Paul's Defense
Witness to the world: Book of Acts • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 55:40
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Paul’s appeal and defense
Paul’s appeal and defense
The prisoner Paul continues to make his case, his defense.
Previously before the Jewish mob (Act22:1-21)
The Sanhedrin (Act23:1-10)
Before Felix and Drusilla (Act24:1-27)
Before Festus (Act25:1-12)
The Jews wanted Paul back to Jerusalem so that they could ambush him and kill him (Act25:1-3) but Paul appealed to Caesar (Act25:9-11)
Festus seeks advise (Act25:13-22)
Festus was not sure what to do since he could not find charges worthy of death seeks help from King Agrippa who came into the region (Act25:12-23) Agrippa is willing to hear Paul out and that is where we start today.
Tonight we will survey through the rest of chapter 25 and chapter 26 pulling stuff along the way.
The problem (Act25:23-27)
The proclamation (Act26:1-23)
The profession (Act26:24-32)
The problem presented
The problem presented
The problem as Festus put it had been given to King Agrippa, now it was time that Agrippa hear about the problem directly.
23 So, on the next day when Agrippa came together with Bernice amid great pomp, and entered the auditorium accompanied by the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.
24 Festus said, “King Agrippa, and all you gentlemen here present with us, you see this man about whom all the people of the Jews appealed to me, both at Jerusalem and here, loudly declaring that he ought not to live any longer.
25 “But I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death; and since he himself appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him. 26 “Yet I have nothing definite about him to write to my lord. Therefore I have brought him before you all and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the investigation has taken place, I may have something to write.
27 “For it seems absurd to me in sending a prisoner, not to indicate also the charges against him.”
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?
Gleaning from the scripture I think there is a a couple of things we should grab on our way to Paul’s defending himself.
Question: Who was present when Paul was brought in (v.23)?
There was Agrippa, Bernice, Commanders, and prominent men, as well as Festus.
I think it is important to identify who is there so we know who Paul is going to address and who is going to hear Paul’s defense
Question: Festus proclaims the problem (vv.25-26) what is the problem, or problems?
Found nothing worthy of death (v.25)
Nothing definitive about him to write to Caesar about (v.26)
Caesar is the court of appeals and like our courts you better be ready to make your case and Festus could not make a case, in fact he had “nothing.” - so seeing an opportunity to present the problem to Agrippa he did and now Agrippa is going to hear from Paul, then hopefully will have something to build a case on to send to Caesar.
The Proclamation
The Proclamation
Paul had been brought in and now Paul is afforded the opportunity to proclaim, present, make his defense.
This is a large section of scripture so I am going to break it down some as we go together as we sit in the Roman court before a Roman King
1 Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and proceeded to make his defense:
Paul is given permission to speak and like always, Paul never misses an opportunity to speak and preach (proclaim Jesus)
Paul’s introduction (vv.2-3)
2 “In regard to all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, that I am about to make my defense before you today; 3 especially because you are an expert in all customs and questions among the Jews; therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.
Now there are some points we want to grab as we go through the different sections tonight.
Question: Why is Paul fortunate to present his defense before Agrippa (v.3)?
Because he is an expert in all customs and questions among the Jews.
Paul expects that his defense, well it might take some time so he asks for Agrippa to listen and to be patient (v.3) for from here
First defense, His early life (Act26:4-11)
4 “So then, all Jews know my manner of life from my youth up, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation and at Jerusalem; 5 since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion.
6 “And now I am standing trial for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers; 7 the promise to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day. And for this hope, O King, I am being accused by Jews.
8 “Why is it considered incredible among you people if God does raise the dead? 9 “So then, I thought to myself that I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
10 “And this is just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, but also when they were being put to death I cast my vote against them. 11 “And as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and being furiously enraged at them, I kept pursuing them even to foreign cities.
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?
Question: Who does Paul say could testify of his early life (vv.4-5)?
The Jews could testify that he lived as a Pharisee
Other scriptures referenced (Php3:4; Act23:6; Gal1:13-14)
They knew he was a devout Pharisee (Php3:5) and the son of a Pharisee (Act23:6). He was advanced above his contemporaries (Gal1:13-14)
Question: Why does Paul say he is being judged (v.6)?
Because of the hope of the promise to the fathers
We know that the hope was the Messiah, and Paul’s claim was that the resurrected Jesus is the promise fulfilled and that is why he is on trial
He plays on Agrippa’s expert knowledge of resurrection and calls for him to acknowledge it
Paul gave history of persecuting the church as a zealot Jew with the authority of the Chief Priests.
(Transition) - Paul recounts his ealry life, early history as a zealot Jew and had to do many things contrary to Jesus of Nazareth (v.9) And he did that in foreign cities even, that led to an encounter and a change
Second Defense: His calling (vv.12-18)
12 “While so engaged as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, 13 at midday, O King, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining all around me and those who were journeying with me.
14 “And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew dialect, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 “And I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.
16 ‘But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; 17 rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you,
18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?
We know that Paul operated under the authority and was commission by the chief priests (v.10, 12)
Question: Who saw the light (v.13)?
