Ministry of the Apostle, Conversion the One Object of the – Charles Spurgeon

IS it not very possible to work up a congregation to the highest possible state of excitement upon their bereavements, and yet after all have gained no step in advance in the direction of their eternal salvation? The deaths of the Herod family might have been worked into a touching appeal to Agrippa, but Paul was too manly to attempt the sentimentalist’s effeminate discoursings. Neither did the apostle excite Agrippa’s patriotic sensibilities by rehearsing the glorious deeds of ancient Jewish valor with which the world had rung; no glowing stanzas of heroic verse or thrilling legend of chivalry were embossed upon his address, but in all simplicity the apostle aimed at this one thing, so far to convince the monarch’s judgment as to change his heart, so far to affect his passions as by the power of the Holy Spirit to make a new man of him. This, this only, would content the apostolic orator, that his auditor might be a Christian, that he might be such a one as Paul also was, the Lord’s servant, relying upon Christ’s righteousness, and living for Christ’s glory.