Acts 25
Jewish leaders confront Festusverses 1-5
Now when Festus was come into the province
after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem
Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews
informed him against Paul and besought him
and desired favor against him
that he would send for him to Jerusalem
laying wait in the way to kill him
BUT Festus answered – that Paul should be kept at Caesarea
and that he himself would depart shortly thither
Let them therefore – said he – which among you are able
go down with me – and accuse this man
if there be any wickedness in him
Paul confronted by Jewish leaders and Festusverses 6-12
AND when he had tarried among them more than ten days
he went down unto Caesarea
and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded
Paul to be brought
And when he was come
the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about
and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul
WHICH THEY COULD NOT PROVE
While he answered for himself
Neither against the law of the Jews – neither against the temple
nor yet against Caesar – have I offended any thing at all
BUT Festus – willing to do the Jews a pleasure – answered Paul – and said
Will you go up to Jerusalem
and there be judged of these things before me?
Then said Paul
I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat – where I ought to be judged
to the Jews have I done no wrong – as you very well know
for if I be an offender
or have committed any thing worthy of death
I refuse not to die
BUT if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me
no man may deliver me unto them
I appeal unto Caesar
Then Festus – when he had conferred with the council – answered
Have you appealed to Caesar? to Caesar shalt you go
Festus discusses Paul with King Agrippaverses 13-22
And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea
to salute Festus
And when they had been there many days
Festus declared Paul’s cause to the king
saying
There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix about whom
when I was at Jerusalem the chief priest
and the elders of the Jews informed me
desiring to have judgment against him
To whom I answered
It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die
before that he which is accused have the accusers
face to face – and have license to answer for
himself concerning the crime laid
against him
Therefore – when they were come hither
without delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat
and commanded the man to be brought forth
Against whom when the accusers stood up
they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed
but had certain questions against him of their
own superstition – and of one Jesus
which was dead WHOM Paul
affirmed to be ALIVE
AND because I doubted of such manner of questions
I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem
and there be judged of these matters
BUT when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus
I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar
THEN Agrippa said to Festus
I would also hear the man myself
Tomorrow – said he – you shalt hear him
Paul brought before King Agrippaverses 23-27
And on the morrow when Agrippa was come – and Bernice – with great pomp
and was entered into the place of hearing – with the chief captains
and principal men of the city
at Festus’ commandment Paul was brought forth
AND Festus said
King Agrippa – and all men which are here present with us
you see this man – about whom all the multitude of the Jews
have dealt with me – both at Jerusalem – and also here
crying that he ought not to live any longer
BUT when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death
and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus
I have determined to send him
Of whom I have no certain thing to write to my lord
wherefore I have brought him forth before you
and specially before you – O king Agrippa
that – after examination had
I might have somewhat to write
FOR it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner
and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 5 Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him. (824 “wickedness” [atopos] means amiss, harm, unrighteous, improper, bad, wrong, absurd or evil)
DEVOTION: The Jewish leaders were not giving up on trying to put Paul to death. They had men who had vowed not to eat until they had killed Paul. They had an orator who came and gave accusations against Paul that couldn’t be proved. They had frequently asked for Paul to be moved to Jerusalem.
Each of the political leaders they confronted on the issue of Paul stood firm that they would not bring him again to Jerusalem but that they would have to come to Caesarea to place their charges against him.
This latest politician was Festus. He invited them to come down and confront him again. He would hear their case. Paul had already been in prison for over two years without being charged with any crime.
Festus invites them to come with him to see if they could find any improper wrong he had done against the Roman government that could cause them to put him to death.
Too often we can be accused of things that never happened or something we have never said. Paul had to watch his actions and speech before this group of political and religious leaders.
The LORD told HIS disciples to be prepared to face these types of things but that the Holy Spirit would give them the words to say. We need to realize that it can happen to us and we have to depend on the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom to answer whatever we are accused of by those who don’t love the LORD.
Here in America we have many people who are accusing Christians of hating certain groups of people or certain practices. It is not that we hate these individuals it is that we want to honor the teachings of the Word of God in our daily life. We are still sinners so we are not saying that we are better than those who practice wrong beliefs or practice wrong actions. We are just trying to honor the LORD with our beliefs and our actions to keep our promise to be good followers of HIM. If we don’t practice something it is because we know it will not please the LORD, not because we hate those who practice it.
