Acts 23:3-26
"Three Strikes And..." • 5.12.09 • The Power Of One: One Man, One Life, One Mission, Session #21
Intro
- The chapters before us see the Apostle Paul in captivity. However, when one is of the caliber of Paul, it's hard to tell who is really captive and who is really free.
- One could look at these chapters as a fulfillment of the prophetic Word that God spoke over Paul's life at His conversion. Speaking to Annanias, the Lord spoke this:
• Acts 9:15 : "But the Lord said to him, 'Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.'"
- Paul has been facing the Pharisees and the Sadducees. God used theological differences over the resurrection and Paul was relocated.
- Over the next several days however, a plot to kill Paul was discovered, involving 40 men who pledged not to eat or drink until Paul was killed. Sadly, they would die of starvation!
- God uses Paul's nephew to alert the Roman guards of the plot, who take extra precautions to safeguard Paul.
• Acts 23:23,24 : "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; and provide mounts to set Paul on, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.'"
- Chapter 24 contains the account of Paul's defense before the Roman governor Felix. Felix had an enormous amount of time with Paul, just over 2 years, until he was reassigned.
- Chapter 25 picks up with Paul's defense against the new governor, Festus, who inherited Paul's case. Festus is new to the area and he wants to charm the Jewish contingent by sending Paul back to Jerusalem. Paul is wise to his methods.
• Acts 25:10,11 : "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. 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.'"
- Festus is glad to deliver Paul, the Roman citizen to Caesar. But before that happens, Paul receives a third batch of visitors. King Herod Agrippa II and his wife Bernice come to visit.
- Agrippa finds out about Paul and wants to listen to what Paul says. For Paul, this must have been exciting, because people were always telling him that he should get Agrippa...Sorry!
- In chapter 26, Paul delivers his testimony to the captivated audience of Festus, Agrippa and Bernice, leaving nothing out, unashamedly proclaiming what God had done in Paul's life.
- At the conclusion of the chapter, this was their natural conclusion.
• Acts 26:30-32 : "When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them; and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, 'This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.' Then Agrippa said to Festus, 'This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.'"
- The biblical data offers us so many options with regard to how we present God's intentional meaning. For example, one could look at these chapters as God's sovereign hand in delivering Paul.
- He used Theological, Personal, and Political means to deliver Paul. God is so creative in how he gets us from point A to point B.
- One might also point out God's sovereignty in bringing Paul to audiences of greater and greater influence. From the religious Jews, to Centurions, to Governors and Kings.
- What I want to consider though is the theme that we will all face and that is the responsibility to carry the name of Jesus before all types of people.
- Felix, Festus, and Agrippa, represent the same types of responses that we will receive when we represent the Lord to men.
Text
- Felix was more than just aware of the Way. The words point to a "precise perception" of this group. He knew precise facts about the group and what they believed.
- Like most politicians, Felix was non-committal and compromising, allowing Paul certain freedoms while in bondage.
- In the meantime, he and his Jewish wife took the opportunity to listen to Paul. Their conversations always came back to the crux of Paul's existence, namely the topic of faith in Christ.
- Paul was not starstruck or intimidated by the Governor and his wife. He was given the audience and he took advantage.
- Paul made great use of the audiences that he had, never missing a beat. But Felix still held the cards and his position.
• Acts 24:25 : "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.'"
- Day after day, Felix and Paul exchanged points and questions, carrying on a running conversation about these topics.
- Felix wanted to know about being right with God. For all the power of the Roman Empire and the worship that honored a Pantheistic profile, Rome could not empower it's people for righteousness.
- Self-Control or temperance was also on Felix' mind. How much was too much? What did God think about excesses? Again, the Romans specialized in excess.
- Felix, perhaps most aware of his guiltiness in the first two, knew, like all sinners know, that there is a judgment to come.
- When Paul touched on these subjects, Felix was affected. Felix was terrified. He was brought under the power of the Word and the Word brought fear and an expectation of dread.
- God's Word will do the work when we use it properly. The truth exchange will always reap the benefit of conviction by the work of the Holy Spirit.
