Articles
Person Of The Week: Herod Agrippa II
The history of redemption involves God’s work through human beings, sometimes allies and sometimes enemies in His purposes. But the grand scheme outlined in the Scriptures points to a superintending mind that brought spiritual light and richness to a dark, hopeless world.
The last of the Herodian dynasty mentioned in the New Testament is Agrippa II, a great-grandson of Herod the Great. After Paul’s appeal to Caesar, Festus calls in Agrippa to hear his case and help formulate official charges (Acts 25:24-26:32). As Paul begins his defense, he acknowledges that Agrippa is an “expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews” (26:3).
Later, when Festus interrupts Paul’s recounting of his life and commission as an apostle, Paul focuses his attention on Agrippa: “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe” (26:27). Agrippa’s response is enigmatic, for it would require hearing his inflection to know exactly what he meant: “You almost persuade me to be a Christian” (26:28).
Whether said in sarcasm or seriousness, it is the term “almost” that is tragic. To almost believe is unbelief; to almost be saved is to be lost. Are you almost a child of God but not quite?
