It's All About The Defense

Paul will Give three defenses before Festus and Agrippa finally grant his request to appeal to Cesar.

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In chapter 24, we read about a typical court procedure: filing charges, prosecuting the plaintiff’s spokesman, and getting the answer from the defendant (Johnson, Let’s Study Acts, 293). After hearing the arguments, the judge typically renders a verdict. However, this case has some unique twists because of the nature of the alleged crime, the defendant, and the judge. This story reminds us of some fundamental truths about being faithful witnesses.

Note: Enemies of the Gospel (Cross) will Always Oppose Christians (1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.”

Acts 24:2–9 ESV

And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: “Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude. But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him. By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.” The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so.

1st Trial with the High Priest Ananias

Ananias deemed the case against Paul significant enough that he himself, the chief ruler of the Jews had to be present himself at the trial.

Some of the elders representing the Sanhedrin accompanied Ananias, most scholars believe these were Sadducee's to make sure their point was represented.

Paul’s accusers are serious, they brought in a professional attorney named

As a trained and experienced professional lawyer, Tertullus began with what was called a captatio benevolentiae, that is, an endeavor to capture the judge’s good will. Traditionally, it was complimentary to the point of hypocrisy and often included a promise of brevity, but on this occasion it descended to ‘almost nauseating flattery’.

He compliments Felix on the great peace that he has brought to the region. This however, was inaccurate, there had not been peace his kingdom had been marked by unrest and fighting between imperial forces not to mention the oppression of the Jews and Samaritans.

The 3 Charges Against Paul

Paul is a troublemaker or a pest. 

In Greek, the word loimos means a person who spreads a pestilence. Paul then endangers public welfare and says it should be either quarantined or eliminated. The charge is that he is stirring up riots among the Jewish people everywhere in the world, which is highly exaggerated. 

Paul is the ringleader of the Nazarene sect.

The word hairesis meant ‘sect, party, school’ and was applied to both the Sadducees (5:17) and the Pharisees (15:5; 26:5) as traditions within Judaism. It is in this sense that Christians now use it. It had not yet come to mean ‘heresy,’ although its use in this chapter (5, 14) and its recurrence in 28:22 ‘incline towards’ the rendering ‘heretical sect’ (BAGD).

Paul has attempted to desecrate the Temple.

This is a reference to the belief that he had brought Trophimus the Ephesian within the prohibited precinct (21:29). This was a particularly damaging and dangerous accusation because the Romans had given the Jews broad powers in dealing with offenses against their temple.

Acts 24:10–21 ESV

And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied: “Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city. Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings. While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia— they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’ ”

PUBLIC WITNESS

1. Our Defense is a Defense of the Resurrection.

Cheerful: Someone who is noticeably happy and optimistic.

A Clear Righteous Record

Paul wants everyone to know they did not find him disputing or stirring up trouble with anyone.

EVIDENCE OF THE BURDEN OF PROOF: This was just as important in Paul’s day as it is in our legal system today. Paul asserts that they cannot prove the charges that are being brought up against him.

*Christianity has become the Refuse of the World.

Remember, the first charge was that Paul was spreading pestilence worldwide. It was a contagious epidemic that the Religious leaders wanted to irradiate.

1 Corinthians 4:13 ESV

when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.

Paul’s Public Confession

4 Affirmations

1). I worship the God of our Fathers.

2). I believe everything that agrees with the Law and Prophets.

3). I have the same hope in God that these men do.

4). I strive always to keep my conscience clear.

“Refuse” is waste or garbage. It’s what Paul is saying that Christianity has become to the world around us.

Paul’s life goal is to see people to come to Saving faith in Jesus Christ.

Vs. 15 Paul reminds his hearers that there will be a resurrection of both the just and unjust.

*Reality of the Resurrection Transforms Our Conscience

Resurrection Theology

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:21; 26 about 2 deaths. The first death came in the garden of Eden when man ate the fruit and death entered the narrative of their story.

The good news of the gospel is that the second death of the perfect spotless lamb of God was necessary to buy us back from the penalty of our sinfulness that leads to death.

