Acts 26 - Why Paul is Not Insane?

24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”

25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things,and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”

28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”

29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

This is the fascinating chapter where Paul defends himself before King Agrippa.  Agrippa is a Jew, and therefore as Paul lays out the case for Jesus, the evidence is based in the fulfilment Old Testament prophecy.  Though Festus charged him with being irrational, Paul stated that actually what he was teaching was a very logical progression and fulfillment of what the Jews believed as written by Moses and the prophets.  

Paul's testimony is further validated by the fact that he was a member of the Pharisees, and a strict persecutor of the new Christians.  We might say he was fanactical and zealous for stopping the Christian movement. So what else would account for his complete turnaround from a persecutor of Christians, to preaching the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ at the risk of his life.  As he preaches to King Agrippa it appears as is King Agrippa is getting drawn into the message.  

Paul takes a risk and challenges Agrippa.  You believe the prophets right?  It is an assumptive close.  Instead of being on the defensive, Paul is now on the offensive.  Agrippa knows he is being challenged and tries to accuse Paul of converting him on the spot.  But Paul realizes it is not about him, but about what God wants to do through him.  He simply closes by saying, "Whether in a short time or long time, I pray that all people may become a Christian." 

Through all of Paul's suffering, God gives him the opportunity to witness to the gospel that He has received so dramatically.  The greatest proof in Paul's story is his own personal experience of God's grace and his changed life.  Festus, Felix or Agrippa could not take that away from Paul.  But in addition, Paul had the logical defense of the Old Testament writings to back up his belief.  

As we share our faith, as God gives us opportunity, we have the same.  We have our own personal testimony of what Jesus has done in our lives, plus the historical gospel accounts.  These are written by men in a time shortly after Jesus' life, death and resurrection.  People can read the gospels for themselves and determine if Jesus is really the Messiah.  The evidence is there, it is logical, and the Holy Spirit uses both our testimonty and the witness of the scripture to lead people to Jesus.  And, like Paul, we can trust that as we are faithful to do our part, He will do his part!