投稿者: Tomio Ohashi

              Today I would like to talk about what is necessary to make a decision of faith.  In today’s passage Festus and Agrippa’s reaction to Paul’s defense is recorded.  The climax of Paul’s defense is verse 23.  The central point of Paul’s message is the cross and resurrection.  Not only that, but this was a vision from heaven.  Through this vision Paul knew that the Messiah, the Savior, that is written about in the Old Testament must be Jesus Christ. Paul explains this by beginning with the way he lived in the past. Today let’s look how Festus and Agrippa reacted to what Paul said. Let’s look at three things that are necessary to make a decision of faith both through Festus and Agrippa’s reaction to Paul’s message and from Paul’s words.

I.                A true and reasonable Word (vs. 24-26)

Just as Paul is getting to the height of his message, all at once Festus yelled, “You are out of your mind, Paul…Your great learning is driving you insane.” (24)  Paul had been speaking to Agrippa, not Festus, so for Festus to interrupt like that was not only very impolite, but wrong. He said this because he was not able to comprehend what Paul was saying.  It was very hard for him to listen about the cross. For Festus who was a Roman the resurrection itself was something of another world. Therefore he thought that Paul’s great learning had driven him insane.  In reality the problem was that he couldn’t understand, but he put the blame on Paul. He’s saying that Paul is saying strange things and that is why he can’t understand.  This is how man is.  Things that he can’t understand, he blames on other people. Even when the problem is within himself that he can’t understand, he says that the contents are too difficult or the person who is speaking is not right, and put the blame on others. However, the real problem, is not others, but himself.  He has to admit that.

Paul’s response to Festus’ words are recorded in verse 25. Paul did not think he was insane.  Of course, no one thinks that they themselves are insane.  However, he had a reason why he could say so.  That was because the words that he was speaking were “true and reasonable.” (25)  The word used for reasonable is the opposite of insane.  What Paul is saying was for Festus maybe insane, but it is “true and reasonable”. (25)  Commonly, even if a custom has no meaning, if everyone is doing it, then a person who does not do it is labeled as “strange”.  Humans have such strange ways of measuring people.  Therefore, they say things like, “You don’t want the shrine’s paper,( an image of god, that if you hang in your house, it will watch over you), and still you are Japanese?”

However, Christians are different.  It doesn’t depend upon whether others are doing it or not, but what is the truth.  If it is true and correct, then we follow it. This is the Christian standard for behavior.

Matt. 7:13,14

The gate to the road to destruction is big and the road is wide so there are a lot of people going on it.  However, just because everyone is choosing that road doesn’t mean that that road is correct.  The gate to the road of life is small and the road is narrow.  There are very few taking that road.  However, the truth will save people.  The truth doesn’t change or isn’t different in the East or the West. Even if a person in prisoner clothes speaks it, the truth is the truth.  Position or status or the amount of people involved makes no difference in deciding the truth. Truth is verified by whether or not it can really save people.

Romans 1:16

This is the real truth.  These words which are of value to our faith are “true and reasonable.” (25)

II.          You can persuade me to be a Christian  (vs. 26-28)

              Festus barged into the conversation and it was temporarily interrupted, but Paul starts talking once again to King Agrippa.  He wanted somehow for King Agrippa to believe.  Therefore, he explains what Jesus’ cross and resurrection is. In other words, “it was not done in a corner,” (26) but was something that everyone knows about and “none of this has escaped his (King Agrippa’s) notice”. (26)  Jesus Christ died on the cross and 3 days later rose again is an historical fact. Everyone knows it.  It is surely not a myth that the Christian church has made up.  To withdraw from looking at such facts causes our lives to fall apart. That’s because our lives are established upon such facts.  Therefore, accepting such facts is not impossible, but natural. Rather it is strange not to accept them.

              Not only that, but Paul continues on in verse 27, “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets?  I know you do.”  Here Paul is starting a little at time to enter the core of his talk.  Paul urges King Agrippa by taking up the Old Testament which the Jewish King Agrippa should have known well and was the source of the Jews lives and which the King Agrippa should believe in. Paul is saying that if King Agrippa correctly believed in the Old Testament, then he should believe that Christ rose.  Paul is developing his logic standing upon the same foundation of the Old Testament that King Agrippa believed in. 

