Paul’s Three Testimonies

Sermon by Rodney TanSunday 27/9/15

Melaka Gospel Chapel

Outline

• Recap• Introduction• 1 Paul Before Felix (23:25-24:27)• 2 Paul Before Festus (25:1-12)• 3 Paul Before Agrippa (25:13-26:32)• Conclusion

Recap : Paul’s Third Missionary Journey

Declarations of Paul’s innocence:

• Claudius Lysius: Act 23:29“I found that the accusation had to do with questions about their law, but there was no charge against him that deserved death or imprisonment.”

Declarations of Paul’s innocence:

• King Agrippa:Act 26:32Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar."

Declarations of Paul’s innocence:

• Festus (to Agrippa):Act 25:25“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.”

Paul’s Seven Speeches

• 1 Before the Jerusalem Mob (22:1-23)• 2 Before the Chief Captain (22:24-30)• 3 Before the Sanhedrin (23:1-10)• 4 Before Felix (24:10-23)• 5 Before Festus (25:8-12)• 6 Before Agrippa (26:1-32)• 7 Before Jewish Leaders in Rome (28:17-28)

Types of Speeches• 1) One in a Synagogue (Acts 13:16-41)• 2) Two are open-air sermons to pagan

Gentiles (Acts 14:8-20 @ Lystra & Acts 17:22-34 @ Athens)

• 3) Two are personal autobiography (Acts 22:1-9 @ Jerusalem mob & Acts 26:1-32 @ King Agrippa)

• 4) Two brief addresses to individual Gentiles in authority over him (Acts 16:25-34 @ Philippian jailer & Acts 24:10-25 @ Felix)

Introduction

• These 3 speeches seems heavy with legal details.

1 Paul Before Felix (23:25-24:27)

• Claudius’ Anxiousness (23:25-35)• Tertullus’ Accusations (24:1-9)• Paul’s Answer (24:10-21)• Felix’s Apprehension (24:24-26)

Claudius’ Anxiousness (23:25-35)• Situation got worse for Paul• 40 Jews were determined to kill him! (23:12-14)• Paul’s nephew got wind of the plot & informed

Claudius (23:16-22)• Local Roman commander (chiliarch) Claudius

concludes Paul should not remain in Jerusalem • The Plan: Bring Paul to Felix, the governor

(procurator) in Caesarea (23:24)• Claudius prepared a contingent of 470 Roman

soldiers (23:23) & prepared a letter

Letter to Felix, the Governor

• Claudius mentioned Paul “had nothing charged against him deserving death or chains” (23:29)

• Notice how Claudius’ letter made him looked good to his superior. (23:30)

• The contingent left in the night (9pm) (23:31)• The 70 horsemen returned to Jerusalem from

Antipatris the next day (23:32)

Letter Received by Felix

• Governor (Procurator) Felix on receiving the letter, asked Paul which province he was from (23:34)

• Why? To check if Felix had jurisdiction over the matter.

• Paul kept safe at Herod’s Praetorium (23:35)• Wait for “accusers” to arrive & present their

case (23:35)

Marcus Antonius Felix

• Former slave• Friendship with Emperor Claudius Caesar• Was freed• Became Governor of the Judean Province• First born-slave to ascend to this high post• Brutal & immoral (Tacitus)

Tertullus’ Accusations (24:1-9)

• After 5 days Ananias & the elders arrived (24:1)• They brought an orator named Tertullus• Tertullus is their prosecuting lawyer (24:2)

Tertullus’ Accusations

• First, he flattered Felix (24:2-3)• Then, he quickly started his case against Paul

(24:4)• FOUR accusations against Paul:

1) Nuisance / plague (v5a)2) Treason (v5b)3) Heresy (v5c)4) Temple Desecration (v6)

Comments on Tertullus’ Accusation

• Fatal flaw in arguement – Tertullus had no case at all!

