Cases of Conversion:  The Non-Conversion of Agrippa

When the Lord gave instructions to Ananias to go teach Saul, he was told, "Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel..." (Acts 9:15).  This prophecy concerning Saul of Tarsus is fulfilled several years later as Paul stands before such dignitaries as Felix, Festus, and King Agrippa.

Unfortunately, there is no report of the conversion of these high-ranking officials but the opportunity it presented has been written in the divine record.  It may be valuable to us to see why their conversion does not occur.

In Acts 26, King Agrippa meets Festus in order to hear Paul's defense and develop an accusation.  Agrippa, by his relations, would have been very familiar with Jesus.  Yet, not the Jesus Paul was going to present. The Jesus Agrippa knew was the one his great grandfather, Herod the Great, tried to kill at birth in Bethlehem.  The Jesus Agrippa knew was the one his uncle arrayed in a purple robe prior to His crucifixion.  The Jesus Agrippa knew was the one James preached before Agrippa's father beheaded him.  Yes, Agrippa knew Jesus.

Yet, for the first time, Agrippa hears of Jesus from the viewpoint of a born-again Christian, not a jealous politician.  Paul preaches to Agrippa about the promises made to the Jewish fathers (Acts 26:6-8).  He preaches about how he once thought Christians were crazy too and deserved punishment, even death (26:9-12).  He preaches about how he saw the resurrected Jesus (26:13-19).  He asks Agrippa if he believes the sensible message found in Moses and the prophets (26:20-27).

Sadly, Agrippa's response in Acts 26:28 is, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian."  Then, Agrippa walks away never to obey the gospel call.

Agrippa hears the message.  He even admits its compelling nature.  Yet, family tradition, politics and a life of luxury can be very enslaving habits to break.  Why have you not obeyed the gospel?

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