              Here King Agrippa is also beaten.  If he says he doesn’t believe then he couldn’t say he was a real Jewish believer. It would also put a crack in his position as King. However, if he said yes and accepted it would mean he would have to accept Christ’s Gospel too.  Agrippa didn’t know what to say. Finally he said the words recorded in verse 28.  These words came from hostility rising out of pride.  He thought he wasn’t that simple minded.  His hidden feelings were that he wouldn’t believe that easily.   However on the other hand, in such a short time his heart had been moved is a fact and in a short time he was close to becoming a Christian.  That was his honest thought.  However, the many things that King Agrippa had like, his status and position in society, the influence that he has on others, his prestige as king pressed against his heart and dispelled his heart. Therefore, I think the thought that he couldn’t easily believe in the words of Paul sprung up in his heart.

              Around us there are surprisingly a lot of people like this. They are convinced by hearing different talks. However, by believing easily they would hate to be thought of as superficial person. They think that they should take their time in believing.  When they are about to believe, the reality of their position, or the effect it will have on other people puts pressure on their hearts and dispels their hearts so they say things like “I still don’t know the Bible well so after I study more, I will believe.” or “I’ll study a little at a time.”  However, even if it’s only been a short time, or by an easy way, there is no reason that you can’t become a Christian. Depending on the person the way they enter the faith is different. It is important that when you think that you want to believe in Christ, to simply and obediently receive Christ. To believe simply is not to be a simple person, but is evidence that your heart is obedient.  That’s because whether a person believes obediently or not depends on the hardness of sin in that person. A person who doesn’t seem to ever believe and accept the Lord has a hard heart because of sin.

              All 3 gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke record the event of the children coming to Jesus and the disciples tell them that Jesus is too busy to deal with them.  However, Jesus gives his reaction in Luke 18:16-18

              God’s kingdom is made up of people that are like children, who obediently accept Christ in their hearts.

              Hebrews 4:7

              If we hear God’s voice we need to be careful not to allow our hearts to become hard.  When you hear the Gospel, how do you accept it? Are you like King Agrippa and dodge the issue with, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” (28)   Or are you like people who heard Paul talk at the Areopagus in Athens who said, “We want to hear you again” (17:32) and put off making a decision?  Or are you like Felix and his wife who said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” (24:25) and just continually put off the decision. It is important that we don’t dodge make a decision nor put off the decision. nor continually avoid putting off the decision, but to see the problem as your own, deal effectively with the problem, and don’t allow your hearts to become hard and become like a child and simply and obediently accept the Gospel.

III.         Fix your eyes upon God’s grace (vs. 29)

              Paul’s response to Agrippa’s remark, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” (28) is recorded in verse 29.  These are really bold words. Paul who is a prisoner in chains professes to the king and governor, “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.” (29) It is difficult for us to say, “become what I am.” (29) However, Paul says boldly, “Become what I am.” (29)  That was not because he was a model Christian, a model evangelist, and was a model man of character. It was because he had the experience of the light that he testified to King Agrippa about.  In other words, Paul who persecuted Christ became a person who proclaimed Christ. A person under the power of Satan became a person living under the power of Christ.  Grace was a matter of fact.  It was nothing more than thankfulness.  This sinful me was saved and now I am living in the light.  This joy is thankfulness.  This is what Paul meant by “become what I am.” (29)

              Are you like King Agrippa with your pride controlling you so that you are always concerned about what others think of you and so even though in your heart you want to believe, that is always pulling you and keeping you from making a decision for faith. Looking at Paul we can see that even though he was in chains the experience of grace made him totally blessed.  This was a huge decision that brought him from the dark to the light, from death to life, from judgment to life. The time to make this decision is now.

              II Cor. 6:2

              Let’s not miss this chance to make this decision, respond to the invitation to light and receive grace.

              In today’s passage Paul’s defense before King Agrippa is recorded.  When King Agrippa and his sister, Bernice, visited the governor Festus, Festus told them about Paul.  The King wanted to hear what Paul had to say so Paul was brought before him and Paul gave his defense.  The central thing that Paul wanted to say was verse 19 and 20.

              Paul wanted to say that the reason that he was proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ was that it was a vision from heaven.  Therefore, Paul was not disobedient to this vision and to those in Damascus, in Judea, and also to the Gentiles, he preached to all people “that they should repent and turn to God, and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.” (20) Today let’s look at three aspects of not being “disobedient to the vision from heaven”.

I.                It is hard for you to kick against the goads (vs. 1-14)

First let’s look at verses 1-3.   First Paul says politely and formally that he considers himself fortunate to be able to make his defense before King Agrippa. He felt fortunate because he thought this was a chance to share the Gospel.  On the way to Damascus when Paul was converted, the Lord spoke these words about Paul in Acts 9:15. “This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.” 

