Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

Three days after arriving in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem, where the chief priests and the Jewish leaders appeared before him and presented the charges against Paul. They requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way. Festus answered, “Paul is being held at Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon. Let some of your leaders come with me, and if the man has done anything wrong, they can press charges against him there.”
After spending eight or ten days with them, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he convened the court and ordered that Paul be brought before him. When Paul came in, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him. They brought many serious charges against him, but they could not prove them.
Then Paul made his defense: “I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar.”
Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?”
Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”
After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”
A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. He said: “There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner. When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and asked that he be condemned.
“I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over anyone before they have faced their accusers and have had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges. When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court the next day and ordered the man to be brought in. When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges. But when Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”
Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.”
He replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.”
The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high-ranking military officers and the prominent men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. Festus said: “King Agrippa, and all who are present with us, you see this man! The whole Jewish community has petitioned me about him in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. I found he had done nothing deserving of death, but because he made his appeal to the Emperor I decided to send him to Rome. But I have nothing definite to write to His Majesty about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that as a result of this investigation I may have something to write. For I think it is unreasonable to send a prisoner on to Rome without specifying the charges against him.”

• Acts 25:1-27

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.”
So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense: “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.
“The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee. And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me. Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?
“I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.
“On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
“Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’
“ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
“So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen—that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”
At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”
“I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”
Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”
Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”
The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.”
Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

• Acts 26:1-32

Noted Biblical Scholars, Teachers, and Preachers Comments

Acts 25-26 ‘Overview’: “Sometimes when we pray and wait for God to act, part of the answer is that God is indeed going to act, but he will do so through our taking proper human responsibility in the matter. There are times when the answer is ‘The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to keep still’ (Exodus 14:14). Other times the answer is ‘Be strong and very courageous, for you shall put this people in possession of the land I swore to give them’ (Joshua 1:6). Discerning and discovering which applies in which case is a major element in the discernment to which all Christians, and especially all Christian leaders, are called. At this point in Paul’s life, he has been promised by God through his sense of vocation (Acts 19:21) and has been promised by Jesus through a vision (Acts 23:11) that he will get to Rome. Now Paul himself has to take responsibility, at one level, for making this happen.”

• N. T. Wright, Acts (from the For Everyone Bible Study Series)

Acts 25 ‘Paul knew his rights’: “Paul knows his rights. Once again he protests his innocence. He insists not only on justice but on properly constituted officials doing their properly authorized job, just as he insisted on getting his public apology from the magistrates at Philippi (Acts 16:35-39). The appeal to Caesar was not like an appeal today, when a verdict has already been reached. The case against Paul has still not been tried and has still not reached a verdict, far less a sentence. What Paul is appealing for is for the case to be tried elsewhere, in the highest court in the empire.”

• N. T. Wright, Acts (from the For Everyone Bible Study Series)

Acts 25:3 ‘ambush’: “A second ambush plot. This time, however, the members of the Sanhedrin were not accomplices (cf. 23:14, 15), but the plotters.”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Acts 25:10 ‘Caesar’s judgment seat’: “Festus’ compromise gave the Jewish leaders all that they hoped for; they intended to murder Paul before he got to Jerusalem. The apostle, therefore, rejected Festus’ attempt at compromise and reminded the governor that he was standing at Caesar’s judgment seat where, as a Roman citizen, he had every right to be judged.”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Acts 25:11 ‘Paul’s appeal’: “As a freeborn Roman citizen, Paul had the right of appeal to the emperor, and he exercised that right. It may be that he also realized this was the way the Lord’s prophecy would be fulfilled: ‘Have courage! For as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so it is necessary for you to testify in Rome’ (Ac 23:11).”

