Acts Ch 25-26

Introduction

Acts 24:27 ESV

When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

1. Paul Before Festus

1. Paul Before Festus

Acts 25:1–5 ESV

Now three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him, asking as a favor against Paul that he summon him to Jerusalem—because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way. Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly. “So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.”

Acts 24:27–25:5 ESV

When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison. Now three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him, asking as a favor against Paul that he summon him to Jerusalem—because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way. Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly. “So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.”

Acts 24:27-25:

Felix replaced by Festus

Felix replaced by Festus

Festus wants to bring closure

Paul is still sitting in jail

The Lord is sovereign

Paul reflects on God’s sovereignty later in Roman prison

Philippinas 1:12-14...

through his imprisonment the gospel was being heard by Roman guards

Faithfully continue to serve God, even when you can’t see what he is doing

Festus goes to work right away - wants to clear this case

Courtesy visit to Jerusalem to meet with Jewish leaders

They still want to kill Paul

They want Festus to send Paul to Jerusalem

but they don’t want a trial

they want to ambush and kill

But Festus wants things done decently and in order

Invites them to Caesaria, will put Paul on trial again

A) Paul’s Defence

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.”

Acts 25:

This time the Jews take a more physically intimidating approach - they circle Paul

Paul brushes off a weak case

I haven’t broken your law

I haven’t broken the temple laws

I haven’t broken Caesar’s law

Everyone knows Paul is innocent of any wrong

Festus should dismiss the case

But Festus wants to do the Jews a favour

He asks Paul if he wants to be tried in Jerusalem

Not by the Sanhedrin but by Festus

Paul wants to close down any prospect of being tried in Jerusalem

He is not afraid of death, but he wants justice

Phil - to live is Christ, to die is gain

His only chance of justice is in a Roman court

He uses his citizens rights - appeals to Caesar

Festus is in a tight spot

Can’t set Paul free - upset the Jews

Can’t convict Paul - offend Roman law

confers with his council

Paul will go to Caesar

VERY IMPORTANT TO NOTE

whether Paul realised it or not…

… his decision to appeal to Caesar was a fulfillment of prophecy

it ensured that he would travel to Rome

“Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

Through all of Paul’s dangers, trials and suffering, God is working out his sovereign purposes

Acts 23:11 ESV

The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

B) Festus Seeks Agrippa’s Help

Acts 25:13–22 ESV

Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a man left prisoner by Felix, and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him. So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought. When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed. Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them. But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.” Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear him.”

Acts 25:

This is Herod Agrippa II

His great grandfather was Herod the great who tried to kill Jesus when he was a toddler

His father was Herod Agrippa I - killed James and arrested Peter, killed under God’s judgement ()

Rome gave Agrippa II Palestinian territories to rule over

Agrippa is paying a courtesy visit to the new Roman governor

Festus takes the opportunity to get advice from him

He is familiar with Roman politics and Jewish disputes

Notice how Festus describes the case to Agrippa:

No longer a case concerning desecration of the temple - that was the original accusation

Festus describes it as a theological dispute

The whole thing centers around a man named Jesus who died, but who Paul believes was resurrected

This case is all about the resurrection

A foreign concept to a pagan Roman

Agrippa is curious. Wants o hear from Paul himself

2. Paul Before Agrippa

Acts 25:23–27 ESV

So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. But I found that he had done nothing deserving death. And as he himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him. But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write. For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.”

Acts

Appearances are everything

the who’s who are all there

Festus speaks with exaggeration

the WHOLE Jewish population wanted Paul dead

but ME being such fair and just governor, I saved him

and then to wash his hands of any responsibility - Paul appealed to Caesar

The real reason he gathered them:

I have nothing definite to write about him to Caesar

Help me come up with an excuses to send him to Rome

What is really going on here?

Neither Festus nor Agrippa could decide anything about Paul - he had appealed to Caesar

They thought they gathering info and putting on a show

Whats really happening is Jesus is in control

Acts 9:15 ESV

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.

Luke 21:12–15 ESV

But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.

A) Paul’s Respectful Address of Agrippa

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.

Acts 26:1–32 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. “My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee. And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead? “I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities. “In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 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.’ “Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.” 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.” Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

Paul knows who Agrippa is

Still greets him with respect

Acts 26:

Acknowledges Agrippa’s knowledge of the traditions and controversies of the Jews

Paul’s strategy is to preach the gospel to Agrippa

Two key elements of Paul’s Speech:

Two key elements of Paul’s Speech:

He magnifies the cross and the resurrection

I am here because of my belief in what the prophets spoke of

that the Christ must suffer, and that he will rise from the dead (v23)

He insists his faith is fully consistent with and an extension of Judaism

B) Paul’s Jewish Upbringing

Acts 26:4–8 ESV

“My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee. And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?

Acts 26:

Paul had a strict Jewish upbringing

Major theme: my faith is not a violation of his Jewish heritage

His faith actually links to OT promises

The OT prophets spoke of a coming Messiah - Jesus is that Messiah

Jesus’ death & resurrection are fulfillment of those promises

Paul is saying his faith is a Jewish faith - he has never left the Jewish traditions

Then asks: why do any of you find it incredible that God raises the dead?

C) Paul’s Testimony

Acts 26:9–11 ESV

“I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

Acts 26:9-

Paul is saying : I was once one of you… not believing the resurrection

Acts 26:12

Acts 26:12–15 ESV

“In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.