As these words say, now Paul has the chance to testify of Christ before King Agrippa.  This is just what the Lord had told Ananias that he would do. No matter if he’s a prisoner in chains or that he his being questioned out of mockery, if there is a chance to share the Gospel, then for Paul this is being fortunate.  This is not just Paul. We are the same.  We too at times are misunderstood or are hurt by persecution.  We would be really blessed if no matter how we are hurt or misunderstood, we see it as a chance to preach the Gospel.

After Paul expresses his thankfulness, he gives his defense which is recorded in verses 4 to 11. First he tells King Agrippa that he “conformed to the strictest sect” of the Jews, “living as a Pharisee.” (5)  He claims that all the Jewish people know that it is true and a fact that he lived as a Pharisee.  However, he is on trial for following the teaching of the Pharisees and putting his “hope in what God has promised our ancestors.” (6) This promise is what the twelve tribes were “hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night.” (7)  This is the promise of the resurrection of the dead. Let’s look at verse 8.

The resurrection of the dead was something, except for a small group of people like the Sadducees, that the Jews hoped in. Regardless of that hope, when they heard the announcement of Jesus’ resurrection, they rapidly stumbled.  It is strange.  Those who looked forward to the resurrection of the dead when Jesus rose, not only were they not able to accept it, but they were against those who insisted that Jesus rose.

Paul was the same. In verse 9 he says about himself, “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth.” (8)  Not only did he just think that but in verse 10 in Jerusalem he “put many of the Lord’s people in prison,” and voted that they be put to death.  Not only that in verse 11 he went from synagogue to synagogue to have the Christians punished, and “tried to force them to blaspheme.” Paul was so obsessed with persecuting them that he “even hunted them down in foreign cities.”

Paul who believed in and looked forward to the resurrection of the dead when he heard about the resurrection of Jesus, not only did he refute the fact, but he stumbled and was strongly repulsed by the teaching.  In his head he believed in the resurrection, but when he heard that it actually occurred he could not consent to it.  This was because in his heart he had a conviction about the cross.  He was convinced that Jesus who had died on the cross could never be the Messiah.   This is because the Old Testament taught that, “anyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse.” (Deut. 21:23, Galatians 3:13)  He couldn’t believe that Jesus who died cursed by God could have risen.  Of course passages like Isaiah 53:4-6 prophesize such things, but he thought there was no way the Messiah would be hung on the cross and die.

This is the stumbling block of Jesus.  At the same time this is the Gospel of Christ.  This is because Jesus took upon himself the pain and curses and died in our place.  Then because he rose again to life, we can have real hope in the resurrection of the dead.  This sounds absurd. However, even if it seems absurd, if we don’t believe in Christ, there is no way that hope can exist in us.

It bothers us when we can’t understand things fully or we can’t explain things with our heads.  However we need to accept the Bible like a child and believe it.  There is no other way to salvation.

Paul had an event happen in his life that led him to devote his life to the Lord.  It happened on the way to Damascus.  There he met the risen Lord.  He tells us about this even in verses 12-14.

This is the 3^rd time that Paul tells us about his conversion (also in chapters 9 and 22)  However, each time he tells it there is a different audience and setting so the contents are just a little different.   One difference is in this passage the resurrected Lord, Jesus, speaks to Paul in Aramaic.  This does not appear in the other conversion testimonies. What the Lord said in Aramaic is “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?  It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” (14)

Goads were whips made out of thorns that were used to send the cows away to work.  When the farmer walked behind the cow holding the reigns with his left hand, and in his right hand held a 2 to 3 meter long goad.  When the cow stopped walking he would use the goad.   And often the cow would kick against the goad, but it would hurt.  Therefore in the end the cow would have to walk as the farmer directed.  When Jesus said to Saul, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads” (14), He meant that no matter how furious Paul got and he went against God and persecuted the church it was in the end the same as kicking the goads.  It would mean getting hurt, and sinking in sin.

That would be what Paul is saying in verse 19 “disobedient to the vision from heaven.” “It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” We have all experienced this many times.  We kick against the goads wanting to go our own way.  We go our own way hurting all the time. We get hurt and actually aren’t happy. Kicking the goads only hurt and we aren’t really happy. God has his plan.  There is a road that he wants us to walk.  Walking on that road is the most natural and has the most happiness.  What is this road?

