Acts_27-28
2/1/09
I. Now we come to Paul’s journey to Rome.
Acts 27:1-8 (NKJV)
1 And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment.
2 So, entering a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us.
3 And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care.
4 When we had put to sea from there, we sailed under the shelter of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
5 And when we had sailed over the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.
6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, and he put us on board.
7 When we had sailed slowly many days, and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, the wind not permitting us to proceed, we sailed under the shelter of Crete off Salmone.
8 Passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.
II. So it was decided to put Paul on a ship to Italy in order to get him to Rome for his appeal.
A. He along with other prisoners is put into the charge of a Roman Centurion for the journey, whose name was Julius.
1. Luke and Aristarchus accompany Paul.
2. We see that the Centurion treats Paul with kindness, and some measure of respect.
a) How we treat others is important – (not talking down to others).
B. They first board a ship that is sailing along the coast of Asia minor, and in Myra they find a ship headed to Italy and transfer to that ship.
1. With much difficulty the ship reaches the island of Crete and the harbor of Fair havens
Acts 27:9-12 (NKJV)
9 Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them,
10 saying, “Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.”
11 Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul.
12 And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there.
III. Having taken too much time to reach Crete the sailing season had become dangerous and would soon be impossible.
A. The “Fast” referred to is probably the Day of Atonement which took place in the late Sept. to early Oct. time frame -and sea traffic in those days ceased completely in early Nov.
B. So a debate about whether to winter there in Fair Haven or make a run up the coast to Phoenix which was a better place to winter, arose.
1. Paul is evidently taken into the council process because of his extensive travel experience.
2. Paul perceives that the journey will end in disaster advises against going on.
a) Check in his heart or just due to experience??
b) The final decision belongs to the centurion because grain ships were considered government property, so Paul is out voted by the ships owner and captain.
(1) We see here a basic human failure, what pilots refer to a “go-itis” (purchases, marriage, etc.) where we act because we want something so bad, or the alternative is inconvenient!!
Acts 27:13-38 (NKJV)
13 When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete.
14 But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon.
15 So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive.
16 And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty.
17 When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven.
18 And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship.
19 On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands.
20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.
21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss.
22 And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.
23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve,
24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.
26 However, we must run aground on a certain island.”
27 Now when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven up and down in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors sensed that they were drawing near some land.
28 And they took soundings and found it to be twenty fathoms; and when they had gone a little farther, they took soundings again and found it to be fifteen fathoms.
29 Then, fearing lest we should run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern, and prayed for day to come.
30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, when they had let down the skiff into the sea, under pretense of putting out anchors from the prow,
31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.”
32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the skiff and let it fall off.
33 And as day was about to dawn, Paul implored them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day you have waited and continued without food, and eaten nothing.
34 Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.”
35 And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat.
36 Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves.
37 And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship.
38 So when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship and threw out the wheat into the sea.
IV. Things start out smooth and conditions seem favorable, but soon become dire.
A. Ignoring the check in our hearts can be very dangerous.
B. A Euroclydon or Nor’easter comes up, a terrible storm that drives them into the open sea.
1. For fourteen days they will battle this storm, but at some point the Holy Spirit, comes and comforts Paul and gives him the revelation that no lives will be lost, only the ship.
2. Paul says you should have listened to me before and didn’t (but listen to me now).
a) Credibility or the lack of it often flows from our everyday mannerisms…
b) God has said I must be brought before Caesar in Rome and God has granted me your lives also (standing in the gap).
(1) There were 276 lives at stake including Paul’s, and the situation is dangerous enough not to expect that there be at least some loss of life.
(2) The sailors aware of the risks attempt to save their own lives (lack of trust in what God has said), but Paul says to the soldiers it is everyone or no one…
(a) Responsibility vs. personal preferences…can you imagine a fireman running the other way when a rescue was required???
c) Paul is clearly in charge now, an effective leader in time of crisis, as well as credibility extraordinaire with all on board by this time.
(1) They have not been able over the past 14 days to eat a regular meal so Paul instructs and set the example to nourish themselves physically because they will need the strength and energy.
(a) You get the impression of letting go and accepting the inevitable as well the conviction that ALL Paul has said will prove true.
Acts 27:39-44 (NKJV)
39 When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible.
40 And they let go the anchors and left them in the sea, meanwhile loosing the rudder ropes; and they hoisted the mainsail to the wind and made for shore.
41 But striking a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck fast and remained immovable, but the stern was being broken up by the violence of the waves.
42 And the soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape.
43 But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land,
44 and the rest, some on boards and some on parts of the ship. And so it was that they all escaped safely to land.
V. At day break they pick the best looking place to try to beach the boat and make a run for it, running aground.
A. The prisoners were going to be killed (no risk of an escape)…
1. But the Centurion intervenes in order to save Paul.
VI. We see the open proclamation of God, a true and faithful witness, the influence of setting a good example, and the gift of encouragement on the part of Paul throughout this chapter (and the next).
Acts 28:1-10 (NKJV)
1 Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta.
2 And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.
3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
4 So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.”
5 But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.
6 However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
7 In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days.
8 And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him.
9 So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.
10 They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.
VII. Shipwrecked on the Isle of Malta.
A. Natives (barbarians) refers to non-Greek speaking people.
1. They demonstrated unusual hospitality in caring for the shipwrecked people, light a fire for them to be warmed by.
2. We see Paul pitching in, being a servant and collecting firewood.
a) When Paul placed a stack of stick on the fire a viper latched on to him and bit him and Paul shook the snake of and into the fire.
b) The native people thought boy this must be one wicked guy, somehow he escaped the sea during the shipwreck, but now the snake bite will kill him (he won’t cheat death).
(1) But when time passed and no harm came to Paul they came to the conclusion that he must be a god.
(2) This opened the door for ministry in the way of healing people and brought about tremendous blessings and provisions for the shipwrecked people.
(a) How we view things…
Acts 28:11-16 (NKJV)
11 After three months we sailed in an Alexandrian ship whose figurehead was the Twin Brothers, which had wintered at the island.
12 And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days.
13 From there we circled round and reached Rhegium. And after one day the south wind blew; and the next day we came to Puteoli,
14 where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome.
15 And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.
16 Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him.
VIII. So after wintering there for three months they caught another Alexandrian ship and sailed to Puteoli.
A. Finding Christians there they stayed for seven days and then began the journey by road to Rome.
1. And Paul was encouraged from place to place as they traveled toward Rome by other believers.
2. When they arrived in Rome the other prisoners were turned over to the captain of the guard, but Paul was able to dwell in his own place along with a soldier who was guarding him (house arrest of sorts).
Acts 28:17-31 (NKJV)
17 And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: “Men and brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans,
18 who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death.
19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation.