- Perhaps you have seen this in your experience. The Felix in your life is affected. He knows that you are right. He knows that God is real and that He expects something from them.
- What does he do? Just like Felix, he sends you away! He needed time to get some composure back, to get some air, to get some "real world" advice to set him straight!
- "When I get it back together, I'll call you." He did call Paul...a lot.
• Acts 24:26,27 : "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. But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound." : Ah, the real motive! Felix figured that there might be a personal buyout by Paul. He used Paul's eagerness for his advantage.
- Two years went by and Paul personally preached to Felix. Felix, like so many others, moved on without giving Paul or us the satisfaction of a conversion.
• Acts 26:24,25 : "Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, 'Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!' But he said, 'I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason.'" : Festus was not as enamored with Paul. Paul gave his testimony both to Festus and Agrippa from the beginning to the end.
- His story, as we know, includes a mid-day vision of Jesus, a crucified Jew, who Paul asserted, was actually alive.
- This Jesus not only met with Paul, but gave Him standing orders that Paul had obeyed to that very day! Festus must have thought, "Oh, is that all!?"
- Festus literally said, "You are a raving maniac!" You are insane to believe this stuff! Festus cannot believe this. It is beyond all reason and comprehension to him.
- He is a natural man. A skeptic. Festus can't imagine what would make such an intelligent man so insane! You've had this experience haven't you?
- Everything is going well in your conversations with Joe Heathen. You have established credibility. You have shown how much you care and how "real" you are.
- Then you talk about the reason that you are the way that you are, namely that Jesus Christ lives in you, reigns in your emotions through His Holy Spirit and encourages you daily through His inspired Word!
- When you think about it, to the natural man, this is crazy! And yet, you and I hold to this.
- Perhaps you will remember what that was like for you before you were so "experienced." You also had to take a leap.
- Let me explain something to you: There is no one on the face of the Earth that does not live by faith. By faith, we believe that there is a God who is personal and does expect something from us.
- In contrast, the unregenerate person by faith, believes some other condition exists whereby he can enter into bliss, ie. good karma, spiritual evolution, etc.
- When one examines the evidence, looking at it logically, Christianity makes the most sense. To Festus, the only explanation is that all of Paul's learning has driven him to insanity. Paul offers an alternate explanation. Turn with me to I Corinthians 1. Paul explains the mindset of the world.
• I Corinthians 1:18 : "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
- Turn again to II Corinthians 4. Again, if we can understand and sense the truth of God's salvation, why is that not happening in the world? Here is Paul's answer.
• II Corinthians 4:3,4 : "But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 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."
- Paul answers, "I speak the words of truth and reason."
- It's often a temptation to believe that we are on the side of unreasonable faith. Paul reminds us that when we face Festus type people, that we can have confidence that we have a reasonable basis for what we believe.
• Acts 26:26-29 : "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. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.' Then Agrippa said to Paul, 'You almost persuade me to become a Christian.' 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.'" : Agrippa was a man who ruled at least a fourth of Palestine.
- He was the last of the Herod family. As such, the story of Jesus of Nazareth was well known. Paul asserts that the history of what happened was well known at that time and in that room.
- "Nothing was done in a corner." Jesus' death, burial and resurrection was a historical fact in that room, on that day. Please note that King Agrippa did not object.
- He did not stand up and say, "That is a silly legend and we all know it!" These people lived closest to the time of Jesus and here accept the validity of Paul's claims by their silence.
- Turn with me to I Corinthians 15. Paul makes it clear that this resurrection was not some private event.
• I Corinthians 15:3-8 : "For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time."
- Here, Paul comes to his close. He singles out King Agrippa. He appeals to the prophets.
- Agrippa knew about the prophets and what they said. He has the greatest amount of light and Paul presses him, saying, "I know that you believe."
- It has happened so many times, when you see the struggle between taking the leap and staying where it's safe. The man or woman who sees the logic and puts the pieces together, wants desperately to believe, but is afraid to.
- Agrippa then utters one of the saddest lines in the entire Bible: "You almost persuade me to become a Christian."
- I am not sure what you might be thinking at this point. Paul, the Apostle, the writer of over half of our New Testament, has had three chances. Felix was interested, Festus, dismissive.
