ALMOST PERSUADED THEM

PROCLAMATION

“ ‘King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets?  I know you do.’  Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?’ ”  Acts 26:27-28 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by Luke, the physician and traveling companion of the apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Here Luke recorded Paul’s self defense to King Agrippa against the charges the Jews had brought against him. (Acts 26:1-32)  At the end of Paul’s presentation, King Agrippa said to him: “Almost thou persuaded me to be a Christian.” (Acts 26:28 KJV)  Afterwards, King Agrippa told Governor Festus: “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.”  Then Agrippa also said: “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

 

APPLICATION

When we tell our story and witness to others about Jesus, The Christ, and what He has done for us, it is possible that some of them may be persuaded, or almost persuaded, to become believers.  In this text, Agrippa was almost persuaded by Paul’s story.  Today, we are to tell our story.  However, it is not our job to convince or convert them.  That is the preview of The Holy Spirit of God.  Our job is to tell them about Christ.  What they do with the information we give them is out of our control.  All we are to do is to plant the seed.  The germination of the seed, the watering of it, and its growth and development is in God’s hands.