Paul’s defense before Festus and Herod Agrippa II was interrupted. Luke reports, “Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, ‘Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!’” (Acts 26:24 NKJV). The challenge was brought on by the message Paul preached.
The apostle to the Gentiles was considered mad because of the hope of the promise. “And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers” (Acts 26:6). The promise was repeated to Abraham when he submitted to God’s will, even preparing to sacrifice his only son. God declared, “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice” (Genesis 22:18). Paul told the churches of Galatia the promise was specifically regarding the Christ (Galatians 3:16).
Paul was considered mad because he said the hope ultimately was in the resurrection of the dead (Acts 26:7-8). He reminded the saints at Corinth that resurrection took place in fields around the globe. He explained that each created thing had a body suited to its existence. The body inhabited by humans is natural and the resurrection body will be spiritual. Those living on earth have a body similar to Adam, while those in Heaven will have a body like Christ’s (1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-44, 48-49).
Jesus assigned the preaching of hope to Paul, especially among the Gentiles. He began the work in Damascus immediately after his own conversion. He told the assembled dignitaries that the Jews seized him because he proclaimed Jesus as the first to rise from the dead (Acts 26:16-23).
“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.’” God, like Paul, wants all believers to join in the so-called madness!