20 For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”
21 Then they said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you.
22 But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.”
23 So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening.
24 And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved.
25 So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers,
26 saying, ‘Go to this people and say: “Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; And seeing you will see, and not perceive;
27 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.” ’
28 “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!”
29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.
30 Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him,
31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.
IX. After three days Paul calls the Jews together and laid out his case before them, and he persuaded them concerning Christ.
A. Paul “explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening”
B. Some believed, and some did not believe.
1. Ultimately Paul gave the message to the gentiles.
C. Paul spent two years in his own rented house, teaching all who would come and listen about Jesus.
D. Probably released at this time!
X. What a strange way to end the book, Luke left us w/o a conclusion, he just simply stops writing.
A. Because the book of Acts is ongoing…
1. And the center piece is not the works of Peter or the works of Paul, but the working of the Holy Spirit in the life of the church (you and I).
2. The witness continues to go out.
XI. Communion
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
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.
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.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Acts 23-24
Acts 23-25
1/18/09
I. Last time, Paul had been saved from the crowd who was out to kill him, by the commander of the Roman garrison there in Jerusalem.
A. Actually he had to be delivered twice because having been granted permission to address the crowd the riot broke out again when he put the gentiles on equal footing as the Jews.
B. And as we left off the commander was going to have Paul scourged in order to determine what Paul had done to upset the Jews so badly, and so Paul revealed his Roman citizenship in order to get a hearing first.
II. Now we move on and see Paul the prisoner.
Acts 22:30 - Acts 23:1-10 (NKJV)
30 The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them.
1 Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”
2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.
3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?”
4 And those who stood by said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?”
5 Then Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”
6 But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!”
7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided.
8 For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.
9 Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, “We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.”
10 Now when there arose a great dissension, the commander, fearing lest Paul might be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.
A. The commander moving slower and more justly gives the opportunity for Paul to hear the accusations of his accusers the Jewish Sanhedrin, and to give a defense to the charges.
1. Paul states he had lived in such a way as to have a clean conscience before God.
2. Conscience
a) One of Paul’s favorite words or themes.
(1) Used 2x in Acts, 20x in his epistles
b) Conscience is an inner judge or witness that approves when we do right or disapproves when we do wrong.
c) Conscience does not set the standard it only makes application of the standard.
(1) A criminal may feel bad about telling the truth about a fellow criminal as much as a Christian would in telling a lie about a friend.
d) We might think of our conscience like a window that lets light in.
e) Light is God’s word which is the true standard.
(1) Our sense of right and wrong is calibrated correctly by God’s word; it is the standard.
Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV)
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
(2) Vertigo (Spatial disorientation)
f) Windows get dirty and that dirt can block light out, and when we harden our hearts to the truth refusing to do what’s right we sear or damage our conscience (and block out the light).
1 Timothy 4:2 (NKJV)
2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,
Ephesians 4:19 (NKJV)
19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Hebrews 3:7-11 (NKJV)
7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you will hear His voice,
8 Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness,
9 Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, And saw My works forty years.
10 Therefore I was angry with that generation, And said, ‘They always go astray in their heart, And they have not known My ways.’
11 So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’ ”
3. Paul could say he had a clean conscience before God.
4. This infuriated the high priest who commands that he be struck by one of the other council members.
a) So Paul calls him a hypocrite, not knowing he is the high priest. (Why a hypocrite?)
b) When pointed out to him Paul then expresses respect for the man’s office, but does not apologize to the man.
5. Paul recognizing that there is no way he will get a just hearing before this council divides his enemy by stating that the issue is that he believes in the resurrection.
a) The council begins to fight among them selves… and the commander again has his men escort Paul under their protection back to the barracks.
Acts 23:11-22 (NKJV)
11 But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”
12 And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
13 Now there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy.
14 They came to the chief priests and elders, and said, “We have bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul.
15 Now you, therefore, together with the council, suggest to the commander that he be brought down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to make further inquiries concerning him; but we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”
16 So when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.
17 Then Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, “Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him.”
18 So he took him and brought him to the commander and said, “Paul the prisoner called me to him and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to say to you.”
19 Then the commander took him by the hand, went aside, and asked privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”
20 And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask that you bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire more fully about him.
21 But do not yield to them, for more than forty of them lie in wait for him, men who have bound themselves by an oath that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him; and now they are ready, waiting for the promise from you.”
22 So the commander let the young man depart, and commanded him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.”
III. God appears to Paul and brings him comfort (not rebuke).
A. What wonderful comfort and confirmation to have from God at this time.
1. This is the fourth vision the Lord gave Paul (9:4-6, 16:9, 18:9-10).
B. What a contrast between the love of God pictured here, and the intense hatred of these 40 fanatical Jews who take this oath that they would not eat or drink until they had killed Paul.
1. We also see man’s tendency to take matters into his own hands.
a) What a contrast to David their greatest and most revered king.
1 Samuel 24:4-6 (NKJV)
4 Then the men of David said to him, “This is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as it seems good to you.’ ” And David arose and secretly cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.
5 Now it happened afterward that David’s heart troubled him because he had cut Saul’s robe.
6 And he said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.”
b) The ways of man are so much different from the ways of God – how does this translate into what I do as an ambassador, and minister (servant) of Jesus.
2. Conspiracy to commit murder the religious leaders also plotted to kill Jesus. (By supposedly holy men!)
3. The plot is revealed; nothing can be hid from God, and we see the direct hand of God at work here to protect his servant Paul…
Acts 23:23-35 (NKJV)
23 And he called for two centurions, saying, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at the third hour of the night;
24 and provide mounts to set Paul on, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.”
25 He wrote a letter in the following manner:
26 Claudius Lysias, To the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings.
27 This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them. Coming with the troops I rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.
28 And when I wanted to know the reason they accused him, I brought him before their council.
29 I found out that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but had nothing charged against him deserving of death or chains.
30 And when it was told me that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him immediately to you, and also commanded his accusers to state before you the charges against him. Farewell.
31 Then the soldiers, as they were commanded, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.
32 The next day they left the horsemen to go on with him, and returned to the barracks.
33 When they came to Caesarea and had delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him.
34 And when the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. And when he understood that he was from Cilicia,
35 he said, “I will hear you when your accusers also have come.” And he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s Praetorium.
C. The commander puts together a plan to get Paul out of there and to a place where he won’t be responsible if something happens to Paul (it was a bad thing to lose a prisoner and he was not about to lose Paul).
1. What an escort he arranges for Paul, 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen, and 200 spearman.
a) Protection fit for a king.
(1) Think about the parallel spiritually, if God is sending us, who can breach His protection w/o His permission?
2 Kings 6:11-17 (NKJV)
11 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?”
12 And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.”
13 So he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him.” And it was told him, saying, “Surely he is in Dothan.”
14 Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city.
