“DO YOU BELIEVE THE PROPHETS?”

Passage: Acts 26:24-32

Key verse: 29

NIV

24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind,(A) Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning(B) is driving you insane.”

25 “I am not insane, most excellent(C) Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things,(D) and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”

28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”(E)

29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”(F)

30 The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice(G) and those sitting with them. 31 After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.”(H)

32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free(I) if he had not appealed to Caesar.”(J)

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

24 And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, (A)you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” 25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, (B)most excellent Festus, but I am speaking (C)true and (D)rational words. 26 For (E)the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” 28 And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be (F)a Christian?”[a] 29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day (G)might become such as I am—except for (H)these chains.”

30 Then the king rose, and (I)the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. 31 And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, (J)“This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, (K)“This man could have been set (L)free if he had not appealed (M)to Caesar.”

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Footnotes
  1. Acts 26:28 Or In a short time you would persuade me to act like a Christian!
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

As a newcomer to Judea, Festus was shocked by Paul’s fantastical story of visions and the message of repentance (24). But Paul appealed to Agrippa, who knew of these events about Jesus (24-26). He then asked if Agrippa believed the prophets (29). In that statement, their meeting was transformed from a trial with Paul’s life in the balance to the opportunity for all who heard the gospel to believe and have hope in Jesus like Paul did (27-29).

Agrippa confirmed Festus’ initial assertion that Paul was innocent (30-32). Yet again he was not set free. Paul will go to Rome, to trial before Caesar.

See the maturity and shepherd heart of Paul here. He should be trying to take advantage of the situation to save himself. But instead, he sees this as an opportunity to bless and bring salvation even to people like Festus and Agrippa! He could do so because he believes his life and future are in Jesus’ hands, and that gives him great freedom to devote his energy to preaching the gospel. Where are my thoughts, resources, and energy being devoted?

Prayer: Father, I believe your gospel and thank you for your grace. Help me mature and grow to trust you and be free to share the gospel always.

One Word: Grow in faith to share the gospel