II.              The vision from heaven (vs.15-18)

Next let’s look at the vision from heaven, God’s road.  Let’s look at verse 15.  When Paul asked, ”Who are you, Lord?” (15), Jesus answered, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” (15)  For Paul, to say that Jesus of Nazareth was God’s son, the Savior (Christ) was to blaspheme.   It was something that he couldn’t definitely do, It was something unforgivable.  That is why he had come to Damascus. He was going there to punish those who insisted such things about Jesus.  Regardless, Jesus said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” (15)  This showed him that what he believed in what was totally wrong.  He thought that there was no possibility that Jesus of Nazareth was God’s sons, Christ. In reality Jesus was the Son of God.  No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t understand it.  That was the vision from heaven.

Up until now Paul was not able to comprehend that Jesus was the son of God.  No matter how much he thought about it in his head, he was not able to give birth to such thinking.  He wasn’t able to stand the central aspects of the Gospel either.  It was “the vision from heaven” that completely changed his thinking. Then the Lord spoke to him the words recorded in verses 16-19.

These words are not recorded in 9:22.  These words tell us why the resurrected Lord appeared to Paul and the purpose of doing so.   Jesus has appeared to Paul to appoint him as a servant and as a witness of what he has seen and will see of Christ. He is being sent out to tell the people about what he has experienced that they will have their eyes opened, that they will turn “from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith” in Christ. (18)

This is the vision that Paul received from heaven.  Therefore, the correct understanding of the Gospel the zealousness Paul had for evangelism was not a human enthusiasm.  It was completely revealed by the vision from heaven.

This is something that we can say about our salvation and evangelism too.  No matter how much we think about it in our heads, we cannot have a correct understanding of the Gospel.  A correct understanding of the Gospel begins when a sudden light from heaven hits us, and knocks us to the ground. By the vision from heaven the way we used to think and the ideas we had that was our foundation and the lifestyle drenched with self that we have had up until now in a blink of the eye is broken down. The Bible calls this devoting our lives to God.

Before Jacob had to have this experience in order to receive the blessing of God.  This is recorded in Genesis 32.  He heard that his brother Esau was coming to meeting him and he was so nervous that he was unable to sleep all night.  He had the experience of wrestling all night with God.   “His hip was wrenched as he wrestled.”( Genesis 32:25) However this experience changed him into a real vessel of God.  In the same way, in order for us to experience anew the Gospel we need to take ourselves out of the center of our lives and devote ourselves to God.

Jesus said to Nicodemus, “No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” (John 3:3) The word “again” means “from above”.  No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born from above.

Paul was born anew “from above”, in other words, “from heaven’s”            awesome power and vision and he was able to find a new direction of living.  Also, his extreme enthusiasm for evangelism was the same.  We too, if we are not born by the grace and power from above, we can not be born anew. If we have no vision from above, then we can not evangelize enthusiastically.

III.            Do not be disobedient to the vision from heaven (vs. 19-23)

Paul “was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.  First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles” (19, 20) Paul “preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.” (20)  The root of Paul’s evangelism was “the vision from heaven”.  The change in his life was not the result of meditating over and over again.  It was from the “the vision heaven.”   He preached to “repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds” (20) “to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles” (20) was because of the vision from heaven. He couldn’t be disobedient to this vision of heaven, but was obedient and chose to follow this road.

This is really important.  If we can follow this vision, then we can be obedient to it.   Jesus said, “It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” (14)  Jesus didn’t say, “Don’t kick.”  You can kick, but it will hurt.  In other words, we are given the choice to not be disobedient and to believe and follow or to kick.  Paul was not disobedient and followed.  How about you? We must me a decision to not be disobedient to the vision from heaven if we don’t want to be wounded and hurt. We need to not just believe and have our sins forgiven and then live our own selfish way, but it is necessary to life for the kingdom of the Gospel.  At a glimpse to give up your life of living however you want to, and live within the fellowship of the church may seem to be lacking freedom. However, this is actually is the number one blessed way.  Let’s not be disobedient to the vision, and just walk the road that God shows us and earnestly move forward.

There are very few Christians in Japan, less than %1.  However, if we have love and follow this vision from heaven, we will be able to overcome this wall.  This depends upon the decision that each of us make about our faith.