• Paul had committed no crime that deserves Roman punishment

• Tertullus had no evidence (24:13)• But Tertullus was skillful – implied that Paul

was a threat to “Pax Romana” (Roman Peace)

Paul’s Answer (24:10-21)

• Paul did not flatter “Felix the Governor” (v10)• Treason: Paul was only in Jerusalem for 12

days• Could not have created all the alleged trouble

in that short time (v11-12)• Heresy: Paul showed that he was more

orthodox than some members of the Sanhedrin – who denied the OT Doctrine of the Resurrection (v15)

• Paul now tackle the charge that he was not obeying Roman laws (v14)

• Strategy: to separate Christianity from Judaism• Why? To show that Christianity is NOT part of

Judaism – a cult• Nothing Paul did was illegal under Roman law

Paul’s Answer (24:10-21)

Felix’s Apprehension (24:22-26)

• Felix started to dodge making a judgement (v22)

• Q: What did Felix gained from this hearing?• A: He had “a more accurate knowledge of The

Way” (v22)• Some days later, Felix & his wife, Drusilla asked

for Paul to testify before the couple (v24)• Paul appears the second time before Felix

Paul’s Speech to Felix & Drusilla• Paul’s 3 Point outline: He reasoned about

1) righteousness2) self-control3) judgement to come

• Paul spoke hard-hitting truths to Felix the Governor who held Paul’s fate in his hands

• Paul was bold to choose 3 unpopular topics!• Q: Why?• A: Felix had no power over his fate! Only God.

Felix’s Response

• Felix’s Responds in Two Ways to the Gospel:• 1) He was afraid – rejects the truth• 2) He answered – “go away for now”

(indifferent)

What Happened to Felix?

According to historians:• He dealt brutally & greedily against the

inhabitants of the provinces under his care• Was replaced by Festus• Called back to Rome by

Emperor Nero • Spared execution• Banished• Committed suicide

What Happened to Drusilla?

• Moved to Pompeii with her son• Husband banished• Met her tragic end when Mount Vesuvius

erupted on 24 August 79 AD• Occurred about 20 years after hearing Paul• Sadly, both Felix & Drusilla did not accept

Christ as their Saviour.

Application

• Q: What is keeping you from following Jesus?• Q: Is it a lack of evidence?• Q: Is it you’re waiting for a more convenient

time?• Remember what happened to Felix and

Drusilla!• Now is the acceptable time to be saved.

Background to Chapter 25

• Paul was under house arrest and his outlook was daunting

• God promised that Paul will testify of Jesus in Rome ….. And to bear His name before kings.

• Paul will have to put his trust in God• Paul has been in Caesarea for 2 years• Governor Felix was summoned back to Rome

because of his brutality & bad management• Replaced by Festus

Background of Porcius Festus

• Little is known of Festus• Two things implied about him in Acts:

1) Noble man - serious about his civic duties - Rome charged him with cleaning up the

mess left by Felix2) Ignorant - the Jewish faith & unaware of

what had occurred the last 30 years in Judea – don’t know Jesus of Nazareth

2 Paul Before Festus (25:1-12)

• Festus threatens to send Paul to Jerusalem (25:1-9) • Paul appeals to be sent to Caesar (25:10-12)

Festus threatened to send Paul to Jerusalem (25:1-9)

• 3 days as the new governor, Festus went up to Jerusalem to mend relations with the Jewish leaders (v1-2)

• Jewish leaders viewed change in leadership as a chance to move against Paul

• NB: Even after two years – Jewish leaders still filled with hate for Paul

• They asked for a favour – summon Paul to Jerusalem so that they can ambush him! (v3)

Festus’ Dilemma

• Festus knew the implications on his career if he were to hand over a Roman citizen to the Jews

• Festus wisely counters their request with his proposal (v4-5)

• Way out: retrial to solve this issue.

Festus Back in Caesarea

• After 10 days in Jerusalem, he returned to Caesarea & immediately call for a retrial (v6)

• Jewish leaders had many serious complaints about Paul BUT had no proofs!

• Festus viewed Paul had committed no crime under the law of the Jews, the temple or Caesar.

• Festus probably understood why Felix did not issue a judgement

• Paul = political hot-potato!• Festus = messy situation with Paul’s case.• Roman law = Paul must be released

immediately• But Festus was ordered by Rome to improve

relations with the Jews.• Sadly, Festus chose to join the conspiracy!

