“Intense, yet Composed.”
The scene is the judgement hall of Festus, the Roman procurator of Judea. Before Festus stands the Apostle Paul, who, after appealing to Caesar two years earlier, has been held in protective custody. Presiding is King Agrippa, the last of the Herodian dynasty. Seated next to him is his sister, Bernice. The king is familiar with Jewish religion, and is interested in hearing Paul’s version of the events that led to his imprisonment.
When permitted by the king to speak, Paul takes the opportunity to witness of his conversion, and sets about building a scriptural case for Christ’s death and resurrection, and his role as light to the nations. Suddenly Festus interrupts loudly – “Paul, you are beside yourself; much learning has made you mad!” (Acts 26:24) Paul retains his composure. “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak forth the words of truth and sobriety. For the king [Paul shifts his gaze back to Agrippa] knows of these things, before whom I speak freely; for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.”
At this point Paul appeals to Agrippa’s knowledge of the prophets: “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” The king’s reaction to this is an involuntary exclamation – “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” (Acts 26:28, NKJV) “Almost persuaded” has been the basis of many a sermon based on the king’s reaction. It’s not hard to envisage old time preachers leaning forward over their pulpits, their piercing gaze seeking out the evasive eyes of sinners and their voice thundering: “Almost persuaded”! Oh, the dreadful consequences that shall befall the sinner who is almost but not fully persuaded!”
Most scholars agree that the manuscripts have no Greek equivalent to “almost” and that it should instead be translated either “little” (in reference to Paul’s few words) or “quickly” (in reference to the shortness of his address). The Williams New Testament presents the king as incredulous: “In brief you are trying to persuade me and make a Christian of me!” Robertson’s Word Pictures says: “The tone of Agrippa is ironical, but not unpleasant. He pushes [Paul’s appeal to him] aside with a shrug of the shoulders.” The Message has a touch of bonhomie: “Keep this up much longer and you’ll make a Christian out of me!”
Although less accurate, the words “almost persuaded” carry a strong sense of urgency. Scholarship does not always lend itself to old style evangelical preaching, and this is so in the more accurate but less dramatic translations of the dialogue between Paul and Agrippa. Today, people would see the king as interested yet skeptical, impressed yet indignant, half-convinced yet incredulous. They would more likely identify with Agrippa’s uncertainty than with Paul’s certainty.
If we are to be more effective in our witness for Christ, we ought to cloak our intensity with composure. It was heartfelt conviction that caused Festus to interrupt Paul, whose bold appeal to Agrippa – coupled with his personal witness – brought an involuntary response from the king that (as all versions agree) revealed him to be, if not almost persuaded, then certainly quite convicted.
Likewise, when we speak with intensity yet retain our composure, it allows the Spirit of God to reach the hearts of unsaved people as effectively today as it did in Paul’s day. Intensity comes from the heart; composure from an abiding trust in God’s ability to reach people through our witness.
Thundering from the pulpit no longer has the effect that it did a century or so ago, yet a faithful witness followed by a bold appeal to what a person does believe can still draw an involuntary response. We need to maintain our intensity while retaining our composure if we wish to see more people respond and others not “almost” but fully persuaded. So, less volume, more intensity, and cool composure.