- At the least, Felix was in the ballpark. But Agrippa. He was right there! He had all of the light, the history, the context and still he persists in his choice to reject Jesus Christ.
- As such, he is the latest and final Herod to come to that conclusion.
- The first Herod, Herod the Great, mentioned in Matthew 2, called the wise men together to hear where Jesus was born, only to plot deceitfully to murder him. Herod the Great chose his own lust for power over Christ.
- Later, Herod Antipas is called by John the Baptist to repent from his sin of adultery. Herod liked to hear him and tried to protect him, but ultimately behaded John because of a woman. Herod Antipas chose his own lust for women over Christ.
- In Acts 12, Herod Agrippa I, tried to destroy the church by killing James, only later to be killed by intestinal worms from within.
- Finally, Herod Agrippa II, the man standing before Paul, has the chance to reverse course, to come to surrender to the Jesus that his family has rejected. Paul has given cogent, intelligent reasoning, but Agrippa is still unable to cross the threshold into salvation.
Conclusion
- In your world, you will come across the Felix' of the world, who are interested, but only as much as it benefits them.
- Festus will think that you are insane and will dismiss you immediately.
- Agrippa will seem close, but still not close enough. This chapter does not necessarily encourage us, especially since Paul loses all three cases.
- The point isn't to win. It's to participate. Paul kept preaching, not because of the success that he had, but because of the Word that he could not keep to himself.
- I pray that we will be equally motivated.
"Three Strikes And..." • 5.12.09 • The Power Of One: One Man, One Life, One Mission, Session #21
Intro
- The chapters before us see the Apostle Paul in captivity. However, when one is of the caliber of Paul, it's hard to tell who is really captive and who is really free.
- One could look at these chapters as a fulfillment of the prophetic Word that God spoke over Paul's life at His conversion. Speaking to Annanias, the Lord spoke this:
• Acts 9:15 : "But the Lord said to him, 'Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.'"
- Paul has been facing the Pharisees and the Sadducees. God used theological differences over the resurrection and Paul was relocated.
- Over the next several days however, a plot to kill Paul was discovered, involving 40 men who pledged not to eat or drink until Paul was killed. Sadly, they would die of starvation!
- God uses Paul's nephew to alert the Roman guards of the plot, who take extra precautions to safeguard Paul.
• Acts 23:23,24 : "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; and provide mounts to set Paul on, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.'"
- Chapter 24 contains the account of Paul's defense before the Roman governor Felix. Felix had an enormous amount of time with Paul, just over 2 years, until he was reassigned.
- Chapter 25 picks up with Paul's defense against the new governor, Festus, who inherited Paul's case. Festus is new to the area and he wants to charm the Jewish contingent by sending Paul back to Jerusalem. Paul is wise to his methods.
• Acts 25:10,11 : "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. 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.'"
- Festus is glad to deliver Paul, the Roman citizen to Caesar. But before that happens, Paul receives a third batch of visitors. King Herod Agrippa II and his wife Bernice come to visit.
- Agrippa finds out about Paul and wants to listen to what Paul says. For Paul, this must have been exciting, because people were always telling him that he should get Agrippa...Sorry!
- In chapter 26, Paul delivers his testimony to the captivated audience of Festus, Agrippa and Bernice, leaving nothing out, unashamedly proclaiming what God had done in Paul's life.
- At the conclusion of the chapter, this was their natural conclusion.
• Acts 26:30-32 : "When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them; and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, 'This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.' Then Agrippa said to Festus, 'This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.'"
- The biblical data offers us so many options with regard to how we present God's intentional meaning. For example, one could look at these chapters as God's sovereign hand in delivering Paul.
- He used Theological, Personal, and Political means to deliver Paul. God is so creative in how he gets us from point A to point B.
- One might also point out God's sovereignty in bringing Paul to audiences of greater and greater influence. From the religious Jews, to Centurions, to Governors and Kings.
- What I want to consider though is the theme that we will all face and that is the responsibility to carry the name of Jesus before all types of people.
- Felix, Festus, and Agrippa, represent the same types of responses that we will receive when we represent the Lord to men.