Festus’ Dilemma

Paul appeals to be sent to Caesar (25:10-12)

• Sensing Festus would give in to the Jews & send him to Jerusalem

• Paul appeals to Caesar - Emperor Nero (v11)• Festus now had a way out of this mess!• But Festus has to come up with a written

explanation: - why Paul was not charged and - a verdict to appeal to Caesar

Application

• Q: Why would Paul refuse to go to Jerusalem & instead appeal his case to Caesar?

• Q: Is Paul impatient with God’s timing?• A: Paul was not afraid of the plot to kill him• He surrendered to his calling – acted

consistently with God’s directive• Trusting God involves wisdom!• Recognize another detour to Jerusalem at this

stage was not God’s will

3 Paul Before Agrippa (25:13-26:32)

• Festus gives background of Paul’s case to Agrippa (25:13-27)

• Paul gives information about himself (26:1-23)• Paul gives an invitation about his Saviour

(26:24-32)

Festus gives background of Paul’s case to Agrippa (25:13-27)

• King Agrippa II & Queen Bernice came to Caesarea to visit Governor Festus & Drusilla

• Reason: to welcome Festus on his new posting• Bernice was the sister of Drusilla & Agrippa II• Festus hoped by sharing about Paul, King

Agrippa II & Queen Bernice will be able to help him settle this case about Paul (v26-27)

• Then Festus has something to write to the Emperor about Paul (v26)

Background of King Herod Agrippa II

Background of King Herod Agrippa II

• King Agrippa II – 7th & final king of the Herodian dynasty

• His great-grandfather = Herod the Great at Jesus’ birth murdered all the eldest new born babies to ensure his rule.

• His great-granduncle = Herod Antipas who beheaded John the Baptist

• His father = Herod Antipas I killed Apostle James & later he was eaten by worms in Caesarea

Background of King Agrippa II

• Raised in Rome• Educated in the palace of Claudius Caesar• Agrippa II = outspoken supporter of the Jews• Made king over a large portion of the area• Given authority over temple & appointment of

High Priest• On good terms with Roman political leaders

Background of Queen Bernice

• a.k.a. Berenice of Cilicia or Julia Berenice• Bernice = Agrippa’s half-sister (step-sister)• Incestous relationship with Agrippa II• Tumultuous love life – married 3 times• Previously married to her uncle until his death• Left Agrippa II for a pagan king & deserted him• Mistress to Emperor Vespasian & his son Titus

(Titus Flavius destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD)

Paul gives information about himself (26:1-23)

• Paul was likely brought in chains into the hippodrome (25:14)

• Longest speech/sermon in the book of Acts• Paul mentions FOUR things about himself:

- His early religious training in Tarsus (v1-8)- His terrible persecution of Christians (v9-11)- His conversion on the Damascus Road (v12-16)- His call to the Gentiles (v17-23)

Application

• When Jesus saved Paul, TWO things happened (v16):

• 1) Paul became a “minister” (called to aid )• 2) Paul became a “witness” (martyr)• When we encounter Jesus, our lives are

transformed – to be a minister & witness

Application

• Q: What kind of minister and witness are we actually?• We are to cause people “to open their eyes”

(v18)• Everywhere Paul went, he caused a REVIVAL

or a RIOT

Paul gives an invitation about his Saviour (26:24-32)

• Paul was rudely interrupted by Festus (v24)• Paul accused by Festus of being mad (v24)• Paul brushes off this outburst (v25-26)• He pressed for a decision from Agrippa (v27)• Agrippa answered: “You almost persuade me

to become a Christian.”(v28)• A parody said by Agrippa? Sad words!• King Agrippa did not want to become a

Christian

Paul Goes to Rome (26:30-32)• After dismissing Paul, the three highest

officials discussed among themselves (v30)• They decided that Paul did not deserve death

or to be put in chains (v31)• Because of the official nature of this trial, the

legal process had to go through.• They probably sent some kind of letter of

explanation to the emperor along with this unusual prisoner named Paul.

• Paul is finally going to Rome!

ConclusionPaul’s testimony can also be our testimony:

• 1) Blinded to the Gospel by his religious zeal

• 2) Changed by the Gospel by an encounter with Jesus

• 3) Dedicated to sharing the Gospel as a minister and witness

Conclusion• Paul’s life is inspiring! • Let’s testify of our faith even when the going

gets tough!