And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” 25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. 26 For the king 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. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” 28 And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?”
29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”
30 Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. 31 And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
Each Sunday we say, “I believe…” most often using the Apostle’s Creed. Sometimes we use the Nicene Creed, which says in part, “who spoke by the prophets.” That is a reference to the work of the Holy Spirit who has revealed certain truths to us that can only come by means of divine revelation. For we don’t come to faith simply by gazing up into the sky, or even by revering God as creator of all things. The writer to the Hebrews puts it this way, “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe” (Hebrews 1:1-2).
The witness of the prophets down through the ages was most often calling people to repentance, and faith, a righteous and faithful live. But all those prophecies have their culmination in Jesus’ life, ministry, death, and resurrection – and his second coming at the end of time. Some of those prophecies are obviously receiliniar in their fulfillment: the prophet speaks about something to come in the future, and the event happens. Many are realized only when we see how Jesus fulfills them. He was everything Israel (and Adam) was supposed to be. He was fully faithful and completely obedient to the Heavenly Father.
I believe these promises and prophecies. When I read Psalm 22, I see Jesus on the cross. Isaiah 53 gives me another view of Jesus’ sacrificial death. Micah points me to Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. These warm my heart and deepen my grasp of faith in Jesus. They bolster my confidence in those times when my faith grows weak – if only I can remember to look there.
Paul speaks of the Gospel as the power of God for the salvation of all who believe (Romans 1:16-17). It is that good news of God’s love in Jesus through which God calls us to faith (2 Thessalonians 2:14). Jesus’ first sermon as recorded in Mark’s gospel is a call to believe: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15).
It is so clear that the call to believe is far beyond intellectual ascent. It’s more than acknowledging that God exists, or that Jesus is the Son of God. So here Paul speaks to Agrippa and challenging him to go beyond believing the prophets. He says, “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.”
And the king realizes what Paul is up to. He responds: “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul, of course, does wish that Agrippa would become a Christian – a little Christ, a believer, a disciple.
Someone once said that the problem of many regarding the Christian faith isn’t so much a matter of believing as it is surrendering to the Lordship of Christ. That might be partly true, but it is not the whole story. The love of God brings us to faith, changes our hearts, and ushers us into his kingdom. That’s more than surrender. That’s faith. I believe the prophets because they point me to a loving and gracious God who has redeemed me, forgiven my sins, and given me eternal life.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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