Acts 25-26

Acts_25-26
Sunday 1/25/09


Chapter-24 closed with Paul still in custody due to the false accusations of the Asian Jews.
Acts 24:27 (NKJV)
27 But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.
I. Paul’s defense before Festus.
Acts 25:1-12 (NKJV)
1 Now when Festus had come to the province, after three days he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
2 Then the high priest and the chief men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they petitioned him,
3 asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem— while they lay in ambush along the road to kill him.
4 But Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was going there shortly.
5 “Therefore,” he said, “let those who have authority among you go down with me and accuse this man, to see if there is any fault in him.”
6 And when he had remained among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day, sitting on the judgment seat, he commanded Paul to be brought.
7 When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood about and laid many serious complaints against Paul, which they could not prove,
8 while he answered for himself, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in anything at all.”
A. This section is important because it establishes Paul’s appeal to Caesar, sets the direction for the rest of the book, and shows us how Paul reaches Rome.
B. We don’t know much about Porcius Festus, but what is known is positive…
1. Josephus writes that Festus ruled wisely and justly; in contrast to Felix.
a) Under his rule the Sicarii bandits (named after the small swords they carried) that plagued the Palestinian country side was eliminated.

2. We are told that after only three days in Caesarea Festus travelled to Jerusalem, an indicator of his earnestness in improving the problems of the region.
a) Relations between the Jews and the rest of the population were terrible having been greatly aggravated by Felix so Jerusalem was a very volatile city.
b) Festus in spite of his wise rule was ultimately unable to reverse the damage done by Felix.
C. Note that the religious leaders are looking to lay another ambush for Paul which is testimony as to how weak their case against Paul is. (after 2 years their hatred is fresh)
1. We are told that they were unable to prove any of their accusations against Paul.
D. Festus evidently felt their request to bring Paul to Jerusalem was unreasonable so he refuses but agrees to re-open the case in Caesarea.
E. They bring many serious charges against Paul which he categorically denies.

9 But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?”
10 So Paul said, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know.
11 For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.”
12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!”
F. Festus looking for a compromise to placate the Jews asks Paul if he is willing to go to Jerusalem to stand trial before him there.

1. Paul refuses; knowing that there is danger in the travel back, that he won’t get a fair trial in Jerusalem, and that since it is a civil trial he is in the right court already.
2. So Paul appeals to Caesar.
a) The right of appeal to the supreme power, in matters of life and death, was provided by law to every Roman citizen.
b) With this appeal, Paul has given up the hope of going to Rome as a free citizen, and will ultimately travel to Rome as a prisoner.
II. Paul’s defense before Agrippa.
Acts 25:13-27 (NKJV)
13 And after some days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus.
14 When they had been there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying: “There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix,
15 about whom the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, when I was in Jerusalem, asking for a judgment against him.
16 To them I answered, ‘It is not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man to destruction before the accused meets the accusers face to face, and has opportunity to answer for himself concerning the charge against him.’
17 Therefore when they had come together, without any delay, the next day I sat on the judgment seat and commanded the man to be brought in.
18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation against him of such things as I supposed,
19 but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
20 And because I was uncertain of such questions, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters.
21 But when Paul appealed to be reserved for the decision of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I could send him to Caesar.”
22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” he said, “you shall hear him.”
23 So the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and had entered the auditorium with the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at Festus’ command Paul was brought in.
24 And Festus said: “King Agrippa and all the men who are here present with us, you see this man about whom the whole assembly of the Jews petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying out that he was not fit to live any longer.
25 But when I found that he had committed nothing deserving of death, and that he himself had appealed to Augustus, I decided to send him.
26 I have nothing certain to write to my lord concerning him. Therefore I have brought him out before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the examination has taken place I may have something to write.
27 For it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner and not to specify the charges against him.”
A. This is king Agrippa-II, son of Agrippa-I, and great grandson of Herod the Great.
1. He was about 30 years old at this time and was ruler of the territories northeast of Palestine, with the title of king.
2. Because of his friendship with the imperial family he was granted the privilege of appointing the Jewish high priest and was custodian of the temple treasury.
a) He was well acquainted with the religion of the Jew’s so his background made him particularly qualified to hear Paul.
b) Festus on the other hand was straight forward in confessing that he was incapable of handling the case and in particular did not understand Paul’s insistence on the resurrection of Christ.
c) Agrippa and Bernice had come to pay their respects to Festus.
(1) They are brother and sister, but having an incestuous relationship.
(2) She had a tendency to be supportive of the Jews, but was known to be grossly self-indulgent.
3. They make a flashy entrance…to show off.
B. Verse-25 shows us that like Felix before him, Festus can find no fault deserving of death (which the Jews are demanding).
1. He is reluctant to send Paul to Rome without specific charges, so his belief is that Agrippa will know how to charge Paul specifically enough to send him on the Nero in Rome.

