Herod Agrippa II might have been the subject of tabloid headlines, if such had existed in his day. His constant companion was his sister, Bernice. He spent most of his early years in the imperial household in Rome. Claudius, emperor of Rome, ultimately appointed him king over Chalcis, a small realm on the western slope of the Anti-Lebanon.
Herod’s encounter with Paul came when he and Bernice went to Caesarea to salute the newly appointed governor, Festus. Paul’s challenging lesson on Jesus led him to say, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian” (Acts 26:28). The power of the apostle’s message arose from three important points.
First, Paul appealed to the Bible and known truth. He referenced Moses and the prophets (Acts 26:22-23). He said Agrippa knew about Jesus and His resurrection because everything happened in the open for all to see. He asked, “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe” (Acts 26:25-27).
Second, Paul persuaded men. Herod’s words refer to that persuasion. He similarly sought to persuade the people of Antioch in Pisidia, Corinth and Ephesus (Acts 13:43; 18:4; 19:8). The apostle’s enemies even realized that was his purpose. Demetrius told his fellow silversmiths, “Moreover you see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands” (Acts 19:26).
Third, Paul wanted men to be Christians – not almost but altogether (Acts 26:29). Each must do the will of God, thus showing personal faith (Matthew 7:21; James 2:17). Self must be put to death and life must be lived for Christ (Galatians 2:20). We need to imitate Paul in these areas so lost men and women today can be persuaded to become Christians.
