Back to Paul and Felix: Felix was
almost convinced by Paul’s reasoning of “righteousness, temperance, and
judgment to come.” He said, “When I have a convenient season, I will call
for thee.” He also seems to have expected Paul to bribe him to gain his
freedom. However, they seem to have many “chats.” Luke, our author,
just pops in the information that Paul remained a prisoner for two years; “but
after two years” Festus comes on the scene.
Who is Festus? And how many
more times does Paul have to speak for himself?
Festus was Felix’ successor; he
brings Paul’s cause to King Agrippa (and his wife Bernice).
Once again Paul speaks for
himself – he has his story well rehearsed by this, telling Agrippa of his
remarkable experience on the road to Damascus, when the Christ had been
revealed to him in all his glory. He told of the work he was doing to
spread Christianity, and demanded that he put his case to Caesar in Rome.
Agrippa was impressed – “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian,” he
said. He also said that Paul might have been set free if he had not
appealed to Caesar.
Oh! There are different
opinions about the translation of Acts 26:28’s “Almost thou persuadest me to be
a Christian.” Dummelow (you remember Dummelow?) says the KJV version is
now given up. He writes: “The best translation seems to be, ‘Too easily
art thou persuading thyself that thou canst make me a Christian.’” Some
translations include “a short time.” e.g., can he be persuaded in such a
short time, even as Paul himself was?
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