I. Felix : The Mixed Motive (24:22-27)
II. Festus : The Messy Mindset (26:24,25)
III. Agrippa : The Missed Opportunity (26:26-29)
II. Festus : The Messy Mindset (26:24,25)
III. Agrippa : The Missed Opportunity (26:26-29)
Text
I. Felix : The Mixed Motive (24:22-27)
• Acts 24:22-24 : "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.' 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. 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." : Felix allowed Paul to speak in his own defense. When Paul spoke of the Way, Felix' ears perked up. He had a "more accurate" knowledge of the way.- Felix was more than just aware of the Way. The words point to a "precise perception" of this group. He knew precise facts about the group and what they believed.
- Like most politicians, Felix was non-committal and compromising, allowing Paul certain freedoms while in bondage.
- In the meantime, he and his Jewish wife took the opportunity to listen to Paul. Their conversations always came back to the crux of Paul's existence, namely the topic of faith in Christ.
- Paul was not starstruck or intimidated by the Governor and his wife. He was given the audience and he took advantage.
- Paul made great use of the audiences that he had, never missing a beat. But Felix still held the cards and his position.
• Acts 24:25 : "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.'"
- Day after day, Felix and Paul exchanged points and questions, carrying on a running conversation about these topics.
- Felix wanted to know about being right with God. For all the power of the Roman Empire and the worship that honored a Pantheistic profile, Rome could not empower it's people for righteousness.
- Self-Control or temperance was also on Felix' mind. How much was too much? What did God think about excesses? Again, the Romans specialized in excess.
- Felix, perhaps most aware of his guiltiness in the first two, knew, like all sinners know, that there is a judgment to come.
- When Paul touched on these subjects, Felix was affected. Felix was terrified. He was brought under the power of the Word and the Word brought fear and an expectation of dread.
- God's Word will do the work when we use it properly. The truth exchange will always reap the benefit of conviction by the work of the Holy Spirit.
- Perhaps you have seen this in your experience. The Felix in your life is affected. He knows that you are right. He knows that God is real and that He expects something from them.
- What does he do? Just like Felix, he sends you away! He needed time to get some composure back, to get some air, to get some "real world" advice to set him straight!
- "When I get it back together, I'll call you." He did call Paul...a lot.
• Acts 24:26,27 : "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. But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound." : Ah, the real motive! Felix figured that there might be a personal buyout by Paul. He used Paul's eagerness for his advantage.
- Two years went by and Paul personally preached to Felix. Felix, like so many others, moved on without giving Paul or us the satisfaction of a conversion.
II. Festus : The Messy Mindset (26:24,25)
• Acts 26:24,25 : "Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, 'Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!' But he said, 'I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason.'" : Festus was not as enamored with Paul. Paul gave his testimony both to Festus and Agrippa from the beginning to the end.
- His story, as we know, includes a mid-day vision of Jesus, a crucified Jew, who Paul asserted, was actually alive.
- This Jesus not only met with Paul, but gave Him standing orders that Paul had obeyed to that very day! Festus must have thought, "Oh, is that all!?"
- Festus literally said, "You are a raving maniac!" You are insane to believe this stuff! Festus cannot believe this. It is beyond all reason and comprehension to him.
- He is a natural man. A skeptic. Festus can't imagine what would make such an intelligent man so insane! You've had this experience haven't you?
- Everything is going well in your conversations with Joe Heathen. You have established credibility. You have shown how much you care and how "real" you are.
- Then you talk about the reason that you are the way that you are, namely that Jesus Christ lives in you, reigns in your emotions through His Holy Spirit and encourages you daily through His inspired Word!
- When you think about it, to the natural man, this is crazy! And yet, you and I hold to this.
- Perhaps you will remember what that was like for you before you were so "experienced." You also had to take a leap.
- Let me explain something to you: There is no one on the face of the Earth that does not live by faith. By faith, we believe that there is a God who is personal and does expect something from us.
- In contrast, the unregenerate person by faith, believes some other condition exists whereby he can enter into bliss, ie. good karma, spiritual evolution, etc.
