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Questions for Acts 25:1-26:32

Key verses 26:29

PAUL PREACHES THE GOSPEL TO KING AGRIPPA

1. What led to the reopening of Paul’s trial after a two-year delay (25:1-6)? Why do you think Festus asked Paul if he wanted to be tried in Jerusalem (9)? What might have motivated Paul to appeal to Caesar (10-12)?
2. Why do you think Festus shared Paul’s case with King Agrippa when he visited him (13-21a)? What did Festus request from Agrippa when he brought Paul before him (21b-27)? What do you think about Paul’s situation standing before King Agrippa?
3. How did Paul begin his defense before King Agrippa (26:1-8)? What details did Paul share with Agrippa about encountering Jesus (9-15)? In what ways did Paul demonstrate obedience to the vision from heaven (16-23)?
4. Why do you think Festus interrupted Paul’s defense (24)? How did Paul challenge King Agrippa spiritually (25-29)? What conclusion did Agrippa and Festus reach after hearing Paul’s defense (30-32)?

Acts 2024 Juan Seo (Nov 3, 2024)

PAUL PREACHES THE GOSPEL TO KING AGRIPPA

Acts 25:1-26:32

Key Verse 26:29

Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

Last week, we learned about Governor Felix, who had the opportunity to accept the gospel but rejected it out of fear. Do you remember what Felix said to Paul? “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” However, two years later, Felix was recalled to Rome. It appears that he never accepted the gospel, missing his opportunity and ending his life in misery. The new governor who replaced Felix was Festus. Festus was much more reasonable and just than Felix. He was appointed as the procurator of Judea by the Roman Emperor Nero in AD 60 and passed away in AD 62, just two years later. Though his term was very short, Festus played a crucial role in sending Paul to Rome.

Festus was a diligent official. Three days after arriving in Caesarea as the governor of Judea, he went to Jerusalem to meet with the chief priests and Jewish leaders. At that time, the Jewish leaders presented the charges against Paul. They requested that Festus, as a favor to them, have Paul transferred to Jerusalem. Their intent was to prepare an ambush and kill Paul along the way. Even after two years, they were still eager to kill Paul. Fortunately, Festus did not accept their request and decided to hold the trial for Paul in Caesarea. The day after arriving in Caesarea, Festus opened the trial for Paul. The Jews who came down from Jerusalem brought many charges against him. But they could not prove their charges against Paul. When it was Paul’s turn to defend himself, he said, “I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar.” In this way, Paul declared his innocence.

At that time, Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, asked Paul if he was willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial there. Festus considered his relationship with the Jewish leaders important, so he wanted to gain their favor. However, Paul clearly stated that he was now standing before Caesar’s court. He emphasized that the charges against him were not true, and no one had the right to hand him over to them. Then he firmly said, “I appeal to Caesar!” Paul was a Roman citizen, and Roman citizens had the right to appeal to the Emperor.

There were two main reasons why Paul appealed to Caesar. First, Paul faced a constant threat of assassination as soon as he left Roman custody. The only way to ensure his survival was to leave the Judean region. Therefore, he sought to go to Rome under the protection of the Roman military. Second, Paul had a great desire to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in Rome. Last Friday, Missionary Moses Kang mentioned that he had seen the phrase “Omnes viae Romam ducunt” in Rome, a Latin phrase meaning “All roads lead to Rome.” The Roman road network was indeed vast, stretching across the Roman Empire. Paul envisioned the gospel spreading worldwide through the Roman road system. For this reason, he wanted to go to Rome, even as a prisoner, to share the gospel. So he appealed to Caesar, as he needed to go to Rome to have his trial before the Emperor.

Festus had no choice but to declare publicly, “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!” Imagine the reaction of the high priest and the Jewish religious leaders upon hearing this news. Their disappointment must have been immense, as they had been determined to kill Paul. Now, they had to give up their plans to take his life, for Paul was beyond their reach. This was because God was protecting Paul. Do you remember the vision Paul received from Jesus when he narrowly escaped death before the Sanhedrin and was left alone at night? “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” Just as Jesus had given Paul that vision, He was now protecting him and guiding him toward Rome.

