The Book of Acts ~ Study Seventy-Four

"An Opportunity to Hear"


Acts 25:13-22 (NLT) A few days later King Agrippa arrived with his sister, Bernice, to pay their respects to Festus. During their stay of several days, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. “There is a prisoner here,” he told him, “whose case was left for me by Felix. When I was in Jerusalem, the leading priests and Jewish elders pressed charges against him and asked me to condemn him. I pointed out to them that Roman law does not convict people without a trial. They must be given an opportunity to confront their accusers and defend themselves.
   “When his accusers came here for the trial, I didn’t delay. I called the case the very next day and ordered Paul brought in. But the accusations made against him weren’t any of the crimes I expected. Instead, it was something about their religion and a dead man named Jesus, who Paul insists is alive. I was at a loss to know how to investigate these things, so I asked him whether he would be willing to stand trial on these charges in Jerusalem. But Paul appealed to have his case decided by the emperor. So I ordered that he be held in custody until I could arrange to send him to Caesar.”
   “I’d like to hear the man myself,” Agrippa said.
   And Festus replied, “You will—tomorrow!”

Festus didn't get it. Even after two years of meeting with Paul frequently, he still didn't get it. All he wanted from Paul was to see if he would offer him a bribe. Festus' focus was on money and what he could get from Paul. He didn't realize that Paul was offering him something that can't be found in money or prestige. Paul was offering life through Jesus. Now Festus was telling King Agrippa and his sister all about Paul and that Paul claimed that Jesus was still alive even though He had been crucified. Be sure that King Agrippa and Bernice had already heard of Jesus and Paul. They were curious to see and hear this man. Now they had their opportunity.

Acts 25:23-27 (NLT) So the next day Agrippa and Bernice arrived at the auditorium with great pomp, accompanied by military officers and prominent men of the city. Festus ordered that Paul be brought in. Then Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are here, this is the man whose death is demanded by all the Jews, both here and in Jerusalem. But in my opinion he has done nothing deserving death. However, since he appealed his case to the emperor, I have decided to send him to Rome. “But what shall I write the emperor? For there is no clear charge against him. So I have brought him before all of you, and especially you, King Agrippa, so that after we examine him, I might have something to write. For it makes no sense to send a prisoner to the emperor without specifying the charges against him!”

Who is King Agrippa? He was the son of Herod the Great also known as King Herod Agrippa the first. He was relatively young and only ruled over a small part of his father's territory known as Chalcis, northeast of Judea. Bernice was his sister. According to Josephus, a Roman historian, she was an evil woman who lived an incestuous life. And now they were both about to hear the Gospel of Jesus.

Acts 26:1-32. (NLT) Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You may speak in your defense.”
   So Paul, gesturing with his hand, started his defense: “I am fortunate, King Agrippa, that you are the one hearing my defense today against all these accusations made by the Jewish leaders, for I know you are an expert on all Jewish customs and controversies. Now please listen to me patiently!
   “As the Jewish leaders are well aware, I was given a thorough Jewish training from my earliest childhood among my own people and in Jerusalem. If they would admit it, they know that I have been a member of the Pharisees, the strictest sect of our religion. Now I am on trial because of my hope in the fulfillment of God’s promise made to our ancestors. In fact, that is why the twelve tribes of Israel zealously worship God night and day, and they share the same hope I have. Yet, Your Majesty, they accuse me for having this hope! Why does it seem incredible to any of you that God can raise the dead?
   “I used to believe that I ought to do everything I could to oppose the very name of Jesus the Nazarene. Indeed, I did just that in Jerusalem. Authorized by the leading priests, I caused many believers there to be sent to prison. And I cast my vote against them when they were condemned to death. Many times I had them punished in the synagogues to get them to curse Jesus. I was so violently opposed to them that I even chased them down in foreign cities.
   “One day I was on such a mission to Damascus, armed with the authority and commission of the leading priests. About noon, Your Majesty, as I was on the road, a light from heaven brighter than the sun shone down on me and my companions. We all fell down, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is useless for you to fight against my will.’
   “‘Who are you, lord?’ I asked.
   “And the Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. Now get to your feet! For I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and witness. You are to tell the world what you have seen and what I will show you in the future. And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’
   “And so, King Agrippa, I obeyed that vision from heaven. I preached first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that all must repent of their sins and turn to God—and prove they have changed by the good things they do. Some Jews arrested me in the Temple for preaching this, and they tried to kill me. But God has protected me right up to this present time so I can testify to everyone, from the least to the greatest. I teach nothing except what the prophets and Moses said would happen—that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead, and in this way announce God’s light to Jews and Gentiles alike.”
   Suddenly, Festus shouted, “Paul, you are insane. Too much study has made you crazy!”
   But Paul replied, “I am not insane, Most Excellent Festus. What I am saying is the sober truth. And King Agrippa knows about these things. I speak boldly, for I am sure these events are all familiar to him, for they were not done in a corner! King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do—”
   Agrippa interrupted him. “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?”
   Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.”
   Then the king, the governor, Bernice, and all the others stood and left. As they went out, they talked it over and agreed, “This man hasn’t done anything to deserve death or imprisonment.”
   And Agrippa said to Festus, “He could have been set free if he hadn’t appealed to Caesar.”