Paul and all who were journeying with him.
Other Scriptures referenced: (Rom9:3-4; Act22:3; Gal3:24; Php3:1-11; Act9:7)
You know Paul considered himself an enlightened man, he was an Israelite with the law and the promises (Rom9:3-4). He was a trained and educated man under Gamaliel (Act22:3).
Well on the road Paul found out he was really in darkness spiritual darkness that became physical darkness. Spiritual darkness for misunderstanding, ignorance about what the purpose of the law was really intended to bring him to Christ (Gal3:24)
He found out that his education, his good works, his respectable character could not save him, only Jesus could (Php3:1-11 should be considered)
(Transition) seeing what not enough, he needed to hear the word of God too.
Question: We know all saw the light (v.13); and all fell down (v.14); but who heard the voice of the Lord (vv.14-15)?
Paul heard the voice of the Lord.
Those who were with Paul heard the sound, but not the voice, they could not understand the word.
7 The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.
Also they did not see the Lord, Paul did. Paul has an “ah ha” moment, he realizes that Jesus of Nazareth was truly resurrected and alive! He realized that he was persecuting the Savior of His people and of the Gentiles.
In (vv.16-18) a few things to just take note of
The purpose of the vision was to
Make Paul a minister and a witness
Of all that he had seen and things that will be revealed to him.
Minister in (v.16) means “an under-rower” an interesting term that refers to a lowly servant on a ship. Paul was a leader, but after his conversion in him making his defense makes himself to be a lowly worker
To deliver him from Jews and Gentiles
The Lord promised to protect him (deliver)
The Lord also was going to reveal to him.
Some say the Lord only revealed him self 3 other times, 3 years later in Jerusalem (Act22:17-21); In Corinth (Act18:9) and one more time in Jerusalem (Act23:11); I tend to believe that he was taught by the Lord directly for the 3 years in Arabia after Damascus and before going up to Jerusalem as implied in Galatians on who taught him (Gal1:11-12)
More scriptures referenced (Act22:17-21, 18:9, 23:11, Gal1:11-12, 2Cor4:3-6)
To open their eyes , so that they may receive forgiveness of sins!
ah (v.18) what a picture of the spiritual darkness of the lost and the gracious provision of Christ for all who would believe.
Only Christ can open eyes and give freedom (2Cor4:3-6)
And be sanctified in Christ Jesus!
Paul had to lose his religion to gain his salvation and many today need to do the same thing.
Our righteousness, our works are but filthy rags (Isa64:6)
Third defense: Paul’s obedience (vv.19-21)
19 “So, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance.
21 “For this reason some Jews seized me in the temple and tried to put me to death.
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?
Question: what did Paul say he was not disobedient to (v.19)?
To the heavenly vision
Paul knew who Jesus was, knew what Jesus said, believed Jesus and obeyed Jesus.
His decision did not make friends and influence people, it almost got him killed (several times) and it was why he was on trial now.
The blessings promised to the Jews and to the Gentiles though Jews did not want to acknowledge it was available the same way to all, repentance through faith producing obedience of faith.
Paul’s final defence, himself and his life (vv.22-32)
22 “So, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place; 23 that the Christ was to suffer, and that by reason of His resurrection from the dead He would be the first to proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”
24 While Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you mad.” 25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I utter words of sober truth.
26 “For the king knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner. 27 “King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you do.”
28 Agrippa replied to Paul, “In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.” 29 And Paul said, “I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains.”
30 The king stood up and the governor and Bernice, and those who were sitting with them, 31 and when they had gone aside, they began talking to one another, saying, “This man is not doing anything worthy of death or imprisonment.”
31 and when they had gone aside, they began talking to one another, saying, “This man is not doing anything worthy of death or imprisonment.” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?
Paul had a great beginning and he kept building on that, many come have a great beginning and then get caught by the things and troubles of this world.
Paul offered up his life as an example of a transformed life.
Where did Paul’s help come from (v.22)? It came from the Lord!
How did Paul’s help come (v.23)? though the suffering and resurrection of Christ
Question: what was the results of Paul’s defense (v.24)?
Festus thought Paul was beside himself and had gone mad.
Paul knew the king was listening and was an inteligent man and nothing escaped his attention and then look what does Paul do (v.27)?
Question: What does Paul ask King Agrippa about in (v.27)?
Do you believe the prophets, I know you do!
So, the truth, the conversion, the life had been offered up as a defense but also a hope. This hope was more than to get out of prison, or to present to Caesar, but again look at the hope (v.29)
29 And Paul said, “I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains.”
That has to be our example, our hope too, using the bible, the scriptures, our own testimony of a transformed life and a call to action. What are you going to do with the gospel?
As for our passage and the outcome, no reason for death found, not even deserving of chains, and the only reason had not been set free is he appealed to Caesar (vv.31-32)
God makes His appeal to man through Jesus and Jesus made his appeal through the apostles and prophets so we have the word that can bring salvation. Not just ours, but to share the hope with others that they too can have the same freedom Christ went to the cross for you for, for them personally too.
(Prayer) (Exit)