Acts of the Holy Spirit: Cruciform Witness for a Reigning Christ

Introduction - Series Background

SLIDE #1 - Holy Spirit in Acts 23-26

The Holy Spirit is not mentioned in this section.

Text is one big narrative of Paul’s various legal trials as he ends up in Rome.

But, the Holy Spirit is clearly working:

The marker’s of the Holy Spirit’s work in Acts are...

To shine a spotlight on the King Jesus & His gospel — life, death, resurrection, ascension.

Be present with us as He empowers us to carry out the mission of God the Father focused in Christ the Son.

Slide #2 - Two key elements today that we need to respond to:

Transition: When we encounter God’s Word we encounter God — and when we encounter God we wonder at Him and are also demanded to respond. So, we need to expect to respond today. What two elements in this narrative?

The Cruciform Witness of Paul

The Cosmic Reign of our Triune God

The Ascension of Jesus forms the key theological and redemptive event BEHIND the engagement between Apostles/Church/Gospel and the Political Authorities.

“The resurrection and ascension should be related, but they should not be equated...’The resurrection proclaims, ‘He lives—and that forever’; ‘the Exaltation proclaims, ‘He reigns—and that forever’.” - Patrick Schreiner in The Mission of the Triune God.

Just as Paul uses the “cross” to capture the redemptive movement of life, death, resurrection, and ascension we should understand cross-shaped to capture all of these elements — included victorious ascension and authority.

TRANSITION:

What is actually happening

Complex narrative that Luke teaches through

Chapters form one story about Paul’s legal trials.

Slide #3 - Narrative Summary

Acts 23 – Paul Before the Sanhedrin and the Plot to Kill Him (23:11)

Paul appears before the Jewish council (Sanhedrin) and causes division between Pharisees and Sadducees by speaking about the resurrection.

A group of over 40 Jews plot to kill Paul.

Paul’s nephew hears about the plan and warns the Roman commander.

The commander sends Paul under heavy guard to Caesarea to stand trial before Governor Felix.

New International Version (2011) Chapter 23

The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

Acts 24 – Paul’s Trial Before Felix (24:1-2, 5-6, 24-27)

Paul is accused by the Jewish leaders but defends himself, saying he has done nothing against the Jewish law or the temple.

Felix delays a decision but keeps Paul in custody, hoping for a bribe.

Paul remains in prison for two years, frequently speaking to Felix and his wife about faith in Christ.

Acts 25 – Paul, Before Festus, Appeals to Caesar (25:1-5, 10-12, 23)

Festus replaces Felix as governor.

Jewish leaders ask Festus to bring Paul to Jerusalem, planning to ambush and kill him.

Festus refuses and holds a trial in Caesarea.

Paul appeals to Caesar as a Roman citizen, and Festus agrees to send him to Rome.

King Agrippa and his sister Bernice visit Festus, and Paul is brought before them to explain his case.

Acts 26 – Paul’s Defense Before King Agrippa (26:1)

Paul shares his story: his Pharisee background, persecution of Christians, and dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus.

He testifies about Jesus' resurrection and the mission he received to preach to both Jews and Gentiles.

Festus calls Paul insane, but Paul speaks with confidence and challenges Agrippa about belief in the prophets.

Agrippa says, “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?”

Agrippa and Festus agree Paul could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.

Let me know if you'd like this in bullet points or suitable for a handout.

Transition: In this narrative Paul faced the religious leaders of the Jews, a plot by 40+ Jews to hill him, two Roman Governors, prison for two years, and even a King. How do we respond?

Transition to Themes

Slide #4 - Cruciform Witness of Paul

Cruciform = Cross-Shaped

Cross-Shaped = Life-Death-Resurrection-Ascension Shaped

Slide #5

Cruciform Context—Allusions to Jesus’s Suffering:

Political Trials w/Romans and Jews

Religious and Political Struggle - Paul in Center

Paul was suffering in the manner of Jesus. Similarities?

