A Bold Witness

Intro

We left Paul in prison and waiting for a trial

No guilt or breaking of law has been found

A Witness Before Felix

Accusations

Paul is a plague, stirs up riots, ringleaders of a sect or gang, profanes the temple

Defense

Went to Jerusalem to worship not to stir up a crowd or dispute with anyone, was not profane the temple because had been purified and sought to bring an offering to the temple

Paul worships God as does his accusers, Paul believes the Law of God and the Prophets sent from God as does his accusers

Paul Witness about the Gospel

There is nothing in Paul’s speech or conduct that conflicts with what his accusers believe. Paul just realizes that the hope the Jews sought has already come in the person of Jesus Christ. The Jews rejected him, but Paul has believed and is proclaiming that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ rather than strict observance to the Law.

Personal Witness to Felix

After hearing Paul’s defense, Felix personally sent for Paul to hear him speak about Jesus

Paul boldly proclaimed the Gospel

righteousness, judgement, living as a Christian

While Paul was bold Felix didn’t believe was looking for bribe money from Paul

Ruling

Felix recognized Paul’s innocence but out his desire to do the Jews a favor (his constituents) he left Pau in Prison for 2 years

A Witness Before Festus

After two years Festus took over as governor

The Jews take their case against Paul to Festus and asked that Paul be taken back to Jersualem so that they could ambush them along the way and kill Paul

Festus and the Jews went to Caesarea to see Paul and again Paul had a defense

Paul’s Defense

He had not broke the Jewish law, had not commited crime against the temple, had not broken any Roman law

Again the Jews could not prove anything they were accusing Paul of

Ruling

Festus tried to get Paul to go back to Jersualem because he wanted to do the Jews a favor but Paul, being a Roman citizen Paul appealed to Cesar.

Paul wan’t trying to escape punishment or death, but only if he had committed crimes. He wanted to go to Rome to proclaim the Gospel.

Because of the law, Paul was granted his request of his case to be heard and tried in Rome. Not because he thought he would have a better outcome, but because it would get him to Rome

A Witness Before Agrippa

In sending a prisoner to Rome, formal charges were to be made so the Jewish king came to help out Festus

Festus shared with the king all that had gone on and the king desired to hear from Paul himself

Paul’s Defense

Paul begins with things that would be well know by the Jews

Paul was a Pharisee, the strictest to the law

He previously lived in opposition to Jesus

He persecuted Christians

He approved of the murder of Christians

He is on trial regarding something God promised to the father of these Jewish people which is that the dead should be resurrected

Paul’s Conversion and Vision from God

Paul says he was being obedient to the vision from God and proclaiming the Gospel

Paul proclaimed faith in Jesus, repentance, and obedience to God

For this reason the Jews arrested Paul

Paul ends with what the old testament or what the Prophets said that the Jews fully believe.

26:23

Agrippa’s Response

Paul is out of his mind

Paul defends against this by saying look at all the things that have happened that you couldn’t have missed

He asked the Jewish king if he believes the prophets which he would have and therefore should mean that he believes Paul. Paul is asking do you believe what I say and do you want to believe in Jesus Christ?

Agrippa says that it is too short for that kind of commitment in the time they had. But Paul knew what he was doing and said that whatever time his desire was for all the believe and trust in Jesus Christ.

Closing