Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Paul before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa (24–26)

Paul before Felix (24)

Paul before Festus (25)

The plot revived and resisted (25:1–5)

Paul’s trial (25:6–12)

Festus’s (in)decision (25:13–27)

Paul before Agrippa (26)

Paul before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa (24–26)

Paul before Felix (24)

Paul before Festus (25)

The plot revived and resisted (25:1–5)

Paul’s trial (25:6–12)

Festus’s (in)decision (25:13–27)

Paul before Agrippa (26)

Sometimes we encounter great difficulty in mining for doctrine in God’s word.

So it is with chapter 25 of Acts.

However, despite it being primarily a narrative, we can find some hidden gems here waiting to be mined.

Summarize chapter 25.

25:1-5

Paul, after two years in captivity in Caesarea, comes to the attention of Festus, the new roman governor of the province, by way of the Jews, who still hate Paul.

The plot of the Jews is revived, but is thwarted by Festus.

25:6-12

Paul is tried by Festus.

25:13-27

Festus is indecisive on what should happen to Paul.

King Herrod, when visiting, is consulted.

Paul before Festus (25)

The plot revived and resisted (25:1–5)

Paul’s trial (25:6–12)

Festus’s (in)decision (25:13–27)

Background Context

Now, here is the background context of this section of scripture.

John 15:18-

Jewish Worldview (religious worldview)

Jewish Leaders

They hated Jesus not because He called them names, but because He threatened their security, prestige and income.

He was going to ruin everything they had worked so hard for.

They hated Jesus not because He called them names, but because He threatened their security, prestige and income.

He was going to ruin everything they had worked so hard for, and getting everybody killed

They hated Paul for the same reason.

kosmos (world system)

Worldviews in Conflict

We see a religious worldview, political worldview and a hedonistic worldview.

All of which, we encounter today, so it is important to see how Paul responds so that we, too, can respond biblically and truthfully.

Religious Worldview

Jewish Leaders

They hated Jesus not because He called them names, but because He threatened their security, prestige and income.

He was going to ruin everything they had worked so hard for.

They hated Paul for the same reason.

Moving backward.

Acts 21:27

Acts 21:27-

Why were they so hostile to Paul?

Because they hate Jesus!

John 15:

If the world hates you.

kosmos, world systems.

If the world hates you.

kosmos, world systems.

Today

We see this today from many of the world religions, but a more predominant and subtle approach that we encounter falls under the banner of diversity.

COEXIST

In the spirit of diversity, other religions don’t want to appear to be hostile to Christianity.

instead, we need to be aware of a more subtle approach (coexist) Liberal Christianity

2 tim

Ecumenism

Often, ecumenical pursuits of commonly held beliefs are done so at the sacrifice of the gospel.

Paul consistently stood for the truth.

Hedonistic Worldview

Greco-Roman gods were nothing more than projections of humanity.

Schaeffer called this “amplified humanity.”

Rome allowed all religions, but after Augustus Caesar was officially recognized as a god after his death.

Only a god could bring peace to the Roman world.

Rome’s religion was a political religion/worldview.

Can be antagonistic

Paul is, in fact, in prison.

Can be friendly

Protecting Paul from wrongful death.

Pagan Worldview (Hedonistic)

Felix and Drusilla, immorality

While Felix was procurator of Judea, he saw this Drusilla, and fell in love with her; for she did indeed exceed all other women in beauty, and he sent to her a person whose name was Simon,a one of his friends; a Jew he was, and by birth a Cypriot, and one who pretended to be a magician; and endeavored to persuade her to forsake her present husband, and marry him; and promised, that if she would not refuse him, he would make her a happy woman.

Common today.

Hostile to Christianity, why, because Christianity forces men to face their sinfulness.

Look at Felix’x response in Acts 24

Acts 4:

Paul spoke truth.

Faith in Christ

Dialogemi.

dialogue (not a monolog)

Righteousness, self-control and judgment

While Felix was procurator of Judea, he saw this Drusilla, and fell in love with her; for she did indeed exceed all other women in beauty, and he sent to her a person whose name was Simon,a one of his friends; a Jew he was, and by birth a Cypriot, and one who pretended to be a magician; and endeavored to persuade her to forsake her present husband, and marry him; and promised, that if she would not refuse him, he would make her a happy woman.

Government System

One final worldview system that we see at play here is the political or governmental worldview.

Greco-Roman gods were nothing more than projections of humanity.

Schaeffer called this “amplified humanity.”

A government based on a belief in violent, petty, and immoral gods would result in a society that is violent, petty and immoral.

We see this in Felix wanting a bribe in

Festus was politically expedient.

Not wanting to do anything to upset his political position.

Rome allowed all religions, but after Augustus Caesar(reigned 27 BC to AD 14) was officially recognized as a god after his death.

Only a god could bring peace to the Roman world.

In that sense, the “official religion” of the Roman Empire was, in fact, the worship of Caesar as a god; and therefore, the “official religion” of the Roman Empire was a political religion