Sketches From The Life of Paul
by Ellen G. White
Chapter 23: Address Before Agrippa.
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The apostle was dwelling upon his favorite
theme, in that solemn, earnest, impassioned manner
which had been so powerful an agent in his
mission. In the all-absorbing interest of his
subject, he lost sight of kings and governors and
chief captains, of wealth, rank, and titles. He
was bearing the testimony which was the object
of his life, and he could speak with the assurance
of long familiarity and the fire of intense
conviction. None who heard him could doubt his
sincerity. But in the full tide of his eloquence
he was suddenly stopped short. The facts related
were new to Festus, as to nearly all present. The
whole audience had listened spell-bound to Paul's
account of wonderful experiences and visions, of
revelations and ancient prophecies, and of a Jewish
prophet who had been rejected and crucified,
yet who had risen from the dead and ascended to
Heaven; and who only could forgive sins and
lighten the darkness of Jews and Gentiles. The
last remark was too much for Festus to credit. [p. 259] He suddenly cried out in an excited manner:
"Paul, thou art beside thyself! much learning
doth make thee mad."
The apostle replied calmly and courteously:
"I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak
forth the words of truth and soberness. For the
king knoweth of these things, before whom also
I speak freely; for I am persuaded that none of
these things are hidden from him, for this thing
was not done in a corner." Then, turning to
Agrippa, he addressed him directly: "King
Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know
that thou believest."
The Jewish king had been instructed in the
law and the prophets, and he had learned from
credible witnesses some of the facts of which
Paul had spoken. Hence, the arguments which
were so new and strange to Festus, were clear
and convincing to Agrippa. And he could but
be affected by that burning zeal which neither
stripes nor imprisonment could quench. For a
time he forgot the dignity of his position, lost
sight of his surroundings, and, conscious only of
the truths which he had heard, seeing only the
humble prisoner standing as God's ambassador,
he answered involuntarily, "Almost thou
persuadest me to be a Christian."
With solemn earnestness, the apostle made
answer: "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," adding, as
he raised his fettered hands, "except these bonds."
All who heard him were convinced that Paul was
no common prisoner. One who could speak as
he had spoken, and present the arguments that
he had presented, who was so filled with the [p. 260] exaltation of an inspiring faith, so enriched by the
grace of Christ, so calm in the consciousness of
peace with God and man; one who could wish that
all those princely and distinguished people might
have the same hope and confidence and faith
that sustained him, but who, without the least
desire for revenge, could pray that they might
be spared the conflicts, sorrows, and afflictions
which he had experienced,—such a man could not
be an impostor.
Festus, Agrippa, and Bernice were the criminals
who should in justice have worn the fetters
placed upon the apostle. All were guilty of
grievous crimes. These offenders had that day
heard the offer of salvation through the name of
Christ. One, at least, had been almost persuaded
to accept of grace and pardon. But to be almost
persuaded, means to put aside the proffered
mercy, to be convinced of the right way, but to
refuse to accept the cross of a crucified
Redeemer.
King Agrippa's curiosity was satisfied, and
rising from his seat, he signified that the interview
was at an end. As the assembly dispersed,
the case of Paul was freely discussed, and all
agreed that, while he might be an enthusiast or
a fanatic, he could not in any sense be regarded
as a legal criminal; he had done nothing worthy
of death or imprisonment.
Though Agrippa was a Jew, he did not share
the bigoted zeal and blind prejudice of the
Pharisees. He had no desire to see freedom of
thought suppressed by violence. "This man,"
he said, "might have been set at liberty, if he
had not appealed unto Caesar." But now that
the case had been referred to that higher [p. 261] tribunal, it was beyond the jurisdiction of Festus
or Agrippa. Yet, two years afterward, the result
of that day's proceedings saved the life so
precious to the cause of God. Festus, finding that
his own judgment of the case, on grounds of
Roman justice, was sustained from a Jewish
stand-point by the protector of the temple, sent
a letter to the emperor, stating that no legal
charge could be found against the prisoner. And
Nero, cruel and unscrupulous as he was, dared
not put to death a man whom Lysias, Felix,
Festus, and Agrippa pronounced guiltless, and
whom even the Sanhedrim could not condemn.
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