

But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,

Paul spoke of his mission…

To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.  Acts 26:15-18

his obedience…

Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.  Acts 26:19-20

and his adversaries…

For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. Acts 26:21, 24

And as he thus spake for himself…

Festus said with a loud voice…

Paul, thou art beside thyself;

much learning doth make thee mad.

Earnest. Purposeful. Fixed.

Paul respectfully replied…

But he said, 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 things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. 

King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.  Acts 26:24-27

Cautiously, the King answered…

Then Agrippa said unto Paul,

Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

And Paul said, 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, except these bonds.   Acts 26:28-29

And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them: And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds. Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.  Acts 26:30-32

Three rulers in agreement…

This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.

Felix…trembled.

Festus…mocked.

Agrippa…was almost persuaded.

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness;

but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.   1 Corinthians 1:18

God’s plan for Paul continues to unfold…

Be of good cheer, Paul:

for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem,

so must thou bear witness also at Rome.  Acts 23:11

An Army, a Letter and a Testimony.

Paul arrived in Cesarea …

with a full military escort…

a letter…

Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.

This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them:

then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman. And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council: Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.  And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man,I sent straightway to thee, 

and gave commandment to his accusers

 also to say before thee what they had against him.

Farewell.    Acts 23:26-30

And a purpose…

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.  

Matthew 10:16-18

Paul was presented to Felix…

And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia; I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall. Acts 23:34-35

And after five days…

Ananias the high priest descended with the elders,

and with a certain orator named Tertullus,

who informed the governor against Paul… Acts 24:1

Straightway…

Paul’s accusers…

presented charges against him…

And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying… we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law. But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.

And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.  Acts 24:2, 5-9

Paul responds…

Bold. Confident. Cheerful.

Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:

And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.

But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.  

Acts 24:10, 12-16

Furthermore, Paul explains…

Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.

Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me. Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council, Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.   Acts 24:17-21

And when Felix heard these things…

having more perfect knowledge of that way…

he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.

And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.   Acts 24:22-23

Paul’s testimony was convincing…

and powerful!

Felix was stirred…

and desired to hear Paul again…

And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.    Acts 24:24

Seizing the opportunity…

Paul reasoned with Felix…

Righteousness. Temperance. Judgment.

And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.  Acts 24:25

Felix trembled!

And for the next two years…

desired to hear Paul again and again…

He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.   Acts 24:26-27

Facing an angry mob…Paul was delivered by a Roman army.

Facing bonds and imprisonment…Paul was submissive and patient.

Facing trumped up charges…Paul was bold and truthful.

Facing Felix…Paul reasoned with wisdom and power…

until Felix trembled in fear.

Mean while…

God was listening. God was watching. God was recording…

everything that happened.

And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.  

Matthew 10:18

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

Revelation 20:12