Read: Acts 26:19-32
I pray to God that not only you but also all who are listening to me today might become such as I am—except for these chains. (v. 29 NRSV)
In his second letter to Timothy, Paul urges him to “proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage with the utmost patience in teaching” (2 Tim. 4:2 NRSV), and Paul shows us here what that looks like.
In today’s passage, Paul was imprisoned in Caesarea, a large port city on the western coast of Israel. In every imaginable way, Caesarea was an impressive imperial city. It boasted an enormous Hippodrome for chariot races, a 4,000-seat amphitheater, and an ornate palace that jutted out into the Mediterranean Sea. Most impressive was a 40-acre manmade harbor into which great ships could anchor, free from the perils of the ocean.
It was here that Paul made his defense before King Agrippa. He retold the story of his conversion on the road to Damascus, he recounted God’s faithfulness to Israel all while extolling the glory of Jesus. And then he turned to focus directly on the king, and became the interrogator. “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets?” (Acts 26:27) What courage. The prisoner takes over the jail. And then comes Agrippa’s memorable response: “Are you so quickly persuading me to become a Christian?” (Acts 26:28 NRSV). Although Agrippa sidesteps Paul’s gospel plea, Paul has once again given us an example of representing Christ everywhere we go.
As you pray, ask God to make you ready to speak.
Dr. Timothy Brown is the Henry Bast Professor of Preaching and President Emeritus at Western Theological Seminary where he served from 1995-2021. Tim continues to actively coach and encourage former students and pastors who seek help in their preaching life and he has become a certified public school substitute teacher so that he can continue investing in the lives of young people. He is married to Nancy and together they have three children and ten grandchildren.
