Having spoken of the Resurrection, St. Paul went on to show Agrippa, that what he now taught upon the subject was the more worthy of belief, inasmuch as he himself had not been easily persuaded of this truth, or inclined to join those who believed it. On the contrary, he says, "I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth." Then, after telling Agrippa how in consequence of this idea, he persecuted the followers of Jesus, he described the wonderful manner in which he had been brought to see that He _was_ the promised Messiah; and he mentioned the peculiar charge given unto him by God, to go unto the Gentiles, "to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith." "Whereupon," continued the Apostle, "I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: but shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judæa, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: that Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first who should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles." Strange indeed did these things sound in the ears of the heathen governor; and without pausing to consider whether they might not indeed be true, "Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad." Firm and respectful was the reply to this charge, that he knew not what he was saying: for he said, "I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. 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." Agrippa, who could bear witness to the things spoken by Moses and the prophets, must also have heard of the many wonderful acts done by Jesus during His life; of the events attending His death; and of the works since performed by His Apostles; and therefore St. Paul refers to him, as able to bear witness that the words which had so astonished Festus, were not the words of madness, but of sober truth.