15 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”
16 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
(2) The key is being led by God and not doing our own thing.
b) We also see that the commander understood the zeal and threat of these 40 men, because they were ready to kill and to die for their cause…
D. The journey from Jerusalem to Antipatris was a little over 35 miles which they covered in a day so this was probably a forced march…
1. The remaining 27 miles to Caesarea only required the escort of the horseman as it was now assumed to be safer.
2. The governor after reading the letter and determining that Paul was from the province of Cilicia agrees to hear the case when Paul’s accusers arrive, which they do five days later.
IV. The charges.
Acts 24:1-9 (NKJV)
1 Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul.
2 And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: “Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight,
3 we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
4 Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us.
5 For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
6 He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law.
7 But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands,
8 commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.”
9 And the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so.
A. The High priest himself comes and they bring an attorney (an orator) to present their case.
1. Note that he spends almost as much time in his introduction with flattery as he does in presenting the charges against Paul.
a) Felix was a slave who had won his freedom.
b) He was known for his use of repressive force and corrupt self-exaltation. (Flattery…)
c) Tacitus a Roman historian summed up the character of Felix with these words “He exercised royal power with the mind of a slave.”
d) The accusations were three:
(1) Paul was a worldwide troublemaker, stirring up riots everywhere.
(2) He was a leader of the Nazarene sect.
(3) He attempted to desecrate the temple.
V. Paul’s defense before Felix.
Acts 24:10-21 (NKJV)
10 Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: “Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself,
11 because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city.
13 Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.
14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.
15 I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.
16 This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.
17 “Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation,
18 in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult.
19 They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me.
20 Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council,
21 unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ ”
A. Paul makes several points in his defense.
1. He was in Jerusalem for the purpose of worship (at the feast of Pentecost) and had not been in Jerusalem long enough to incite a riot.
2. His (accusers could not even cite one instance where he had incited a riot.
3. He worshipped the God of Israel in full conformance to the Law and the Prophets.
4. He states that his faith was in God as a Christian which His accusers called a sect known as “the Way” (but it was not a sect).
5. And that his hope of the resurrection was the same as that of the Pharisees. That he did not instigate the riot, his accusers did.
6. And that his real accusers the Jews from Asia who had made the original false accusations were not even present.
Acts 24:22-27 (NKJV)
22 But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case.”
23 So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.
24 And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
25 Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.”
26 Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him.
27 But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.
VI. Felix was somewhat knowledgeable about Christianity, probably through his wife Drusilla a Jewess.
A. He stalls the trial not wanting to offend the religious authorities with a wrong decision.
1. No evidence that the commander Claudius Lysias ever came to Caesarea.
2. But evidently being aware of Paul’s innocence he gives him a limited amount of freedom.
B. Returning from an apparent trip with his wife he calls upon Paul to hear about his faith: and Paul speaking of righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment strikes fear in the heart of Felix, but he does not respond to the conviction, we also see that he was a greedy man hoping for a bribe from Paul.
1. And to placate the Jews he leaves Paul in prison, ultimately Felix is removed from office and Paul is left in prison.
1/18/09
I. Last time, Paul had been saved from the crowd who was out to kill him, by the commander of the Roman garrison there in Jerusalem.
A. Actually he had to be delivered twice because having been granted permission to address the crowd the riot broke out again when he put the gentiles on equal footing as the Jews.
B. And as we left off the commander was going to have Paul scourged in order to determine what Paul had done to upset the Jews so badly, and so Paul revealed his Roman citizenship in order to get a hearing first.
II. Now we move on and see Paul the prisoner.
Acts 22:30 - Acts 23:1-10 (NKJV)
30 The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them.
1 Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”
2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.
3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?”
4 And those who stood by said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?”
5 Then Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”
6 But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!”
7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided.
8 For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.
9 Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, “We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.”
10 Now when there arose a great dissension, the commander, fearing lest Paul might be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.
A. The commander moving slower and more justly gives the opportunity for Paul to hear the accusations of his accusers the Jewish Sanhedrin, and to give a defense to the charges.
1. Paul states he had lived in such a way as to have a clean conscience before God.
2. Conscience
a) One of Paul’s favorite words or themes.
(1) Used 2x in Acts, 20x in his epistles
b) Conscience is an inner judge or witness that approves when we do right or disapproves when we do wrong.
c) Conscience does not set the standard it only makes application of the standard.
(1) A criminal may feel bad about telling the truth about a fellow criminal as much as a Christian would in telling a lie about a friend.
d) We might think of our conscience like a window that lets light in.
e) Light is God’s word which is the true standard.
(1) Our sense of right and wrong is calibrated correctly by God’s word; it is the standard.
Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV)
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
(2) Vertigo (Spatial disorientation)
f) Windows get dirty and that dirt can block light out, and when we harden our hearts to the truth refusing to do what’s right we sear or damage our conscience (and block out the light).
1 Timothy 4:2 (NKJV)
2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,
Ephesians 4:19 (NKJV)
19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Hebrews 3:7-11 (NKJV)
7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you will hear His voice,
8 Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness,
9 Where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, And saw My works forty years.
10 Therefore I was angry with that generation, And said, ‘They always go astray in their heart, And they have not known My ways.’
11 So I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’ ”
3. Paul could say he had a clean conscience before God.
4. This infuriated the high priest who commands that he be struck by one of the other council members.
a) So Paul calls him a hypocrite, not knowing he is the high priest. (Why a hypocrite?)
b) When pointed out to him Paul then expresses respect for the man’s office, but does not apologize to the man.
5. Paul recognizing that there is no way he will get a just hearing before this council divides his enemy by stating that the issue is that he believes in the resurrection.
a) The council begins to fight among them selves… and the commander again has his men escort Paul under their protection back to the barracks.
Acts 23:11-22 (NKJV)
11 But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”
12 And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
13 Now there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy.
14 They came to the chief priests and elders, and said, “We have bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul.
15 Now you, therefore, together with the council, suggest to the commander that he be brought down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to make further inquiries concerning him; but we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”
16 So when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.
17 Then Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, “Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him.”
18 So he took him and brought him to the commander and said, “Paul the prisoner called me to him and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to say to you.”
19 Then the commander took him by the hand, went aside, and asked privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”
20 And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask that you bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire more fully about him.
21 But do not yield to them, for more than forty of them lie in wait for him, men who have bound themselves by an oath that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him; and now they are ready, waiting for the promise from you.”
22 So the commander let the young man depart, and commanded him, “Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me.”
III. God appears to Paul and brings him comfort (not rebuke).
A. What wonderful comfort and confirmation to have from God at this time.
1. This is the fourth vision the Lord gave Paul (9:4-6, 16:9, 18:9-10).
B. What a contrast between the love of God pictured here, and the intense hatred of these 40 fanatical Jews who take this oath that they would not eat or drink until they had killed Paul.
1. We also see man’s tendency to take matters into his own hands.
a) What a contrast to David their greatest and most revered king.
1 Samuel 24:4-6 (NKJV)
4 Then the men of David said to him, “This is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will deliver your enemy into your hand, that you may do to him as it seems good to you.’ ” And David arose and secretly cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.
