Festus called Paul mad. King Agrippa said Paul almost persuaded him to be a Christian. This difference of opinion is so revealing of the environment Paul found himself. His boldness to tell his story was both a winsome presentation and threatening revelation. Has human nature changed? I do not think so. The persuasive people of today receive the same response as some are inspired and others conspire. It is also interesting that Paul could have been freed had he not requested to be heard by Caesar.
Is this encounter with Agrippa not the spiritual state of so many? Almost persuaded. Here is the passage...
"Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!” But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.” When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them; and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, “This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.” Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
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