One of the saddest texts in the Bible is found in Acts 26:28. It reads, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian” (KJV). This statement was made by King Herod Agrippa II to Paul, the apostle.

Paul was on his way to appear before Caesar on charges made by a man named Tertullus. Since Paul was a Roman and a Pharisee, he appealed to the emperor.

Tertullus made these charges: “We have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took and would have judged according to our law” Acts 24:5-6.

Paul had appeared before Felix, the governor, and Felix’s wife, Drusilla. When Paul confirmed his faith in Jesus, Acts 24:25 says that Felix trembled and sent Paul away. He said, “When I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” Felix hoped that Paul would offer him money to let him go, but Paul didn’t. Felix called for Paul often and finally, after two years, a man named Porcius Festus took Felix’s place, and he sent for Paul.

Paul appealed to Caesar; and while he was waiting to be transported, King Agrippa came to visit Festus. Festus told him about a man that was still being held in custody from the days of Felix. He explained that this man believed that the man called Jesus, who was dead, was really alive. When King Agrippa heard this, he wanted to meet this man.

The next day, Paul was brought before Agrippa. Paul was respectful of the king, and he asked him to listen as he told about his life. He told King Agrippa about his youth and how he had lived as a Pharisee, one of the religious sects of that time.

He told his compelling story of how he thought he was doing the right thing by putting Christians in prison and even consenting to their deaths. He said that he had persecuted the Christians and was on his way to Damascus to do harm to the cause of Christ.

Paul then told the story of his conversion. Acts 26 relates how Paul saw a bright light, fell to the ground, and heard a voice from heaven. The voice revealed that He was Jesus, the one Paul was persecuting.

The voice told Paul that he had been chosen to take God’s message to the Gentiles. The Gentiles were to be offered the opportunity to receive forgiveness of sins.

Acts 9 gives the actual account of Paul’s conversion. He was taken into the city and taught what he needed to do to be obedient to God. Ananias baptized Paul, and Paul began immediately to do the work God had chosen him to do.

When Paul related all of this to King Agrippa, Festus told him he was mad. Paul defended himself and affirmed that the things he told them were the truth. He even asserted that the king knew these things were the truth because they were things that were well known.

Then Paul asked King Agrippa if he believed in the prophets, and the king made the statement, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” Almost, nearly, but not completely, King Agrippa confessed before Paul and Festus.

Paul’s statement to Agrippa shows the commitment of this man held in chains before rulers of the world. He said, “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, except these bonds” Acts 26:29.

Paul stood in bonds, but his prayer was that he could somehow convince this man and all that were with him to become Christians. He did his best. He told his story. He loved lost souls. But he could not persuade King Agrippa to believe enough to become a Christian. What a sad ending.

Sandra Oliver