The reality of the resurrection changes everything for all of us for all time.

Christ’s death and resurrection is God’s answer for our sin problem which is as deep as the ocean and as vast as the sky above. In 1 Corinthians 15:12 Paul concludes “how can anyone not believe there is a resurrection. If Christ has not been raised then we are all still dead in our sins.

1 Corinthians 15:54–57 ESV

When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Resurrection is the final victory over death for all time. “O death where is your sting, O death where is your victory.” ( 1 Cor. 15:55). How is the resurrection daily transforming and changing your conscience?

One thousand or more people sit in the dirt or stand and stare at a white sheet. As the sun ducks out of sight in Milenaka, a remote little village in Madagascar, the stars begin to twinkle, and the unrelenting heat of day retreats.

These Masikoro people are about to watch the first motion picture in their language, Masikoro. The tribe of about 109,000 people is scattered throughout southwest Madagascar.

Max Randriafaly gears up the projector. He's been a guest in this village, preparing the people for this eventful night.

Max and Lala joined them for 3 daily meals of rice; they've slept on the dirt floors inside their thatched huts; they've played with their children.

Earlier this night, as Max helped unload more than 100 pounds of equipment from his white Toyota Land Cruiser -- he doesn't know the year of the car, only that it runs -- a throng of 300 excited children swarmed him, shouting and laughing.

But now, the swarm has gone silent. The children have nestled themselves in the dirt in front of the makeshift screen, nothing more than a white sheet stretched between 2 poles, while most adults stand along the edges, curious.

Max cues a 16-millimeter film to the beginning.

It's not only the first movie ever in their language but also likely the first and only movie­ these people will see throughout their lives.

The crowd is silent, even the babies. There are no whispers, no shuffling. Before the film begins, only the hum of a generator breaks the silence. More than 86 percent of households in this island country, including those of this Masikoro tribe, do not have electricity. Without the gasoline-run generator, there'd be no show.

They are watching the JESUS film. Directly translated from the Gospel of Luke, this movie teaches them about the God whom few have ever heard.

As the film reaches its climax of the brutal death and crucifixion of Christ, you can see the tears welling up in their eyes, and then when Jesus walks out of the tomb, you can hear the cheers and cries of exaltation throughout the entire village.

GODS PROVIDENTIAL CARE

Sadly, Felix does not become a believer. However, he still afforded Paul all the privileges due to his status as a Roman citizen. This meant that friends could visit him and bring him provisions such as scrolls and food.

PRIVATE WITNESS

The coming Judgement

After some days Felix hears Paul again in a private hearing. Paul reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgement. When Paul reached the coming judgement in struck fear into Felix and he would not hear anymore from Paul.

Finally, Felix, like all powerful and influential people decided to keep Paul in prison hoping someone would give some money for his release.

Acts 25:6–12 ESV

After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove. Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.” But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”

2. Our Defense is a Defense for All People

When Festus returned to Jerusalem, Paul was imprisoned for two years. The chief priests and the moral men of the Jews came to him, laying their case against Paul again.

When Festus arrives at Caesarea, he orders Paul to be brought before him. This time, all the Jews from Jerusalem stood around him. Paul argued in his defense that he had sinned neither against the law nor the temple.

Festus sought to do a favor for the Jews, so he asked Paul if he would not rather go back to Jerusalem to be tried. Paul, however, pointed out that he was standing before Caesar's tribunal, and he had done nothing against the Jews according to their law.

I have done nothing deserving death; however, I do not seek to escape death….

To live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Vs. 11 “There are no charges that have been presented against me that I should be put to death for, not that I seek to escape death.

*All People Die, But All People Do Not Truly Live.

It is not Paul’s desire to escape physical death, the great escape for Paul is the escape from sin.

Philippians 1:21 ESV

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Festus could have closed this case a long time ago, however, he liked playing politics better using his position as leverage.

Why Do You Think Paul Appealed to Caesar?

This played right into Paul’s plan to go to Rome. Some have speculated on why Paul desired to finish his journey in Rome. Perhaps it is the tie to his Roman Citizenship which led to the persecution of Christians in his former life. Maybe r it was the desire stand in the highest court in the known world before Caesar who saw himself as a god.

