24 While [n]Paul was stating these things in his defense, Festus *said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! [o]Your great learning is [p]driving you insane.” 25 But Paul *said, “I am not insane, most excellent Festus; on the contrary, I am speaking out with [q]truthful and rational words. 26 For the king [r]knows about these matters, and I also speak to him with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a [s]corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you believe.”

Acts 26:24-27 (NASB) 中文

Paul on Trial

Paul is at the end of one long, God-ordained,  trial of 2+ years. It started in Jerusalem with the Jewish leaders accusing Paul of religious crimes. He’s now in Caesarea. He uses each trial to share his testimony, his call to the gentiles and the gospel. As he mentions in his testimony, God continues to intervene to foil plots to kill him. Rather than stand trial in Jerusalem (and face certain death) He leveraged his right as a Roman citizen to appeal to Caesar. Now he’s presenting before King Agrippa and a host of others.

Cut short

It seems Governor Festus is getting frustrated or, possibly convicted by the Spirit. So he cuts Paul short and calls him crazy. But Paul retorts that he’s not crazy; these things are facts and rational. They are completely believable. “All of this was beyond Festus, but Agrippa knew the issues, and Paul was aiming his presentation of the gospel at him primarily. The defendant had now become the prosecutor.” (planobiblechapel.org)

So Paul addresses King Agrippa, who knows the Jewish faith and scriptures, and kind of corners him. Agrippa should either agree with Paul’s argument or reject it. But if he rejects it, he puts himself at risk of rejecting the Jewish traditions and scriptures Paul’s logic is based upon. That would not sit well with his Jewish subjects. 

From knowing to believing

“Paul didn’t first ask Agrippa if he believed on Jesus; he asked, “Do you believe the prophets?” Paul did this because he knew that if Agrippa did believe the prophets, truth and reason would lead him to believe upon Jesus. He wanted to connect what Agrippa already believed to what he should believe.” (enduringword.com) He wanted to see him move from knowing to believing through the truth and work of the Spirit. 

RЯeflection

• Clearly stating the gospel and calling the listener to make a decision is a key part of sharing the gospel. Of course we also need to pray and defer to and rely on the Holy Spirit who alone can convict of sin and draw people to the Lord. Are we doing this? It’s our call as followers of Christ.
• Do we get a sense of the significance of the Word of God as we study this trial? We should. And we should realize we need to hold it in high regard, to delight in it (Psalm 1:2). We should know it, study it, memorize, meditate and apply it.