We want to change every day to be better servants of the LORD and we want to see change in all those in our world so that they can join us in heaven for eternity. Paul wanted those in Jerusalem to change to be followers of the LORD.
CHALLENGE: Our attitudes toward those who hate our actions or beliefs need to be one of a willingness to confront them in love but firmly show them the truth that is found in the Word of God.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 11 For if I be an offender, or have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die, but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me no man may deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar. (91 “offender” [adikeo] means do wrong, hurt, be unjust, to be a criminal, to have violated the laws I some way, to wrong someone, act wickedly towards him, to treat unjustly, mistreat, or to do that which is unjust or unrighteous)
DEVOTION: We know when we do something wrong. We know that we desire punishment when we do something wrong. The LORD has stated that HE will chasten the ones HE loves. If a believer does something against the Word of God and doesn’t confess his sin to the LORD he is open to the chastening of the LORD. There are consequences to sin according to the Bible. We reap what we sow.
Here we find Paul in a situation where he is being falsely accused. The Jewish leaders want him dead because he is such a great witness for the LORD. He was one of their leaders and he changed sides. He became a preacher of Jesus Christ. It hurt the Jewish leaders when one of their own became a follower of Jesus. He could use the Old Testament to prove the Jesus was the Messiah that they were waiting for.
So Paul makes this statement to the Jewish leaders. If I have done something wrong I am ready to pay the consequences even to the point of death. He is not willing to be killed for doing what was right. He had no other choice but to appeal to a higher court. That higher court was Caesar.
Today we find the beliefs of the Bible questioned from many sides. At present we have one of those issues going to the highest court in our land, the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C.
We should be praying for those who are judges in that Court to look at the issue from not only what the LORD wants but what is best for the families of our country. Their decision is one that will either honor the teachings of the Word of God or dishonor those teachings. The end result could either help the families of this nation or hurt them and the churches that preach the truth of the Word of God.
Always remember that the LORD knows what is happening in our life and in the life of the country we live in. HE is working HIS plan even when it seems that evil is winning. Paul took a stand and we know that was part of God’s plan for his life.
CHALLENGE: We need to take a stand like Paul and watch God work in our life.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 19 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. (1175 “superstition” [deisidaimonia] means religious feeling, fear of the gods, demon fearing or being pious)
DEVOTION: Remember that those outside of Christ do not understand the Word of God. The Holy Spirit is the teacher and without HIM there is no understanding.
The world thinks that Christianity is just another man-made religion. Most individuals think that everyone is going to heaven or just going to die and that is it. The religious ones think that they can earn their way to heaven.
When Paul presented his case before Festus, he thought it was just problem of answering religious questions differently.
It seems like everyone can have his or her own religion. Our world is full of people who believe different things. Our society says that everyone is entitled to not have to worry about anyone trying to tell him or her that his or her religion is wrong.
In our postmodern world everyone has their own truth. Their truth is just as good as anyone else’s truth. These religious leaders in Paul’s day didn’t think it was wrong to bring false accusers before the government. They would do anything to stop Christianity.
That is still true today as those in all the religions of the world are followers of Satan and not the LORD. Remember Satan is a liar. All other religions are following a lie to their final end in the lake of fire.
We believe that to be a Christian one must be a follower of Christ and not a religion. HE is the only way to heaven. HE is the author and finisher of our faith. Our beliefs are based on the blood of GOD’S SON dying on the cross- HE paid the only price for salvation. After HE died HE was placed in a grave with guards. The stone was sealed by the government to keep the disciples from stealing the body and saying that HE arose from the dead.
It didn’t work. Christ was out of the tomb before the angel came down from heaven to remove the stone to show the world that Christ had risen from the dead. HE is alive. It is not a religious feeling.
Paul stated that if Christ didn’t rise from the dead Christianity is false. We should stop preaching and just go out and do as we please. That is what is happening today in many lives of people who claim to be followers of the LORD. They act as if HIS resurrection really didn’t happen.
We are not to just believe that we are just another religion serving a dead false god. We are to be the ones who show by our lives that we are servants of the LIVING GOD who created our world.