However, Festus faced a problem when he planned to send Paul to Rome. He was required to write a letter to Caesar about Paul’s case, but he had no idea what to include. During this time, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. The King Agrippa mentioned here is Marcus Julius Agrippa II, the son of Herod Agrippa I and the great-grandson of Herod the Great. He ruled Galilee and the northern region, and he was the last king of the Herodian dynasty. Bernice was the eldest daughter of Herod Agrippa I and the sister of Agrippa II. She had left her husband and was living in her brother Agrippa II’s palace. Although she was not a queen, she lived in great luxury and was even called a “great queen.” When Governor Festus shared his dilemma regarding Paul with King Agrippa, Agrippa offered to meet Paul himself. His motivation was not interest in Paul, but rather a desire to assist Festus and win his favor.

Look at verse 23: “The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high-ranking military officers and the prominent men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.” King Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp. “Great pomp” suggests that Agrippa and Bernice arrived in an almost parade-like fashion, designed to display their wealth and authority. Agrippa would have been dressed in royal garments adorned with purple color. Bernice would have appeared in a beautiful dress with jewelry. They entered the audience room accompanied by high-ranking military officers and the prominent men of the city. Just imagine how they boast their power and wealth as they come to meet Paul.

In contrast, what would Paul have looked like as he was brought before them? Paul would likely have been wearing worn and humble clothing. After being held as a prisoner for two years, his face would have looked skinny. Without access to proper grooming, his face would likely appear unkempt and dirty. His hands would be bound in chains. Standing before King Agrippa and Bernice, who were dressed in splendid clothing, Paul’s appearance would have been utterly humble and lowly by comparison.

Imagine the contrasting appearances of King Agrippa and the Apostle Paul. Which position would you want to be in? Would you prefer to live a life like the powerful and wealthy King Agrippa and Bernice, or would you choose a life like Paul’s, appearing weak and humble? Many of us might prefer the life of King Agrippa and Queen Bernice, with their wealth and authority, rather than Paul’s life, which is marked by suffering and humility. Some might even question why Christians often seem to be poor and powerless in the world. Additionally, there’s a belief that if people with great wealth or power become Christians, their influence could lead many others to Jesus. Because of this, when powerful figures, wealthy individuals, popular celebrities, athletes, or influencers become Christians, they are often praised and celebrated. But why didn’t God make a great servant like the Apostle Paul into someone powerful, wealthy, and popular in the world? Why did He instead have Paul present the gospel to the kings of the world as a powerless, poor, and humble prisoner?

We can find the answer in Jesus Christ. Though He was the Son of God and the Prince of the kingdom of Heaven, Jesus was born on this earth as the son of a poor carpenter. He called people of humble status to be His disciples and lived together with them. He lived as a poor evangelist, traveling all over Judea to preach the gospel. In the end, He suffered at the hands of Jewish religious leaders and Roman authorities and was crucified on the cross. However, on the third day, He rose from the dead and entered into God’s glory. Through His life, Jesus showed His followers how they should live in the world.

The Apostle Paul understood Jesus’ life well and strove to imitate it. In 1 Corinthians 1:26-29, he says: “Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.” God desires to use the foolish, the weak, and the lowly to humble those who consider themselves wise, strong, and lofty. Through those who are foolish, weak, and lowly, God wants His glory to be revealed. This is precisely why God allowed Paul to share the gospel with the world’s powerful figures as a humble prisoner. Therefore, we have no need to envy the powerful, the wealthy, or the popular in this world. Instead, we should earnestly pray that God would use us, in our ignorance, weakness, and lowliness, to reveal His glory.