Cruciform Manner of Suffering:

Unjust Legal Manipulation

Plots to kill Paul (23:12-22)

Commitment to the Truth (24:10-21;25:11)

Integrity/Character/Godliness (24:16)

No Fear of Death/Non-Violent (24:27;25:10-11)

Kingdom and Gospel Proclamation (Acts 26)

Cruciform Message of the Cross-Resurrection-Ascension

Acts 23:6-11

Acts 24:10–16

Acts 24:24-27

Acts 26:1-29

Luke labors to show Paul’s obedience to 23:11 — to be a witness.

Slide #6 Cosmic Rule of Our Triune God

Transition: Now this one might seem like it comes from left field. But, the ruling Christ is the backdrop of the entire book of Acts. (Acts 1:9-10) He finished the work by sitting as the enthroned King. This shows itself in this narrative. Lets answer that by answering a series of questions.

Who is really in charge of the nations? (Acts 23:11; 26:22)

The Father orchestrates the plan.

The Son rules as the centerpiece of redemption.

The Spirit applies, works, and moves the plans forward.

Transition: This sounds great and it is. But the kind of plans that God has may make us a bit uncomfortable.

What is the result in Paul’s life because of His Lordship? (Acts 26:29)

Paul would eventually meet with Caesar.

Eventual martryrdom in Rome.

Gospel proclaimed.

Spirit-Filled faithfulness demonstrated.

What is the fruit of His Lordship?

Rulers and authorities hear the gospel.

The hope of the cross and resurrection proclaimed in the Empire’s capital.

A template and example for suffering for the sake of the gospel.

Triune Lordship -

Acts teaches us about God’s Triune nature and rule.

God the Father orchestrates.

God the Son reigns as the centerpiece of redemption.

God the Holy Spirit works in our midst and through history to accomplish God’s purposes in the world — drawing us to God and His mission.

TRANSITION: Church, how do we respond to these two great themes in this narrative—Paul’s cruciform witness and God’s Triune rule.

Our Response:

We respond but this is still about God and His greatness. His work.

Paul responded to God.

But, The beautiful work of Paul in these various, extremely difficult settings was not because Paul was great.

This beautiful work of Paul to be a faithful witness was because of the glorious work of our Triune God sanctifying Paul and working in and through Him.

We read this in Romans...

New International Version (2011) Chapter 8

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the

Paul was living this out! The very letter he wrote to Rome, was being lived out on his way to Rome.

Do we really want to be made into the IMAGE OF JESUS?

Here are some things that God might use to get us closer...

DEFINE: Actionable theology = truths about God as revealed in His word that is deeply applied by the Spirit in a way that shapes our hearts, minds, and actions.

Actionable Theology of God’s Triune Lordship

The Lord rules over, subverts, and utilizes civic and political structures to accomplish His purposes.

The Lord demonstrates that the power of the Jews could not overcome the witness of the risen Lord.

The Lord demonstrates that by using the systems and people in the Roman government to accomplish His purposes.

Do you live in submission and in confidence of this reality?

Actionable Theology of Suffering - Colossians 1:24 “Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.”

Is our Christianity, is our faith, expecting to suffer for the gospel?

Actionable Theology of Trust - Do we trust God when the plan of God is to walk us through hardship for doing the right thing?

Romans 5:3–5 “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

Do we trust that whatever God brings into our lives is for our good, for our transformation, and more importantly for His glory?

Actionable Theology of Salvation & The Gospel: - Do we know the gospel well enough to talk about the gospel with others?

Acts 26:20 “First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.”

Church — May we be a life-death-resurrection-ascension-shaped witnesses for the gospel.

Church — May we be live and deeply know that our Triune God reigns. God our Father orchestrating history — Jesus ruling as the centerpiece of redemption — and the Holy Spirit applying and working out the plans as sent from Father and Son.

Church — May we be people with actionable theology so that we respond to God’s word in a way that is shaped by it. Prepared to suffer for the gospel, prepared to obey God, looking forward to His promised victory.

Let’s Pray.

TRANSITION TO RESPONSIVE READING

Church — Go in peace.