774. ACT 26:28. THE REAL AND THE ALMOST CHRISTIAN
Act_26:28. The Real and the Almost Christian
"Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian."’97Act_26:28.
Our object leads us to contemplate the apostle Paul in one of the most striking events of his wonderful life and holy mission. He was now a prisoner for the gospel’s sake, and was called to stand before the tribunal of Agrippa. Paul had previously vindicated himself before Felix and Festus. King Agrippa and Bernice, being on a visit to Festus, and hearing of Paul, desired to see him; and therefore the apostle delivered before him that eloquent address, of which our text is both the conclusion and application. The power and truth of that appeal constrained the monarch to exclaim, "Almost thou persuadest me," &c. Let us consider, I. What it is to be a Christian.
II. What to be almost persuaded.
III. The importance of being altogether such.
I. What it is to be a Christian.
1. A clear knowledge of the Christian Scriptures.
Not a learned, critical, or perfect knowledge of them. Not a knowledge of the nature of its mysteries, &c.; but a clear knowledge of the great truths of the gospel’97the doctrines and laws of Jesus Christ’s kingdom. It is this knowledge which dispels the mists of darkness from the soul, so that unto those who dwell in the regions of darkness and death, light springs up. The way of salvation is only revealed here. "Life and immortality brought to light by the gospel." Now this knowledge may be attained either by reading or hearing. "Search the scriptures." "Blessed are the people that know the joyful sound," &c. There may be fanaticism; but there cannot be true religion without a knowledge of the Christian scriptures.
2. A cordial faith in the person and work of Christ.
Now, under this head there are four particulars. There must be faith in Christ’97credence in the testimony of the gospel’97a firm persuasion of its veracity; and this faith must be that of the heart’97an affectionate, willing reception of the truth: "For with the heart man believeth," &c. "If thou believest with all thine heart," &c. Then it must be faith in Christ’s person, as the Son of God’97the true Messiah, the Saviour of the world. "Dost thou believe on the Son of God?" Put it must also rest on Christ’s work. Christ, as the sacrifice offered, the victim which bore our guilt, conquered our adversaries, and who is now within the holy place, exalted to give repentance and remission of sins.
3. Conformity to the mind of Christ.
"Let the same mind be in you," &c. There must be a measure of this to constitute the Christian character. A disciple is one who learns of Christ. "If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Like-minded with Christ is the true representation of the Christian.
4. Loyal obedience to Christ.
"Ye are my friends," &c. "Whoso doeth the will of my Father, the same is my mother, and sister, and brother." Allegiance to Christ, reverential regard to his authority, and a desire to please him, are indispensable to the Christian character. "His sheep hear his voice, and follow him," &c.
5. An uncompromising profession of Christ.
Knowledge, faith, and resemblance, must be seen in our profession. We are not to be ashamed of Christ and his words. We are to confess him, &c.; we are to come out of the world, and be separate from it, to be his living epistles. It was for the profession of Christ that men have suffered the reproaches, &c., of the world, and the loss of life itself. A Christian exclaims, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ," &c.
II. What to be almost persuaded.
Such are different to the unbelieving skeptic, the reviling opposer, or those who refuse all attention to divine things. Agrippa may well be our type of those who are only almost persuaded to be Christians.
1. He heard the apostle with attention. And hearing is an essential prerequisite to faith and salvation. Thus many feel it right, yea, take a pleasure in hearing Christ preached. They cannot live in open neglect of the ordinances of the gospel’97they go up regularly to the house of the Lord; and pay every possible respect to the message of salvation; yet, they are only "almost persuaded," &c.
2. He admired, and seemed to admit the truths Paul declared.
Hence Paul, in an eloquent, yet abrupt interrogation, said, "King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? Yea, I know that thou believest," &c. It is evident that the royal hearer felt no ordinary interest in the apostle’s discourse. Now, there are many who thus feel, and thus admire’97they have no doubt as to the authenticity of the scriptures’97as to the reality of religion’97as to the preciousness of the gospel; but here they rest, and are satisfied with being almost persuaded to become Christians.
3. He expressed his convictions, and testified to the power of the truth on his mind.
"Then Agrippa said," &c.; "he felt, and not only thought, but spake, and that, too, openly. Now this was noble and candid. How many do the same!’97they speak well of the gospel’97they speak to their friends’97to their consciences, to God, and this is all; here they rest.
III. The importance of being altogether such.
"Then Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost," &c. Now, this will evidently appear,
1. If we consider the necessity of decision of character to the improvement of the mind.
A state of vacillation is unfriendly to the mental enlargement of the faculties. In arts and sciences, it is desirable to have a mature judgment and express views. But surely, in religion, it is vastly more so.
2. Consider it in connection with real comfort and enjoyment.
There is no peace in being almost persuaded, no joy, no abiding consolation.
3. Consider it in connection with salvation.
Only the Christian will be saved; the almost Christian will be almost saved; but then that will be more awful than if he had been afar off. Almost at the ark, but the door will be closed; almost within heaven, but the gate will be shut; almost at the city of refuge, but the avenger has overtaken; almost at the joyous banquet, but oil is wanting; and while they go to buy, they that are ready enter in.
Application
1. It is the will of God that you should be altogether Christians, in heart and life; in profession and reality; in time and eternity. There is no necessity for your going from this house ere you give yourselves wholly to. the Lord.
2. Let almost Christians endeavor to ascertain the cause of their decision. It is said that Agrippa lived with his sister Bernice as his wife; if so, we can easily account for his being only almost, &c. Find out the impediment, the hindrance; and let it be what it may, weigh it with the value of the soul, the preciousness of Christ, and the glories of heaven. What is your reply? How will you decide? "I beseech you, brethren, by the mercies of God, be ye reconciled," &c.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS