Memorize: Reasoning with King Agrippa
Key Verses: 3, 8, 11, 18, 20, 24, 32
Paul is a wise man. He knows that King Agrippa prides himself on his knowledge of Jewish matters. He uses this knowledge as a basis for a full presentation of the Gospel.
Paul’s central point, and the central point of the Gospel, is the resurrection. Without it there is no reason to go on preaching. It is this that was his motivation for persecuting the early believers. Paul knew that if Jesus was raised from the dead, it would change everything he believed. His whole belief system would have to change. Pharisees believed in the resurrection in theory, but not as a practical matter. In reality they didn’t expect it to happen.
Paul uses some powerful images to present the Gospel to the King. I am sure he is drawing on what he knows about the King. He desperately wants the King to come to a saving knowledge of Christ. He wants him to turn from darkness to light, receive forgiveness and be set apart. He speaks of repentance and not an empty repentance, but a repentance that changes actions.
Festus does not have the intimate knowledge of Jewish happenings as King Agrippa does, so he jumps to the conclusion that Paul is wasting the King’s time. I think he is getting convicted by the Holy Spirit and wants to end Paul’s discourse before he gets even more uncomfortable. The King gets Paul’s point. He knows Paul is calling on him to repent.
Never underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit to work on an individual’s heart. Someone we think is unreachable, is not unreachable to God. Even those in the highest positions can be presented with the Gospel. With whom are you sharing the Gospel? What is your testimony of conversion? How did you begin your walk of faith? How do you explain it to others? God is calling all of us to share what we know. Are you sharing?
REVIEW: JOHN THE GOSPEL OF BELIEF
The Arnold Journey 