King Agrippa sat in a position of authority and granted Paul permission to present his defense. In response, the Apostle Paul respectfully thanked King Agrippa and began his defense. However, as we examine the content closely, we can see that Paul was focused on sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone present, including King Agrippa, Bernice, Governor Festus, and all who were listening.

Paul began by explaining that he was on trial because of his hope in the promise God had given to his ancestors—a promise that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead. He pointed out that some Jews who did not believe in the resurrection of the dead were accusing him. He then shared his personal testimony, explaining that he himself had once persecuted followers of Jesus but encountered the risen Christ on the road to Damascus. Paul testified that Jesus had sent him to preach forgiveness of sins to both Jews and Gentiles. Obeying the vision from heaven, Paul preached repentance to those in Damascus, Jerusalem, all Judea, and to the Gentiles. Through his defense, Paul delivered the message of the gospel to everyone in the room.

As Paul continued his testimony, Festus could no longer contain himself and shouted, “You are out of your mind, Paul! Your great learning is driving you insane.” Festus was a rational and logical man, yet it seems that he lost his patience while listening to Paul’s defense, leading him to raise his voice. For Festus, the idea of the dead being raised was hard to accept. Furthermore, when Paul mentioned encountering the risen Jesus, Festus began to think Paul was insane.

I understand Festus’s reaction because I once felt the same way. Before I had a personal encounter with Jesus, I used to think Christians were crazy. They believed in God they couldn’t see and called Jesus, who was born in Judea 2000 years ago, their Savior. I questioned whether they were truly rational. There may be people around you who think you’re out of your mind for coming to church on Sundays, worshiping, and serving. So, if someone says to you, “You are out of your mind because of Jesus,” you can take it as a sign that you are living a life of faith well and give thanks to God.

How did the Apostle Paul respond to Festus’s remark? “I am not insane, most excellent Festus. What I am saying is true and reasonable.” Paul’s reply was clear. He stated that his words were not only true but also reasonable. Furthermore, he mentioned that the king was familiar with these things. Then Paul turned to King Agrippa and said, “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.” How bold and challenging were Paul’s words! King Agrippa was well-versed in Jewish law and customs, so he understood Paul’s testimony. Yet, when Paul suddenly challenged him with the question, “Do you believe the prophets? I know you do,” Agrippa was taken aback and felt uncomfortable. His pride would not allow him to openly agree with Paul in front of everyone. So he replied in a mocking tone, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” His response implies that he was almost half-persuaded. Yet how difficult it must be for someone of high status and great wealth to humbly confess their sins and accept Jesus in front of so many people!

However, the Apostle Paul did not retreat but boldly replied. Let’s read verse 29 together: “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” What a response filled with conviction! Paul declared that time was not the issue. When the Holy Spirit moves, a person can accept Jesus as the Christ in a minute—or even a second. Paul expressed his desire for not only King Agrippa but also everyone present to accept Jesus and receive salvation. Such was Paul’s passion and dedication to spreading the gospel, pouring out his whole heart for his mission. The Apostle Paul stood boldly before the king, governor, military officers, and prominent men of the city, showing no sign of intimidation as he proclaimed the gospel. How was he able to do this?

First, Paul had a firm conviction in the gospel of Jesus Christ. He believed that no matter how powerful or noble they were, everyone needed the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul was convinced that anyone, through the power of the gospel, could be saved and live for the glory of God.

Second, Paul was absolutely obedient in fulfilling the mission he received from Jesus Christ. He recognized that standing before King Agrippa and Governor Festus was a golden opportunity to carry out the mission Jesus had entrusted to him. Paul never forgot his calling and seized every chance to fulfill that mission.

Third, Paul lived with hope in the kingdom of God. He looked forward to the reward he would receive in God’s kingdom and set aside earthly ambitions. This hope enabled him to declare before his death, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

I pray that we, like the Apostle Paul, have a firm conviction in the gospel and hope in the kingdom of God, boldly proclaiming the gospel with confidence. Amen.