Walking Through Acts
Today, we will continue the account of Paul and the series of events that have led
up to today’s message. Paul has been in prison for over two years which began
under the governorship of Antonius Felix whom we learned about last week. A
man who simply couldn’t make decisions when it really counted. Sometimes, I
think we eventually get to making decisions in our lives but we put off making
those decisions so long that they no longer mean anything. I’m sure Felix made
daily decisions to get out of bed in the morning, choosing what to eat for
breakfast, paying his bills (all the necessary things), but when it came time to
make decisions when it mattered most, he failed.
I hope that we can learn from Felix’s mistakes. When there are decisions to be
made and there is enough evidence to make a decision, make them without delay.
Felix failed on two different accounts that I want to remind us of today. He failed
in letting Paul go free even though he knew he was innocent. Then he failed in a
making the decision to accept the gospel message and follow Jesus. In both
instances he decided to put them off. It wasn’t an outright rejection, but it was
rejection nonetheless. People who are unstable in their ways usually experience
instability in other areas of their lives. As we saw last week at the end of the
sermon, a man named Festus took the place of Felix as governor over Judea. We
saw how Felix fared in handling Paul’s case. Will Festus be any different?
Acts 25:1-3
Now three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem
from Caesarea. 2 And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out
their case against Paul, and they urged him, 3 asking as a favor against Paul that
he summon him to Jerusalem—because they were planning an ambush to kill him
on the way.
Festus is probably curious as to the nature of Paul’s imprisonment and so makes
his way to Jerusalem to get some answers. Now the chief priests and elders askedFestus to do them a favor to bring Paul there to Jerusalem. This is how this
situation looks to me. They see a new governor come to town and they have
thoughts of taking advantage of ol’ Festus hoping that he will do what they want
him to.
Have you ever heard someone say something, and the words themselves are
harmless and unassuming, yet, within the context and the motives behind what
has been said turns out to be a trojan horse carrying bitterness and poison in the
guise of politeness and good manners? Often times, it is what is not said that we
should be weary of.
In this case, the Jewish leaders tell Governor Festus, “bring Paul to Jerusalem so
his trial can take place here.” What is not said is that they didn’t have any
intentions of having Paul arrive in Jerusalem at all, but to ambush him and kill him
while he was on his way. Sounds a lot like the plot that was made two years
before. And you have to wonder about these guys. They had just tried this same
plan and failed a couple years ago. And then some bright one of the bunch says
hey, let’s try it again. What’s that saying? “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try
again.” May as well right?
Here's how Festus responds.
Acts 25:4-5
4 Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended
to go there shortly. 5 “So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down
with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges
against him.”
Festus, although the new Governor, was showing that he was no push over. He’s
saying, “If you want to put him on trial, come to Caesarea. I’m heading there soon,
so join me if you want to pursue this further.”
A valuable lesson I’ve learned while in positions of responsibility and leadership, is
the virtue of being able to say “no.” Especially during times when a “yes” would
be much more convenient. This is true in the world of parenting, in friendships, in
the ministry and in all the daily responsibilities that we have. You will find thatmore experienced individuals will have a less difficult time saying “no” than those
who aren’t. In our text for today, the Jewish leaders thought they could get an
easy “yes” from Festus, but he shows his experience and confidence in his position
to tell them “no.”
Acts 25:6
6 After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to
Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to
be brought.
Imagine you’re Festus for a moment. You had just refused to cave into the
pressure of the Jewish leaders (this was way more pronounced than we would
think on the surface). And you stay for another eight to ten days. He’s in hostile
territory now. He should have just pulled a Felix and told them, let me think about
it and I’ll get back to you so as to keep the peace. Festus was no Felix and made
his decision knowing that he would be living amongst the Jews for more than a
week longer. I must say that Festus had some guts (at least for the time being; it
doesn’t last long).
Back in Caesarea, Festus orders Paul to be brought forward.
Acts 25:7
7 When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood
around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not
prove.
