"ALMOST
PERSUADED"
"Paul, almost
I am persuaded to be a Christians" (Acts 26:28).
Here is indeed a sad commentary of many people today...almost
persuaded.
Agrippa, the Jewish
king at the time, was invited to Caesarea by Festus, governor
of Rome, to hear the apostle Paul's defense.
The apostle had been arrested in Jerusalem, but was sent to Caesarea
for his own protection. Paul was arrested because he dared to
preach that Christ, who had been crucified, was risen from the
dead.
Paul had been one of the chief enemies of Christianity. On his
way to Damascus, he was shown that he was guilty of trying to
destroy the Christ. His response was "what must I do"
to be forgiven. He was told to go into the city and someone would
bring him the good news of salvation. Later, after his believing
and repenting, he is baptized into Christ (Acts 22:16). Now, Paul
is preaching that which he tried to destroy(1 Timothy 1:14). His
Jewish brethren were mad. He was arrested. Some determined to
kill him so he was sent to Caesarea. Festus invited Agrippa to
come to Caesarea to hear Paul for himself.
Paul preached obedience to Christ. When Agrippa heard these words,
he said:
"Paul, almost
you persuade me to be a Christian."
How sad that there are many today who will not yield to obedience.
They are like Agrippa in the long ago. Paul said to Agrippa:
"I would to God, that not only you, but all that hear me
this day, would obey, and be as I am" Verse 29.
Don't make the
mistake Agrippa made, be like Paul, who:
(1. Believed of
Christ;
(2. Repented of his sins, and
(3. was baptized into Christ, Acts 22:16).
