It’s been years, and yet, without a formal charge, Paul
still sits in prison.
What happened?
Paul was simply, peacefully, walking through the
capital building and he got arrested. Or, I should say, peacefully walking
through the temple and he got arrested.
Why?
Great question. Basically, because he believed in Someone
they despised. Someone they tried to kill, but He wouldn’t
stay dead.
They especially hated Paul because he switched
sides. He used to be one of them, a blood thirsty Christian killing terrorist
in the name of religion—thinking it was in the name of God.
So, in their eyes he was a trader, and they feared him
because he was a threat to their positions of power, which was fueled by
control and corruption. If Christianity flourished their waste fraud and abuse
would be exposed. They’d get fired, go to jail, have to get real jobs...the
free ride of royalty would be over.
So, for their hate and fear, they had Paul arrested.
They planned to assassinate him in Jerusalem, but God
intervened, and he was taken to Caesarea for his own safety.
They repeatedly tried to get him transferred back to Jerusalem,
so they could kill him on the way, but Paul appealed to Caesar, and so, to
Caesar he shall go.
But for now, over two years later, we find him still
sitting in prison in Caesarea.
Acts 25:13,
And after some days King
Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus.
They came to congratulate Festus on his new position
as governor.
For such a prestigious gathering of royalty and
authority introductions are in order.
Hear ye, hear ye, welcome...
Governor Festus, procurator of Judea. Festus is said
to be about 70 years old. Within a couple of years, he will be dead.
King Agrippa II. The last of the Herods in history.
Good riddance. He rules the providence NE of Caesarea. He is a Jewish Edomite
and well versed in Jewish law and custom.
His great grandfather (Herod the Great) tried to kill the
Messiah, Jesus, by slaughtering all boys two and under, in Bethlehem and the surrounding
areas Matthew 2:16.
His grandfather (Herod Antipas) had John the Baptist’s
head brought to his stepdaughter on a silver platter. Mark 6:28.
His father (Herod Agrippa I) had the apostle James murdered and when he saw it pleased the Jews he planned to kill Peter. Acts 12:2-3.
But God snuffed him out in the very theatre we will
soon be in right here in Caesarea. The crowd had praised him like he was a god,
he accepted the praise like he was a god. But God, the One and only God, stuck
him on the spot, where he was eaten by worms and died. Acts 12:23.
Oh, and we must not forget, Beautiful Bernice, the
woman beside him, the lovely lady he’s living with as wife... she is his sister.
They are incestuously inseparable, well, except for
the times Agrippa loses his grip on bed-hoppin’ Bernice. Then you’ll find her
in Rome bouncing as a mistress between emperor Vespasian and his son Titus.
Vespasian is the one who ordered Jerusalem destroyed
in 70 AD. His son Titus led the attack, leveling the temple, fulfilling the
prophecy of Jesus in Matthew 24:2.
So, now you know the illustrious, or should I say,
infamous, dynasty Paul will soon stand before.
Paul, innocent of the blood of all men (Acts 20:26), stands in chains before those who sit in royal robes soaked in the blood of many. A phenomena all too common among the governments of men.
14 When they had been there many days, Festus laid Paul’s
case before the king, saying:
After some days King Agrippa and
Bernice came... and now, after many days, Paul’s
case is mentioned.
Not exactly a top priority to Festus.
Festus and Agrippa and Bernice lounge in luxury for many
days while Paul languishes in chains.
Nevertheless, of all the topics the authorities discussed
the only one that remains is when Paul and his God, rose to the surface.
Crème always rises to the top.
14... “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.
A certain man. Festus,
it appears, wasn’t paying much attention and didn’t even remember Paul’s name.
Just a few details about the case. Not a convicted felon, not a murderer, nor a
thief, no crime to identify him, no facts, no evidence, just a certain man
that the chief priests with arrogant audacity ask for a judgement 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.
No legit charges, just questions about their religion.
Obviously, Paul
spoke enough about Jesus trying to let Festus know He wasn’t just a certain Jesus,
but a very special Jesus who died and rose from the grave.
Festus, it appears, wasn’t paying much attention.
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.
C’mon fess up Festus. That’s a lie and you know it.
You might’ve
been uncertain, but the reason you asked if he’d go to Jerusalem is
because you wanted to do the Jews a favor. Acts 24:9.
Festus, it appears, was the new politician in town
wanting to curry favor with the religious elite money laundering lobbyists.
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.”
Paul appealed to Caesar according to the law.
Festus simply followed the law. Every freeborn Roman
citizen had the right to appeal to Caesar. It was the law
established by Emperor Nero.
