Acts 25:13-26:32: "Paul on trial Pt. 3"
Paul has now been on trial before the Sanhedrin, Felix and Festus. Each trial has resulted in a stale-mate. Paul, is innocent and no one has been able to supply anything that would be worthy of conviction. However, to try to maintain the peace with the Jews and appease their wishes, Paul has not been released. Each governor that has heard the case against Paul finds themselves passing the buck and not desiring to make a final judgment. In the last section, Paul has appealed to be heard by Caesar, and not wishing to make his own judgment, Festus appeases Paul's wish. Festus, by Roman law, was required to send a statement with the prisoner explaining the charges against him. Festus, who was unfamiliar with Jewish culture and laws, was confused by the actual charges against Paul. Looking at this trial from a worldly perspective, without the knowledge of Christ and who He is, could look very foolish. It basically was a disagreement between two world views, and no actual Roman law had been broken. From an outsider perspective, it looks like a childish squabble. However, to the Jews this was a matter of life and death. Because Festus did not really have any real charges against Paul, he calls in someone with some knowledge of the Jewish people to help write his statement for Caesar.
Festus had just been made governor and King Agrippa and Bernice his companion (and his incestuous sister) arrived at Caesarea to welcome the new governor. This was a welcome sight to Festus, as I am sure he had a bad case of writer's block. He explain's to Agrippa (who had much more knowledge of Jewish customs and laws) the trial of Paul that was a several days ago. Explaining his thoughts on the trial, he readily admits that Paul is innocent and not worthy or death. "They began bringing charges against him not of such crimes as I was expecting; but they simply had some points of disagreement with him about their own religion and about a certain dead man, Jesus, whom Paul asserted to be alive". Again, looking from the outside, Jesus was merely a man to Festus, and he did not grasp what Paul was claiming him to be, and what an insult that was to the Jews. Paul truly must have felt the things he describes in I Cor. 1:18-24, "For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, "I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE." Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God".
After hearing these things, Agrippa's curiosity is peaked, and he, "would like to hear the man myself. The next day would be the stage on which Paul would be the centerpiece yet again.
Festus sets up a huge display for Agrippa as commanders, prominent men, Agrippa, Bernice, and Paul would come together "amid great pomp". Pomp here denotes a grand, showy pageant. Festus uses the opportunity to again explain Paul's situation, and reiterate that he had, "committed nothing worthy of death" and how he had, "nothing definite about him to write to my lord". Basically, this is another opportunity for Paul to plead his case, and as we will see he once again uses it share the gospel. All of these happenings sure seem like a lot of trouble for one person. However, Paul was constantly reminded of the words of God that he would have to suffer for His name.
Paul begins his testimony with what seems like flattery. However, after reading through the whole testimony and knowing Paul's character we can safely assume this is not the case. Paul begins with the statement, "In regard to all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, that I am about to make my defense before you today; especially because you are an expert in all customs and questions among the Jews". MacArthur writes, "That was not flattery. Paul believed that Agrippa, because of his Roman orientation, was not likely to be sympathetic to the Sanhedrin. And his Jewish background made him an expert in all customs and questions among the Jews, so that he could grasp the issues. To Paul, then Agrippa was both objective and knowledgeable- perhaps a prime candidate for conversion". Although Paul did desire to be released, and this may be an opportunity to do so, as we will later see, his desire is that Agrippa and all who hear his testimony to be saved.
Paul then tells Agrippa and those listening the reason he is on trial. He explains his upbringing (v.4), his time as a Pharisee, (v.5, 9-11), his miraculous conversion (v. 12-18), his new commission (v. 19-23). Paul, again uses every opportunity to share Christ with anyone who would hear it. Instead, of complaining or being resentful of God for the fact that he has had to go through all this, he is grateful to God. In v. 22 he exclaims, "So, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day testifying . . ." Paul recognized God's sovereignty in every circumstance, and knows without God's help he would already be dead. Paul had previously only given his defense before Festus. This time, however, he got to explain his whole testimony and why it was he did the things he did. At hearing about the resurrection of Christ, Festus interrupts Paul, "you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you mad". Again, Festus proved the words of I Cor 1 (stated earlier). His spiritual blindness did not allow him to comprehend what had taken place in the person of Christ. What is amazing to me is how, if people can believe God created this world, how could he not raise himself from the dead? If we believe God is all-powerful and "His ways are higher than our ways" why do limit Him in what he can or can't do?