              Today’s passage takes place when the Jewish King Agrippa and his sister, Bernice came to visit the Roman Governor, Festus.  King Agrippa was king of Judea, a      territory of the present emperor, Nero.  When Jesus Christ was born in the manger, there is the famous story of all the boys under 2 being killed.  That was under the rule of Herod great, the great grandfather of Nero.  Also Herod Antipas who had John beheaded was his father’s uncle.  Also Herod Agrippa I which killed James by the sword in Acts 12 is his father.  His father did not give God glory so he was bitten by worms and died.  Therefore, this Agrippa is Agrippa II. 

This Agrippa who was strongly tied to Christianity came to visit Festus. The contents are a repeat of what Luke has already written about it, but the reason for Luke including this passage is written in verse 19.  In other words, about ”Jesus who died” Paul says “Jesus is alive”. Paul wanted to share this.  That is because this is the central part of the Gospel message.  This isn’t just a message, but it is the joyful hope for all living, believing Christians.  It is the strength for radically changing a person’s life. Today let’s look at 3 things about “Jesus is alive”.

1.               Jesus is alive (vs.13-19)

First let’s look at the fact that Jesus is alive. When King Agrippa and his sister came to visit Festus, “Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king.” (14) What he said about the case is recorded in verses 14 to 21.   What he says is a rerun of chapter 23 to 25. Here Festus claims that although his predecessor, Felix, was irresponsible and delayed the court judgment, he was different. He took on the responsibility and worked quickly to eliminate the problem.  However, what they were charging him for was more than Festus had anticipated. There were charging him for things related to their own religion.  It also had to do with the Jesus who had died.  Paul claims that Jesus is alive.

In 23:6 and 24:15 we saw them arguing over “the hope of the resurrection of the dead”.  This referred to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.    In other words, Paul is talking bearing in mind that Jesus Christ rose and is now alive too.  The reason that this is so important is that if this is true then what Paul is claiming is also true. It would be decisive proof that Jesus is the son of God, the Messiah. If death is the end, then there is no problem.  However, if Jesus really did rise from the dead, then that is what the Old Testament prophets had prophesized so this is the ultimate proof that Jesus would be the Messiah.  Not only that, but that would make a huge influence on the life we live.

This is the central thing that Luke wanted to say in Acts.  All through Acts we read Peter’s and Paul’s messages. The central point was that Christ has risen and is alive. Christ arose and has been alive these 2,000 years.

For example, at Pentecost Peter gave a message.  In 2:32 he says, “God has raised the Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.”

Also in chapter 3 when Peter and John went to the gate called Beautiful they healed a crippled beggar.  As they were entering the temple, the man begged them for money.  They looked at the man in the eyes and said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” (6)  They helped him up and he started walking. “Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.” (9)  This happened because Jesus Christ is alive. Jesus died on the cross for our sins, but 3 days later he rose again.  The name of Jesus healed, strengthened and made this man stand up.  Therefore, “With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.” (4:33)

              The central point of the apostles’ message was that Jesus, who was put on the cross, rose and is now here.  This is what Paul and claimed and is the central message that we should be sharing in this present age.  Faith that believes in Jesus Christ, doesn’t just study about things that happed 2,000 years ago, but fellowships with Christ who didn’t just rise, but is here even now. This is experiencing Jesus.

II.              Faith in the resurrection changes people.  (vs.20, 21)

This faith changes the way we live.  In verse 20 and 21 Festus’ attitude toward Paul’s claim that Jesus rose and now lives is recorded.  He says, “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.” (20) However, this is a lie.   The real reason he asked Paul if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there is given in 25:9.  That was because Festus was “wishing to do the Jews a favor.”  In other words Festus was afraid of his relationship with the Jews going bad.  Therefore, he wanted to do a favor to them.   If his relationship with the Jews went sour, then his position would be at stake.  He thought by taking Paul to Jerusalem and having him tried there would gain the favor of the Jews.   However, Paul was against this and appealed to Caesar.  Festus was required to send Caesar an explicit report on the case when an appeal was made, but Festus was in a great panic trying to write the report as we can see in verses 26 and 27.   

“His Majesty” refers to Caesar. Festus is calling Caesar, “His Majesty”. This is a religious term used for God.  Before, the Roman emperor Augusts and Tibelius     said that those were words for god and therefore, stopped their use for themselves.  In other words, for Festus, Caesar was god.  Festus feared Caesar like god.  In all ages it is the same. People fear their relationship with others going bad.  Therefore, they seek favor with them and work to protect their position.