5 Now it happened afterward that David’s heart troubled him because he had cut Saul’s robe.
6 And he said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.”
b) The ways of man are so much different from the ways of God – how does this translate into what I do as an ambassador, and minister (servant) of Jesus.
2. Conspiracy to commit murder the religious leaders also plotted to kill Jesus. (By supposedly holy men!)
3. The plot is revealed; nothing can be hid from God, and we see the direct hand of God at work here to protect his servant Paul…
Acts 23:23-35 (NKJV)
23 And he called for two centurions, saying, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at the third hour of the night;
24 and provide mounts to set Paul on, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.”
25 He wrote a letter in the following manner:
26 Claudius Lysias, To the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings.
27 This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them. Coming with the troops I rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman.
28 And when I wanted to know the reason they accused him, I brought him before their council.
29 I found out that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but had nothing charged against him deserving of death or chains.
30 And when it was told me that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him immediately to you, and also commanded his accusers to state before you the charges against him. Farewell.
31 Then the soldiers, as they were commanded, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.
32 The next day they left the horsemen to go on with him, and returned to the barracks.
33 When they came to Caesarea and had delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him.
34 And when the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. And when he understood that he was from Cilicia,
35 he said, “I will hear you when your accusers also have come.” And he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s Praetorium.
C. The commander puts together a plan to get Paul out of there and to a place where he won’t be responsible if something happens to Paul (it was a bad thing to lose a prisoner and he was not about to lose Paul).
1. What an escort he arranges for Paul, 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen, and 200 spearman.
a) Protection fit for a king.
(1) Think about the parallel spiritually, if God is sending us, who can breach His protection w/o His permission?
2 Kings 6:11-17 (NKJV)
11 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?”
12 And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.”
13 So he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him.” And it was told him, saying, “Surely he is in Dothan.”
14 Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city.
15 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”
16 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
(2) The key is being led by God and not doing our own thing.
b) We also see that the commander understood the zeal and threat of these 40 men, because they were ready to kill and to die for their cause…
D. The journey from Jerusalem to Antipatris was a little over 35 miles which they covered in a day so this was probably a forced march…
1. The remaining 27 miles to Caesarea only required the escort of the horseman as it was now assumed to be safer.
2. The governor after reading the letter and determining that Paul was from the province of Cilicia agrees to hear the case when Paul’s accusers arrive, which they do five days later.
IV. The charges.
Acts 24:1-9 (NKJV)
1 Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul.
2 And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: “Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight,
3 we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
4 Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us.
5 For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
6 He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law.
7 But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands,
8 commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.”
9 And the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so.
A. The High priest himself comes and they bring an attorney (an orator) to present their case.
1. Note that he spends almost as much time in his introduction with flattery as he does in presenting the charges against Paul.
a) Felix was a slave who had won his freedom.
b) He was known for his use of repressive force and corrupt self-exaltation. (Flattery…)
c) Tacitus a Roman historian summed up the character of Felix with these words “He exercised royal power with the mind of a slave.”
d) The accusations were three:
(1) Paul was a worldwide troublemaker, stirring up riots everywhere.
(2) He was a leader of the Nazarene sect.
(3) He attempted to desecrate the temple.
V. Paul’s defense before Felix.
Acts 24:10-21 (NKJV)
10 Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: “Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself,
11 because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city.
13 Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.
14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.
15 I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.
16 This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.
17 “Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation,
18 in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult.
19 They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me.
20 Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council,
21 unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ ”
A. Paul makes several points in his defense.
1. He was in Jerusalem for the purpose of worship (at the feast of Pentecost) and had not been in Jerusalem long enough to incite a riot.
2. His (accusers could not even cite one instance where he had incited a riot.
3. He worshipped the God of Israel in full conformance to the Law and the Prophets.
4. He states that his faith was in God as a Christian which His accusers called a sect known as “the Way” (but it was not a sect).
5. And that his hope of the resurrection was the same as that of the Pharisees. That he did not instigate the riot, his accusers did.
6. And that his real accusers the Jews from Asia who had made the original false accusations were not even present.
Acts 24:22-27 (NKJV)
22 But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case.”
23 So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.
24 And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
25 Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.”
26 Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him.
27 But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.
VI. Felix was somewhat knowledgeable about Christianity, probably through his wife Drusilla a Jewess.
A. He stalls the trial not wanting to offend the religious authorities with a wrong decision.
1. No evidence that the commander Claudius Lysias ever came to Caesarea.
2. But evidently being aware of Paul’s innocence he gives him a limited amount of freedom.
B. Returning from an apparent trip with his wife he calls upon Paul to hear about his faith: and Paul speaking of righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment strikes fear in the heart of Felix, but he does not respond to the conviction, we also see that he was a greedy man hoping for a bribe from Paul.
1. And to placate the Jews he leaves Paul in prison, ultimately Felix is removed from office and Paul is left in prison.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
1/11/09
Acts_22
1/11/09
Acts 22:1 (NKJV)
1 “Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.”
I. Paul speaking in Greek which surprised the commander who thought he was a notorious Egyptian that had sparked another riot and then escaped.
A. Assuring the commander that he was a Jew in fact from an important city (with a good reputation and a learning center) asked permission to address the Jews (He held back sharing at this point that he was a Roman citizen).
1. And when permission was given he began to speak to the crowd in the Hebrew language.
a) As Paul makes his defense to the crowd he does so in three parts.
(1) Vv1-5 his conduct before conversion.
(2) Vv-6-16 the testimony of his conversion.
(3) Vv-17-21 his commission to minister.
b) Bear in mind his hope is that they will become convinced that Jesus is indeed the Messiah and embrace him in faith.
(1) If you have not yet embraced Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord that is the hope for you today.
(2) If you are a believer hearing this today, ask yourself what God wants you to learn from Paul’s experience.
Acts 22:1-5 (NKJV)
1 “Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.”
2 And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent. Then he said:
3 “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.
4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women,
5 as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.
2. Paul was deeply affected by the sermon Stephen gave some 20 years previously and uses some of the same elements, beginning his address here the same way Stephen did (brethren and fathers).
a) Impressed that a Jew of the dispersion spoke both Hebrew and Greek they quieted down and began to listen.
b) He begins to make the point about what a righteous and zealous Jew he was…
(1) Brought up in this city, could mean raised, but also could mean educated…
(2) At the feet of Gamaliel, perhaps the most respected of Rabbis.
(3) A strict and zealous Jew (commending them for their zeal and identifying himself with it).
(4) He mentions the high priest as being able to testify of his zeal as a Jew and as a persecutor of the church.
c) The implication of all this is that only a supernatural experience could have changed his mind concerning the Way.
(1) And so he begins to relate his conversion (what changed his mind) on the road to Damascus as he was persecuting the followers of Jesus.
Acts 22:6-16 (NKJV)
6 “Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me.