After replying to Festus that what he spoke of was in fact, "words of sober truth", he turns his attention to Agrippa he was more knowledgeable about who He claimed Christ was. Paul says, "The king knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner." To this MacArthur writes, "Paul called Agrippa as a witness to his sanity, since the Jews believed in resurrection, and the matters of which the apostle spoke (the death of Jesus, and the claim of the Christians that He rose from the dead) were common knowledge in Palestine. By remaining silent, Agrippa confirmed the truth of what Paul said". Paul then digs a little deeper trying to get Agrippa to understand the truth by asking, "King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you do." After establishing a great argument that Christ fulfilled all of prophecy, Paul puts Agrippa in an interesting situation. All along Paul could see the political leaders never standing firm in anything because they always had to try to please everyone. Seeing that in Felix and Festus before him, he uses this on Agrippa. He knew that by confessing his belief in the prophets, it would be like him admitting Jesus as Messiah, which would be foolish in front of his Roman friends. However, as a Jewish king, denying the revered prophets would be political suicide. I find it amusing that Jesus would often do this to the Pharisees during His time.
Agrippa, uncomfortably and probably somewhat laughing mocks the question with the statement, "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian". MacArthur states, "The phrase is better translated as a question: "Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian in such a short time?" What foolish words, as you know you have been presented the truth and your eternal life at stake, and your pride and what people think of you causes you to cast aside the only thing that can save your life. Paul graciously replies the whole point of why he wanted to so eagerly share with Agrippa, "I would to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains". All along Paul's desire is for all to be saved. It is amazing the compassion Paul has on those who mock and persecute him. His desire for their souls to be saved outweighed any animosity he may have felt towards them as they persecuted him.
The meeting abruptly ends with these words, as Paul's words may have started the seeds of conviction in the heart of Agrippa. He reiterates as everyone else has that, "This man is not doing anything worthy of death or imprisonment". And shockingly he adds, "This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar". A.N. Sherwin-White in his book Roman Society and Roman Law in the New Testament, explains why they could not just set him free:
"When Agrippa remarked: "this man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar," this does not mean that in strict law the governor could not pronounce an acquittal after the act of appeal. It is not a question of law, but of the relations between the emperor and his subordinates, and of that element of non-constitutional power which the Romans called auctoritas, "prestige", on which the supremacy of the Princeps so largely depended. No sensible man with hopes of promotion would dream of short-circuiting the appeal to Caesar unless he had specific authority to do so".
Once again Paul was found innocent, but as he already knew, he was to go to Rome where he could tell more about Christ.
Festus had just been made governor and King Agrippa and Bernice his companion (and his incestuous sister) arrived at Caesarea to welcome the new governor. This was a welcome sight to Festus, as I am sure he had a bad case of writer's block. He explain's to Agrippa (who had much more knowledge of Jewish customs and laws) the trial of Paul that was a several days ago. Explaining his thoughts on the trial, he readily admits that Paul is innocent and not worthy or death. "They began bringing charges against him not of such crimes as I was expecting; but they simply had some points of disagreement with him about their own religion and about a certain dead man, Jesus, whom Paul asserted to be alive". Again, looking from the outside, Jesus was merely a man to Festus, and he did not grasp what Paul was claiming him to be, and what an insult that was to the Jews. Paul truly must have felt the things he describes in I Cor. 1:18-24, "For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, "I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE." Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God".
After hearing these things, Agrippa's curiosity is peaked, and he, "would like to hear the man myself. The next day would be the stage on which Paul would be the centerpiece yet again.
Festus sets up a huge display for Agrippa as commanders, prominent men, Agrippa, Bernice, and Paul would come together "amid great pomp". Pomp here denotes a grand, showy pageant. Festus uses the opportunity to again explain Paul's situation, and reiterate that he had, "committed nothing worthy of death" and how he had, "nothing definite about him to write to my lord". Basically, this is another opportunity for Paul to plead his case, and as we will see he once again uses it share the gospel. All of these happenings sure seem like a lot of trouble for one person. However, Paul was constantly reminded of the words of God that he would have to suffer for His name.
