Atos 26

Atos 26

Boice - Agrippa probably believed in the resurrection. But he had his position, and he just could not humble himself, acknowledging himself to be a sinner like anybody else, and receive Jesus Christ as his Savior. He was put on the spot—embarrassed, no doubt, before the governor. So he dodged the question. This is precisely what men and women do today. When the supernatural gospel of a crucified but risen Savior is proclaimed, a gospel that demands that we turn from sin and begin to show our conversion by good works, the world puts up barriers and rejects it for precisely these reasons: pride of intellect (like Festus) and pride of position (like Agrippa). If you are not a Christian, isn't it true that when you look into your heart you find that those are the things that keep you from bowing to Jesus Christ? Think how foolish that is, since both intellect and position will eventually pass away. Jesus said, "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?" (Matt. 16:26). (An Expositional Commentary – Acts) POSB - The words of King Agrippa are known by Christians world-wide, having served as a basic text for preachers of every generation. Some translate King Agrippa as saying, "You expect to make me a Christian in so short a time." Others, "You almost persuaded me to be a Christian." Whatever King Agrippa meant, he was familiar with the Scripture and apparently was gripped by Paul's message. His interest was aroused by the possibility that Jesus really was the Jewish Messiah. He saw Paul's point, what Paul was after, and what he, the King, and all the others sitting there had to do. Paul was after them, out to lead them into belief and repentance toward the Lord Jesus. But note: interest and knowing what to do, even conviction, are not enough to save a person. (Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – Acts) Longenecker points out that "KJV's translation of Agrippa's reply to Paul, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian," has become one of the famous quotations in history. Countless sermons have been preached on it and a gospel hymn (See below and see story behind the hymn) inspired by it. Nevertheless, it is not what Agrippa said, nor is KJV's translation of Acts 26:29 what Paul said." Almost Persuaded Phillip Bliss "Almost persuaded” now to believe; “Almost persuaded” Christ to receive; Seems now some soul to say, “Go, Spirit, go Thy way, Some more convenient day on Thee I’ll call. Talmage - Paul saw two boats; one was called Altogether and the other Almost. He saw the Altogether go into port, flags flying, and he saw the Almost founder at sea. Not quite a Christian is to be no Christian at all. Broadus writes - Many persons will be disturbed at being told that the "almost Christian," however common an object, is not found in this passage. Agrippa's celebrated saying is, in the Greek, quite ambiguous, and so is Paul's reply. No one can determine with certainty what is the real meaning. "Somewhat" is the most probable interpretation, and agrees best with the character of Agrippa. "In some measure," "somewhat," makes it a polite answer, expressing interest in what has been said, and a disposition to admit that Christianity has really some claims, especially as presented by so able a speaker. The "somewhat Christian" is oftener to be met with in our congregations than the "almost Christian." (Read more at The Somewhat Christian Acts 26:27-29 - J. A. Broadus) Jack Andrews - What is worse is to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and the message of salvation and the pardon of sins and to turn a deaf ear and a hardened heart toward God and His grace! John Bunyan (writer of Pilgrim’s Progress) wrote, “There is a way to hell from the gates of heaven.” Herschel Ford said, “The tragedy of Agrippa was the tragedy of ‘the almost.’ He almost repented of his sin, he almost accepted Christ, he almost became a child of God, he almost entered the kingdom of heaven. He missed heaven and glory because he was simply ‘almost persuaded.” Are you in the company of the almost or altogether? This was a tragic confession by Agrippa that revealed his tragic condition. (Ibid) Lord Kenneth Clark, internationally known for his television series “Civilization, lived and died without faith in Jesus Christ. He admitted in his autobiography that while visiting a beautiful church, he had what he believed to be an overwhelming religious experience. Clark wrote, “My whole being was irradiated by a kind of heavenly joy far more intense than anything I had known before.” The “gloom of grace,” as he described it, created a problem. If he allowed himself to be influenced by it, he knew he would have to change; his family might think he had lost his mind, and maybe that intense joy would prove to be an illusion. So he concluded, ‘I was too