Almost Persuaded

Acts 26:28-29
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.”

Introduction
The Apostle Paul was no stranger to hardship, but in Acts 24–26, the scene changes. No longer traveling freely, preaching in cities or planting churches, Paul is instead in chains—defending himself before some of the most powerful political and religious leaders of his time. But what appears to be a legal defense is something far more significant: it’s a pulpit.
In the face of injustice, intimidation, and incarceration, Paul refuses to compromise or grow silent. Instead, he embraces every opportunity to preach Christ. His trials become testimonies, and his chains become a stage for the Gospel. These three chapters challenge us to consider: What does it mean to live boldly for Jesus when the cost is high, when the audience is intimidating, and when the outcome is uncertain?


Acts 24 – Paul Before Felix
Paul had been seized in Jerusalem by an angry mob who falsely accused him of defiling the temple. The Roman commander Lysias, seeking to prevent a riot, arrested Paul and later sent him under armed escort to Caesarea Maritima, the Roman administrative capital of Judea, for his protection and trial.

Governor Antonius Felix was Rome’s appointed ruler over Judea. He was the first former slave to rise to such a high-ranking position in the Roman government, a feat made possible by his brother Pallas’s influence in Emperor Claudius’s court. However, Felix's reign was marked by greed, injustice, and cruelty. Ancient historian Tacitus described him as a man who “exercised the power of a king with the spirit of a slave.” Corruption was rampant, and Felix was known for accepting bribes and stirring unrest.

Paul’s trial was a mix of political tension and religious manipulation. The Jewish leadership, including the high priest Ananias, brought a trained lawyer, Tertullus, to present their accusations. They tried to portray Paul as a political threat, calling him a “pestilent fellow” who stirred up rebellion among Jews and even tried to profane the temple. Paul, however, wisely and respectfully defended himself, speaking directly to Felix and refuting each charge with truth, integrity, and calm conviction.

Paul's demeanor before Felix is a remarkable example of courage anchored in a clear conscience. Although surrounded by lies, Paul did not react with bitterness or fear. He calmly explained his actions, appealed to the truth, and never lost sight of his greater mission: to honor Christ. His ability to stay composed and faithful under fire speaks volumes.

This chapter reminds us that our faithfulness isn’t only tested in crisis, but also in how we respond to injustice. Paul’s response teaches us that spiritual strength isn’t about avoiding hard situations—it’s about honoring God within them. His statement that he always strives to have “a conscience void of offense toward God and toward men” (Acts 24:16) is a standard of integrity we’re called to live by.

We all face moments when we are wrongly judged—at work, among friends, even in our families. Perhaps you’ve been falsely accused of something or overlooked because of your faith or values. Paul shows us that we can still honor Christ in these moments by choosing integrity over retaliation and truth over compromise.

Imagine being passed over for a promotion because someone whispered lies about you, or staying quiet during a workplace gossip storm only to be labeled as self-righteous. These moments sting, but they are also opportunities for Christ to shine through your character. Paul didn’t try to win favor—he simply told the truth and let God be his defense.


Acts 25 – Paul Before Festus
Two full years passed between Acts 24 and 25. Felix, hoping for a bribe, had kept Paul imprisoned but never sentenced. When Porcius Festus succeeded Felix as governor, he inherited Paul’s unresolved case. Unlike his predecessor, Festus was a more competent and just administrator, though still bound by political pressure from the Jewish elite. The Jewish leaders quickly tried to manipulate the situation, asking Festus to transfer Paul back to Jerusalem—knowing they had plotted to kill him en route. But God was still protecting Paul. Exercising his legal right as a Roman citizen, Paul appealed to Caesar, forcing his case to be heard in Rome—just as the Lord had told him in Acts 23:11.

Festus, unfamiliar with Jewish religious debates, struggled to understand the controversy. He called in King Agrippa II, the last of the Herodian dynasty and a ruler well-versed in Jewish customs, hoping Agrippa could help clarify Paul’s situation. Festus admitted that he had “nothing certain to write” to Caesar about Paul—an ironic confession that highlights just how baseless the charges really were.

This chapter speaks volumes about divine timing and the mystery of God’s providence. Two years of silence may have felt like a delay to Paul, but they were not wasted. God was orchestrating events behind the scenes to position Paul exactly where he needed to be. Sometimes we interpret “waiting” as wasted time. But in God’s kingdom, no season is without purpose. Paul’s life was not on pause—it was being aligned with God’s greater purpose. He would soon be sent to Rome, the heart of the empire, to proclaim the Gospel at the highest levels of power.