7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’
8 So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’
9 “And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me.
10 So I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.’
11 And since I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus.
12 “Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there,
13 came to me; and he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked up at him.
14 Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth.
15 For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.
16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’
B. Stopped in his tracks, knocked from his high horse, he has a very dramatic encounter with the resurrected Christ.
1. This must have been very humbling for Paul.
2. Have you been humbled, are you in need of humbling, ask yourself (Do I have it figured out more than most?)
3. Jesus became very real to Paul, is He real to us?
C. The reference that he will see the “Just One” or the “Righteous One” (Stephen also used this phrase) is important as it qualifies him to be an Apostle.
1. Some confusion comes up about vv-16 is Paul saying that baptism is required for salvation and that he was not saved until he was baptized?
a) No Paul was cleansed from his sin and filled with the Spirit prior to being baptized (having called on the name of the Lord - an aorist participle which refers to an action simultaneous or preceding the main verb ).
b) Now in verses 17-21 Paul states the commission given to him by Christ as a minister of the gospel.
Acts 22:17-21 (NKJV)
17 “Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance
18 and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’
19 So I said, ‘Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You.
20 And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’
21 Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’ ”
II. The crowd listened to Paul up to the point where he states he was commissioned to preach to the Gentiles at which time the crowd again went into a rage.
A. The implication is that Paul was making Gentiles equal to Jews (without the Law of Moses), not simply preaching to them.
Acts 22:22-24 (NKJV)
22 And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!”
23 Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air,
24 the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him.
B. Their response demonstrates that they had completely refused the Gospel and in fact had sealed their fate.
1. Less than twenty years later their Temple was destroyed (A.D. 70) and Jerusalem was destroyed.
2. To reject the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to invite eternal judgment!
C. The commander not understanding the Hebrew language, not understanding what it is that Paul has said that has provoked such a response is more determined than ever to get to the bottom of what is going on.
1. Declaring that Paul should be examined under scourging to make him talk.
a) This is not like the beating with rods he experienced in Philippi and on two other occasions, nor like the Jewish 39 lashes administered with a long whip which Paul received 5 times.
b) This is the Roman scourging with a short whip with pieces of bone and sharp fragments in it which could kill a man or leave him permanently crippled.
(1) The same scourging that left Jesus too weak to carry the cross.
Acts 22:25-29 (NKJV)
25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?”
26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, “Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman.”
27 Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” He said, “Yes.”
28 The commander answered, “With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.” And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.”
29 Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
III. Paul reveals his Roman citizenship
A. Under Roman law it was unlawful to scourge a Roman citizen who had not been convicted of a crime.
1. It is incredulous to the commander that someone in Paul’s circumstance and so hated by the Jews could be a Roman citizen.
(1) Not only that he was a Roman citizen but freeborn at that.
(2) During the reign of Claudius it was possible to buy Roman citizenship through expensive bribes, but Paul was born a Roman citizen.
(3) Even having bound Paul, he is potentially in trouble.
2. So Paul used his Roman citizenship when it was convenient, as was the case here.
a) And God used it to protect His servant at this time…
IV. We will move next time into observing Paul the prisoner as we continue on in Acts.
1/11/09
Acts 22:1 (NKJV)
1 “Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.”
I. Paul speaking in Greek which surprised the commander who thought he was a notorious Egyptian that had sparked another riot and then escaped.
A. Assuring the commander that he was a Jew in fact from an important city (with a good reputation and a learning center) asked permission to address the Jews (He held back sharing at this point that he was a Roman citizen).
1. And when permission was given he began to speak to the crowd in the Hebrew language.
a) As Paul makes his defense to the crowd he does so in three parts.
(1) Vv1-5 his conduct before conversion.
(2) Vv-6-16 the testimony of his conversion.
(3) Vv-17-21 his commission to minister.
b) Bear in mind his hope is that they will become convinced that Jesus is indeed the Messiah and embrace him in faith.
(1) If you have not yet embraced Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord that is the hope for you today.
(2) If you are a believer hearing this today, ask yourself what God wants you to learn from Paul’s experience.
Acts 22:1-5 (NKJV)
1 “Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.”
2 And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent. Then he said:
3 “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.
4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women,
5 as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.
2. Paul was deeply affected by the sermon Stephen gave some 20 years previously and uses some of the same elements, beginning his address here the same way Stephen did (brethren and fathers).
a) Impressed that a Jew of the dispersion spoke both Hebrew and Greek they quieted down and began to listen.
b) He begins to make the point about what a righteous and zealous Jew he was…
(1) Brought up in this city, could mean raised, but also could mean educated…
(2) At the feet of Gamaliel, perhaps the most respected of Rabbis.
(3) A strict and zealous Jew (commending them for their zeal and identifying himself with it).
(4) He mentions the high priest as being able to testify of his zeal as a Jew and as a persecutor of the church.
c) The implication of all this is that only a supernatural experience could have changed his mind concerning the Way.
(1) And so he begins to relate his conversion (what changed his mind) on the road to Damascus as he was persecuting the followers of Jesus.
Acts 22:6-16 (NKJV)
6 “Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me.
7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?’
8 So I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’
9 “And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me.
10 So I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.’
11 And since I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of those who were with me, I came into Damascus.
12 “Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there,
13 came to me; and he stood and said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that same hour I looked up at him.
14 Then he said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth.
15 For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.
16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’
B. Stopped in his tracks, knocked from his high horse, he has a very dramatic encounter with the resurrected Christ.
1. This must have been very humbling for Paul.
2. Have you been humbled, are you in need of humbling, ask yourself (Do I have it figured out more than most?)
3. Jesus became very real to Paul, is He real to us?
C. The reference that he will see the “Just One” or the “Righteous One” (Stephen also used this phrase) is important as it qualifies him to be an Apostle.
1. Some confusion comes up about vv-16 is Paul saying that baptism is required for salvation and that he was not saved until he was baptized?
a) No Paul was cleansed from his sin and filled with the Spirit prior to being baptized (having called on the name of the Lord - an aorist participle which refers to an action simultaneous or preceding the main verb ).
b) Now in verses 17-21 Paul states the commission given to him by Christ as a minister of the gospel.
Acts 22:17-21 (NKJV)
17 “Now it happened, when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, that I was in a trance
18 and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me.’
19 So I said, ‘Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You.
20 And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’
21 Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’ ”
II. The crowd listened to Paul up to the point where he states he was commissioned to preach to the Gentiles at which time the crowd again went into a rage.
A. The implication is that Paul was making Gentiles equal to Jews (without the Law of Moses), not simply preaching to them.
Acts 22:22-24 (NKJV)
22 And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!”
23 Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air,
24 the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him.
B. Their response demonstrates that they had completely refused the Gospel and in fact had sealed their fate.
1. Less than twenty years later their Temple was destroyed (A.D. 70) and Jerusalem was destroyed.
2. To reject the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to invite eternal judgment!
C. The commander not understanding the Hebrew language, not understanding what it is that Paul has said that has provoked such a response is more determined than ever to get to the bottom of what is going on.
