July 18, 2010
Evening Service

Acts 25-26-27.

 

Paul before Festus:

Act 25:7-11  And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.  (8)  While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.  (9)  But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?  (10)  Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.  (11)  For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.

 

Paul before Agrippa:

Festus says this concerning Paul;  Act 25:24-27  And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.  (25)  But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.  (26)  Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and especially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.  (27)  For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.

 

Act 26:1-32  Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: 

(2)  I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:  (3)  Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.  (4)  My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;  (5)  Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.  (6)  And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:  (7)  Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.  (8)  Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?  (9)  I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.  (10)  Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.  (11)  And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. 

• If you notice, up to this time in Paul’s life, it is filled with head knowledge, pride, and murder.
• Notice after his conversion.

(12)  Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,  (13)  At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.  (14)  And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.  (15)  And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.  (16)  But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;  (17)  Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,  (18)  To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. 

• An inheritance.  Received by being set apart to faith  in God.
• Paul leaves out Ananias coming to him this time.

(19)  Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:  (20)  But showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. 

• There is no more attitude of wanting to hurt people, only to warn them.

(21)  For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.  (22)  Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:  (23)  That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. 

• Here again the Apostle uses Isa. 53;  Psa. 16:10; Isa. 49:6.

(24)  And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.  (25)  But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but I speak forth the words of truth and soberness.  (26)  For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.  (27)  King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 

• Agrippa knew that the things Paul was saying concerning the Prophets was true, so he had no reason to doubt Paul’s testimony. 
• Hopefully we can see again the importance of having a testimony.

(28)  Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. 

• That has to be one of the most disturbing statements in the Bible.  So close, yet so far away. 
• To do nothing is to reject.  You must act upon your faith in Christ.

(29)  And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds. 

• So we see that even though there were many that were accepting Jesus as Lord, there were still those who didn’t.

(30)  And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:  (31)  And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.  (32)  Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.

 

So we see the Apostle on his way to Caesar Augustus ( Nero ) the Potentate of Rome.

 

This same Nero will put to death the Apostle Paul, and also Peter in the very near future.

Paul beheaded, and Peter crucified upside down on a cross.

 

And even though many are giving their lives for the faith, the Lord is still adding to the church daily those that are being saved.  The Seed has been sown, and It is bringing forth many disciples who want to grow up into the full stature of Christ.