III. Paul before Agrippa
Acts 26:1-11 (NKJV)
1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself:
2 “I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews,
3 especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.
4 “My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know.
5 They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers.
7 To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. For this hope’s sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews.
8 Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?
9 “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
10 This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.
11 And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
IV. Paul is now permitted to inform and make his defense before King Agrippa.
A. He opens with complimentary remarks, they are not flattery but rooted in truth. (vv2-3)
1. Agrippa was not only well acquainted with Jewish customs, he was a practicing Jew.
B. Paul gives an outline of his early life. (VV4-8)
1. He asserts that he lived to the highest degree of orthodoxy or piety of the Jewish religion.
a) Particularly as it embraces the hope of the resurrection.
Exodus 3:6 (NKJV)
6 Moreover He said, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.
(1) Jesus quotes this verse to defend the doctrine of the resurrection.
C. He relates his zeal in opposing Christianity. (VV9-11)
1. Not only was Paul committed to Judaism, he also was fanatical in his opposition to Christianity.
a) When he caught Christians he would try to get them to blaspheme and deny Jesus. (I believe this is why Paul refers to himself as the chief of sinners in 1Tim 1:15…)
b) Paul goes on
Acts 26:12-18 (NKJV)
12 “While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,
13 at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me.
14 And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
15 So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
16 But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.
17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you,
18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’
D. He gives the testimony of his conversion and to the commission given to him by God. (VV-12-18)
1. His commission is clearly to be an ambassador or representative of Jesus to the Gentiles…
Acts 26:19-23 (NKJV)
19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,
20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.
21 For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.
22 Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come—
23 that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”
E. His Ministry
1. Paul took seriously the charge Jesus gave him and began to minister the gospel right away.
2. He shared the gospel and the hope of the resurrection in spite of persecution and personal risk.
3. He affirms that all he has believed and taught others is consistent with the law and the prophets.
a) Including that this message was also to go to gentiles.
Acts 26:24-32 (NKJV)
24 Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!”
25 But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason.
26 For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner.
27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.”
28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”
29 And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”
30 When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them;
31 and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, “This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.”
32 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
F. Paul then has a verbal debate of sorts with Festus and Agrippa.
1. Festus with his Greek mindset did not believe resurrection possible.
a) Paul asserts that he is not mad and then makes the indictment “the king before whom I speak knows” these things were not done in a corner, or were not hidden but widely known, and there were many witnesses (friendly and antagonistic).
2. And they are in agreement with what the prophets taught, so he presses Agrippa concerning his belief in the resurrection and the teaching of the prophets.
a) What a moment this is, the tension in the room must have been very great, because the assertion is very strong and requires a decision on the part of all who are listening, and there is very little if any room to intelligently wiggle out of it.
b) At this point we can follow Weirsbe and a majority of other translators that Agrippa is belittling Paul’s defense (as his own defense against the conviction he is experiencing).
Acts 26:28 (NLT)
28 Agrippa interrupted him. “Do you think you can make me a Christian so quickly?”
c) But not all agree with this sort of translation, in fact the phrase “so quickly” or in “little time” is not really understood.
(1) Paul’s response argues against this translation because he evidently takes Agrippa seriously.
3. At this point Paul is dismissed and both Festus and Agrippa conclude that Paul should be set free, but must be sent to Caesar because of his appeal.
V. So in conclusion:
A. The world like the Jew’s in Paul’s case are antagonistic toward Christ and His gospel.

1. As we serve and share Christ we can expect opposition.
2. Don’t let it get you down or stop you.
B. Secondly the secret to Paul’s tenacity and passion for the gospel is found in the heart of God for men as stated in the commission given to Paul by Christ - Acts 26:17-18
Acts 26:17-18 (NKJV)
17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you,
18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’
1. There is a connection between “being turned from darkness” and “from the power of Satan”, because the power of Satan lies in keeping men in darkness.
2. And that is why he is called “the ruler of the darkness of this world (Eph. 6:12)
2 Corinthians 4:1-4 (NKJV)
1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.
2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,
4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
C. Repent and turn to God
19 “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,
20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.