Even in prison Paul has an opportunity to witness before the new governor and king.
Acts 25: Paul Appeals to Caesar
1 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 favour against Paul that he summon him to Jerusalem---because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way.
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."
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.
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.
8 Paul argued in his defence, "Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense."
9 But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favour, said to Paul, "Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?"
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."
Paul Before Agrippa and Bernice
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 defence concerning the charge laid against him.
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.
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."
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.
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."
Acts 26: Paul's Defence Before Agrippa
1 So Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defence:
2 "I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defence today against all the accusations of the Jews,
3 especially because you are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.
4 "My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews.
5 They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee.
6 And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers,
7 to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king!
8 Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?
9 "I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
10 And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them.
11 And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
Paul Tells of His Conversion
12 "In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.
13 At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me.
14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'
15 And I said, 'Who are you, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.
16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you,
17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles---to whom I am sending you
18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'
19 "Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,
20 but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.
21 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.
22 To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass:
23 that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles."
24 And as he was saying these things in his defence, Festus said with a loud voice, "Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind."
25 But Paul said, "I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words.
26 For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner.
27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe."
28 And Agrippa said to Paul, "In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?"
29 And Paul said, "Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am---except for these chains."
30 Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them.
31 And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, "This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment."
32 And Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar."
Things to think about…
1. Paul becomes a bit of a prison celebrity; a bit like Julian Assange was in the past, only with a different character may I suggest. Festus like Felix before him was a morally weak man and as such feared the Jews more than the law and would not deal justly with Paul. Festus wanted to hand Paul over to the Jews, Acts 25:9. Paul as a Roman citizen is left with only one option and that is to appeal to Caesar, vs 12. Remember the Lord had told Paul that he would testify in Rome. This would be the case and these events were used to bring it about. So the question might be asked, ‘how much was Paul involved and how much of it was under the predetermining hand of God?’ The answer is that both worked in unison with each other. God determined the circumstances and Paul took the opportunity.
2. Festus allows Paul to be presented before King Agrippa and Bernice, Acts 25:13-27. This was not really a trial but a point of spectacle as Paul had already appealed to Caesar. No doubt Paul’s fame had spread to the entire region and King Agrippa wanted to hear from the famous prisoner, vss 22, 23.
3. What does Paul use as a defence before King Agrippa? He simply shares his testimony. He speaks about his former life as a Pharisaic Jew and how he also persecuted the very people whom he would later identify with in Christ. He testifies to the heavenly voice and vision Acts 26:5-19. Paul testifies the same as he did before the Jews over 2 years earlier as recorded in Acts 22. He shares his testimony, only here he shares more about what the Lord Jesus said to him and what his calling and purpose would involve. Our testimony has power and as such it should be part of our presentation of the gospel. Always be willing to share your testimony with others. It makes the gospel become very present for your hearers, rather than be a religion consigned to the first century.
4. Paul says that King Agrippa knows of all the history surrounding his faith and the events surrounding Jesus’ life and ministry by saying that the events had “not been done in a corner”, Acts 26:26. Agrippa is confronted by the weight of Paul’s words and asks if Paul would so easily persuade him to become a Christian. Many people like Agrippa know when truth is being spoken, but sadly supress the truth in their unrighteousness, Rom 1:18. It is only the Spirit of God that can remove this veil. Sadly, for Agrippa this didn’t happen for him. This Agrippa is the son of the Agrippa who didn’t rebuke the people after they called him ‘a god’ in Acts 12:20-23. We know he died a tragic and painful death as a result. We are all given an opportunity to know more and accept truth or close our hearts and minds and reject the message. Sadly, this Agrippa, like his father after hearing Paul closed off his mind to truth when he had the opportunity to accept it
5. Agrippa acknowledges that there was nothing in the allegations and says Paul ‘could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar’, Acts 26:32. This is true, but sadly Paul was a political prisoner and truth and justice had nothing to do with his case. Jesus was treated the same way and was not given a fair trial. All of these things aside, God had a greater plan through it all. The same was the case with Paul. It is also true for us that the Lord will get glory from our lives even when we feel that things are not fair or an injustice has been done.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Life groups Wednesdays. 6:30pm every Wednesday. 5:30pm prayer.
Young adult Life group – This week – The trinity in the OT. After church on Sunday.
Prayer Points
1. Visitors who heard the Blessed Life part 2 – Seeking God first.
2. Pray for Helen who has badly damaged her meniscus. She is recovering at home.
3. Pray for Lauren and family in South Africa for the Lord’s peace, comfort and grace.
4. Keep praying for Anna and the Playgroup on Fridays, pray for more families to be reached.
5. Pray for Chaplaincy and Kids Hope at Karalee State School.
6. The families of the shooting victims at the Trump rally last week. Pray for peace over the US elections
7. The ongoing conflict in Israel and Ukraine.
8. Church finances to continue to grow and expenses to be more than met.
9. Pray for Kids@Church, Life groups. Young Adults.
10. Mathys has a prayer time at church on Monday and Wednesday afternoons, 5:30pm at church. He would be happy for you to join him and to send prayer requests.
11. Pray about the possibility and planning of a Farmers Market at Chuwar Baptist Church on Saturdays. Anastasia taking the lead on this. Pray for us as we plan
12. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you to be saved. Pray for the blessing over the new pastoral care and hosting program.
13. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to increase.
Praise Points
1. New folk this week.
2. Worship team did a great job.
3. Praise God for young people stepping up in the worship ministry.
4. Playgroup is a great encouragement for our church.
5. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. The blessed life – Part 3 “Life not Law”. This Sunday morning
2. Working bee Saturday morning 27th July. Please contact Che for a list jobs and requirements.
3. Kids at Church – The Blessed life – Life not law part 3. Anastasia leading.
4. Ron Naylor – Creation Ministries International coming to CBC on the 18th Aug 6pm
5. Monday and Wednesday evening prayer at church 5:30-6:30pm
6. Life Group Wednesday 6:30pm at church – start back this week.
7. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
8. Tune in again this week on our YouTube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for July...
Q. 22. What is Sin? A. Sin is any transgression of the law of God.
Bible References – 1Jn.3:4; Rom.3:20; James 2:9-11
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” Jer 33:3
