What does Paul's question to Agrippa reveal about the importance of faith? The Setting in Caesarea’s Courtroom Paul stands before Festus, high-ranking officials, and King Agrippa II. After recounting his conversion, he probes Agrippa personally: “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do.” (Acts 26:27) Paul’s Direct Appeal • Not a rhetorical flourish—Paul presses for a verdict of faith. • By tying Agrippa’s belief to “the prophets,” he anchors the gospel in the inspired, inerrant Scriptures already accepted by Jewish hearers. • His confidence (“I know that you do”) corners Agrippa: assent must move from head knowledge to heart trust. Faith as the Non-Negotiable Threshold • The gospel is historical, reasonable, and verifiable (Acts 26:26), yet it still demands personal faith. • Hebrews 11:6—“Without faith it is impossible to please God.” • Romans 10:9-10—confessing and believing are inseparable for salvation. Prophetic Witness Demands a Response • The prophets foretold Messiah’s suffering and resurrection (Isaiah 53; Psalm 16). • Paul links those prophecies to Jesus (Acts 26:22-23). • Belief in the prophets logically requires belief in their fulfillment—Jesus. Faith Moves the Heart, Not Merely the Mind • Agrippa’s heritage gave him intellectual assent, yet he famously replies, “In a short time you persuade me to become a Christian” (v. 28). • James 2:19 warns that even demons have intellectual belief. Saving faith yields surrender. Faith and Accountability • By asking publicly, Paul places Agrippa on record. • John 3:18—unbelief leaves one “condemned already.” • Luke 12:48—greater light brings greater responsibility. Faith Opens the Door to Salvation • Acts 13:38-39—through Jesus “everyone who believes is justified.” • John 20:29—“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” • 1 Thessalonians 2:13—the word works “in you who believe.” Key Takeaways • Faith is the hinge on which all gospel proclamation turns. • Scripture’s authority undergirds that call to faith. • Intellectual agreement is incomplete until it blossoms into personal trust in Christ. |
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