CHALLENGE: HE is raised from the dead. It has to be true for us to witness to others. The question we have to ask ourselves is “DO we really believe we serve a LIVING Savior? If so, show it!!!
: 27 For it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes lad against him. (249 “unreasonable” [alogos] means destitute of reason, contrary to reason, absurd, not consistent with or using reason, without basis, lacking in eloquence, or irrational brute)
DEVOTION: Can you imagine living in a world in which you could be held in prison for over two years when there was no specific crime on the books that you had committed? This was the condition around Paul being in jail.
Now he had gone through being put in jail in Jerusalem. He had been moved from that jail to Caesarea because there were forty men who placed themselves under a curse if they ate anything again before they killed Paul.
Once in Caesarea he spoke to the governor Felix and he found nothing worthy of death but still kept him in jail. Next he talks with the new governor, Festus, and he wanted to please the Jewish leaders.
Finally, we find him brought before King Agrippa. He is now going to have to defend himself against him again.
So he is going to have three occasions to defend himself without any real charges made against him. The reason for his conversation happening with King Agrippa is because Festus doesn’t want to send him to Caesar without formal charges. He thinks it is unreasonable to send him without proper charges.
Instead of just letting him go he has to face all these individuals without proper charges and they think it is unreasonable for him to be sent to Rome without something wrong that he has done when he had done nothing wrong according to the law of Rome.
Sometimes we can scratch our heads when we see what was happening in some people’s lives that seem so unfair from our perspective. This is one of those occasions. Why didn’t God just tell these men to let Paul go? The reason was that the LORD was going to give Paul an expense free trip to Rome to witness to the political leaders of the world.
CHALLENGE: Paul knew this was going to happen and we need to realize that this could happen to us as well. HE is working HIS plan in our life just like HE was working HIS plan in Paul’s life.
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Temple verse 8
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Law verse 8
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Jesus verse 19
Resurrection of Jesus verse 19
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Festus verses 1, 4, 9, 12-26
Caesarea verses 1, 4, 6
Caesar (Augustus) verses 8, 10- 12, 21, 25
Caesar’s judgment seat verse 10
Counsel verse 12
King Agrippa verses 13, 22-26
Bernice verses 13, 23
Felix verse 14
Romans verse 16
Judgment seat verse 17
Chief captains verse 23
Principle men of the city verse 23
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Laying in wait to kill verse 3
Falsely accuse verses 5, 11, 16, 18
Wickedness verse 5
Unproven grievous complaints verses 7, 18
Offend verses 8, 11
Wrong verse 10
Crime verses 16, 27
Superstition verse 19
Do something unreasonable verse 27
Crimes verse 27
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Jesus resurrected verse 19
Committed nothing worthy of death verse 25
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Jerusalem verses 1, 3, 7, 9, 15, 20, 24
High Priest verse 2
Chief of the Jews verses 2, 15
Jews verses 7, 9, 10, 24
Law of the Jews verse 8
Temple verse 8
Elders of the Jews verse 15
Church (New Testament people of God)
Paul (prisoner) verses 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 21, 23, 27
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
6–8 Festus convened court and ordered Paul brought before him, thus reopening the whole case against Paul, and the Jewish accusers restated their charges against him (cf. 24:5–6). But again they produced no witnesses, nor could they prove their charges. As for Paul, he stoutly continued to insist on his innocence (v. 8). So the impasse remained. (Longenecker, R. N. (1981). The Acts of the Apostles. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: John and Acts (Vol. 9, p. 545). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
When he was come (παραγενομενου αὐτου [paragenomenou autou]). Genitive absolute of common verb παραγινομαι [paraginomai] (cf. 24:24). Which had come down (οἱ καταβεβηκοτες [hoi katabebēkotes]). Perfect active participle of καταβαινω [katabainō]. They had come down on purpose at the invitation of Festus (verse 5), and were now ready. Stood round about him (περιεστησαν αὐτον [periestēsan auton]). Second aorist (ingressive) active (intransitive) of περιιστημι [periistēmi], old verb, “Took their stand around him,” “periculum intentantes” (Bengel). Cf. Luke 23:10 about Christ. They have no lawyer this time, but they mass their forces so as to impress Festus. Bringing against him (καταφεροντες [katapherontes]). Bearing down on. See on 20:9 and 26:10, only N. T. examples of this ancient verb. Many and grievous charges (πολλα και βαρεα αἰτιωματα [polla kai barea aitiōmata]). This word αἰτιωμα [aitiōma] for old form αἰτιαμα [aitiama] is found in one papyrus (Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary) in sense of “blame.” But the charges were no “heavier” than those made by Tertullus (24:5–8). Paul’s reply proves this and they were also probably on court record (Furneaux). See this adjective βαρυς [barus] (heavy) used with λυκοι [lukoi] (wolves) in 20:29. Which they could not prove (ἁ οὐκ ἰσχυον ἀποδειξαι [ha ouk ischuon apodeixai]). Imperfect active of ἰσχυω [ischuō], to have strength or power as in 19:16, 20. Repetition and reiteration and vehemence took the place of proof (ἀποδειξαι [apodeixai], first aorist active infinitive of ἀποδεικνυμι [apodeiknumi], to show forth, old verb, in N. T. only here, Acts 2:22 which see and 1 Cor. 4:9). (Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Ac 25:7). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.)
