But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. (Acts 9:15 ESV) I. PREVIOUSLY A. Acts 21: Paul arrested in the temple B. Acts 22: Paul presents his case to the people C. Acts 23: Then to the Sanhedrin D. Acts 24: Paul presents his case to Felix E. Felix is succeeded by Porcius Festus. 1. Festus assumed the office by Nero's appointment 2. Josephus describes Festus as prudent and honorable governor 3. Upon coming to Judea he was immediately faced with the ongoing strife between the Jews and Greeks in Cesarea, the sicarii setting villages on fire and plundering them, a messianic pretender leading people into the desert, and a dispute over a high wall that the temple official erected that obstructed Agrippa and Festus from observing the inner courts of the temple from the palace. (Arnold, 457) II. PAUL BEFORE FESTUS Acts 25 A. THE JEWS PETITION FESTUS B. PAUL'S DEFENSE BEFORE FESTUS 1. The Jews from Jerusalem laid serious but unproved complaints against Paul. We don t know what the charges were but Paul s defense would indicate they were: a) Abandoning Jewish Law b) Defiling the Temple c) For the first time it appears that Sedition against the Emperor is charged 2. Paul s defense emphasizes his loyalty to Caeser. - Paul replied, "Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in anything at all." Ac 25:8 C. PAUL'S APPEAL TO CAESAR 1. Festus wishes to do the Jews a favor so he asks Paul if he would go to Jerusalem with him 2. Paul objected to being taken to Jerusalem and therefore appealed to Caesar 3. As a Roman citizen he had the right to appeal his case before Caesar 4. Caesar at that time was the emperor Nero It is rather ironic that during this period of time, Nero was the emperor. For those with even a basic knowledge of his legacy, this may come as a shock. However, the first five years of his reign (54-59 A.D.) were viewed by many as a little golden age. Yet, in early 60 s all things changed. By 64-65 A.D., Emperor quickly became known as the most cruel, ruthless, and even psychopathic Roman ruler [possibly of all time]. Page 1 of 5
D. KING AGRIPPA & BERNICE VISIT FESTUS 1. Agrippa was Herod Agrippa II the 7th and last king of the family of Herod the Great a) The Emperor Claudius had given him the care of the temple and the appointment of the high priests b) Great grandson of Herod the Great, who killed the babies Mt 2:1 18 c) Son of Herod Agrippa I, who killed James Ac 12:1 d) One of his sisters was Drusilla who was married to Felix e) Herod Antipas was his great-uncle whom we know as the Herod who killed John the Baptist and the trial of Jesus The Emperor Claudius had given him the care of the temple and the appointment of the high priests 2. Bernice was the younger sister of Agrippa a) She married Marcus Julius Alexander in A.D. 41 b) After Marcus' death, she married her uncle Herod of Chalchis in A.D. 44 c) After Herod died in A.D. 48, she became Agrippa's constant companion (some think it was an incestuous relationship) d) Because of such regarding her brother, she eventually married Polemo king of Cilicia e) She finally became the mistress of the Roman emperor Titus E. FESTUS LAYS PAUL S CASE BEFORE AGRIPPA 1. Festus discovered nothing wrong, other than there were questions about "their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive" III. PAUL BEFORE AGRIPPA AND BERNICE A. The next day Festus commanded Paul be brought forth 1. Agrippa and Bernice come with great pomp 2. Before an audience of commanders and prominent men of the city B. Paul s Apologetic before Agrippa 1. Paul expresses gratitude for the opportunity to make his defense to King Agrippa 2. Paul s Jewish Credentials a) Brought up in Jerusalem (though born in Tarsus) b) Lived as a Pharisee, the strictest sect of Jewish religion c) He was being judged for the hope of the resurrection, a promise made by God to the Jews which the king should not think incredible Isaiah 26:19 19] Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead. d) As a zealous Pharisee, he thought he should persecute Christians Page 2 of 5
(1) Imprisoning them in Jerusalem and casting his own vote to put them to death - v.10 (2) Punishing them in the synagogues, forcing them to blaspheme - v.11 (3) Persecuting them to even foreign cities - v.11 C. Paul s Conversion & Commission 1. While journeying to Damascus, commissioned by the chief priests 2. Along the road, seeing a bright light shining about him and his fellow travelers 3. Falling to the ground, hearing a voice in Hebrew "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" "It is hard for you to kick against the goads." (v.14) 4. Jesus then tells Paul why He has appeared to him a) To make him a servant and a witness of things seen and things yet to be revealed v. 16 b) To be delivered from Jews and Gentiles, while opening their eyes v.17 c) To turn them from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God v.18 d) That they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Him v.18 Isaiah 42:6-7 [6] I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, [7] to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. D. Paul s Obedience to his commission 1. He was not disobedient to the heavenly vision v.19 2. But declared to those in Damascus, Jerusalem, Judea, and to the Gentiles that they should repent, turn to God and do works befitting repentance. v.20 3. For such reasons Jews seized him in the temple and tried to kill him v.21 4. But with help from God, to that day Paul witnessed to both small and great saying only what the prophets and Moses said would come: - v.22-23 E. The Reaction a) That the Christ would suffer - Psalm 22 1] My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? [2] O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. b) That He would be the first to rise from the dead Psalm 16:10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. c) That He would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles Isaiah 49:6 It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth. Page 3 of 5
1. From Festus a) Festus: Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind. v-24 b) Paul's calm response But Paul said, I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. v. 25-26 2. From Agrippa a) Paul: "King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe" v.27 b) Agrippa: In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian? v.28 c) Paul: Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am except for these chains. v.29 3. Declaration of Innocence - This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment. - v.31 This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar. v.32 IV. CONCLUSION A. To be truly Jewish after the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is to be Christian because Jesus is the fulfillment of the ancient Jewish promises, the ancient Jewish hope. Paul preaches nothing other than what the Jewish fathers and prophets had looked forward to. He preached nothing other than Christ and in Him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. B. Paul s appeal to Agrippa was not an appeal to be pronounced innocent but an appeal for him to be saved. 1 Timothy 1:12-17 I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen Page 4 of 5
QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION 1. Paul proved that the Jews were refusing to believe in practice and in particular, what they believed in principle. Can you think of some Christian principles that you believe in but that you have trouble practicing? How do we develop a practical faith, a faith which not only believes, but which acts on this belief? 2. Paul had the courage to give witness to his faith in Christ to not only regular Jews and Gentiles but before Kings, Queens, and other men and women of importance. How does Paul's desire for the salvation of those such as King Agrippa compare or contrast with your desire for those who do not know Christ? Bibliography Arnold, Clinton E., Zondervan Illustrated Bible Background Commentary: Acts, Zondervan: Grand Rapids, 2002. Boice, James M., Acts, An Expositional Commentary, Baker Books, Grand Rapids, 1997. Hughes, R. Kent, Acts, The Church Afire, Crossway, Wheaton, 1996 Sproul, R.C., Acts, St. Andrew s Expositional Commentary. Crossway, Wheaton, 2010 Stott, John R. W., The Message of Acts, IVP Academic: Downers Grove, 1990 Page 5 of 5