Plus, Jesus said it would happen. Acts 23:11,
“Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you
must also bear witness at Rome.”
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.
Jesus said, for His sake, His followers, would be
brought before governors and kings. Here we have both. Matt. 10:18, Acts 9:15.
It’s probably kind of creepy for Agrippa to think they’re
in the same place his dad dropped dead and was eaten by worms.
Picture the scene.
Pomp, pageantry, prominence and power, have all come
to see, the little, bald, bent over, bow legged, squinty eyed, unibrowed Paul (not
sure if that’s accurate but it’s the only description we have of Paul).
Pomp, the original word
is phantasia: appearance, display, imagination, fantasy.
The elite put on a show, get all gussied up, dressed
up to overcompensate, for their little, bald, bent, bow legged, squinty eyed,
weakness of character.
However knowing, in my weakness His strength is
made perfect (2 Cor. 12:9), Paul stands tall and bold and strong in the
Power of the Almighty.
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.”
Chapter
26
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.
Paul, the only person in the place bound with chains,
says, I think myself happy.
In a similar situation in Acts 24:10 he said to Felix,
I do more cheerfully answer.
Intentionally walking in the joy of the Lord churns
lemons into lemonade. Turns tests into testimonies. Tears into triumphs. Is how
Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him. Heb. 12:2.
You will keep in perfect peace those whose mind is
stayed on You. Isaiah 26:3.
Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks a
reason for the hope that is in you. 1 Peter 3:15.
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.
They all know me. We grew up together. Since about twelve
I was taught in Jerusalem by the revered rabbi Gamaliel. They copied my
homework!
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock
of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as
touching the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church;
concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things
were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Phil. 3:5-7.
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.
God promised through the seed of our fathers, that He would
bless all nations of the earth, Genesis 12:3. He promised to raise up a prophet
like Moses, among us, Deuteronomy 18:15.
For this Promise, we all eagerly waited for.
For believing this Promise has finally come, I am
being accused.
8 Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the
dead?
Is it so hard to believe that the God who created the
universe, can raise someone from the dead?
Why is it so hard to believe that what we’ve been believing
for, waiting for, praying for, for thousands of years, has finally happened?
But I know it’s hard. At first, I didn’t believe. Actually,
worse than that...
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.
I was the worst or the worst all under the approval of
the very chief priests who now accuse me.
While I was killing men, they applauded me, but now
that I’m trying to save them, they want me dead.
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...
A Light brighter than the brightest part of the day, so
bright it knocked us on our butts.
14...I heard
a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why
are you persecuting Me ...
Jesus takes persecution of His people personal. Why
are you persecuting Me?
Jesus even takes it personal when folks talk down other
Christians that don’t believe exactly the way they do.
In as much as you’ve done it to the least
of these, you’ve done it unto Me. Why are you persecuting, Me?
When His own are criticizing His own, I wish He’d just
speak up and say, “Hello, you know I can hear you talking about Me. Why are you
persecuting Me?”
...It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
Paul, I’ve been trying to prod you, direct you, into
going the right direction.
You’re only hurting yourself by kicking against My convicting,
My prompting.
The way of the transgressor is hard. Proverbs 13:15.
My yoke is easy My burden is light. Matthew 11:30.
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.
He Appeared for a Purpose. There’s
a purpose for your salvation.
1. Rise.
I love you where you are, but too much to keep you there. I expect you to rise
and shine. Isaiah 60:1.
2. Stand.
This is a marathon. Though you will be sorely tempted to quit, it’s not an
option. Galatians 6:9. Hebrews 10:38.
3. Minister. Once you’re born again, it’s no longer about you. It’s time to roll up your sleeves and serve (definition of: minister). Matthew 16:24. Matthew 20:28.
4. Witness.
This is your new profession, show and tell; showing and telling others how to
get Home. Acts 1:8.
5. Know.
(Seen). Tell what you’ve seen, what you know. 2 Tim. 4:2.
6. Grow.
(Reveal). You will never run out of telling what you know, because as
you go you’ll grow from glory to glory. 2 Corinthians 3:18.
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.’
You do your part, I’ll do Mine.
Deliver you, from both friend and
foe; Jew and Gentile.
Deliver you to all those I’ve
given you.
That you can help them see and turn and receive..
See, open their eyes to
see
their need of a Savior.
Turn, from their sin.
Receive forgiveness.
And, inherit Salvation.
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.
Repent.
Turn to God.
Do works reflecting Salvation.
Faith without works is dead. James 2.