deeply embedded in the world to change course.” (Told by Jack Andrews) Hymn Story: (By Robert J. Morgan) “No one in the history of gospel music is more revered than Philip P. Bliss, a gifted young musician who died tragically at the age of thirty- five in a train wreck. Just a year before his death—this hymn—which he wrote had a profound influence in his decision to give himself to full-time gospel ministry. Philip, his wife Lucy, and their two children lived in Chicago where Philip worked for a publishing company, writing sacred and secular songs. He was considered a rising star on the American music scene. As time allowed, he also volunteered as a soloist and song leader in evangelist meetings. During a evangelistic meeting where Rev. Brundage was preaching Philip received inspiration to write this hymn. The evangelist quoted Acts 26:28 and he declared, “He who is almost persuaded is almost saved, and to be almost saved is to be entirely lost!” Those words struck Philip Bliss and led him to pen “Almost Persuaded.” It was during an evangelistic campaign in Waukegan, Illinois that confirmed God’s call on Philip’s life to go into fulltime ministry. The meetings started slowly, but on March 26, 1871, as Philip sang his new hymn, “Almost Persuaded,” an unusual power swept over the crowd. His wife Lucy later wrote, “In different parts of the house, sinners arose as he sang, presenting themselves for prayer, and souls that night rejoiced in Christ. Our hearts were very full, and a great responsibility was upon us.” The next day, Philip made a formal commitment to the Lord to leave all secular concerns and engage himself in fulltime ministry. In the year left to him, Philip Bliss exerted a lasting influence on gospel music, singing multitudes into the Kingdom and writing many of the hymns we love today.” (Quoted by Jack Andrews) To Those Who are Almost Persuaded - C. H. Spurgeon. Acts 26:27-29 King Agrippa, believe you the prophets? I know that you believe.… I. THE GREAT OBJECT OF THE CHRISTIAN MINISTER'S PERSUASIONS. The apostle never persuaded Agrippa to be almost a Christian. Agrippa never was an almost-Christian, his life and character displayed a spirit very far removed from that condition. There is a great difference between being almost a Christian and being almost persuaded to be a Christian. A man who is almost an artist knows something of painting, but a man almost persuaded to be an artist may not even know the names of the colours. The preaching of the gospel minister should always have soul winning for its object. May it never be an object of ours to dazzle and astonish, but to persuade you to be Christians. Neither would the apostle have been content if he could have persuaded Agrippa to take the name of a Christian, or to be baptized as a Christian. His object was, that he might in very deed be a Christian. To seem is nothing, but to be is everything. Thus should we labour in seeking converts; the adoption of a certain dress or mode of speech is little; union with our denomination is almost as unimportant; the true embracing of Jesus as the Saviour of men is the vital matter. If you desire a definition of a Christian, the apostle has given you it in verse 18. II. THE APOSTOLIC MANNER OF PERSUADING. 1. Paul made constant appeals to Scripture. This ought to be a powerful argument with you. You believe the Bible to be true, and the Bible says that it is your highest wisdom to be a follower of Christ. If you did not believe the Bible, no argument drawn from it could have any force with you; but granted that you accept it as God's Word, as Agrippa did, the apostolic form of reasoning from that Word ought to persuade your hearts. 2. His persuasion of Agrippa lay mainly in his personal testimony to the power of grace in his own soul. Personal testimony ought always to weigh with men. Convince me that a man is honest, and then if he bears witness to facts which are matters of his own personal consciousness, not merely the gleanings of hearsay, I am bound to believe him; and especially if his testimony be backed up by others. A great part of the preaching of every Christian minister should lie in his bearing his personal testimony to what Christ has done for him. 3. He made a clear statement of the gospel (ver. 23). Where the gospel statement is clearly given, even if no reasoning is used, it will, under God, frequently convince, for it is so marvellously self-evidencing. 4. He did not close until he had made a home appeal to Agrippa. "King Agrippa," said he (in something like the style of Nathan when he said, "Thou art the man!"), "believest thou the prophets?" The minister must know how to take the scaling ladder, and fix it against the wall of the conscience, and climb it sword in hand, to meet the man face to face in sacred duel, for the capture of his heart. III. THE DIFFERING DEGREES OF SUCCESS ATTENDING SUCH PERSUASIONS. How did Paul succeed. 