Look closely at what Paul presented to King Agrippa, Festus, Bernice and the others present. First, he told them about his life before he encountered the Christ. He was everything that a learned man would want to be. His life consisted of being respected in the high council of the Jews. He was a Pharisee, respected by his peers, the same people who were wanted him dead now. Not only was he a Pharisee, he was a murderer and sought to destroy the Church of Jesus.

What was your life like before you came to know and serve Jesus? If you aren't a believer what is your life like without Him?

Ephesians 2:1-3 (NLT) Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

Paul shared what his life was like without Jesus. We are all dead without Jesus. Our future after this life is not secure without Him. Festus, Agrippa and Bernice were living in sinful lives without the One who could bridge the gap between God and themselves. All three desparetely needed to hear the message of life through Christ that Paul gave them.

Secondly, Paul told them of his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. He was on his way to cause further pain and death to Christians. Jesus interupted his mission and set his life on a different path ~ one hundred and eigthy degrees different. That's what Jesus does when a person encounters Him and accepts Him into the position of Savior and Lord.

What was your conversion experience like? How did Christ interrupt the way you were living and set you on a different path that leads to life forever with Him?

Ephesians 2:4-10 (NLT) But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
   God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.  For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

When Jesus comes into your life and is a permanent resident in your heart, guiding and directing you in everything, you are no longer on the path that leads to death. You are on the road that leads to life. Being good isn't what saves you. God's grace through Christ saves you. Of course you want to live a life that is good because Jesus is good, but what Jesus did on the cross is what saves you.

Thirdly, Paul told them how his life was forever changed by Jesus. He was forever secure because Jesus gave him eternal life when Paul accepted Him. Instead of pursuing the death and destruction of Christians, Paul was spreading the Good News of Jesus and the forgiveness of sins that leads to eternal life. What an about face.

Lives that are changed by Jesus are lives that take on a new role and new meaning. All we are to do is to direct others to Jesus and bring Him into focus. You see the person without Jesus is blurred on matters of Jesus. The Holy Spirit pursues them and beckons them to Him. Sometimes people just flat out refuse Him, but when they accept Him, eternity is theirs. Their lives are His and are set on a new path.

What is your life like now since Jesus has come into your heart? If you haven't accepted Him, what keeps you from doing so?

2 Corinthians 6:16-17 (NLT) So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

Do you want a fresh start? Christ Jesus is the only way to that fresh start. Nothing else works. He is the way to a new fulfilling life. If you are a believer and don't feel like your life is on the right path then you need to evaluate how you are living. Are you allowing Him to rule and reign in your life? Are you in Christian fellowship? Do you study the Bible? Do you pray?

Festus shouted, “Paul, you are insane. Too much study has made you crazy!” The world thinks that Christians are crazy. There's a puzzle piece missing when they try and understand us. The Holy Spirit is the only one who can put the pieces together. He woos the unbeliever. We see that these three people didn't accept Paul's words about Jesus. They heard the Good News but probably didn't receive it.

John 3: 31-36 (NLT)  “He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. We are of the earth, and we speak of earthly things, but he has come from heaven and is greater than anyone else. He testifies about what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them! Anyone who accepts his testimony can affirm that God is true. For he is sent by God. He speaks God’s words, for God gives him the Spirit without limit. The Father loves his Son and has put everything into his hands. And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”

The Scriptures make it clear. Anyone who believes in Jesus has eternal life. Anyone who doesn't will never experience eternal life but eternal judgment, plain and simple. Its a scary thought to reject Jesus but many do. Pray that those in your life that don't know Him will come to know and believe Him. Touch your world like Paul touched those in His. Don't be afraid to speak of Jesus. He will give you the words to say. If you don't believe in Jesus, I encourage you to investigate His claims. You owe it to yourself.