Tenacity



Acts 25:13-26:32
http://www.esvbible.org/Acts 25:13-26:32



Paul now has an audience with King Agrippa. His path to Rome continues. Festus and Agrippa seem to be fascinated by Paul and his message. They meet with him often and seem to give his story an ear. And Paul tenaciously continues to tell it to any and all who will listen.



This King Agrippa is an interesting guy.



“King Agrippa was Herod Agrippa II. He was the son of Herod Agrippa I, who had James put to death with the sword and intended to do the same to Peter (12:1–3). His great-uncle was Herod Antipas, who beheaded John the Baptist (Matthew 14:3–12) and tried Jesus (Luke 23:8–12). He was the great-grandson of Herod the Great, who ordered the slaughter of baby boys in and around Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth (Matthew 2:16). Although Agrippa did not rule Judea, he had control over the temple and the right to name the high priest. He controlled certain territories in the north of Galilee and the south of Syria. He had the title “king” under the authority of the Roman government. It was important that he and Festus get along well, in view of his temple responsibilities, which gave him influence in Jerusalem. Bernice was his sister, but a number of heathen writers of the first century say that she was living with him as his wife.”

Balge, R. D. ©1988. Acts (pp. 261–262). Milwaukee, WI: Northwestern Pub. House.



So his pedigree is less than stellar. His ancestors were brutal people. And he himself was willing to live with his sister as a wife. The interaction between Agrippa and Paul seems congenial enough but it is doubtful that Agrippa becomes a believer. What we know is that Agrippa didn’t find any reason for Paul to be in chains.



27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.”

28And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?”

29And 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.”

30Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them.

31And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.”

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



Paul has “appealed to Caesar”. Jesus told him to go to Rome and this is the way to get there. Clearly, had Paul returned to Jerusalem for a trial he would have been freed. (Of course there is that little detail of being killed along the way to Jerusalem. An acquittal doesn’t mean much if you’re already dead.) But he has a story to tell and it needs to be told in Rome. His commitment to the mission is admirable.

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