seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Acts 25:13 A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. 14 Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. He said: “There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner. 15 When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and asked that he be condemned.
16 “I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over anyone before they have faced their accusers and have had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges. 17 When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court the next day and ordered the man to be brought in. 18 When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. 19 Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. 20 I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges. 21 But when Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”
22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.”
He replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.”
Finally, Jesus is in the conversation. They hinted about him in the other chapters... but finally here he is. Jesus is a dead man who Paul claimed was alive.Now let's meet the king. This is from the commentary.
King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea: Herod Agrippa II ruled a client kingdom of the Roman Empire to the northeast of Festus’ province. Agrippa was known as an expert in Jewish customs and religious matters. Though he did not have jurisdiction over Paul in this case, his hearing of the matter would be helpful for Festus.
i. Of this King Agrippa, his great-grandfather had tried to kill Jesus as a baby; his grandfather had John the Baptist beheaded; his father had martyred the first apostle, James. Now Paul stood before the next in line of the Herods, Herod Agrippa.
ii. Bernice was Agrippa’s sister. Secular history records rumors that their relationship was incestuous.
iii. Herod Agrippa II didn’t rule over much territory, but he was of great influence because the emperor gave him the right to oversee the affairs of the temple in Jerusalem and the appointment of the high priest.
And finally, the conversation has turned. This is from the same commentary.They brought no accusation against him of such things as I supposed: Festus was surprised, thinking that their accusations against Paul were unimportant. Their accusations focused on matters of their religion and a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
i. It is amusing to think of the religious leaders protesting to Festus that Paul won’t stop talking about the risen Jesus, and hoping that the governor would make Paul stop.
ii. The words “a certain Jesus” show that Festus didn’t know much about Jesus. It is good to remember that the great and important people of Paul’s day didn’t know much about Jesus, and they had to be told. “Brethren, this is why we must keep on preaching Jesus Christ, because he is still so little known. The masses of this city are as ignorant of Jesus as Festus was.” (Spurgeon)
Finally, it's not about how Paul was wronged. Finally, it's about Christ Crucified.... or was it. I guess I'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out if Jesus is the main focus, or if Paul is just going to be barking in his own defense. Remember Billy Graham? I've always enjoyed Billy Graham. It broke my heart when he passed. This morning Billy Graham came to mind. I was thinking about how Billy Graham would have acted if it were him instead of Paul going through all this.
I don't think Billy Graham would have made himself the center of the argument. "I'm an American! Hear me roar! Take me to the President. Take me to the Supreme Court!". Nope.... I think Billy Graham would have led with Jesus was Crucified because the earth needed a Sacrificial Lamb. Billy would have led with "Jesus Loves You. He gave His Life for you". Billy Graham would defend his statement by explaining how innocent Jesus really was. Billy Graham whould have reminded us, "The only crime Jesus ever committed was committed when He overturned the Venders tables in the Temple Court. Other than that... he was just too popular. The reason He was so popular, was that He was kind to everyone."
Paul is not a Billy Graham. He claims to have seen the light. But... IMHO.... He doesn't seem to be shining much light, except on himself. Now maybe he will talk about Jesus.
Paul is not a Billy Graham.
