For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” Acts 26:26–28.
Reviewing the Ellen G. White comments on the words spoken to Agrippa in the book of Acts, it appears that he came from the Herod family. She poses the question: “What were Agrippa’s thoughts? Did the mind of Agrippa at these words revert to the past history of his family, and their fruitless efforts against Him whom Paul was preaching? Did he think of his great-grandfather Herod, and the massacre of the innocent children of Bethlehem? of his great-uncle Antipas, and the murder of John the Baptist? of his own father, Agrippa 1, and the martyrdom of the apostle James? Did he see in the disasters which speedily befell these kings an evidence of the displeasure of God in consequence of their crimes against His servants? Did the pomp and display of that day remind Agrippa of the time when his own father, a monarch more powerful than he, stood in that same city, attired in glittering robes, while the people shouted that he was a god? Had he forgotten how, even before the admiring shouts had died away, vengeance, swift and terrible, had befallen the vainglorious king? Something of all this flitted across Agrippa’s memory; but his vanity was flattered by the brilliant scene before him, and pride and self-importance banished all nobler thoughts.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, 1066.
King Agrippa 11:
- His great grandfather, Herod the Great, was the evil king who ordered all children two years old and under in Bethlehem killed (Matthew 2:16).
- His great uncle Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, murdered John the Baptist (Matthew 14:6–10).
- And his own father, Agrippa 1, caused the martyrdom of the apostle James and shortly thereafter an angel smote him and he suffered a most painful death (Acts 12:1–25).
In Sketches from the Life of Paul, 260, we are told: “One, at least, had been almost persuaded to accept of grace and pardon. But to be almost persuaded, means to put aside the proffered mercy, to be convinced of the right way, but to refuse to accept the cross of a crucified Redeemer.
“King Agrippa’s curiosity was satisfied, and rising from his seat, he signified that the interview was at an end. As the assembly dispersed, the case of Paul was freely discussed, and all agreed that, while he might be an enthusiast or a fanatic, he could not in any sense be regarded as a legal criminal; he had done nothing worthy of death or imprisonment.”
Had King Agrippa accepted the grace and pardon offered, he would have become part of the family of God. However, to be “almost persuaded,” means to put aside the proffered mercy and be wholly lost.