A Christian

Bulletin

Dan Peters
02/25/24 - Salvation

A Christian

King Agrippa was in the auditorium with his friends listening to the Apostle Paul. So what would an apostle have to say to a king? Does the apostle give him advice on how to run a kingdom? Does the apostle talk about the social issues plaguing the kingdom or the poor? No. Paul talks to the king about Jesus and the things he accomplished. “For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner.” (Acts 26:26).
The King was just a few years old when Jesus was crucified, and now he was about 26 years old. It was past time for the king to become a christian, but the king was not yet persuaded. The apostle said, “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.” (Acts 26:27-29). Be like me, except for these chains, says Paul. Unashamed and bold, Paul spoke to the king. Everything Paul said was true, and it was the most important thing for the king to hear.
Paul himself had delayed in becoming a Christian, and he too knew what it was like to “kick against the goads” (26:14), un-budge in his unbelief. But a friend told Paul, “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’” (Acts 22:16). And Paul did so immediately at that point (Acts 9:18). Paul wanted King Agrippa and everyone else listening to do the same thing Paul did.
After Paul became a Christian, he was living a life that is modeled after Jesus. “Brothers and sisters, join in following my example,.” (Phil. 3:17-19), and “the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Phil. 4:9). Paul was not bragging about his lifestyle, rather, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). Someone said, “to be a good solider you must already consider yourself dead. Now you have only a few more minutes left to make your life count”. So also Christians are to die to that former sinful life, and make what life we have left count for Christ. What joy there is when you put on Christ through baptism. “When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing.” (Acts 8:39). Now he is a Christian, filled with joy. Dan Peters