What did Paul do? He once again affirmed that he was innocent of any crime against the Jewish law, the temple, or the Roman government. Festus saw that no progress was being made, so he asked Paul if he would be willing to be tried in Jerusalem. He did this to please the Jews and probably did not realize that he was jeopardizing the life of his famous prisoner. But a Roman judge could not move a case to another court without the consent of the accused, and Paul refused to go! Instead, he claimed the right of every Roman citizen to appeal to Caesar.
What led Paul to make that wise decision? For one thing, he knew that his destination was Rome, not Jerusalem; and the fastest way to get there was to appeal to Caesar. Paul also knew that the Jews had not given up their hopes of killing him, so he was wise to stay under the protection of Rome. By appealing to Caesar, Paul forced the Romans to guard him and take him to Rome. Finally, Paul realized that he could never have a fair trial in Jerusalem anyway, so why go? (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 503). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
Here was a man who had nothing to fear. He had always made it a point to have a clear conscience before God and before men, and he could stand before the judgment-seat of Festus and say, “There is absolutely no charge of criminal action of any kind that can be proven against me.” (Ironside, H. A. (1943). Lectures on the Book of Acts. (p. 592). Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers.)
Ver. 7. And when he was come, &c.] Into court: the Jews which came down from Jerusalem; along with Festus, perhaps the high-priest with the elders, and Tertullus the orator, as before: stood round about; either the Apostle Paul, or the judgment-seat; the witnesses and accusers were to stand, as well as the person accused; see the note on Mark 14:57. And laid many and grievous complaints against Paul; which they could not prove; for his moral conversation, both before and after conversion, was very strict and conformable to the laws of God and man; and yet as pure and inoffensive as he was, he was not exempt from the calumnies of men; and these many and very grievous; but it was his happiness, and to his honour through the grace of God, that his enemies could not make good any one thing against him. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 2, p. 375). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
The case against Paul now had to be reopened as though he had never before stood trial. It must have been very frustrating for Paul to have appeared so often before Felix, to know his own innocence, to know that Felix knew his innocence, and to know that a judicial bribe would have secured his immediate release. Felix had been guilty of criminal neglect of his duty and venal abuse of his office in not releasing Paul. Now, thanks to his unfitness for office, Paul had to go through the hazards of another trial, and this time before a magistrate far less familiar with the intricacies of Jewish law, custom, and prejudice.
How it must have galled his spirit. How he must have been cast on the Lord to keep his soul happy and to keep it possessed of patience. Then came the day when his prayers and meditations were interrupted by the news he was to appear again in court.
In court he faced again the familiar diatribes of the Jews—a dish of lies and half-truths, served up with venom and spite and seasoned with the deadly poison of a charge of insurrection and high treason.
What must Festus have thought of it all, a Roman trying a case filled with such religious overtones? What a betrayal it all was of the calling and destiny of Israel to be a witness for God to the Gentile world. Far from being attracted to the true and living God by these Jewish leaders, Festus must have thanked his gods a thousand times that he was a Roman, not a Jew. (Phillips, J. (2009). Exploring Acts: An Expository Commentary (Ac 25:7). Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp.)