Doesn’t it seem like a broken record? We are seeing the same themes over and
over again. And you would think that maybe they would learn that, before
bringing someone to trial or making allegations against someone that, it would be
wise to accumulate for themselves the burden of proof, or at least enough
evidence to have a compelling case. No, they felt that if the judge would only see
how angry they were, that that would be enough evidence to make a decision in
their favor. A decision not based on facts, but on emotional manipulation. That
broken record continues to play to this day and it has spread through the entire
world. And it has resulted in all kinds of unnecessary conflict and division thatcould have been avoided. People today, are not so different than those we read
about in the pages of our Bibles.
Paul also probably feels the fatigue of having to repeat himself over and over
again.
Acts 25:8
8 Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the
temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.”
Now, here comes the moment for Festus to make a decision. His time of testing
has come.
Acts 25:9
9 But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to
Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?”
This is the point where you and I go, “Come on Festus, what are you doing?” But,
we must put ourselves in the shoes of this Roman governor to understand the
kinds of pressures he was facing. And it would lead to the more sober question,
would we have done any different?
William LaSor, an academic and professor wrote,
“Unless we have steeped ourselves in the history of the Jews from the days of the
Maccabees to the First Revolt, we probably cannot understand how a Roman
governor could set aside justice in order to placate the people. In the days of the
Maccabees, zealous Jews had defeated a powerful gentile ruler. The Romans knew
this. Rome was well aware of the fact that the Jewish people had to be handled in
a special way. A Roman procurator, such as Pontius Pilate or Antonius Felix or
Portius Festus, knew when he took over his post in Judea that he was sitting on a
‘powder keg.’
Pilate bent Roman justice in the case of Jesus rather than antagonize the Jews.
Felix did the same, in the case of Paul. Josephus, who was a Jew but also a loyaRoman, records that other governors did the same thing in other cases. Festus had
just taken office. He ‘had to live these people.’ He certainly didn’t want to get off
to a bad start.”
If we’re to be honest with ourselves, we probably would have done exactly what
Festus and the other governors did. Let’s not pretend like we’ve never caved to
the whining and complaining of a three year old. And let me just say, the pressure
that a toddler can put on you is quite surprising. However, the situation that
Festus found himself in during the time of our reading was far greater, and the
consequences, far more significant.
By asking Paul if he wants to be tried in Jerusalem, he is seeking a way out of the
conflict. “Paul, it would be a lot easier on me if you just go to Jerusalem.”
Paul saw right through the façade of courtesy and he wasn’t going to have any of
it.
Acts 25:10-12
10 But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be
tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. 11 If then
I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do
not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no
one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” 12 Then Festus, when he had
conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar
you shall go.”
This is what Paul is saying. “I will not allow you to make a present of me to them,
in order to get your administration off on the right foot. Since you very well know I
am innocent, but you seem either unwilling or unable to do in my case what is the
right thing, you leave only one course of action open to me…I appeal to Caesar!”
The historical account dictates that, “once a prisoner had made an appeal to
Caesar, the judge to whom the appeal was made was obliged to stop all
proceedings in the case immediately, and to send the prisoner, together with his
accusers, to Rome to be tried there with Caesar himself sitting as judge. Paul’s
appeal to Caesar took the case out of Festus’ hands from that moment on.”Acts 25:13-16
13 Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at
Caesarea and greeted Festus. 14 And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid
Paul's case before the king, saying, “There is a man left prisoner by Felix, 15 and
when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their
case against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. 16 I
answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone
before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his
defense concerning the charge laid against him.
Now, Festus seizes the opportunity to seek the advice of King Agrippa. Although,
Festus no longer has any jurisdiction over Paul’s case, he still needs to write a
letter to the emperor, and at the present moment he is at a loss as to what to
write, for how could he drop Paul and his accusers off at Caesar’s doorstep
without giving any kind of adequate information about what the case was about?
Take notice in verse 16 where it says, “it was not the custom of the Romans to give
up anyone before the accused met their accusers face to face and had opportunity
to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him.”
Now, the Romans were responsible for a lot of terrible things in the world.
However, we do have them to thank for the positive contributions that the world
benefits from today (i.e. concrete, sewage systems, books that eventually replaced
scrolls). And here in our text today, we observe an aspect of their legal system that
we employ to this day. A concept known as “innocent until proven guilty.”
