Acts 26:28

Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

Then {G1161} Agrippa {G67} said {G5346} unto {G4314} Paul {G3972}, Almost {G1722}{G3641} thou persuadest {G3982} me {G3165} to be {G1096} a Christian {G5546}.

Agrippa said to Sha’ul, “In this short time, you’re trying to convince me to become Messianic?”

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Can you persuade me in such a short time to become a Christian?”

And Agrippa said unto Paul, With but little persuasion thou wouldest fain make me a Christian.

Acts 26:28 captures a pivotal and candid moment during the Apostle Paul's powerful defense before King Agrippa II. This verse highlights the king's striking admission of being deeply affected by Paul's compelling testimony and the logical presentation of the Christian faith.

Context of Acts 26:28

This verse is found within Paul's final recorded defense before a Roman official, specifically King Agrippa II and his sister Bernice, presided over by Governor Festus. Paul, having been accused by the Jews, appealed to Caesar and was awaiting transport to Rome. Festus, uncertain how to articulate the charges to Caesar, arranged for Paul to present his case before Agrippa, who possessed a greater understanding of Jewish customs and prophecies. Paul's defense, detailed in Acts 26, recounts his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19), his subsequent divine commission to preach the Gospel to Gentiles, and the core message of Jesus' resurrection. His eloquent and Spirit-filled declaration of truth led to Agrippa's profound, yet ultimately incomplete, confession.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Persuasive Power of the Gospel: Paul's testimony, rooted in his personal encounter with the resurrected Christ and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy, was so compelling that it intellectually and emotionally convicted a powerful ruler. It demonstrates that the truth of Christ possesses an undeniable power to convict any listener.
  • Intellectual Conviction vs. Spiritual Transformation: Agrippa's statement reveals a mind convinced by the evidence, but not necessarily a heart transformed by faith. He understood the logic and force of Paul's arguments, yet he stopped short of full commitment, highlighting the difference between intellectual assent and genuine spiritual surrender.
  • The Danger of Being "Almost": This phrase serves as a timeless warning against the perilous state of those who are near to accepting faith but never fully embrace it. Being "almost a Christian" means being entirely lost, as salvation requires a complete and decisive step of faith, not merely intellectual agreement or emotional stirring.
  • The Urgency of Decision: The moment of conviction is a critical juncture. Agrippa's hesitation and ultimate lack of full commitment underscore the importance of responding fully and immediately to God's call. There is a vital need for decisive action when faced with the truth of the Gospel.

Linguistic Insights

  • The word "persuadest" comes from the Greek verb peitho (πείθω), which means "to convince," "to win over," or "to bring to belief." It indicates that Paul's words had a powerful, convincing effect on Agrippa's intellect and emotions, demonstrating the compelling nature of the Gospel message.
  • The term "Christian" (Greek: Christianos, Χριστιανός) was originally used by outsiders, first recorded in Antioch (Acts 11:26), to identify followers of Christ. Agrippa's use of the term here signifies his recognition of the distinct identity and commitment of those who believed in Jesus as the Messiah.

Practical Application and Reflection

Agrippa's poignant declaration serves as a powerful reminder for all who hear the Gospel. It challenges us to move beyond mere intellectual assent or emotional stirring to a genuine, life-changing commitment to Jesus Christ. In matters of faith, there is no middle ground; one is either fully in Christ or outside of Him. This verse encourages believers to boldly share their personal testimony, trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit to convict hearts. For those who feel "almost persuaded," it is a call to take that crucial step of faith and fully embrace the salvation offered through Jesus, for as 2 Corinthians 6:2 reminds us, "now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 11:26

    And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

  • Matthew 10:18

    And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

  • James 1:23

    For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

  • James 1:24

    For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

  • Acts 26:29

    And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

  • Ezekiel 33:31

    And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee [as] my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, [but] their heart goeth after their covetousness.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:2

    But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

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