Become A Christian? (part 2)

Nevertheless, Paul replies, “I have not lost my mind, most excellent Festus” (the use of which should make us think about the “most excellent Theophilus” to whom Luke & Acts are addressed), “but am speaking true and rational words” (26:25). Likewise, Paul’s insistence on the fact that his words are both “true and rational” points us to the “many convincing proofs” of the third verse of the first chapter of Acts. The words used for “convincing proofs” imply evidence that could be presented in a courtroom setting as irrefutable proof of the facts of a case. True and rational indeed.

Paul goes on to add, “For the king knows about these things, and I am speaking freely to him, because I cannot believe that any of these things has escaped his notice, for this was not done in a corner” (26:26). So not only is Agrippa familiar with the terminology and substance of the things about which Paul is speaking, but Paul implies that Agrippa is also aware of what happened to Jesus, what is being said about Him, and about the vendetta that is being pursued against His ever-increasing band of followers and confessors.

Paul continues and says, “Do you believe the prophets, King Agrippa? I know that you believe” (26:27). This puts Agrippa on the spot. With this reference to the prophets and Agrippa’s belief in what has been written, it seems that Paul might have some inside information about Agrippa’s stance concerning the claims being made about Jesus. Agrippa, perhaps taken aback by what Paul has said, defensively and perhaps even nervously replies, “In such a short time are you persuading me to become a Christian?” (26:28)

This is quite the interesting statement/question, with dramatic implications. You see, this is not about whether Paul was trying to get Agrippa to confess Jesus and so be saved, or to have a personal religious experience, or convert to a new religion. This use of “Christian” by Agrippa would probably have caused Festus to perk up his ears. Christian? This word was not used to identify someone’s religion. This word was used in a political context. Christians, or “kristianos” in the Greek, were being identified as such, in contrast to being “kaisarianos,” or “Caesar-people.” A Christian, in that day, was somebody that looked to Jesus of Nazareth, the One that had been crucified on a Roman cross, as Messiah and Lord and King and Son of God. These were all titles of Caesar, as the Caesar-cult held him up and worshiped him as the son of god. In this situation, it is highly probable that we are correct to understand Agrippa’s statement to Paul along such lines.

Proclamations concerning Jesus, by His followers, made the claim that He was the true King and Ruler of the world, and that even Caesar was subject to Him. It was counter-imperial and subversive statements such as these that would get people crucified or thrown to the lions. At the same time, this also causes us to look back to Paul’s statement about the Messiah being a light to both Israel and the Gentiles, as Caesar Augustus was hailed as the man who had brought the world out of darkness, while the darkness was kept at bay by the “pax Romana” (Roman peace) that continued to suffuse light through the world under the dominion of the Caesar’s that followed.

This created dangerous territory for Agrippa, as he sits here before the Rome-appointed governor as the Rome-appointed, Rome-supported king. A confession by Agrippa of anything that remotely resembled a belief that what Paul was saying about Jesus was true, was going to be very bad for him, as it could be looked upon as treasonous. Paul, in what appears to be an understanding of Agrippa’s situation, responds by saying, “I pray to God that whether in a short or a long time not only you but also all those who are listening to me today could become such as I am, except for these chains” (26:29). “Yes,” Paul says, “I believe everybody should submit to this message of the Gospel, recognizing Jesus as Lord and King.”
As this story comes to an end, “the king got up, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them” (26:30). Understandably, this engagement has given them much to think about, so “as they were leaving they said to one another, ‘This man is not doing anything deserving death or even imprisonment’.” (26:31) In this, and in what follows, as “Agrippa said to Festus, ‘This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar’” (26:32), we can almost hear a tacit agreement, from the mouth of Agrippa, with the claims that Paul has made.