Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, January 2024
“Paul replied, ‘I pray God, that whether in a short time or a long time, not only you, but also all those who are listening to me today would become what I am, except for these chains.’” (Acts 26:29 EHV)
The final chapters of the book of Acts record Saint Paul returning to Jerusalem before being sent to Rome, where his life would eventually end. Paul was arrested in Jerusalem and defended himself before Felix (the fifth procurator of Judea), Festus (the sixth procurator of Judea), and King Agrippa (the great-grandson of Herod the Great).
“Become what I am, except for these chains.” At this point in his life, Paul was imprisoned and wore physical chains. Of course, we all have things that chain or bind us. I spent the fall reading and studying Dr. Martin Luther’s great book, On the Bondage of the Will. It is bombastic work and tightly argued work in which he argues that our will is bound, unable to choose God on its own. Luther emphasizes that salvation is solely a work of God, not something we achieve through our own efforts. He uses strong language to stress our dependence on God’s grace, highlighting human incapacity and God’s active role in saving us. It’s a foundational text expressing the idea that we are passive recipients of God’s mercy rather than active contributors to our salvation.
In this verse, Paul stand before Festus and Agrippa and answers a question of Festus. “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul answer that he desires all become Christians, more than just Agrippa. He desires Agrippa and Felix be Christians. He desires you and me be Christians. He desires your family and your neighbors all become Christians. And Paul presents himself as the very model of being a Christian, “Become what I am.” This is not an uninterested model of Christianity. For Paul, being a Christian is fully engaged. Beyond, chains, he was bound by faith to the love of the Lord.