1. Declaring that Paul should be examined under scourging to make him talk.
a) This is not like the beating with rods he experienced in Philippi and on two other occasions, nor like the Jewish 39 lashes administered with a long whip which Paul received 5 times.
b) This is the Roman scourging with a short whip with pieces of bone and sharp fragments in it which could kill a man or leave him permanently crippled.
(1) The same scourging that left Jesus too weak to carry the cross.
Acts 22:25-29 (NKJV)
25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?”
26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, “Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman.”
27 Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” He said, “Yes.”
28 The commander answered, “With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.” And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.”
29 Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
III. Paul reveals his Roman citizenship
A. Under Roman law it was unlawful to scourge a Roman citizen who had not been convicted of a crime.
1. It is incredulous to the commander that someone in Paul’s circumstance and so hated by the Jews could be a Roman citizen.
(1) Not only that he was a Roman citizen but freeborn at that.
(2) During the reign of Claudius it was possible to buy Roman citizenship through expensive bribes, but Paul was born a Roman citizen.
(3) Even having bound Paul, he is potentially in trouble.
2. So Paul used his Roman citizenship when it was convenient, as was the case here.
a) And God used it to protect His servant at this time…
IV. We will move next time into observing Paul the prisoner as we continue on in Acts.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Acts 21
Acts 21-22
1/4/09
I. Review:
A. Saying goodbye to the elders of Ephesus Paul and those travelling with him depart from Miletus
II. Warnings on the way to Jerusalem.
Acts 21:1 (NKJV)
1 Now it came to pass, that when we had departed from them and set sail, running a straight course we came to Cos, the following day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.
A. Each of these stops evidently represented one day of travel on the ship they first boarded.
Acts 21:2 (NKJV)
2 And finding a ship sailing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail.
B. Instead of staying on the first ship which pulled into a port each night, in Patara they found a ship that sailed directly to Phoenicia and boarded it for the trip.
Acts 21:3-4 (NKJV)
3 When we had sighted Cyprus, we passed it on the left, sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload her cargo.
4 And finding disciples, we stayed there seven days. They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem.
C. Sailing south of Cyprus they arrived in Tyre and were there for seven days as the ship unloaded her cargo.
1. It is interesting to note that the church (believers) had spread to this region due to the persecution earlier championed by Paul.
2. The word translated “finding” disciples means to find by searching.
a) With all the intensity that accompanied him on his missionary journeys, particularly those of this third journey, and knowing that trouble is waiting for him in Jerusalem, instead of kicking back and taking a break, Paul is searching out fellowship and ministry opportunity.
(1) It is dangerous to take a break from our faith!
(a) What do I mean; when we are on vacation we need to keep up our spiritual practices…
3. Note they told Paul or urged him through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem.
a) So the question comes up was Paul violating the will of God in insisting in continuing on to Jerusalem?
(1) I don’t believe so, rather I believe he was merely being warned and prepared by the Spirit for what awaited him.
(2) Consider the following verses as we ponder God’s will and Paul’s character.
Acts 19:21 (NKJV)
21 When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
Acts 20:22 (NKJV)
22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there,
(3) Both of these verses imply that it was God’s will that Paul continue on to Jerusalem.
(a) At least that is what Paul believed.
Acts 21:14 (NKJV)
14 So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.”
(b) And then in chapter-23
Acts 23:11 (NKJV)
11 But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”
(4) Why would God give him such comfort if he was stubbornly insisting on doing what God was warning him not to do?
(5) And Paul could say
Acts 23:1 (NKJV)
1 Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”
4. It is not difficult to conclude that Paul was right in the center of God’s will:
a) In spite of the warnings (even discouragement) Paul pressed forward undeterred, truly ready to die for the cause of Christ and the call God had given him.
Acts 21:5-6 (NKJV)
5 When we had come to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we knelt down on the shore and prayed.
6 When we had taken our leave of one another, we boarded the ship, and they returned home.
D. This is the first meeting with these believers in Tyre but look at the strong bond that developed between them and Paul in only a week.
1. What a wonderful thing the family of God is, and the bond that we have in Christ. (If we let it!!)
a) Especially when you get around someone that you can really talk about the things of God with and not feel belittled or condemned.
b) And note their public prayer as they kneeled on the beach and prayed as they said goodbye to one another.
(1) What a witness, and often we don’t even know it…
(a) Illustration – the couple I saw praying in Boston at the restaurant.
Acts 21:7 (NKJV)
7 And when we had finished our voyage from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, greeted the brethren, and stayed with them one day.
E. Leaving Tyre they sailed another 20 miles to Ptolemais for a one day stop and again they encouraged the church there.
Acts 21:8-9 (NKJV)
8 On the next day we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.
9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.
III. Caesarea and Philip.
A. What an interesting meeting this must have been.
1. Philip the evangelist was one of the original seven deacons along with Stephen the first martyr.
2. Paul was present (perhaps even the instigator) as Stephen was stoned to death.
a) And now here is Paul knocking at Philip’s door and taking advantage of his hospitality.
b) What an amazing bridge the cross is…
B. And Philip had seven virgin daughters who prophesied.
1. Again a marvelous testimony of a man in whom we see the qualities of Christian character at work for all these years, reaching into the lives of his own children.
2. Also note that the spiritual gifts were not limited to men.
1 Corinthians 11:5 (NKJV)
5 But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved.
a) An appropriate way, which does not usurp authority.
Acts 21:10-11 (NKJV)
10 And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
11 When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ”
IV. Agabus the prophet was introduced to us in Acts-11 where he prophesied concerning a coming famine in the days of Claudius Caesar ( which came to pass).
A. He in very dramatic fashion as prophets often did prophesies of the arrest and trouble awaiting Paul in Jerusalem, to be instigated by the Jews, but turned over to the Roman courts.
1. Again we shall see that he is a true prophet in this matter.
2. The standard of a prophet:
Deuteronomy 18:20-22 (NKJV)
20 But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.’
21 And if you say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which the Lord has not spoken?’—
22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.
B. The Response by those who heard and by Paul.
Acts 21:12-14 (NKJV)
12 Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13 Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
14 So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.”
C. Those who heard pleaded with Paul not to go, but Paul says he not only ready to be bound but he is ready to die.
1. Giving counsel to others is an interesting deal, I wonder if we don’t get in the way sometimes of what God wants to do through circumstances.
a) It is not always easy to know…
b) Ultimately we have to fall back on letting the will of God be done – that is to rely upon Him to work it out or to work all things together for the good…
Acts 21:15-16 (NKJV)
15 And after those days we packed and went up to Jerusalem.
16 Also some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us and brought with them a certain Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to lodge.
D. From Caesarea to Jerusalem is a journey of 65 miles and would take two to three days depending on if they were walking or riding.