Perhaps the most overarching reason was that Paul had yet to go to proclaim the gospel in Rome and he took the Great Commission to go to all the earth seriously.

When a skydiver is under an open parachute, he is restricted to what instructors call “the cone of maneuverability.” This is where the wind and the forward speed of the parachute determine how far one can stray and still end up in the landing area.

This is important, as straying from the drop zone can lead to many dangers just as bad as hitting the ground at 180 mph. Power lines, ponds, highways, trees, and fences are just a few of the potential hazards that can turn a parachute ride into an ambulance ride.

If we’ve been honest in our examination of God’s Law, we will admit that we are all bound by the shackles of sin and are guilty before God (John 8:34; Romans 3:19). We are in a deadly freefall, unable to free ourselves, and face a horrifying fate below.

Yet for some inexplicable reason, some people insist they are not falling. Others may admit that they are falling, but their pride leads them to quickly point out how others have jumped from much higher altitudes; therefore, their jump isn’t as bad as everyone else’s.

They forget that the length of the fall is not the final judgment—it’s the sudden stop at the end we should be concerned with. That stop will not only be death, but our souls will be sent to a terrible place called Hell.

No amount of expert arm flapping will enable us to overcome the law of gravity, and the Law of God is even harsher. To stop the freefall we are in, we need a parachute—a proven, verified, trustworthy parachute. Jesus, the Son of God, is the only perfect Parachute that will never fail you in free-fall of this life.

Paul has a sure and secure landing zone led by the Spirit of the Living God. His landing zone is that all might know of the power of the resurrection, which will stop this world's free fall into sin and death.

Where is your Landing Zone?

Since the world has been trapped in constant free-fall, Jesus is the parachute, and the spirit is the wind that guides you to the safe landing zone of the kingdom of God.

Festus Presents Paul’s Case to AGRIPA

Herod Agrippa the younger was seventeen years old at the time of his father’s death in ad 44 (Acts 12:23), and was not appointed to succeed him.

Later, however, the Roman Emperor gave him a kingdom around and to the northeast of the Lake of Galilee with its capital at Caesarea Philippi, at one of the sources of the Jordan.

Herod Agrippa enjoyed great prestige among the Jews of Jerusalem, where he had a palace across the Tyropoeon Valley from the Temple. Since AD 48, he had the privilege of appointing (and, where expedient, of deposing) Jewish high priests.

As a neighboring ruler, holding his office by the emperor's grace, Agrippa regarded it as his duty to pay his respects to the emperor’s new representative in Judea. So he came to Caesarea, accompanied by his sister Bernice.

After the appropriate courtesies were exchanged, Festus told him of his problem with Paul. He believed that an expert on Jewish religion, such as Agrippa, would understand the case and help him draft his report. Agrippa’s interest was immediately aroused, and he wanted to meet Paul in person.

Festus gladly agreed and thought it proper to make the interview a public occasion. The next day, the procurator and his guests took their places in the state, attended by high-ranking military officers and the leading men of Caesarea. Paul was then brought in before them. The procurator opened proceedings with a short speech introducing Paul and outlining his case as far as he knew it.

3. Our Defense is a Defense of Truth and Logic

Acts 26:1–3 ESV

So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense: “I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, especially because you are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.

It is obvious that Paul respects Agrippa's position, especially regarding his desired destination, Rome.

Agrippa was not only a member of the Herodian royal house, an honored citizen of Rome, and a friend of the imperial family, but he could also be trusted to take an intelligent, if uncommitted, interest in the progress of Paul’s religious pilgrimage.

Paul’s narrative is adapted to the background and outlook of an exceptional hearer; the grammar is more classical than usual in Acts' speeches.

The speech is carefully constructed according to the rules of rhetoric. It comprises

(i) a complimentary introduction (26:2, 3)

(ii) a personal narrative, which covers:

Paul’s devotion to the ancestral hope of Israel, both before and after his conversion (26:4–8).

