Turning the World Upside Down: Innocent Until Proven Guilty Acts 25:1-12

I. The Discernment of Festus vs. 1-6

A. Festus inherits a mess. The Jews are on the brink of an all out insurrection. This ebbs and flows from simmering just below the surface to insurrection for another 10-15 years. In AD. 70, the Romans utterly destroy Jerusalem as Jesus foretold. (Mark 13).

B. Festus has to discern if the Jews are telling the truth at this point in history, they are distrusted by Rome/Romans.

C. More than likely Luke learned of the plot later or Festus learned of the plot, and made it known. That was often done by the Romans, so as to expose their opponents weaknesses openly.

II. The Defense of Paul vs. 7-11

A. Paul is well within his right as a Roman citizen to defend himself.

B. He is also well within his right as a Christian to defend himself. Rom. 13:2-4 “Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.”

C. What if the only way to defend yourself is by a lawsuit against another professing Christian? The Bible says not to do it, because we shouldn’t be airing our dirty laundry for an unbelieving world to make a judgment call on. Even if you win, you lose respect. The reason we have an uptick in lawsuits among believers today is the “wise” are weak. The “wise” needs to grow some backbone and judge, no matter the outcome. (James MacDonald vs. Harvest/ Mike Stone vs. Russell Moore ex). (I Cor. 6:1-8)

III. Paul’s Deferment to Caesar vs. 12

A. Paul was called to Rome, and I believe that the Holy Spirit showed him it was time. Paul could have done this at anytime in those two years.

B. Sometimes you wait and you don’t know how long the Lord is going to have you wait, but then you know when that waiting period is coming to a close!