Once again, Paul tells his story. We all remember the days when our lives were changed forever. It may be the day a child was born, or the day you committed your life to your spouse. It may have been the day you decided you were really a Christian and not just a pew sitter. If you tell your story to a number of people, it may change in some details but the outline is always the same. When Paul related this story to the angry Jews, he spoke in Aramaic. His speech was low key and readily understandable by everyone. In this case, the elegant surroundings and having Agrippa for an audience changed his approach. Paul thought that Agrippa would be receptive to his defense because of his familiarity with Jewish scriptures.

Actually, these two men were on opposite ends of this discussion about the resurrection of Jesus. To Paul it was a foregone conclusion and he said, "Why is it thought incredible that God raises the dead?" To Agrippa, it was preposterous because he lived in a different world. He was brought up in Rome with all the luxury and elegance of Roman culture. He was a Hellenized Jew and the last of the Herods. The era in which his family was vital and influential was dying. His view was backward to the glory that had passed.

Paul, on the other hand, lived in a world which had just been reborn. His world was full of risks, hazards, dangers and perils. It was alive with possibilities. It was a world in which men were looking forward to something yet to be revealed. To Agrippa, whose world was dying, the thought of resurrection was totally foreign. We see people today, whose thoughts are in the past. Compare those people who retire and contemplate their prior victories to those who are busy helping others or continuing to learn and grow. There are challenges and struggles in our efforts to continue our growth. On the other hand, the anticipation that things are changing and being reborn gives meaning to our lives while illustrating our belief in the resurrection.

Another contrast between the two men is how much they care. It made a supreme difference to Paul whether or not God raised Jesus from the dead. He did not know Jesus personally as did the other disciples. He was not trying to prolong the precious experience the other disciples had with Jesus. He knew the prophets promised that God would send a Messiah and he saw that messiah in his vision on the road to Damascus. Jesus saved Paul from himself and showed him the possibility of a new kingdom. It was vital for Paul to tell everyone that Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s promise.

For Agrippa, the story of Jesus’ life was irrelevant. Agrippa’s way of life was fading and he was just trying to enjoy it as much as he could while it lasted. Without appreciation for the resurrection, which proved God’s promise to mankind, the validity of this story was not going to affect his life at all.

Some people will tell you they still believe in God and it doesn’t matter whether Jesus was God or man or both. To Paul and us it makes a great deal of difference. If Jesus was not man, he could not have been tempted as man is tempted. If Jesus was not God, he would not have the power to redeem the souls of all sinners forever. The resurrection was the final proof that Jesus was both God and man and that he completed God’s plan for the redemption of the world. It was proof of God fulfilling his promise to mankind as recorded by the prophets.

Yet another contrast between Paul and Agrippa is their view of God. For Agrippa, God was probably one of those properties to be brought out on state occasions, for great public ceremonials and celebrations. God had nothing to do with Agrippa’s fading life. We see people today who bring God out when it is convenient. It is sometimes a good thing to be seen as religious. More often, God is brought out when we are really desperate – when we realize we cannot handle all life is throwing at us.

For Paul, God was the creator of the heavens and the earth, the sea, the sun, and everything living. For Paul, God is powerful and continually active in the lives of his creation. For a God such as this, it is not incredible that God could raise the dead. We should all ask ourselves which approach fits the God we worship. Do we only bring him into our lives when in dire circumstances? Do we keep him out of daily conversations with friends and family?

The last contrast between Agrippa and Paul is that Paul knew Jesus while Agrippa did not. Agrippa undoubtedly heard about Jesus from his Uncle who tried him before his crucifixion. Agrippa was probably curious as his Uncle had been. It appears they both dismissed the stories as inconclusive and inconsequential. Paul did not know Jesus personally in the flesh, but he knew the Lord Christ who confronted him and set him upon a new and untraveled way. The resurrection was not theory or speculation. Paul met Jesus in the way a person meets overpowering truth or overwhelming love. He was so strengthened by this meeting he could endure all that was required by his new mission in life. Paul’s relationship with Jesus was personal and the result of a undeniable experience.

Agrippa was assured that he knew more about the things that matter than anyone else. After all, his position in life was much greater than Paul’s. There was no chance that Paul could tell Agrippa anything that would change his life. Paul stated that he was always obedient to the heavenly vision he neither created nor deserved. Paul was not perfect, but he cannot be faulted for being true to the vision he saw.

Paul claimed that there was nothing in the new way of life that was not implicit in Moses and the prophets. Christ fulfilled the Jewish scriptures. It is interesting to note that theoretically, there is no problem with his statements. As long as it is an academic discussion, people will not take exception to the principles. However, when change affects our most cherished rights and fancied privileges, opposition arises with a vengeance.

If Agrippa differed from Paul, Festus was even more confused. He understood even less than Agrippa what Paul was describing. He claimed Paul had overburdened himself with learning to the point of insanity. Remember Jesus’ family dismissed what he said as the words of one who was beside himself. It is always easy to dismiss those with whom we do not agree.

Paul expected a better response from Agrippa. He knew Jewish scriptures and what Paul was saying was not a secret. It happened in full public view. If Agrippa believed the prophets, the next step to the revelation of God in Christ makes sense. Agrippa took none of Paul’s statements seriously. He dismissed all Paul said by accusing him of trying to convert him. Paul has been deadly serious about everything he said and Agrippa refused to see any thing but humor in his words.

Remember, that Agrippa has no real say in what is going on. Festus asked him to hear the case and help him write a letter explaining the case to the authorities in Rome. They admitted that Paul had done nothing worthy of death or even of bonds. Agrippa said, "This man might be set free if he hadn’t appealed unto Caesar."

They acquitted Paul but they did not appreciate him. They were willing to let him go, but they were not willing to take him seriously. They believed they passed judgment on Paul. In reality, they passed judgment on themselves by their refusal to listen to his message and save their own souls.

We see many people today who will not make a commitment until everything is totally assured. These people find no fault with Jesus and are willing to accept the possibility of his existence. At the same time, they refuse to see the greatness of him and never feel his love. They would not lift a hand to hurt him or to block him. They also will not lift a hand to extend his healing to a wretched world. Their hearts are not open to the power of his grace. These people are, like Festus and Agrippa, the silent, self-approving acquitters. They have done nothing wrong and neither have they stood for anything great. We see a great deal of that attitude in our society today. All standards are equally acceptable. All thoughts are equal. Everyone is a God of their own making.