09/17/2026
I have enjoyed teaching through Acts 25-26 at our Capitol Bible Discussions this month, which recounts how in AD 59 the Apostle Paul shared the Good News of Jesus with an auditorium filled with all the most senior government officials of his nation, including Agrippa, Bernice, and Festus.
Acts 25:23 "So, on the next day when Agrippa came together with Bernice amid great pomp and entered the auditorium accompanied by the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in."
History records that these three were each wicked, immoral, corrupt government leaders.
Agrippa = Marcus Julius Agrippa, aka Herod Agrippa II. The seventh and last king of the family of Herods who ruled Israel and sided with the Romans who had occupied the nation. His great-grandfather had slaughtered the babies of Bethlehem in an attempt to kill Jesus, his great uncle beheaded John the Baptist, his father beheaded the Apostle James and imprisoned the Apostle Peter. He was corrupt and immoral and treasonous against his nation.
Berenice = Agrippa’s sister, who at this time was in an incestuous relationship with him. She was a social climber, married three times, each time to powerful, evil, leaders. She later was the girlfriend of Titus Flavius Vespasianus, a famous Roman General and future Emperor who waged a vicious war to destroy her own country.
Festus = Porches Festus, the Roman leader over the nation. He had recently been appointed by the sociopathic Roman Emperor, Nero. He worshipped hundreds of gods and goddesses but didn't believe in the God of the Bible.
And then there was Paul: alone, chained, in grave danger, mocked, laughed at.
But nevertheless, Paul was confident, respectful, articulate, wise, and at peace, as he delivered the message of the Good News to government. Rather than focusing on morality or politics or even his own legal defense, Paul used this rare opportunity to bring them (and an auditorium filled with leaders) the one and only message that had the power to transform their hearts: that the one true God had sent Jesus to die for their sins, and that by trusting in Christ they could be rescued from God's judgement and be with the Lord forever. They ridiculed him and rejected his message, but he was faithful to deliver it.
Acts 26:24 "While Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you mad." ... Agrippa replied [mockingly] to Paul, “In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.” And Paul said, “I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also ALL who hear me this day [in a room full of government officials], might become such as I am, except for these chains.”
What an event! As Charles Spurgeon, the well-known pastor in London in the 1800's, put it, “Notwithstanding his bonds, Paul is to be envied that he had an opportunity of addressing himself to kings and rulers, and that once at least in his life he stood before the great master of the Roman world, the Emperor himself. ... Alas, the gospel seldom climbs the high places of rank and dignity. It is a great act of mercy towards nobles and princes, when they have the opportunity of hearing a faithful gospel discourse. … Agrippa was much favoured, though he scarcely appreciated the privilege, to listen to so earnest an advocate of the gospel of Jesus as Paul the apostle.”
Truly, one who knees before God can stand before anyone.
Pictured here: a classic painting and new AI renditions of this dramatic day.
