Tara-Leigh Cobble

The next day, they bring Paul out in front of Agrippa and some of the prominent leaders in town, and Festus introduces him by basically saying, everyone wants this guy to die, but I don't think he's done anything wrong.

What should I do?

This all sounds far too familiar, doesn't it?

Paul opens by asking the king to be patient with him as he tells his story.

Let's hope the king isn't sitting on an open third-story window while he talks.

Paul tells the story about his days as a persecutor of the church, followed by his conversion.

Near the end, Festus interrupts and tells Paul he's lost his mind.

Paul has just given a beautiful explanation of the gospel, but Festus doesn't get it.

This reminds me of what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1.18, "'The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing.'"

Paul says, I'm not crazy.

And the king knows it too.

You believe all of this, don't you, King Agrippa?

And maybe Paul was right.

But King Agrippa probably feels like he's on the spot in front of the governor and the local leaders.

So he says, whoa, whoa, I'm not sure I'm ready to convert just yet, Paul.

Give me some time.

And Paul says, as long as it takes, as long as it takes, because I want everyone who is here today to convert.

I want everyone to know the God I know and love the God I love.

My only hope is that it doesn't land you in prison too.

They wrap things up, and as the king and governor and leaders are all discussing things afterward, they agree that Paul is innocent.