FROM MY READING:
It sounds really spiritual to say God is interested in a relationship, not in rules. But it’s not biblical. From top to bottom the Bible is full of commands. They aren’t meant to stifle a relationship with God, but to protect it, seal it, and define it. Never forget; first God delivered the Israelites from Egypt, then he gave them the law. God’s people were not redeemed by observing the law, but they were redeemed so they might obey the law.
(p. 45, The Hole In Our Holiness by Keven DeYoung)
The Holy Spirit’s Ministry: Identifying the Children of God
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” (Romans 8:16)
Paul presents a magnificent section in Romans 8 on the resources of the believer. He begins with an affirmation that the Holy Spirit has been tasked to bear witness with our spirit that we are the actual children of God.
No less than 13 times does the phrase “children of God” appear in the New Testament, all written in one way or another to confirm that we “are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26).
Obviously, this does not apply to all humanity, as some would assert. None other than Jesus Himself stated that the wicked Pharisees and Sadducees were “of your father the devil” (John 8:44). The apostle John made the difference crystal clear: “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother” (1 John 3:10).
The children of God are peacemakers (Matthew 5:9) and according to the Lord Jesus are “equal unto the angels” because they are “the children of the resurrection” (Luke 20:36). Furthermore, none other than the Creator Himself promises to “gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad” (John 11:52).
Finally, this is how each of us can know that we are, indeed, the children of God—“that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments” (1 John 5:2). (HMM III, The Institute for Creation Research)
THE SPIRIT PROHIBITED THEM
He shall testify of me. John 15:26
Actions are ascribed to the Spirit that can only be performed by a person. For instance, in 1 Corinthians 2:10 we are told that “the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God.” He searches—that is the action of a person. We are also told clearly that He speaks. In Revelation 2:7 we read, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Then He also makes intercession for us. “We know not what we should pray for as we ought,” says Paul in Romans 8:26, “but the Spirit itself make the intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
He also bears testimony. Our Lord said, “He shall testify of me” (John 15:26). He bears testimony to the Lord. Only a person can do that. Then we are told, again by our Lord, “He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). Indeed, even in the Old Testament we are told that He teaches and instructs in the truth: “Thou gavest also thy good spirit to instruct them” (Nehemiah 9:20).
Another personal action of His is found in Acts 16:6-7 where we are told, “Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the regions of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, after they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.” Again, this is surely a very significant and relevant statement. All Paul’s companions wanted to go and preach in Asia, but the Spirit prohibited them. Then they wanted to go into Bithynia, and again He would not allow them. That is a definite action by the Holy Spirit Himself, and it is proof positive that He is a person.
A Thought to Ponder: Actions are ascribed to the Spirit that can only be performed by a person. (From God the Holy Spirit, pp. 13-14, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
God causes the great Flood.
INSIGHT
God protects His righteous ones — always. The child of God need never fear any imagined “random blows of fate,” for they will never fall. Yes, we receive blows — but they are never random, and blind fate cannot wield them.
The Lord said to Noah, “Come into the ark . . . because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation” (Genesis 7:1). Then He delivered Noah and his family from a deluge that obliterated life on this earth.
That is how far God will go to save His people from harm. When we feel the blows of adversity, we can take comfort in this: God goes to the ends of the earth to protect us from the things which would destroy us. (Quiet Walk)
Stephen told his parents that he needed to get to school early every day, but for some reason he never explained why it was so important. Yet they made sure he arrived at Northview High School by 7:15 each morning.
On a wintry day during his junior year, Stephen was in a car accident that sadly took his life. Later, his mom and dad found out why he’d been going to school so early. Each morning he and some friends had gathered at the school entrance to greet other students with a smile, a wave, and a kind word. It made all students—even those who weren’t popular—feel welcomed and accepted.
A believer in Jesus, Stephen wanted to share His joy with those who desperately needed it. His example lives on as a reminder that one of the best ways to shine the light of Christ’s love is by gestures of kindness and through a welcoming spirit.
In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus reveals that in Him we’re “the light of the world” and “a town built on a hill” (v. 14). Ancient cities were often built of white limestone, truly standing out as they reflected the blazing sun. May we choose not to be hidden but to give light “to everyone in the house” (v. 15).
And as we “let [our] light shine before others” (v. 16), may they experience the welcoming love of Christ. (By Dave Branon, Our Daily Bread)
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