1. Note that he failed with Festus, one of the most respectable of the Roman governors, the type of those common-sense people, who are very practical, very fond of facts, who consider nothing to be worth their thoughts that has anything like sentiment in it, or that deals with abstract truth. "Thou art beside thyself." Wherever the gospel is preached there are people who say, "Toleration — by all means; and if people like to believe this, or that, well let them believe it. We have more practical and rational business to attend to." If such men bring grief to the preacher nowadays, he must not marvel, for such was Paul's burden in his day. 2. Now let us turn to Agrippa, a man of very different mould. He had always taken an interest in religious questions. He was sprung of a family that, with all their frightful vices, had trembled before the voice of prophecy and Scripture, and like the Herod who heard John gladly, he listened with great attention and interest to Paul. As he weighed the arguments, he felt that there was a great; deal to be said for Paul's view of the question. He did not half know but what Paul might be right. Still he had an "if." He would rather not think that the prisoner before him was better informed than he, or that such stem teaching demanded obedience from him, and, therefore, he closed the discourse with a remark intended to be pleasing to the orator, and he went his way. Oh, these Agrippas! I would almost sooner deal with Festus, for I know what Festus means, and one of these days it may be, the Lord will direct an arrow between the joints of Festus's harness; but Agrippa deceives me; he is a fair blossom that never knits, and so turns not to fruit; he is almost persuaded. 3. I wonder whether in Paul's congregation there was a third sort of hearer! Perhaps while Paul was failing with Festus and disappointed with Agrippa, there sat somewhere in the back seats a centurion, or a private soldier, or a Jewish ruler, upon whom the truth was falling like dew, and into whose heart it was being received as the ocean absorbs the falling shower. IV. WHY THE HALF-CONVINCED HEARER WAS ONLY "ALMOST PERSUADED." It was not the fault of the preacher's matter or manner. Nothing could have been more powerful in either case. Where, then, did the fault lie? 1. On the right hand of Agrippa was a very excellent reason why he is not convinced, for there sat Bernice. The reason why sinners are not persuaded is, in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, their love of sin! Bernice was beyond all doubt a shameless woman. Agrippa's public and ostentatious associating with her proved at least that he was in evil company. This is quite sufficient to account for his never being altogether persuaded to be a Christian. Evil company is one of Satan's great nets in which he holds his birds until the time shall come for their destruction. 2. Then there was the influence of Festus. If Festus calls Paul mad, Agrippa must not go the length of being persuaded. How could he go and dine with the governor if he became quite convinced? What would Festus say? "Ah! two madmen! Is Agrippa also beside himself?" Alas, how many are influenced by fear of men! 3. Do you not think, too, that Paul himself had something to do with it? Not that he was to blame in the case, but he wore decorations which were not of a pleasing character to a man of Agrippa's taste. Though better than golden ornaments were his chains, Paul seems to have perceived that Agrippa was shocked at Christianity in that peculiar garb, for he said, "Except these bonds." It often happens that looking abroad upon the sorrows of God's people, ungodly men refuse to take their portion with them. They find that righteous men are frequently sneered at, and they cannot run the risk of such inconvenience. Oh that men were wise enough to see that suffering for Christ is honour, that the truest dignity rests in wearing the chain upon the arm rather than endure the chain upon the soul! V. THE EVIL THAT WILL FOLLOW UPON BEING "ALMOST PERSUADED." 1. He misses altogether the blessing which full persuasion would have brought him. A passenger was almost persuaded not to trust his life in a leaky ship, but he did so and perished. A merchant was almost persuaded not to have shares in a bubble speculation, but he bought the scrip, and his estate went down. A person exceedingly ill heard of a remedy, and he was almost persuaded to take it, but he did not, and therefore the disease grew worse and worse. You cannot have the blessing by being almost persuaded to have it. Your hunger cannot be appeased by almost eating, nor your thirst quenched by almost drinking. 