His persecuting zeal (26:9–11).

His conversion and commissioning on the Damascus road (26:12–18).

His career in obedience to the heavenly vision (26:19, 20).

His recent arrest (26:21) and his present stance (26:22, 23)

(iii) his final appeal amid interruptions (26:25–27, 29).

THE FAITHFUL WITNESS

*Address Unbelievers Respectfully (26:1-3)

1 Peter 3:15–16 ESV

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

What we say is more important than how we say it, however; the tone and delivery method matter to God.

*Share What it was Like Not to Believe (26:4-11)

Think of ways that you once kicked against the goads. It is important to paint a clear picture of what life was like before you knew the saving power of Christ.

Kicking against the Goads: Goads were long sharpened sticks used to proud oxen when they were hitched to a yoke. Not wanting to be jabbed again by the sticks, the oxen would kick against it.  It would soon be better to submit to its handler's direction. The expression means that it is futile to resist God’s will.

*Share the Need For and Benefits of the Gospel (26:16-18).

Acts 26:18 ESV

to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

To open peoples eyes and turn them from darkness to light.

To turn people from the power of Satan.

To receive forgiveness for their sins.

To be joined with the Community of Believers.

*Stick to the Resurrection and Need to Repent.

If you are ever lost at what to say in your defense, head to the cross, and then quickly to the empty tomb, followed by a clear call to repent.

Acts 26:24–29 ESV

And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”

At this point in the proceedings Festus announced in a voice that boomed all round the court: ‘You are mad, Paul; your massive learning is driving you insane’ (26:24).

Strange that! You could enjoy the gladiator shows in Rome, like the rich and noble did, as well as the masses, and watch with amusement while men hacked each other to death—and not be charged with lunacy. You could in more recent times be so fanatical in pursuit of communist theory as deliberately to eliminate millions of human beings—and still not be called mad.

But start a vigorous campaign to clean up the morals of the Roman Empire, to call on people to repent and seek the living God, to preach a message of forgiveness, peace, and hope—and it will seem to Festus, and a good many more, insanity. Insanity is obviously a very discriminating epidemic.

CLOSING

Paul, now brushing Festus's silly comment aside, turned his focus to King Agrippa, appealing to his knowledge of the prophets.

King Agrippa, perceiving what Paul was trying to do, asked the question, “Would you in such a short time persuade me to become a believer as you are?”

And Paul replied, ‘Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains’ (26:29).

Europe’s—the world’s—greatest evangelist, and God’s own ambassador, had told his heart out, in the name of Jesus Christ, God’s Saviour of men, for Agrippa, for Bernice, for Festus, for Nero Caesar, for all the world to hear. And the court fell silent.

Then their majesties arose, and Festus conducted them out of court.

All three agreed that there was nothing they had heard that they could condemn Paul to death. They could have given him his walking papers if he had not appealed to Caesar.

The reason why many are still troubled, still seeking, still making little forward progress is because they haven’t yet come to the end of themselves. We’re still trying to give orders, and interfering with God’s work within us.”- A.W. Tozer

Pride will only blind us to who God is and that is a hindrance to our spiritual growth. We must surrender pride to him who is able

Tim Keller writes in The Reason for God, “Freedom cannot be defined strictly negatively as the absence of confinement and constraint. In fact, in many cases, confinement and constraint is actually a means to liberation.”

Have you come to the end of yourself?

Have you truly experienced the Freedom that Paul is speaking of in Acts 26:22-23, “To this day I have the help that comes from God, and so I stand here now testifying both to the small and great alike, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass.

Christ must suffer and rise from the dead, and he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.

2 Corinthians 5:14–15 ESV

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

When Paul said he was "constrained by the Gospel," he meant that the love of Christ, as revealed in the Gospel message, had such a powerful hold on him that he felt compelled to share it with others, almost as if he was bound by an obligation he couldn't ignore, even if it meant facing hardship or persecution; essentially, the Gospel had become the driving force of his life and actions.

Are you constrained by the same Gospel today? Do you live a life that is all about the Defense of the gospel with your last fleeting breath. If not why not?