Page 125 - Acts Student Textbook

smarter than others. So, we are condemned if we do and condemned if we don’t! People who don’t
want truth will always find an excuse to reject the evidence.

How does Paul connect his message to King Agrippa? (26:25, 26)

We can find great value in Paul’s statement that the events regarding Jesus were not done is a
corner. It shows that knowledge of Jesus and His work was widespread. The apostles repeatedly
publicly preached it. The facts surrounded Jesus’ death were well known. So why didn’t Jews produce
evidence that would contradict the resurrection? The clear conclusion is that they did not disprove it
because they could not. Despite Festus’ abrupt insult, Paul responded respectfully by denying that he
was insane. He affirmed that he was speaking reasonable truth. Further, he claimed that King Agrippa
knew enough Jewish prophecy and history to know that what he had said made sense. Here Pratte
makes an interesting observation, “Agrippa’s father had killed James; his grandfather had killed the
Babes of Bethlehem to kill Jesus. So, Agrippa himself must have had some knowledge about Jesus
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and Christians.” Again, this shows the difference between teaching Jews and teaching Romans, who
knew little Jewish history. With Jews there was much more background information that could be
drawn on for evidence.

How does Paul finally hit Agrippa with the message? (26:27)

Having stated his case and affirmed that Jesus had been raised, Paul directly asked Agrippa about his
faith. He first asked if Agrippa believed the prophets, then he affirmed that he knew Agrippa did
believe. If Agrippa knew and believed the Old Testament prophets, then he should be able to
understand Paul’s argument that Jesus had fulfilled those prophecies. That was where the discussion
was leading, and Agrippa evidently realized it. Commitment regarding Jesus was needed, and Paul
was willing to ask for it. We should do the same.

What was Agrippa’s response to Paul’s question? (26:28)

Agrippa responded by saying Paul almost persuaded him to be a Christian. The people of "the Way"
(followers of Christ) were first called Christians at Antioch of Syria (cf. 11:26). The only other place
this name appears in Acts is on the lips of Agrippa II, which means the name had become widely
known. There is some dispute, however, about the exact meaning of Agrippa’s answer. It is
translated, “With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian” (ASV, NKJV, NJB,
KJV). Or “In a little time…” (NASB, TEV, ESV, ASV ftnt). Some claim this means Agrippa was saying Paul
was going too fast for him (NRSV). He was trying to convert Agrippa in just a short time, and was
assuming Agrippa could be convinced on the basis of very little persuasion. Perhaps Agrippa’s
statement was even sarcastic. On the other hand, even these translations could just as easily be
taken to mean that, with just a little more persuasion or time, Agrippa might be convinced, in which
case he was almost persuaded to be a Christian as in the KJV. It seems that the translation itself may
be somewhat uncertain, but the context helps. Paul had already said that he knew Agrippa believed
the prophets. Surely Paul’s statements were not sarcasm or humor. Paul’s response in v29 also is
serious and implies hope for Agrippa’s conversion. Agrippa’s own statements later about Paul seem
favorable (vv 30-32).

How does Paul show boldness in his response to Agrippa? (26:29)

Paul concluded his defense by affirming that he desired Agrippa and all who heard him to become
just as he himself was religiously, except for the fact he was in chains. He wished they would be, not
just almost, but altogether convinced. Or as in the ASV, whether it took little or much, he wanted

84 Pratte, (p. 376).
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