2. He contracts additional guilt. A person has rebelled against the government, but he is afterwards very sorry for it, and he asks forgiveness; let mercy have free course. But another has been shown the impolicy of treason; he has seen the evil of taking up arms against the commonwealth, and he has been almost persuaded to be loyal. I say when he becomes a rebel, he is a traitor with a vengeance, to whom no mercy can be shown. The man who is almost persuaded to be honest, and yet deliberately becomes a thief, is a rogue ingrain. 3. To have been almost persuaded will lead to endless regrets. ALMOST A CHRISTIAN. Acts 26:28 - James Smith 1. What you Might Be, and Not Be a Christian. Born in a Christian country. Brought up in a Christian family (Judas). Educated in a Christian fashion. Connected with a Christian Church. Buried in a Christian manner. 2. What is a Christian? One who has received Christ. One who belongs to Christ. One who is like Christ. One who serves Christ. 3. What is it to be an Almost Christian? It is to see your need and not confess it. It is to wish to be saved and remain undecided. It is to be at the door, but still outside. (Handfuls of Purpose) The Danger of Indecision in Religion - Acts 26:27-29 - Homiletic Review King Agrippa, believe you the prophets? I know that you believe.… I. IT IS OF NO AVAIL TO BE ONLY ALMOST PERSUADED. The almost persuaded sinner is still at an infinite remove from salvation. II. THE GUILT AND DANGER OF THE SINNER ARE ENHANCED BY BEING ONLY ALMOST PERSUADED. Agrippa lost his one opportunity. III. ETERNITY WILL BE GREATLY EMBITTERED BY SUCH AN EXPERIENCE AS AGRIPPA'S IN THIS LIFE. It immensely aggravates a loss to know that it might have been avoided. Acts 26:12-29 A Powerful Witness By Vernon C. Grounds You almost persuade me to become a Christian. —Acts 26:28 British scientist Thomas Huxley (1825-1895) vigorously supported the theory of evolution, which earned him the nickname “Darwin’s bulldog.” As an agnostic, he believed religion was a harmful superstition. One day Huxley asked a deeply committed Christian, “What does your faith mean to you?” Knowing Huxley’s skepticism, the man paused and then replied, “You are very educated, and you can dispute anything I say.” Huxley urged him to explain why he was a Christian. So from his heart the man told what Jesus meant to him. Huxley, deeply moved, didn’t argue. Wistfully he said, “I’d give my right hand for your faith in Jesus.” We can draw two lessons from this encounter. One is that while we may prize knowledge, we know that formal education is not necessary for the exercise of life-changing, saving faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). The second lesson is that a simple, straightforward testimony from the heart can often be more effective than a scholarly argument. As the apostle Paul stood before King Agrippa, he told how Jesus had transformed his life, and Agrippa was deeply moved by what he heard (Acts 26:28). Putting It Into Practice To whom can you speak about Christ today? Read How Can I Break The Silence? When telling others what Christ can do for them, tell them what He has done for you. Acts 26:29 And Paul said, "I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains." NET Acts 26:29 Paul replied, "I pray to God that whether in a short or a long time not only you but also all those who are listening to me today could become such as I am, except for these chains." GNT Acts 26:29 ὁ δὲ Παῦλος, Εὐξαίμην ἂν τῷ θεῷ καὶ ἐν ὀλίγῳ καὶ ἐν μεγάλῳ οὐ μόνον σὲ ἀλλὰ καὶ πάντας τοὺς ἀκούοντάς μου σήμερον γενέσθαι τοιούτους ὁποῖος καὶ ἐγώ εἰμι παρεκτὸς τῶν δεσμῶν τούτων. NLT Acts 26:29 Paul replied, "Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains." KJV Acts 26:29 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. ESV Acts 26:29 And Paul said, "Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am-- except for these chains." CSB Acts 26:29 "I wish before God," replied Paul, "that whether easily or with difficulty, not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am-- except for these chains." NIV Acts 26:29 Paul replied, "Short time or long--I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains." NKJ Acts 26:29 And Paul said, "I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains." NRS Acts 26:29 Paul replied, "Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that not only you but also all who are listening to me today might become such as I am-- except for these chains." YLT Acts 26:29 and Paul said, 'I would have wished to God, both in a little, and in much, not only thee, but also all those hearing me to-day, to become such as I also am -- except these bonds.' NAB Acts 26:29 Paul replied, "I would pray to God that sooner or later not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am except for these chains." NJB Acts 26:29 Paul replied, 'Little or much, I wish before God that not only you but all who are listening to me today would come to be as I am -- except for these chains.' GWN Acts 26:29 Paul replied, "I wish to God that you and everyone listening to me today would quickly and completely become as I am (except for being a prisoner)." BBE Acts 26:29 And Paul said, It is my prayer to God that, in little or great measure, not only you, but all those hearing me today might be even as I am, but for these chains. I would wish to God Ex. 16:3. Nu. 11:29. 