The Peril of Pride
Acts 26:19–32
In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian? Acts 26:28

Festus might have been willing to hear Paul talk about some future resurrection, particularly if it could be thought of metaphorically. Most people are at least willing to consider the possibility of some future state in which we will all possibly have to answer for our misdeeds. But Paul was talking about a literal, bodily resurrection that had happened in history and that had made all the difference in his life and in the lives of others who had met Jesus Christ. It was this resurrection that was incredible and intolerable to Festus. “You must be crazy,” was Festus’s response. He perished because of it.

Paul then turned to Agrippa saying, “For the king [that is, Agrippa] 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. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe” (vv. 26–27). Agrippa was no Roman. He would have had some acquaintance with what Moses and the prophets had written. He may even have had considerable understanding of the Jews’ religious books. Agrippa would have known something of the events surrounding the life of Jesus of Nazareth too. Yes, but Agrippa still had his position in life to think about and he perished because of that.

Festus probably perished through the pride of intellect. How could a Roman governor believe anything as crazy as a literal resurrection? That was not the case with Agrippa. Agrippa probably believed in the resurrection. But he had his position, and he just could not humble himself, acknowledging himself to be a sinner like anybody else, and receive Jesus Christ as his Savior. He was put on the spot— embarrassed, no doubt, before the governor. So he dodged the question, saying, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?”

This is precisely what men and women do today. When the supernatural gospel of a crucified but risen Savior is proclaimed, a gospel that demands that we turn from sin and begin to show our conversion by good works, the world puts up barriers and rejects it for precisely these reasons: pride of intellect and pride of position. If you are not a Christian, isn’t it true that, when you look into your heart, you find that those are the things that keep you from bowing to Jesus Christ? Think how foolish that is, since both intellect and position will eventually pass away. Jesus said, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” (Matt. 16:26).

Taken from Come to the Waters by James Boice ISBN 9798887790954 used with permission from P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg NJ 08865

Scripture quotations are from the ESV (the Holy Bible English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.