• Charles H. Spurgeon, from sermon notes

Acts 25:13 ‘King Agrippa’: “Herod Agrippa II, son of the Herod who killed Iames and imprisoned Peter (see … 12:1). He was the last of the Herods, who play a prominent role in NT history. His great-uncle, Herod Antipas, was the Herod of the Gospels (Mark 6:14-29; Luke 3:1; 13:31-33; 23:7—12), while his great-grandfather, Herod the Great, ruled at the time Iesus was born (Matt. 2: 1-19; Luke 1:5). Though not the ruler of Judea, Agrippa was well versed in Jewish affairs (cf. 26:3). Bernice. Not Agrippa’s wife, but his consort and sister. (Their sister, Drusilla, was married to the former governor, Felix). Their incestuous relationship was the talk of Rome, where Agrippa grew up. Bernice for a while became the mistress of Emperor Vespasian, then of his son, Titus, but always returned to her brother.”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Acts 25:19 ‘Paul’s sermon before Festus’: “Porcius Festus had been appointed governor in the place of Felix, who had left Paul a prisoner so as to please the Jews. Festus, the new Roman governor, is giving to King Agrippa a brief account of the matter between Paul and the Jews. Festus did not profess to understand the business. He was a Roman governor newly come to Judea. He had no acquaintance whatever with Jewish Scriptures or with Jewish laws. He had never thought it worth his special attention, but he was a little puzzled as to how he should represent the matter to Caesar, to whom Paul had appealed. When Festus speaks of ‘a certain Jesus,’ he mentions the name as belonging to some obscure individual of whom he knew nothing and cared less. But this Jesus ‘Paul claimed to be alive.’ Evidently this astounding statement about Jesus’s having risen from the dead and being alive was uppermost in the mind of Festus. In fact, when Paul was given the opportunity to explain his case (26:23), he told Festus, ‘The Messiah must suffer, and that, as the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles.’ When Festus heard this, he exclaimed in a loud voice, ‘You’re out of your mind, Paul!’ Paul did not argue the resurrection; he merely affirmed it. He did not preach a dead Christ but one who ‘is able to save completely … since he always lives to intercede for them’ (Heb 7:25). Jesus died, Jesus rose again, Jesus is now alive. That is the gospel.”

• Charles H. Spurgeon, from sermon notes

Acts 25:21 ‘Augustus … Caesar’: “ ‘Augustus,’ meaning ‘revered’ or ‘worshiped one,’ was a title commonly applied to the emperor. The ‘Caesar’ ruling at this time was the infamous Nero.”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Acts 25:23 ‘Agrippa and Bernice’: “The two are inseparable in Luke’s account (cf. v. 13; 26:30); she is a constant reminder of Agrippa’s scandalous private life (see note on v. 13). commanders. The five tribunes commanding the five cohorts stationed in Caesarea (see note on 10:1). prominent men. The civic leaders of the city.”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Acts 25:26 ‘I have nothing certain’: “Since Festus did not understand the nature of the charges against Paul, he did not know what to write in his official report to Nero. For a provincial governor to send a prisoner to the emperor with no clear charges against him was foolish, if not dangerous. especially before you, King Agrippa. Festus hoped Herod’s expertise in Jewish affairs (26:3) would enable him to make sense of the charges against Paul.”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Acts 26 ‘Paul’s Testimony to Agrippa’: “Agrippa II, the grandson of Herod the Great, had murdered James the apostle some 15 years earlier (12:2). Agrippa had been given a modest kingdom, and from A.D. 50-56, his rule had been expanded to encompass the region of greater Galilee and northern Judea. As Paul faced charges from the Jews that he was preaching a form of insurrection, Agrippa expressed enthusiasm in personally hearing from Paul and even seemed open-minded when he said to Paul standing before him, ‘You are permitted to speak for yourself’ (26:1). Paul explained that from his youth he spent his life as a faithful Jew living in Jerusalem (verse 4) and that he lived as a strict Pharisee, which was even confirmed by his enemies (verse 5).  He described how he had hated Christians and agreed with Jewish authorities when they were put to death (verses 9-11). But then Christ appeared to him on the Damacus road and said, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads’ (verse 14).
“Christ said He appeared to Paul in order ‘to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you’ (verse 16). He would be sent to open the eyes of the Gentiles to bring to them light and release them ‘from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me’ (verse 18).
“Paul told Agrippa how he proclaimed to Israel the Christ who suffered and who would be resurrected in order ‘to proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles’ (verse 23). Prophecy played a key role in Paul’s defense; he reminded Agrippa that he was testifying ‘both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place’ (verse 22), and that Christ was going to suffer as predicted in Isaiah 53 (Acts 26:23).”

• Tim LaHaye and Ed Hindson, Exploring Bible Prophecy

Acts 26:1 ‘permitted to speak’: “Since no one was there to accuse Paul, Herod permitted him to speak in his defense. stretched out his hand. A common gesture at the beginning of a speech (cf. 12:17; 13:16; 19:33).”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Acts 26:6-7 ‘fiction – the ten lost tribes’: “Notice that the fiction concerning ‘the ten lost tribes’ has no foundation in Scripture. There are no lost tribes; several of them are mentioned by name in the New Testament. The apostle James wrote ‘to the twelve tribes dispersed abroad,’ and here Paul speaks of them as ‘our twelve tribes.’ There are no lost tribes yet to be discovered, neither are we, as a nation, those ten tribes that are supposed to have been lost. We are Gentiles and not Jews. The apostle speaks here concerning the hope of the whole nation of the Jews. We who have believed in Jesus are the inheritors of that grand hope.”