Paul begins his testimony with what seems like flattery. However, after reading through the whole testimony and knowing Paul's character we can safely assume this is not the case. Paul begins with the statement, "In regard to all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, that I am about to make my defense before you today; especially because you are an expert in all customs and questions among the Jews". MacArthur writes, "That was not flattery. Paul believed that Agrippa, because of his Roman orientation, was not likely to be sympathetic to the Sanhedrin. And his Jewish background made him an expert in all customs and questions among the Jews, so that he could grasp the issues. To Paul, then Agrippa was both objective and knowledgeable- perhaps a prime candidate for conversion". Although Paul did desire to be released, and this may be an opportunity to do so, as we will later see, his desire is that Agrippa and all who hear his testimony to be saved.
Paul then tells Agrippa and those listening the reason he is on trial. He explains his upbringing (v.4), his time as a Pharisee, (v.5, 9-11), his miraculous conversion (v. 12-18), his new commission (v. 19-23). Paul, again uses every opportunity to share Christ with anyone who would hear it. Instead, of complaining or being resentful of God for the fact that he has had to go through all this, he is grateful to God. In v. 22 he exclaims, "So, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day testifying . . ." Paul recognized God's sovereignty in every circumstance, and knows without God's help he would already be dead. Paul had previously only given his defense before Festus. This time, however, he got to explain his whole testimony and why it was he did the things he did. At hearing about the resurrection of Christ, Festus interrupts Paul, "you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you mad". Again, Festus proved the words of I Cor 1 (stated earlier). His spiritual blindness did not allow him to comprehend what had taken place in the person of Christ. What is amazing to me is how, if people can believe God created this world, how could he not raise himself from the dead? If we believe God is all-powerful and "His ways are higher than our ways" why do limit Him in what he can or can't do?
After replying to Festus that what he spoke of was in fact, "words of sober truth", he turns his attention to Agrippa he was more knowledgeable about who He claimed Christ was. Paul says, "The king knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner." To this MacArthur writes, "Paul called Agrippa as a witness to his sanity, since the Jews believed in resurrection, and the matters of which the apostle spoke (the death of Jesus, and the claim of the Christians that He rose from the dead) were common knowledge in Palestine. By remaining silent, Agrippa confirmed the truth of what Paul said". Paul then digs a little deeper trying to get Agrippa to understand the truth by asking, "King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you do." After establishing a great argument that Christ fulfilled all of prophecy, Paul puts Agrippa in an interesting situation. All along Paul could see the political leaders never standing firm in anything because they always had to try to please everyone. Seeing that in Felix and Festus before him, he uses this on Agrippa. He knew that by confessing his belief in the prophets, it would be like him admitting Jesus as Messiah, which would be foolish in front of his Roman friends. However, as a Jewish king, denying the revered prophets would be political suicide. I find it amusing that Jesus would often do this to the Pharisees during His time.
Agrippa, uncomfortably and probably somewhat laughing mocks the question with the statement, "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian". MacArthur states, "The phrase is better translated as a question: "Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian in such a short time?" What foolish words, as you know you have been presented the truth and your eternal life at stake, and your pride and what people think of you causes you to cast aside the only thing that can save your life. Paul graciously replies the whole point of why he wanted to so eagerly share with Agrippa, "I would to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains". All along Paul's desire is for all to be saved. It is amazing the compassion Paul has on those who mock and persecute him. His desire for their souls to be saved outweighed any animosity he may have felt towards them as they persecuted him.
The meeting abruptly ends with these words, as Paul's words may have started the seeds of conviction in the heart of Agrippa. He reiterates as everyone else has that, "This man is not doing anything worthy of death or imprisonment". And shockingly he adds, "This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar". A.N. Sherwin-White in his book Roman Society and Roman Law in the New Testament, explains why they could not just set him free:
"When Agrippa remarked: "this man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar," this does not mean that in strict law the governor could not pronounce an acquittal after the act of appeal. It is not a question of law, but of the relations between the emperor and his subordinates, and of that element of non-constitutional power which the Romans called auctoritas, "prestige", on which the supremacy of the Princeps so largely depended. No sensible man with hopes of promotion would dream of short-circuiting the appeal to Caesar unless he had specific authority to do so".
Once again Paul was found innocent, but as he already knew, he was to go to Rome where he could tell more about Christ.
posted by amesfam | 10:26 AM
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