Saul the terrorist became Paul the Evangelist when he met Jesus on the Damascus road

Here Paul mentions something he hasn’t mentioned in other occasions:

It is hard for you to kick against the goads

Goads are sharp sticks used to direct animals

Paul was kicking against the Lord’s direction

Jesus was telling Paul to stop fighting Him and persecuting Him, and to submit to Him

Paul mentions this here because he wants Agrippa and the Jewish leaders to do the same

D) Paul’s Commission

Acts

Acts 26:16–18 ESV

But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 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.’

The climax of Paul’s speach

Paul’s testimony reflects Jewish tradition

Just like Ezekiel was told to rise and stand on his feet, so Paul

And just like with Ezekiel, God sends Paul with a promise that he will rescue him from his enemies

He is being sent as a servant and a witness to God’s enemies…

to take the message of hope to the hopeless

to have blind eyes opened

to transfer people from darkness to light

to deliver them from the power of Satan to God

so that they can receive forgiveness of sins and a place in eternity

This is every Christian’s commission - not just Paul

the message of the gospel is for God’s enemies

Paul is showing Agrippa and the audience that this is who they are

they are the spiritually blind, trapped in darkness, under the power of Satan

he wants them to recognise their condition before God

a key element of the gospel message

E) Paul’s Witness for Christ

Acts 26:

Acts 26:19–23 ESV

“Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”

Paul explains that he has been obedient to the commission given to him by Jesus

He’s been preaching the gospel

Again, he points out its not a revolution

Repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance

He is being true to the Scriptures - believing everything the prophets and Moses taught

that the Christ must suffer and rise again

and that this good news must be proclaimed to all people - Jew and Gentile

F) Paul’s Evangelistic Appeal to Agrippa

What Agrippa, Jewish Leaders don’t realise is that Jesus is the fulfillment of th

Acts 26:24–32 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.” Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.” And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

All this talk of resurrection is too much for the pagan Festus - You’re out of your mind!

The gospel is foolishness to some ()

Paul still defends himself respectfully

Paul quickly turns his attention back to Agrippa though - trying to woo him

These things haven’t happened in a corner (Jesus)

He asks Agrippa a direct question - do you believe the prophets?

He knows - if the Jews believe their Scriptures, they must acknowledge that Jesus is the Messiah

Agrippa dodges the question

“In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?”

Paul’s response is more bold than ever - I would to God that not only you, but everyone who hears me would be saved

The irony of the situation is that Paul the prisoner is the one who is truly free, while his captors and accusers are the ones truly in chains

And unlike his accusers who want to harm him, he wishes nothing more than for them to join him in his freedom

If only we could see the lost that way

3. Applications

3. Applications

There are a number of things we can learn from Paul to make us more faithful witnesses

3.1 Address Unbelievers Respectfully

Paul had every reason to be offended by Herod Agrippa and treat him like dirt

and to give Festus a snotty, sarcastic response when he told Paul he’s lost his mind

We tend to give that sort of response to people who openly declare their unbelief

Especially when they openly mock Jesus - and us for believing him

But Paul addressed Agrippa respectfully,

and responded respectfully to Festus as well

This is how we as Christians are called to deal with the lost

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.

1 Pet

3.2 Remember what it was like not to believe

There was a time when you didn’t believe

Remember what that was like

Paul recounts that he was very much like these Jewish leaders - only worse

He was kicking against the goads - stubbornly refusing to submit to the direction of the Lord

Probably that helped Paul - and was good for him to share with them as well to hear his testimony

3.3 Exalt Jesus, not self

Sharing our testimony can be a very powerful tool in evangelism

The hero of the story was Jesus

Sharing our testimony can be a very powerful tool in evangelism

But we tend to make the story about us

Often, it can be even become a challenge to see who was the worst sinner - like glorying in how bad you were

Paul’s Damascus road experience was testimony about Jesus, not Paul

The hero of the story was Jesus

Paul didn’t contribute anything to his salvation - except for the sin that made it necessary

It wasn’t about Paul’s realisation that he was wrong, or his right decision

He glorified Jesus - he broke my rebellion, he stopped me in my tracks, he saved me

3.4 Share the Need for and benefits of the gospel

Paul and other evangelists in Acts give us a good example of how to proclaim the gospel

They always told their hearers about both their need for salvation and of the benefits

Paul here recounts that Jesus gave him a commission to:

call people to repentance

to make them aware that they are blind

that they are in darkness

that they are in the grip of Satan

They have a great need

Unless they are made aware of the need, how will they turn and look for the solution?

But we don’t have a message of doom and gloom - we have a message of good news

So the message we must carry must declare both the need and the benefits

Paul says he is sent to declare the good news that

blind eyes will be opened

those in darkness will be transferred to light

from the power of Satan to God

and… all who repent will receive forgiveness of their sins and eternal life

There are many ways that we can fail in evangelism

Some are telling all good news without revealing the bad news

Some are all about threats without revealing the good news

3.5 Rely on God

Paul’s last point to Agrippa was “I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am”

He appealed to God that everyone would believe

We can be faithful witnesses - even clumsy witnesses…

But the gospel is not the power of creative and expertly delivered gospel presentations

The gospel is the power of God for salvation to all who believe

We must do all that we can to be faithful in our evangelism, but ultimately only God has the power to save

Are you relying on Him alone

for your own salvation

for the salvation of others