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The Acts of the Apostles
seeking to destroy. From that hour Paul had been a new man, a sincere
and fervent believer in Jesus, made such by transforming mercy.
With clearness and power Paul outlined before Agrippa the leading
events connected with the life of Christ on earth. He testified that the
Messiah of prophecy had already appeared in the person of Jesus of
Nazareth. He showed how the Old Testament Scriptures had declared
that the Messiah was to appear as a man among men, and how in the
life of Jesus had been fulfilled every specification outlined by Moses
and the prophets. For the purpose of redeeming a lost world, the
divine Son of God had endured the cross, despising the shame, and
had ascended to heaven triumphant over death and the grave.
Why, Paul reasoned, should it seem incredible that Christ should
rise from the dead? Once it had thus seemed to him, but how could
he disbelieve that which he himself had seen and heard? At the gate
of Damascus he had verily looked upon the crucified and risen Christ,
the same who had walked the streets of Jerusalem, died on Calvary,
broken the bands of death, and ascended to heaven. As verily as had
Cephas, James, John, or any others of the disciples, he had seen and
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talked with Him. The Voice had bidden him proclaim the gospel of a
risen Saviour, and how could he disobey? In Damascus, in Jerusalem,
throughout all Judea, and in the regions afar off, he had borne witness
of Jesus the Crucified, showing all classes “that they should repent and
turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
“For these causes,” the apostle declared, “the Jews caught me in
the temple, and went about to kill me. Having therefore obtained help
of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great,
saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did
say should come: that Christ should suffer, and that He should be the
first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the
people, and to the Gentiles.”
The whole company had listened spellbound to Paul’s account of
his wonderful experiences. The apostle was dwelling upon his favorite
theme. None who heard him could doubt his sincerity. But in the full
tide of his persuasive eloquence he was interrupted by Festus, who
cried out, “Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee
mad.”
The apostle replied, “I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak
forth the words of truth and soberness. For the king knoweth of these