1. Notice that a contingency from Caesarea traveled with them; sometimes it is good to have fellowship and encouragement along the way.
2. We don’t really know much about Mnason, he was an early convert from Cyprus (perhaps from the first missionary Journey of Paul and Barnabas).
a) Some feel that his house was located midway between the two cities and was a convenient place to stay.
Acts 21:17 (NKJV)
17 And when we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.
V. When Paul arrived in Jerusalem He was received gladly.
Acts 21:18-25 (NKJV)
18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.
19 When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law;
21 but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.
22 What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come.
23 Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow.
24 Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law.
25 But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality.”
VI. When Paul presented to them what God had been doing in the Gentile church through his ministry they glorified God for it, but they were also concerned about the rumors flying around which they knew would bring trouble.
A. Here is a clear picture for us of the end result of rumors.
1. Paul the rumors are that you are teaching Jews everywhere to forsake to law.
2. While Paul said that physical circumcision was religiously inconsequential he never taught the Jews not to be circumcised.
B. In light of the rumors the elders urged Paul to go with these 4 men who had taken a Nazarite vow and to accompany and sponsor them in the purification process.
1. In doing so to demonstrate that he still had a reverence for the Jewish laws.
a) Paul said he became all things to all men…
2. But the leaders also clarified that they were standing behind their decision concerning the Gentile church and the Jerusalem counsel held earlier.
C. The plan did not work.
Acts 21:26-30 (NKJV)
26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them, entered the temple to announce the expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them.
27 Now when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him,
28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, the law, and this place; and furthermore he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.”
29 (For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
30 And all the city was disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut.
D. The Jewish crowd (stirred by Jews from Asia) thought Paul had brought into the Temple unclean Gentiles and had defiled the temple and we see the crowd mentality at work again and the whole city is in an uproar.
1. They seized Paul drug him out of the Temple and began to beat him and were ready to kill him.
Acts 21:31-32 (NKJV)
31 Now as they were seeking to kill him, news came to the commander of the garrison that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
32 He immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. And when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
2. And as the commander of the Roman garrison hearing of the riot that broken out rushes to scene with his soldiers they stopped beating Paul.
a) Commander – chiliarchos/ khil•ee•ar•khos (1000)
b) Centurions – hekatontarches/ hek•at•on•tar•khace (100)
Acts 21:33-36 (NKJV)
33 Then the commander came near and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and he asked who he was and what he had done.
34 And some among the multitude cried one thing and some another. So when he could not ascertain the truth because of the tumult, he commanded him to be taken into the barracks.
35 When he reached the stairs, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob.
36 For the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, “Away with him!”
E. The confusion was so great, and the intensity of the hatred to strong that the commander of the Roman garrison put two chains on Paul thinking he must really be bad.
1. And as he was led away toward the fortress of Antonia the crowd followed along crying away with him (just as they did with Jesus).
VII. Paul makes his defense.
Acts 21:37-40 (NKJV)
37 Then as Paul was about to be led into the barracks, he said to the commander, “May I speak to you?” He replied, “Can you speak Greek?
38 Are you not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a rebellion and led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?”
39 But Paul said, “I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; and I implore you, permit me to speak to the people.”
40 So when he had given him permission, Paul stood on the stairs and motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying,
VIII. Paul speaking in Greek which surprised the commander who thought he was a notorious Egyptian that had sparked another riot and then escaped.
A. Assuring the commander that he was a Jew in fact from an important city (with a good reputation and a learning center) asked permission to address the Jews (He held back sharing at this point that he was a Roman citizen).
1. And when permission was given he began to speak to the crowd in the Hebrew language.
a) As Paul makes his defense to the crowd he does so in three parts.
(1) Vv1-5 his conduct before conversion.
(2) Vv-6-16 the testimony of his conversion.
(3) Vv-17-21 his commission to minister.
(4) Which we will look at next time:
1/4/09
I. Review:
A. Saying goodbye to the elders of Ephesus Paul and those travelling with him depart from Miletus
II. Warnings on the way to Jerusalem.
Acts 21:1 (NKJV)
1 Now it came to pass, that when we had departed from them and set sail, running a straight course we came to Cos, the following day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.
A. Each of these stops evidently represented one day of travel on the ship they first boarded.
Acts 21:2 (NKJV)
2 And finding a ship sailing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail.
B. Instead of staying on the first ship which pulled into a port each night, in Patara they found a ship that sailed directly to Phoenicia and boarded it for the trip.
Acts 21:3-4 (NKJV)
3 When we had sighted Cyprus, we passed it on the left, sailed to Syria, and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload her cargo.
4 And finding disciples, we stayed there seven days. They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem.
C. Sailing south of Cyprus they arrived in Tyre and were there for seven days as the ship unloaded her cargo.
1. It is interesting to note that the church (believers) had spread to this region due to the persecution earlier championed by Paul.
2. The word translated “finding” disciples means to find by searching.
a) With all the intensity that accompanied him on his missionary journeys, particularly those of this third journey, and knowing that trouble is waiting for him in Jerusalem, instead of kicking back and taking a break, Paul is searching out fellowship and ministry opportunity.
(1) It is dangerous to take a break from our faith!
(a) What do I mean; when we are on vacation we need to keep up our spiritual practices…
3. Note they told Paul or urged him through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem.
a) So the question comes up was Paul violating the will of God in insisting in continuing on to Jerusalem?
(1) I don’t believe so, rather I believe he was merely being warned and prepared by the Spirit for what awaited him.
(2) Consider the following verses as we ponder God’s will and Paul’s character.
Acts 19:21 (NKJV)
21 When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
Acts 20:22 (NKJV)
22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there,
(3) Both of these verses imply that it was God’s will that Paul continue on to Jerusalem.
(a) At least that is what Paul believed.
Acts 21:14 (NKJV)
14 So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.”
(b) And then in chapter-23
Acts 23:11 (NKJV)
11 But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”
(4) Why would God give him such comfort if he was stubbornly insisting on doing what God was warning him not to do?
(5) And Paul could say
Acts 23:1 (NKJV)
1 Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”
4. It is not difficult to conclude that Paul was right in the center of God’s will:
a) In spite of the warnings (even discouragement) Paul pressed forward undeterred, truly ready to die for the cause of Christ and the call God had given him.
Acts 21:5-6 (NKJV)
5 When we had come to the end of those days, we departed and went on our way; and they all accompanied us, with wives and children, till we were out of the city. And we knelt down on the shore and prayed.
6 When we had taken our leave of one another, we boarded the ship, and they returned home.
D. This is the first meeting with these believers in Tyre but look at the strong bond that developed between them and Paul in only a week.
1. What a wonderful thing the family of God is, and the bond that we have in Christ. (If we let it!!)
a) Especially when you get around someone that you can really talk about the things of God with and not feel belittled or condemned.
b) And note their public prayer as they kneeled on the beach and prayed as they said goodbye to one another.
