Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (7)—Before Agrippa - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2026

"King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe." Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian." And Paul said, "I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains" Then Agrippa said to Festus, "This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar."
Acts 26:27-29, 32 NKJV

Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (7)—Before Agrippa
King Agrippa and his sister Bernice had come to Caesarea to get acquainted with Festus. After they had been there a good while, Festus shared with them a problem he had. He was going to send the emperor a prisoner, one whom the Jews had said was not fit to live any longer. But he had no charges to prefer against him. Agrippa was interested in hearing Paul, so Festus arranged for him to be brought before the audience of prominent dignitaries.

When permitted to speak, Paul used the opportunity to give his testimony, at the same time presenting Christ and His death and resurrection clearly and forcefully to those present. Festus loudly told him, "Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!" Paul respectfully denied this, appealing to the king, who, he said, knew the truth of what he was saying.

Today's verses give the climax of Paul's appearance before the king and the other dignitaries. Paul was not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. How he longed for the salvation of his hearers! How he longed to see them enjoying the same salvation he had, becoming altogether as he was—"except for these chains"!

How is it with us who are Christians? Would we have pleaded to be set free if we had been there? Do we yearn to see powerful or rich or popular people be like us, except for some handicap we may have, or do we envy them and wish to be like them? Do we love to speak of our Lord, or are we too embarrassed to do so?

-- Eugene P. Vedder, Jr.