[Biblemat] S) STANDING TALL LIKE PAUL

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  Here is a study from my
files.  Use to the glory of God.

STANDING TALL LIKE PAUL

     "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christ-
ian."  --- Herod Agrippa II.

     Agrippa was the last of the Herods, that ignoble family res-
ponsible for so much evil in New Testament times.  They were
ambitious, corrupt, incestuous, calculating, violent, and polit-
ical (in the worse sense of the word).  Agrippa was no except-
ion.  For example, the reader might assume that the Bernice
who accompanied Agrippa on this occasion (Acts 25:13 - 26:
32) was his wife.  She was actually his sister, and rumor had
it that the two were involved in a salacious affair.

     The Herods were Idumeans, descendants of the ancient
Edomites.  Idumea's relationship with Israel was fraught with
conflict.  The Herods themselves were not especially fond of
the Jews, but Agrippa took an interest in their religion.  Paul
calls him an "expert in all customs and questions among the
Jews" (26:3).  This situation presented Paul with the opportun-
ity to argue his case before a knowledgeable official who could advise Festus 
free from pressure to appease those Jews who brought charges against him.

WISDOM AND OPPORTUNITY: -- By this time Paul had alread-
y written, "Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is
due, custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to
whom honor" (Rom. 13:7).  As immoral as Agrippa was, as an-
tagonistic to the gospel as his family had been, Paul speaks
to him with respect, addressing him as "King Agrippa" (Acts
26:2,3).  There are times when a more caustic approach is
called for (Acts 13:8-12), but Paul handles this case quite deft-
ly.  No doubt he had been praying for wisdom so that he might know how to 
speak in various situations, and God pro-
vided him with it.

     In additrion to Agrippa and Festus, a group of prominent
men from the city was also at the hearing.  Would the apostle
allow this opportunity to pass without preaching the gospel?
No.  So Paul uses this less as an opportunity to free himself
and more as an opportunity to proclaim the risen Christ.  His
message is familiar.

     Jesus, though crucified, was raised from the dead.  Paul
knows this is true because Jesus appeared to him.  The Prop-
hets also had predicted these things (26:22).  Paul is merely
fulfilling his commission to be a minister and witness of these
things (26:12-23).  Paul sees every opportunity as an opport-
unity to teach the gospel, whether to great or small.   Do we?

THREE RESPONSES TO THE RESURRECTION: -- Finally, think about the responses to 
the gospel of the three men highlighted in this passage.  When Paul clearly 
affirms the res-
urrection of Jesus (26:23), Festus cries out, "Paul, you are out of your 
mind!"  Bodily resurrection of the dead was fool-
ishness to him, as it is to many today.  The seed was sown,
but it did not penetrate Festus' hard heart.

     Paul is the exact opposite.  When he is confronted with 
the resurrection of Christ, he accepts it and all its implicat-
ions.  He makes a full commitment to Jesus as both Lord and
Christ.  His life is completely transformed, we might even say
"cruciformed."  The persecutor becomes the persecuted, but
this is not a detriment.  It is a privilege to share in the suffer-
ings of Christ.  Furthermore, his new life is proof that Jesus
has been raised.  What but the power of the resurrection 
could have produced such a change in Saul of Tarsus?  May
we have hearts as open to the power of the resurrection (Phil.
3:10).

     Agrippa is between Festus and Paul.  He knows that God
could raise the dead, that Paul's story is not incredible, and
that Paul's message is consistent with the Prophets.  His eyes have been 
opened (26:18), and Paul knows it (26:26,27).
Paul presses the issue, but Agrippa is unwilling to make a 
commitment.  How could he publicly accept what others rejected and considered 
madness?  He diplomatically rebuffs
Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persua-
de me to be a Christian?"  Agrippa may have saved face with
his diplomatic answer, but he lost his soul.  Countless others
have done the same.

THREE LESSONS TO LEARN: -- This episode is enlightening.
1) It teaches us to treat people with respect as we preach the
gospel.  2) It reminds us to take advantage of our opportunit-
ies to evangelize and that every one -- is a prospect.  3) it
illustrates how people respond to the truth.  Some scoff, some diplomatically 
reject it.  But some will believe and give
themselves wholly to the Lord.

     May we be like Paul and continue our efforts to turn the
lost from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to
God.   ------ Bob Hutto in Biblical Insights, Vol. 7, No. 4, April
2007.   </HTML>
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