Have you ever felt like you were stuck in a holding pattern—waiting for a job offer, a relationship to heal, or a door to open in ministry? It’s tempting in those moments to doubt God’s timing. But just as Paul trusted God in confinement, we too can rest in the knowledge that delays often prepare us for divine appointments.

One young adult, waiting years for clarity on her career, later realized that her time “in the wilderness” had sharpened her skills and deepened her character. When the opportunity finally came, she was ready not just professionally, but spiritually. Like Paul, we must be willing to act wisely—speaking up when needed, appealing to God’s promises, and walking forward even when the path isn’t fully visible.


Acts 26 – Paul Before Agrippa
Now standing before Herod Agrippa II, Paul had the chance to speak directly to someone who understood Jewish culture and scripture. Agrippa II was the great-grandson of Herod the Great, infamous for ordering the massacre of infants in Bethlehem. Agrippa’s father (Herod Agrippa I) had executed James and imprisoned Peter. Yet, unlike Festus, Agrippa was known to have a keen interest in religious matters and was considered an expert in Jewish affairs.

The setting was not a formal courtroom, but more of a public hearing in Caesarea's audience hall—filled with royal pageantry, high-ranking officials, and Roman military leaders. Paul, in chains, stood humbly before this crowd, yet boldly declared his faith. He shared his personal testimony—his zealous persecution of Christians, his dramatic encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, and the calling he received to preach the Gospel, especially to the Gentiles. His speech wasn’t just a defense—it was an altar call. When he declared, “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe,”(v.27), Agrippa’s now-famous response was both tragic and telling:

“You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”

This moment pierces the heart. “Almost” is one of the saddest words in Scripture. Agrippa was intellectually convinced, emotionally stirred, but spiritually unmoved. He was close—but still outside the gates of grace. Paul’s response is filled with longing: he wishes that everyone listening would become like him, “except these bonds.” Paul’s words remind us that faith is not merely about persuasion or knowledge—it’s about surrender. You can be surrounded by truth and still walk away unchanged. Agrippa heard the Gospel from one of its greatest messengers, but he left the room still a prisoner of his pride, power, and position.

We all know someone who is “almost persuaded.” They may admire your faith, respect your church, even believe in Jesus on an intellectual level—but they haven’t yet said “yes” to Him. This chapter challenges us not to give up on those who are close. Keep praying. Keep loving. Keep sharing. Also, this moment challenges us to examine our own hearts. Are we truly surrendered to Christ, or do we just have Christian culture? Are we living fully for Him, or just “almost” convinced?

One young man, raised in church, lived “almost” Christian—he knew the songs, the scriptures, the language—but his heart hadn’t fully yielded. It wasn’t until a friend boldly shared their testimony that he finally made the choice to fully follow Jesus. Paul didn’t tailor his message to avoid discomfort. He loved boldly, preached clearly, and left the results to God.


Conclusion: The Danger of Almost
King Agrippa’s words—“You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”—echo through the ages as a sobering warning. He’s not alone in Scripture. Felix, in Acts 24, trembled at Paul’s message but chose delay over decision, saying, “Go thy way... when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” That season never came. The rich young ruler walked away sorrowfully from Jesus, unwilling to part with his wealth. Judas Iscariot followed Jesus for three years, performed miracles, heard every sermon—and still betrayed the Savior. Even Saul, Israel’s first king, started strong but ended far from God, his heart hardened by disobedience and pride. Each of these lives shows us that close is not enough. Proximity to truth, conviction in the moment, even admiration of Jesus—none of it saves without repentance and full surrender. Let Agrippa’s almost be our never. Let us not stop short of the cross. Let us not be merely familiar with Christ—but utterly transformed by Him.


Prayer
Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Paul’s courage and conviction. Help me to walk in truth when falsely accused, to trust You when delays make me restless, and to speak boldly when the moment to share arrives. I don’t want to live “almost” persuaded—I want to be fully surrendered. Teach me to wait with purpose, to suffer with grace, and to share my testimony without fear.  And for the people in my life who are close but haven’t yet decided—soften their hearts, Lord. Let them not walk away unchanged.  Use my life, even my trials, as a platform to proclaim Your glory.
 In the name of Jesus, amen.