TO BE, OR NOT TO BE: THAT IS THE QUESTION: WHETHER ‘TIS NOBLER IN THE MIND TO SUFFER THE SLINGS AND ARROWS OF OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE, OR TO TAKE ARMS AGAINST A SEA OF TROUBLES AND BY OPPOSING END THEM? - Hamlet, Act III
“Then Agrippa said to Paul, you almost persuade me to become a Christian.”
When you came to Jesus Christ did you need much convincing or a little prodding? King Agrippa listened to all that Paul had to say—and fought with his decision. He should be able to decide. This is an attribute that should characterize a king. However, every person ought to be able to decide concerning the eternal destiny of his soul.
King Agrippa had an opportunity to hear the most eloquent and persuasive preacher of the gospel of all times. He heard Paul the apostle. When the Lord Jesus had stopped Paul on the Damascus Road, actually waylaid him, and this man had yielded to Him, one of the things God said was that, “He is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, and kings …” (Acts 9:15). And so Paul the apostle had the opportunity to bear the name of Christ before kings, and we see him here as he appeared before King Agrippa, for that is the king whose life we are now discussing.
King Agrippa comes from a wicked family—the Herod family. This was one of the worst families on earth. The Herods’ came out of the nation of Edom, and Edom came from the man Esau. The Herod family is guilty of putting many of God’s men to death. Agrippa was the best of the Herod family. He came nearer to salvation than did any other member of the Herod family. He was educated in Rome. He spent a great deal of his youth in Rome. Caesar, who was his friend, made him the king over the land of Palestine when he was only 17 years old.
Agrippa, although a member of the Herod family, was a remarkable man in many ways. He knew a great deal about the Jews’ religion. He made it his business to know the Old Testament Jewish customs. He never was a popular ruler among the Jews. When General Titus besieged Jerusalem he fought against the Jews, and Jerusalem was destroyed.
Agrippa had been a profligate; he was affected and infected by the immorality of the Roman Empire at that time. His marriage to Bernice was a sordid scandal. She was his sister. She had been married twice before and apparently poisoned one husband. At least she knew how to get rid of them. Agrippa heard the gospel from Paul. At Paul’s trial he was witnessing to King Agrippa.
When Paul presented Jesus to King Agrippa and Bernice along with all others in the court—everyone listened and became silent. Paul’s message of Jesus Christ was powerful. Paul is not defending himself—he is witnessing for Jesus Christ before kings! Paul feels like King Agrippa may understand what he is trying to say because he knows the king understands the Jews religion. Paul believes there may be a chance to try and win King Agrippa to Christ. Paul is not hopeless when he is witnessing to him, but with anticipation he is attempting to win this man for Christ. He asks Agrippa to listen to him patiently.
King Agrippa was almost convinced to come to Christ, but just couldn’t make the decision. Paul wasn’t worried about what was going to happen to himself; he was witnessing for the soul of Agrippa—“I wish that all of you here were like I am, a Christian except for the chains.” He is expressing his longing for them to have a personal relationship with Christ, but he wouldn’t wish chains on any of them.
“You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” King Agrippa couldn’t decide. Indecision, irresolution, and vacillation kept him from eternal life. That’s the way some people are. They go through life, unable to come to a decision. This may be your very moment, my friend, to make a decision—will you? You won’t be here long, but while you are here God requires a decision. You decide whether you are going to heaven or to hell. Agrippa made his decision that day, and Paul had given him the opportunity. Oh, the danger of being indecisive, of being almost!
Yes, you have to make a decision, and you don’t have to be a king to do it. God says that every one of us has to come to the place where we decide concerning Jesus Christ. Will you this day—make that decision?