2 Sa. 18:33. 2 Ki. 5:3. 1 Co. 4:8; 7:7. 2 Co. 11:1. that whether in a short or long time, not only you Jer 13:17. Lu. 19:41, 42. Jn 5:34. Ro. 9:1–3; 10:1. Col. 1:28. except for these chains Acts 12:6; 25:14. Ep. 6:20. Paul Before Agrippa - Video - 7 minutes Acts 26 Resources - Multiple sermons and commentaries PAUL'S GRACIOUS RESPONSE TO KING AGRIPPA And Paul said, "I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time - Paul refused to be discouraged and replied using the same word Agrippa had used for short (oligos). The KJV is not accurate here for the Greek text does not say "were both almost, and altogether" but in a short or long time. "Whether quickly or not" Although this is a decision best not put off, for one does not know how much time they have left in their life whether a short or long time. We all do well to heed the words of Paul who wrote "AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU.” Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION” ( 2 Cor 6:2). Indeed, Paul has now put Agrippa (and all who heard his Gospel message) on trial! And the verdict was eternal death for all who reject Jesus' free gift of salvation by grace through faith. Robertson on in a short or long time - Literally, "both in little and in great," or "both with little and with great pains" or "both in some measure and in great measure." Paul takes kindly the sarcasm of Agrippa. Wish (2172)(euchomai related to euche = a vow in Acts 18:18, a prayer in Jas 5:15) literally meant to speak out or utter aloud and came to mean as used by to express a wish. The idea can be to desire something, with the implication of a pious wish. To vow (this sense is primarily found in the Septuagint uses but is found in Acts 26:29). To pray, but in the NT the derivative proseuchomai is the more common verb for pray. Euchomai and proseuchomai are more general terms for prayer, while deomai conveys the sense of seeking to have a need met. Not only you, but also all who hear me this day - So while Paul focused on Agrippa, he knew the the need of every person in that auditorium was the Gospel. Longenecker - Undoubtedly he spoke with evangelistic fervor, directing his appeal not only to the king but also to the other dignitaries. Then in a lighter vein, recognizing the apparent incongruity of appealing for their acceptance of spiritual freedom while he himself stood chained before them, he raised his hands and added, "except for these chains." (Ibid) Kenneth Gangel wrote, “I want to weep when I picture the scene in my mind. Beaten and persecuted by the Jews, ridiculed by the Greeks and Romans, Paul still wanted them to accept Jesus. Paul still wanted to share the Gospel with them. He did not even want them to be prisoners in chains... Even at this high point of rhetorical fervor, Paul’s caring heart breaks through in his words. He probably would have proclaimed more words, but the king had had enough and terminated the event by rising to leave. He neither considered Paul guilty of crime nor intended to become a Christian, so why should he listen any longer?” Might become such as I am - A Christian like me, a Jewish man who believes that Jesus Christ is the Messiah Who died on the Cross, was resurrected from the dead, ascended to the right hand of the Father and Who is returning to establish His Messianic Kingdom that Jews have been looking for and hoping for for millennia. Except for these chains - The obvious irony is that all who reject Jesus' offer of deliverance are tightly bound by their sin and so are not spiritually free. The man bound with literal chains was the only one who was actually free, for He knew the Son Who said So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (eleutheroo) 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved (douleuo) to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free (eleutheros) ’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave (doulos) of sin. 35 “The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. 36 “So if the Son makes you free (eleutheroo), you will be free (eleutheros) indeed. (Jn 8:31-36) NET Note on Except for these chains. The chains represented Paul’s unjust suffering for the sake of the message. His point was, in effect, “I do not care how long it takes. I only hope you and everyone else hearing this would become believers in Christ, but without my unjust suffering.”