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—
For these reasons I ran for my life? NO not for
a minute.
They’re trying to kill me, but by God, I stand before anyone
who will listen, including you, here and now, proclaiming not my
words but those already established by Moses and the prophets.
It’s the Word of God I speak and live and preach, not
some manmade doctrines from denominations of men.
It’s the Word that gives Life, John 6:63.
The Word became flesh and dwelt among
us, John 1:14.
The Word is alive and powerful and pierces
the soul and spirit, and discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart,
Hebrews 4:12.
And what does the Word say?
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.”
Agrippa knew Scripture so imagine when Paul said that,
Agrippa heard this...
Isaiah 9:2, The
people who walked in darkness Have seen a great Light; Those who dwelt in the
land of the shadow of death, upon them a Light has shined.
Surely Isaiah 53 ran through Agrippa’ head.
Who has believed our message? To whom has the Lord revealed His powerful
arm? 2 My Servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green
shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic
about His appearance, nothing to attract us to Him.
Agrippa in his majestic
clothes surrounded by beautiful people, all staring at odd looking little Paul—at
that moment did he think Paul might be the most powerful beautiful person in
the place?
Isaiah 53:3, He was despised and rejected—
a Man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on Him and
looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.
4 Yet it was our weaknesses He carried; it
was our sorrows that weighed Him down. And we thought His troubles were a
punishment from God, a punishment for His own sins! 5 But He was
pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be
whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.
6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left
God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on Him the sins of us all.
Did Agrippa at that moment remember how they mocked Christ
on the cross, but Christ looked toward heaven and said, “Father forgive
them...”?
7 He was oppressed and treated harshly,
yet He never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a
sheep is silent before the shearers, He did not open his mouth. 8
Unjustly condemned, He was led away. No
one cared that He died without descendants, that His life was cut short
in midstream.
But He was struck down for the rebellion
of My people. 9 He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But
He was buried like a criminal; He was put in a rich man’s grave.
10 But it was the Lord’s good plan to
crush Him and cause Him grief.
Did Agrippa have a flashback of the darkness over all
the land and the earthquake and the veil in the temple being ripped from top to
bottom the moment of Jesus’ death?
Yet when His life is made an offering for
sin, He will have many descendants.
He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s
good plan will prosper in His hands.
11 When He sees all that is accomplished
by His anguish, He will be satisfied. And because of His experience, My
righteous Servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for
He will bear all their sins.
Did Agrippa tremble like Felix had done?
Did he know this certain Jesus was indeed the
long awaited, promised, Messiah?
Did he realize that he indeed was the worst of sinners
in need of a savior?
12 I will give Him the honors of a
victorious soldier, because He exposed Himself to death. He was counted
among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for transgressors.
Did Agrippa connect the dots and know that even though
those Words were written 700 years earlier, they could only apply to this certain
Man called Jesus of Nazareth.
Was he almost persuaded to jump up, run down,
hug Paul and ask, “What must I do to be saved?”
Perhaps he was, but we’re not sure because at this
moment, his thoughts were interrupted by Festus.
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.
Have you noticed Paul’s responses to Festus are short,
matter of fact statements. We haven’t heard him speak about Christ to Festus as
He did with Felix and now with Agrippa.
A good fruit inspector discerns what fruit is ripe and
ready.
Lord help us to be good Spiritual fruit
inspectors, discerning what souls are ready, what souls need water or
fertilizer or pruning or just need to be left alone and prayed for.
So, Paul succinctly answered Festus and then turned
his attention right back to Agrippa.
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;
And they all ran to Paul and hugged him and said, “What
must we do to be saved?”
No, we only wish to God that they would’ve.
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.”
And they, and all those like them, could be free
indeed, if only they’d appeal to Jesus.
And therein is our prayer, that all those we have
opportunity to witness to, will be not almost, but all the way,
persuaded to Christ.
Let’s pray.
Holy Lord Jesus, thank You for prodding
us, prompting us, to pursue You, more and more each day. Help us to see our sin
and abhor it, run from it, to You, our Light. Use us to help all those You’ve
given us, to see, and turn, and receive, Your great Eternal Salvation.
We love You, forever.
Amen.
Prayer Requests:
Call or text: 612-554-2522
Email: pray4measap@aol.com
Facebook: Church at WPV
Books: amazon.com/author/dougspurling
Watch online:
Facebook: Almost Persuaded, Acts
25:13-26:32
You Tube: Almost Persuaded, Acts
25:13-26:32
This was feed for you to read. Now it’s
Seed for you to sow.
Thank you for sharing.