Barnes writes,
“We may remark that it is a subject of sincere gratitude to God that in our nation
the privilege is enjoyed…It is right which every man has, to be heard; to know the
charges against him; to be confronted with the witnesses; to make his defense;
and to be tried by the laws, and not by the passions and caprices of men.”
Festus continues his discourse with King Agrippa.Acts 25:17-19
17 So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took
my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought. 18 When the
accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed.
19 Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion
and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive.
Here's something very interesting that I observed here. At this time, around 60
AD, it had been nearly 30 years after Jesus was crucified. To us, it seems like that’s
not a very long time at all. And we pause at Festus’ statement about “this Jesus”
who was apparently dead but is now alive. You see, Festus probably had a general
idea about who Jesus was, but he was completely unaware of His significance.
That describes most of our world today. They’ve heard the name Jesus, and they
know something about him, but nothing really substantial.
In the city of Terre Haute alone, there are over 200 Churches. I think it is fair to say
that most people recognize that there is a fairly significant Christian presence
here, but how many people do you think truly know the impact that Jesus has had
in the world and the hope that he brings that results in transformed lives? Not
many at all. According to city-data.com 67.3 percent of the population in Terre
Haute have no religious affiliation at all. The population stands at about 60,000
people. That means that 40,000 people in our city do not have a relationship with
Jesus. They know about him, but they don’t know him. That’s where Festus is at in
the time of our reading.
Acts 25:20-22
20 Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wanted
to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them. 21 But when Paul had
appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to
be held until I could send him to Caesar.” 22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would
like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear him.”
Now, this kind of appointment that Agrippa requests is far more significant than
we may realize. King Agrippa’s great-grandfather was the one who attempted to
kill Jesus by ordering all male children under two to be slaughtered. His uncle hadJohnn the Baptist beheaded. His dad was the guy who killed James the apostle
and attempted to have Peter killed. So what in the world did King Agrippa have on
his mind when setting up a time to hear Paul?
Acts 25:23
23 So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they
entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of
the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.
We notice here in this verse where we find the only use of this phrase, “great
pomp.” And so we can imagine that the entrance of King Agrippa and his wife
Bernice made an entrance with quite the display.
Professor L. Edsil Dale wrote,
“Usually little men in big office love the pomp and display which dignify they
think, their small souls. And again undue pomp and display are usually signs of a
weak or disintegrating power. True power needs no display.”
After the big spectacle of Agrippa’s entrance, Paul is called forward.
Paul is now standing before kings and people of great influence. Remember, he
isn’t on trial in the formal sense, because he has indeed appealed to Caesar. But
he does find himself in, yet again, another opportunity to bear witness to God and
the gospel message before men of great influence. What did Jesus say in Matthew
10? Jesus is speaking to his disciples and is telling them of the persecution that
will come as a result of their faithfulness. I’m sure Paul was familiar with them as
well.
Matthew 10:16-20
16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as
serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over
to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before
governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19
When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what youare to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not
you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Paul finds himself in the very situation described in the passage we just read. In
our study through Acts so far, we have seen Paul standing on trial multiple times,
but nothing like the kind of audience he has here. His previous trials could be seen
as merely dress rehearsals preparing him for the big moment that we will cover
next Sunday.
Piano to play here.
That’s often what happens to us whenever we face trials. Yes, they’re difficult and
inconvenient, but they shape us and mold us and prepare us for future trials that,
if we hadn’t gone through the previous ones, we wouldn’t be prepared for the
larger trials. We would fold like lawn chairs. The professional athlete doesn’t
submit his/her body to training to not compete. The battle hardened Christian
should not be surprised when greater trials come. The world is not spiritually
neutral and the battleground is all around us. Take confidence that God has so
ordered your life in such a way that has prepared you for those moments that
would make most men shudder. But we don’t. Why? Because we follow Jesus, the
one who has overcome the world.
John 16:33
In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Acts 25:24-27
24 And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this
man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and
here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But I found that he had
done nothing deserving death. And as he himself appealed to the emperor, I
decided to go ahead and send him. 26 But I have nothing definite to write to my
lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before
you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to
write. 27 For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate
the charges against him.”And here we have stated for us the reason for this hearing. Although an informal
one, it is one that will give Festus enough information to send on up the chain to
Rome.