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Sometimes we get the erroneous idea that every time the apostles preached they converted
everybody that heard. Not true! But the great majority who heard God's most powerful preachers
refused salvation in Christ. Acts 25 and 26 give us two examples where sinners'
hearts were not right. In any conversion, three things are absolutely necessary to bring about
a change in the sinner. It takes an honest heart, the pure gospel and no stumbling blocks in
the way of the gospel getting into the honest heart.
Two pompous potentates heard the pure gospel from the apostle Paul. He was powerful in his delivery, and he was pure in his life. But neither Festus nor Agrippa obeyed the gospel. The Jews accused Paul before Festus (25:1-7). In order to save his life from the criminals and assassins who awaited him in Jerusalem, Paul appeals to Caesar (25:8-12). In the meantime, Agrippa arrives with great pomp, and decides to hear Paul (25:13-27). Rarely are Christians afforded an opportunity to preach unto the powerful. What will Paul do? Change his tone? Change his message? Seek only his personal safety? We are not surprised at what Paul does. He did not change his message whether his audience was important or not (Romans 1:16-17). He knew the power of the gospel to save. The problem with these pompous potentates was neither the message nor the messenger. The problem was their impenetrable hearts. With but few words Paul introduced his defense to Agrippa, knowing he would receive a fair hearing (26:2-3). After these few words in his own defense, Paul immediately sought to convert his listeners. A fair comparison with his former manner of life as one who persecuted that which he now preached would be a great persuader (26:4-11; Galations 1:13-14). He called to their memories how that "beyond measure" he persecuted Christians, advanced in the Jews religion, and demonstrated zeal for the traditions of his fathers (Galations 1:11-15; Acts 26:4-11). Yet, this great champion of Jewish persecution was converted. How? How do you convert a fanatical zealot? You don't. You cannot get close to him to tell him what to do. What Paul saw and heard convinced him that he was fighting on the wrong side (Acts 26:12-15). He saw a light, so did those that were with him. He heard the words of the Lord. Those with him heard the voice but could not understand. None of these things were done in a corner. If called upon, they stood as his eyewitnesses of the events on the road to Damascus. At this time, Paul found out that the Lord of heaven had appointed him "a minister and a witness" (26:16-18). He was to be a witness of the very things he had seen and of things to be revealed (Galations 1:11-12). His gospel came through revelation from Jesus. Wait a minute! How was it possible for a crucified, dead, buried Jesus to reveal anything? Couldn't! [Because] Jesus had to be alive to reveal His message to Paul. Five years after being buried, Jesus was alive and well, and He is alive and well today. Paul's conversion bears witness to the facts. A religious ruler's son, who was a professor at a secular university, used this event with Saul to assert his view that all Christians ought to "bear witness." What he failed to understand, even after being told, is that Paul was a specially chosen and appointed eyewitness (Acts 26:16; Galations 1:15). Paul was obedient to the heavenly news (26:19-20). Yet, we are dumbfounded with astonishing silence. The Lord did not tell Paul what to do to be saved. Paul had to wait in Damascus until a human being, brought him instructions on how to be saved (Acts 22:16). Upon hearing the words of the messenger of God, "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name" (Acts 22:16 ASV). Paul was baptized immediately and began to fulfill the Lord's specially appointed mission to preach to the Gentiles (Acts 26:20-22). Festus charged Paul with mania, "Thou art mad" (Acts 26:24 ASV). How did Paul respond to such fallacious charges? He did not sulk. He did not become angry. He did not perform a great miracle to get them to listen to him. He simply called attention to his words which were "words of truth and soberness." Truth and reasoning are powerful in the face of eternity. Agrippa was not persuaded (Acts 26:28-29, 62 AD). "With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian." Paul said, "not thou only, but also all that hear me this day." Upon hearing the gospel, many, like Agrippa, are almost persuaded, but they avoid the heavenly call of the gospel of salvation and die without Christ. Compare what Paul wrote ten years before his appearance before the potentates of Rome, "For we must all be made manifest before the judgment seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest unto God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences. We are not again commending ourselves unto you, but speak as giving you occasion of glorying on our behalf, that ye may have wherewith to answer them that glory in appearance, and not in heart. For whether we are beside ourselves, it is unto God; or whether we are of sober mind, it is unto you" (2 Corinthians 5:10-13 ASV). Paul tells us of "one" more response while he was imprisoned. He may not have been able to persuade the governor or the king, but the gospel did touch the hearts of the Praetorians, who, "forming the imperial guard, were picked men, ten thousand in number, and all of Italian birth." "Now I would have you know, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the progress of the gospel; so that my bonds became manifest in Christ throughout the whole praetorian guard, and to all the rest" (Philippians 1:12-13 ASV). The word did not return void, but it did "accomplish" that which the Lord pleased, and prospered "in the thing whereto it was sent" (Isaiah 55:11). Learn this lesson: Though you may not convert the person to whom you present the gospel, you may convert others who are listening to the words of life. So far as we know, both Festus and Agrippa died without accepting the offer from heaven. Millions are "almost persuaded." They are always on the verge of a decision to follow Jesus but they never do and enter eternity lost. Perhaps you have thought about becoming a follower of Jesus. Perhaps you are "almost persuaded" and almost home. We beseech you. Do not get caught almost home. '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.' "'Almost persuaded,' come, come today 'Almost persuaded,' turn not away Jesus invites you here Angels are lingering near Prayers rise from hearts so dear O wanderer, come! "'Almost persuaded,' harvest is past! 'Almost persuaded,' doom comes at last! 'Almost' cannot avail 'Almost' is but to fail! Sad, sad, that bitter wail, 'Almost,' but lost!" |