• Charles H. Spurgeon, from sermon notes

Acts 26:17-18 ‘We are given sight by Jesus’: “Here we see the work of those who are witnesses for Jesus (v. 16). It begins with illumination. The Lord sends his servant ‘to open their eyes.’ By nature people are born blind and continue blind until sight is given to them by the power of Jesus. Those who will not believe cannot see the salvation of God.
“The next thing the witness seeks is conversion—turning ‘from darkness to light.’ Much depends on the direction a person’s face is turned. When a blind person stands with his face to the darkness, if he goes forward, he advances into blacker night. How necessary is that work of the blessed Spirit by which people are turned completely around and their direction is reversed! The darkness is now behind the convert, and the light is ahead so that with every step he takes, he advances toward the light, which increases as he nears it.
“As the sinner is brought into a new element, so he or she is also brought under a new government. The person is translated ‘from the power of Satan to God.’ ‘The power of Satan’ means the tyrannical dominion and crushing grasp of the evil, cunning, malicious, hateful prince of fallen angels. To the Lord whom the sinner had forgotten, he has turned, so that he thinks of him, cares for him, trusts in him. His heart, his desire, his longing, his hope—all look toward his Savior.
“Together with conversion comes complete ‘forgiveness of sins.’ Full conversion carries with it full pardon. The same moment we receive Christ, we receive forgiveness and ‘a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ ”

• Charles H. Spurgeon, from sermon notes

Acts 26:18 ‘to open their eyes’: “Unbelievers are blinded to spiritual truth by Satan (2 Cor. 4:4; 6:14; cf. Matt. 15:14). from darkness to light. Since unbelievers are in the darkness of their spiritual blindness, the Bible often uses light to picture salvation (v. 23; 13:47; Matt. 4:16; John 1:4, 5, 7-9; 3:19-21; 8:12; 9:5; 12:36; 2 Cor. 4:4; 6:14; Eph. 5:8, 14; Col. 1:12, 13; 1 Thess. 5:5; 1 Pet. 2:9; 1 John 1:7; 2:8-10). forgiveness of sins. This is the most significant result of salvation (see … 2:38; cf. 3:19; 5:31; 10:43; 13:38; Matt. 1:21; 26:28; Luke 1:77; 24:47; 1 Cor. 15:3; Gal. 1:4; Col. 1:14; Heb. 8:12; 9:28; 10:12; 1 Pet. 2:24; 3:18; 1 John 2:1, 2; 3:5; 4:10; Rev. 1:5). an inheritance. The blessings believers will enjoy throughout eternity in heaven (cf. 20:32; Eph. 1:11, 14, 18; Col. 1:12; 3:24; Heb. 9:15). sanctified by faith. The Bible plainly and repeatedly teaches that salvation comes solely through faith apart from human works (13:39; 15:9; 16:31; John 3:14-17; 6:69; Rom. 3:21-28; 4:5; 5:1; 9:30; 10:9-11; Gal. 2:16; 3:11, 24; Eph. 2:8, 9; Phil. 3:9).”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Acts 26:20 ‘works befitting repentance’: “Genuine repentance is inseparably linked to a changed lifestyle (see notes on 2:38; Matt. 3:8; James 2:18).”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Acts 26:22 ‘the prophets and Moses’: “See … 24:14. The term ‘Moses’ is used interchangeably with ‘law,’ since he was the author of the Pentateuch, the five books of the Law.”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Acts 26:24 ‘you are beside yourself’: “Festus was astonished that a learned scholar like Paul could actually believe that the dead would live again—something no intelligent Roman would accept. Unable to contain himself, he interrupted the proceedings, shouting that Paul’s tremendous learning had driven him insane (cf. Mark 3:21; John 8:48, 52; 10:20).”

• John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)

Acts 26:26 ‘Reflections’: “When God had created the heavens and the earth He looked them over and pronounced them very good. They stood inspection. Paul said of his religious activities, ‘l am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner’ (Acts 26:26). His ministry stood inspection. …
“We have never gone along with the tender-minded saints who fear to examine religious things lest God be displeased. On the contrary, we believe that God’s handiwork is so perfect that it invites inspection. If God performs the work, no matter how closely we look into it we may be sure that we will be forced to stand back in wonder and exclaim, ‘My Lord and my God.’ ‘l know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever’ (Ecclesiastes 3:14).”

• A. W. Tozer, Of God and Men

Acts 26:28 ‘We have a choice.’: “There is about the Christian faith a quiet dogmatism, a cheerful intolerance. It feels no need to appease its enemies or compromise with its detractors. Christ came from God, out of eternity, to report on the things He had seen and heard and to establish true values for the confused human race. Then He drew a line between this world and the world to come and said in effect, ‘Choose you this day.’ The choice is between an earthly house which we can at best inhabit but little while and the house of the Lord where we may dwell forevermore.”

