Acts 26:28-32

 

Acts 26:28 (KJB)

Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

 

Then Agrippa realized that Paul had been trying to convert him by putting him in that “corner” where he would have to say yes because if he believed the prophets, then he would have to believe their message which pointed to the Lord Jesus Christ as the awaited Messiah. Paul’s message was so powerful that Agrippa tells him that he had almost convinced him to become a Christian. It would not surprise me that some in the audience who heard Paul did become saved.

 

Acts 26:29 (KJB)

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.

 

Paul was not discouraged but encouraged as he replies to Agrippa that he desires not only Agrippa, Bernice, and Festus to become Christians but that everyone who was listening would become like Paul, that is, saved. The only thing that he did not desire upon anybody was the chains that his hands were in. He would love to see everyone who becomes saved to be as free as their soul is. Paul was freed from the shackles of the law by means of grace and that is what he wanted for everyone.

 

Acts 26:30 (KJB)

And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:

 

As powerful as the message was that Paul spoke, none of them in the judgment seats were thoroughly convinced to become a Christian at that time. I am sure that when they went for dinner, they spoke much about what Paul had spoken. We do not know what the future held for those that heard but with God’s promise. (Isa 55:11 KJV) So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. We can be sure that fruit was definitely brought forth that day. Salvation may have come later for some and maybe some became saved that day.

 

Acts 26:31 (KJB)

And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.

 

After Paul had finished speaking, they had gone out to discuss his case and came to an agreement that Paul had done nothing worthy of death or even being in bonds. They may have felt affected by the message that Paul preached but even within that message there was no sedition or anything political against Rome. There was a great change in Paul owing to the resurrection of Christ and his zeal for the Christian faith was not something which was illegal, yet.

 

Acts 26:32 (KJB)

Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.

 

Then King Agrippa had told Festus that he should have been set at liberty after the first hearing. Since he appealed unto Caesar, Agrippa was sure that Nero would also find him innocent since at that time in 59 A.D. it was not yet a crime to be Christian. It was possible that the appeal to Caesar was already sealed and registered, so Paul would have to go to Rome. Paul was to go to Rome because the Lord Jesus Christ stated that he was going to testify for Him there and this was the way he was going to get there. If Paul would have been released in Caesarea, he no doubt would have been killed by the Jews who still had the vow on them to kill him. If he was set free, he would not be entitled to protection but this way as he makes his way to Rome, he will have protection all the way. (Phil 4:11 KJV) Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Paul knew that Christ was his strength as he now sets sail for the last phase of his earthly ministry and life.

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