(1) What a witness, and often we don’t even know it…
(a) Illustration – the couple I saw praying in Boston at the restaurant.
Acts 21:7 (NKJV)
7 And when we had finished our voyage from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, greeted the brethren, and stayed with them one day.
E. Leaving Tyre they sailed another 20 miles to Ptolemais for a one day stop and again they encouraged the church there.
Acts 21:8-9 (NKJV)
8 On the next day we who were Paul’s companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him.
9 Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.
III. Caesarea and Philip.
A. What an interesting meeting this must have been.
1. Philip the evangelist was one of the original seven deacons along with Stephen the first martyr.
2. Paul was present (perhaps even the instigator) as Stephen was stoned to death.
a) And now here is Paul knocking at Philip’s door and taking advantage of his hospitality.
b) What an amazing bridge the cross is…
B. And Philip had seven virgin daughters who prophesied.
1. Again a marvelous testimony of a man in whom we see the qualities of Christian character at work for all these years, reaching into the lives of his own children.
2. Also note that the spiritual gifts were not limited to men.
1 Corinthians 11:5 (NKJV)
5 But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved.
a) An appropriate way, which does not usurp authority.
Acts 21:10-11 (NKJV)
10 And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea.
11 When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ”
IV. Agabus the prophet was introduced to us in Acts-11 where he prophesied concerning a coming famine in the days of Claudius Caesar ( which came to pass).
A. He in very dramatic fashion as prophets often did prophesies of the arrest and trouble awaiting Paul in Jerusalem, to be instigated by the Jews, but turned over to the Roman courts.
1. Again we shall see that he is a true prophet in this matter.
2. The standard of a prophet:
Deuteronomy 18:20-22 (NKJV)
20 But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.’
21 And if you say in your heart, ‘How shall we know the word which the Lord has not spoken?’—
22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.
B. The Response by those who heard and by Paul.
Acts 21:12-14 (NKJV)
12 Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13 Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
14 So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.”
C. Those who heard pleaded with Paul not to go, but Paul says he not only ready to be bound but he is ready to die.
1. Giving counsel to others is an interesting deal, I wonder if we don’t get in the way sometimes of what God wants to do through circumstances.
a) It is not always easy to know…
b) Ultimately we have to fall back on letting the will of God be done – that is to rely upon Him to work it out or to work all things together for the good…
Acts 21:15-16 (NKJV)
15 And after those days we packed and went up to Jerusalem.
16 Also some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us and brought with them a certain Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to lodge.
D. From Caesarea to Jerusalem is a journey of 65 miles and would take two to three days depending on if they were walking or riding.
1. Notice that a contingency from Caesarea traveled with them; sometimes it is good to have fellowship and encouragement along the way.
2. We don’t really know much about Mnason, he was an early convert from Cyprus (perhaps from the first missionary Journey of Paul and Barnabas).
a) Some feel that his house was located midway between the two cities and was a convenient place to stay.
Acts 21:17 (NKJV)
17 And when we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.
V. When Paul arrived in Jerusalem He was received gladly.
Acts 21:18-25 (NKJV)
18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.
19 When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law;
21 but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.
22 What then? The assembly must certainly meet, for they will hear that you have come.
23 Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have taken a vow.
24 Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law.
25 But concerning the Gentiles who believe, we have written and decided that they should observe no such thing, except that they should keep themselves from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality.”
VI. When Paul presented to them what God had been doing in the Gentile church through his ministry they glorified God for it, but they were also concerned about the rumors flying around which they knew would bring trouble.
A. Here is a clear picture for us of the end result of rumors.
1. Paul the rumors are that you are teaching Jews everywhere to forsake to law.
2. While Paul said that physical circumcision was religiously inconsequential he never taught the Jews not to be circumcised.
B. In light of the rumors the elders urged Paul to go with these 4 men who had taken a Nazarite vow and to accompany and sponsor them in the purification process.
1. In doing so to demonstrate that he still had a reverence for the Jewish laws.
a) Paul said he became all things to all men…
2. But the leaders also clarified that they were standing behind their decision concerning the Gentile church and the Jerusalem counsel held earlier.
C. The plan did not work.
Acts 21:26-30 (NKJV)
26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day, having been purified with them, entered the temple to announce the expiration of the days of purification, at which time an offering should be made for each one of them.
27 Now when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him,
28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against the people, the law, and this place; and furthermore he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.”
29 (For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)
30 And all the city was disturbed; and the people ran together, seized Paul, and dragged him out of the temple; and immediately the doors were shut.
D. The Jewish crowd (stirred by Jews from Asia) thought Paul had brought into the Temple unclean Gentiles and had defiled the temple and we see the crowd mentality at work again and the whole city is in an uproar.
1. They seized Paul drug him out of the Temple and began to beat him and were ready to kill him.
Acts 21:31-32 (NKJV)
31 Now as they were seeking to kill him, news came to the commander of the garrison that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
32 He immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. And when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
2. And as the commander of the Roman garrison hearing of the riot that broken out rushes to scene with his soldiers they stopped beating Paul.
a) Commander – chiliarchos/ khil•ee•ar•khos (1000)
b) Centurions – hekatontarches/ hek•at•on•tar•khace (100)
Acts 21:33-36 (NKJV)
33 Then the commander came near and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and he asked who he was and what he had done.
34 And some among the multitude cried one thing and some another. So when he could not ascertain the truth because of the tumult, he commanded him to be taken into the barracks.
35 When he reached the stairs, he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob.
36 For the multitude of the people followed after, crying out, “Away with him!”
E. The confusion was so great, and the intensity of the hatred to strong that the commander of the Roman garrison put two chains on Paul thinking he must really be bad.
1. And as he was led away toward the fortress of Antonia the crowd followed along crying away with him (just as they did with Jesus).
VII. Paul makes his defense.
Acts 21:37-40 (NKJV)
37 Then as Paul was about to be led into the barracks, he said to the commander, “May I speak to you?” He replied, “Can you speak Greek?
38 Are you not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a rebellion and led the four thousand assassins out into the wilderness?”
39 But Paul said, “I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city; and I implore you, permit me to speak to the people.”
40 So when he had given him permission, Paul stood on the stairs and motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great silence, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, saying,
VIII. Paul speaking in Greek which surprised the commander who thought he was a notorious Egyptian that had sparked another riot and then escaped.
A. Assuring the commander that he was a Jew in fact from an important city (with a good reputation and a learning center) asked permission to address the Jews (He held back sharing at this point that he was a Roman citizen).
1. And when permission was given he began to speak to the crowd in the Hebrew language.
a) As Paul makes his defense to the crowd he does so in three parts.
(1) Vv1-5 his conduct before conversion.
(2) Vv-6-16 the testimony of his conversion.
(3) Vv-17-21 his commission to minister.
(4) Which we will look at next time:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