• A. W. Tozer, Of God and Men

My Thoughts

It is amazing how the Jews in Jerusalem, fully knowing that their charges against Paul were false, would not give up.  Paul was their number one focus on ridding themselves of Christianity.  Felix had Paul imprisoned for his own protection for over two years, until Festus became governor.

Festus could not make anything regarding Roman law out of the charges against Paul.  He went to Jerusalem, as a prudent governor should do.  He talked with them for some time.  The Jewish leaders wanted Paul to be brought to Jerusalem where they had an ambush prepared.  But to start the proceedings, Festus called for the Jewish leaders to come to Caesarea.  They arrived making countless false accusations, nothing against Roman law.  He asked Paul to defend himself, and he did, properly identifying all their charges as false.

Then Festus suggested that the court reconvene in Jerusalem.  Paul must have figured out the possibility of an ambush.  This was already a Roman court and if Festus could not judge him, then he must appeal to Caesar.

Festus is still confused.  There was nothing to hold Paul within Roman law.  He calls upon King Agrippa who soon arrives with Bernice.  He explained the situation and that if Paul had not appealed to Caesar, he should be a free man.  We never learn whether Agrippa was part of the plan to kill Paul, but Agrippa knew he had to be politically correct with Festus.  He agreed to hear Paul’s testimony.

Paul was given permission to speak freely, otherwise, Agrippa might have him killed for speaking out of turn.  Paul gives the standard three-part testimony.  Before Christ: Paul was well-educated, a Pharisee’s Pharisee.  He agreed with the persecution of the Christians, applauding when they were imprisoned or killed.  He even went to other cities to spread the persecution.  Meeting Christ: Paul speaks of the light from Heaven, brighter than the sun, and Jesus talking with him, giving him a mission to spread the Gospel.  After becoming a true Believer: Paul speaks of preaching the Gospel, but his testimony turns into a sermon at this point.  Paul points out the hope of the resurrection of the dead.  Paul was commissioned to open people’s eyes to the Truth, lead them from darkness into the Light, repent, turn to God, and prove their repentance by good works.

At this point, Festus claims Paul is insane.  And Agrippa laughs, telling Paul that he is amazed that Paul would think he could convert the king in such a short time.

Paul expressed a hope to convert as many as possible, even kings, whether in a short time or long.

As I took from Corrie ten Boom’s book Tramp for the Lord, in the face of danger and even death, she was making converts.  Paul was possibly her role model.  He was literally on trial for his life.

But then, Agrippa agreed with Festus.  If it were not for the appeal to Caesar, he would be a free man.

Many might look at that last sentence in Acts 26 and think Paul made a mistake, but Paul might have never had a chance to go to Rome without being sent there on his appeal.  The alternative at the time would have been to go to Jerusalem and never get there due to an ambush that awaited him.  Yes, God could have performed a miracle or two, but in Paul’s appeal, he fulfills God’s promise and a charge for Paul to state the Gospel in Rome as he had done in Jerusalem.

Paul did not make a mistake here.  He fulfilled God’s Will.

Some Serendipitous Reflections

Acts 25:1-12 The Trial before Festus 1. What do you do when you feel that no matter what you say, you will not really be heard by another person?
“2. What was one circumstance that threatened to ambush you in your spiritual life? How did you deal with it?
“3. If someone wanted to prove you were a Christian, what evidence from this past week could they use?”
Acts 25:13-22 Festus Consults King Agrippa When you have questions about your faith, to whom do you turn? Why’? How else do you seek input?”
Acts 25:23-26:32 Paul before Agrippa 1. What difference does it make to you that Jesus truly rose from the dead? What would be different about your faith if that were not the case?
“2. How does verse 18 fit as a description of your spiritual journey? Which other images describe what coming to faith was like for you?
“3. In verse 14, Paul adds a comment not found in his conversion story in chapters 9 or 22. When has God pointed out to you that your struggle has been against him all along? How has he redirected you since then?
“4. Paul considered himself a servant and a witness. ln what way is God’s call to you similar to his call to Paul? Different?
“5. What difference does it make to you that the events in Jesus’ life were public knowledge, things ‘not done in a corner’? How does that fact negate charges some people make today that the disciples made up all those stories about Jesus?
“6. How has Christ brought light into your life? How can you pass on that light to someone else this week?”

• Lyman Coleman, et al, The NIV Serendipity Bible for Study Groups

Acts 25-26 are arranged in three set(s) of questions as noted above.

Substitute whatever group for any reference to a small group or ask who could come to your aid.

If you like these Thursday morning Bible studies, but you think you missed a few, you can use this LINK. I have set up a page off the home page for links to these Thursday morning posts. I will continue to modify the page as I add more.

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.