Last week, I began talking about what we can learn from Paul’s speech to King Agrippa in Acts 26. If you missed that post, you can read it here. Today, I’m going to continue with 4 more points and the biggest takeaway.
- Facing persecution
For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. – Acts 26:21
While Christians may not be persecuted by death in America, we will still suffer for our faith, but no suffering is greater than what Christ experienced on the cross. Notice here that the Jews, who were once Paul’s people, who once revered him and respected him, are now turning on him because of his newfound faith. The world applauds us when we think like them, but when we seek truth ourselves and find the Truth in Jesus, they turn on us. No matter how many times Paul was imprisoned, he still kept spreading the Word of God. It’s important to keep working despite the trials that come our way. Satan would love nothing more than to discourage us from working for God, but it’s important that we keep pushing forward and spreading the Gospel.
- Working for God WITH God
Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: – Acts 26:22
It would have been easy for Paul to turn his back on God when he faced hardships, but he stayed true to his faith and the mission God had given him. And Paul gave God credit for the work he had accomplished. Paul recognized that he was an ordinary man but he worked for an extraordinary God. God will always be there for us, guiding us and working in ways we can’t imagine and often can’t understand.
- Truth is on our side
And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. – Acts 26:24-25
Paul does not back down from his faith even though he faces ridicule. Someone will always be there to comment that you’re a “fanatic” and you take Christianity too seriously. Someone will always question why you’re so involved in church. Someone will always question your convictions. But just like Paul, we can stay strong.
- Working through disappointment
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. – Acts 26:28
Even though King Agrippa wasn’t persuaded, Paul continued preaching the Gospel. We can preach and teach and talk about Jesus to everyone we come across, but that doesn’t mean everyone will come to know Christ as their Savior. It would be easy to wonder if evangelism is worth it, but it is. Jesus didn’t give us a fruitless mission. King Agrippa wasn’t the first or the last to “almost” be persuaded. But Jesus died for them anyway. When He hung on the cross, He knew the names of all the people from the beginning of time to the end who would never accept Him. But He died anyway. He knew the names of the people who mocked Him, but He died anyway. He knew the names of the soldiers who put the nails in His hands, but He died for them anyway. If He died for them, who are we to decide who gets to hear the Gospel and who doesn’t? Like Paul, we should keep preaching. We never know who we’re going to reach.
- The biggest takeaway: God can save anyone.
Paul is an example of God’s love and mercy. God can take someone and change their life. Paul didn’t think he needed Jesus, but God still welcomed him and completely changed him. It didn’t matter what Paul had done in his past. It didn’t matter that Paul was seen as a learned and religious man by his peers. What mattered was that someone who didn’t deserve God was loved by Him anyway. And that’s something we can all relate to.