- When one examines the evidence, looking at it logically, Christianity makes the most sense. To Festus, the only explanation is that all of Paul's learning has driven him to insanity. Paul offers an alternate explanation. Turn with me to I Corinthians 1. Paul explains the mindset of the world.
• I Corinthians 1:18 : "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
- Turn again to II Corinthians 4. Again, if we can understand and sense the truth of God's salvation, why is that not happening in the world? Here is Paul's answer.
• II Corinthians 4:3,4 : "But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 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."
- Paul answers, "I speak the words of truth and reason."
- It's often a temptation to believe that we are on the side of unreasonable faith. Paul reminds us that when we face Festus type people, that we can have confidence that we have a reasonable basis for what we believe.
III. Agrippa : The Missed Opportunity (26:26-29)
• Acts 26:26-29 : "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. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.' Then Agrippa said to Paul, 'You almost persuade me to become a Christian.' 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.'" : Agrippa was a man who ruled at least a fourth of Palestine.
- He was the last of the Herod family. As such, the story of Jesus of Nazareth was well known. Paul asserts that the history of what happened was well known at that time and in that room.
- "Nothing was done in a corner." Jesus' death, burial and resurrection was a historical fact in that room, on that day. Please note that King Agrippa did not object.
- He did not stand up and say, "That is a silly legend and we all know it!" These people lived closest to the time of Jesus and here accept the validity of Paul's claims by their silence.
- Turn with me to I Corinthians 15. Paul makes it clear that this resurrection was not some private event.
• I Corinthians 15:3-8 : "For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time."
- Here, Paul comes to his close. He singles out King Agrippa. He appeals to the prophets.
- Agrippa knew about the prophets and what they said. He has the greatest amount of light and Paul presses him, saying, "I know that you believe."
- It has happened so many times, when you see the struggle between taking the leap and staying where it's safe. The man or woman who sees the logic and puts the pieces together, wants desperately to believe, but is afraid to.
- Agrippa then utters one of the saddest lines in the entire Bible: "You almost persuade me to become a Christian."
- I am not sure what you might be thinking at this point. Paul, the Apostle, the writer of over half of our New Testament, has had three chances. Felix was interested, Festus, dismissive.
- At the least, Felix was in the ballpark. But Agrippa. He was right there! He had all of the light, the history, the context and still he persists in his choice to reject Jesus Christ.
- As such, he is the latest and final Herod to come to that conclusion.
- The first Herod, Herod the Great, mentioned in Matthew 2, called the wise men together to hear where Jesus was born, only to plot deceitfully to murder him. Herod the Great chose his own lust for power over Christ.
- Later, Herod Antipas is called by John the Baptist to repent from his sin of adultery. Herod liked to hear him and tried to protect him, but ultimately behaded John because of a woman. Herod Antipas chose his own lust for women over Christ.
- In Acts 12, Herod Agrippa I, tried to destroy the church by killing James, only later to be killed by intestinal worms from within.
- Finally, Herod Agrippa II, the man standing before Paul, has the chance to reverse course, to come to surrender to the Jesus that his family has rejected. Paul has given cogent, intelligent reasoning, but Agrippa is still unable to cross the threshold into salvation.
Conclusion
- In your world, you will come across the Felix' of the world, who are interested, but only as much as it benefits them.
- Festus will think that you are insane and will dismiss you immediately.
- Agrippa will seem close, but still not close enough. This chapter does not necessarily encourage us, especially since Paul loses all three cases.
- The point isn't to win. It's to participate. Paul kept preaching, not because of the success that he had, but because of the Word that he could not keep to himself.
- I pray that we will be equally motivated.
1 comment:
1 There are three men in this section that each rejected Paul's teaching about Christ. Before you came to Christ, which one did you identify with the most? Share your story of how God broke through to you.
2 Considering the kind of people that Paul encounters, recognizing them to be typical in their responses, how then are we to respond as men of God? Which person, Felix, Festus or Agrippa, most represents the type of response that you have faced? How would you advise each other in dealing with such people?
3 Paul struck out in our section today. He failed to see conversion, despite his best efforts. Does this encourage you in the ministry of evangelism? How might this encourage you as you continue to follow the Lord in this enterprise?
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