However, Christians are different. Christians who testify that Jesus rose and is now here with them don’t try to win favor nor do they fear the governors, high priests or emperors.  That is because when they know God’s will, no matter how many years it take, they make that their plead and move forward, not staggering even one step, and with a steadfast heart move forward towards the will of God. If Rome, then towards Rome. If Spain, then towards Spain. They only want to live to be used by God.  That is because they believe that Christ has risen and is now here.  If Christ has risen, then in the coming judgment too, the Lord will judge righteously.  If we prepare for this judgment, and live before God and before men, so that we have nothing to be accused of and we have a clear conscious, that’s enough.  There is no reason to fear.  Therefore, to believe in the resurrection, brings a radical revolution to our faith, our lives, and the prospects of our future.

Christ was put on the cross, died and 3 days later rose again. And now today through the Holy Spirit is working. He is always with us in our lives.

III.            Live in the faith of the resurrection (vs. 23, 24)

The next day Agrippa and Bernice came again “with great pomp”.  The word “with great pomp” that is used is “fantaji” the root for English “fantasy”.  In other words it went beyond the impressive clothes, decorations, music, etc. that are traditional for an important official or public ceremony to the point of being almost like a fantasy or dream. It was like a parade of the Daimyo in old Japan.

In contrast, Paul was brought in at the command of Festus. He looked like a prisoner.  However, in reality the spot light is on Paul.  That is because by this what Jesus prophesized is fulfilled. “They will lay hands on you and persecute you.  They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.” (Luke 21:12)

This promise is now being fulfilled here.  Another way of saying it is Jesus who rose and now lives led this, that this is a great chance to testify to the Gospel.  Whether it is by a prisoner in chains or not, whether it is being made fun out of by questioning or not, if it is a chance to speak about the Gospel, for Paul that was a blessing.  All things are in the hands of God.  Believing that the risen Jesus is leading, let’s life a life of faith in the resurrection.  Paul said the following.

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.  We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” (II Cor. 4: 8-10)

Jesus is living so even in continuing days of suffering,we are not crushed, and we are not in despair, but can keep walking.  Because Jesus is alive we are not abandoned nor destroyed, but can continue living.   From this passage a person said, “A Christian can be knocked down, but not knocked out”.  That is true.  We can be “struck down, but not destroyed.”  A person with the life of Jesus, can live this kind of life.  That is because the resurrected Jesus is always with us and supporting us.  Luke wanted here not to share that Paul was claiming that Jesus is living, but he wanted to show that Jesus is alive by the claims of Paul.   By leaning on the support of our living Lord, Jesus, let’s stand strongly and walk in our faith.

              Last week we looked at the trial of Paul by the Governor Felix.  2 years have passed since the trial, but still Paul is not free.  In the mean time the governorship has changed.  The new governor is Porcius Festus.  3 days after becoming governor, Festus went from Caesarea to Jerusalem and greeted the Jewish High priest and elders. They made accusations against Paul.  Festus said that since Paul was being kept in Caesarea and since he had plans to leave soon, if they had anything to accuse Paul of that they should come to Caesarea and make their case there.  They followed his suggestion and came to Caesarea and brought their charges so the Governor requested that Paul be brought out to the court. The trial took place there.  From this trial we can learn three things about walking the way of the Lord.

I.                Wishing to do the Jews a favor (vs. 1-9)

First let’s look at Festus who tried to buy the hearts of the Jews. Festus commanded that Paul be brought to the courts.  When Paul was brought there, the Jews from Jerusalem surrounded him and charged him with very heavy crimes.  They were not really giving any new evidence, but are repeating what they had accused Paul of 2 years earlier. First they said that Paul had gone against their Jewish laws.  Secondly, they accused Paul of defiling the temple.  Thirdly, they said that Paul was against the Roman emperor.  Before, Paul had defended himself against these same 3 charges, but here too he clearly defends himself.  Therefore, the Jews could prove nothing.

In trials like this usually it is dismissed due to lack of evidence and Paul would be set free.  However, from here on the circumstances suddenly changed.  After hearing both sides of the story, Festus said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on those charges?” (9) Even though Paul was given a fairly just trial, and even though Festus knew that the Jews had no real evidence, even so he was going to send Paul on to Jerusalem.  Actually by Roman law, if the trial was in Caesarea then the decision should have been made there.  That is why Paul was taken to Caesarea in the first place. Therefore, why would Festus send Paul to Jerusalem?

Luke gives the reason in Acts 25:9 Festus was “wishing to do the Jews a favor.” In other words, Festus who had just recently become governor, didn’t want his relationship with the Jews to go bad so he wanted to do a favor to the Jews so he made such a suggestion. He thought that in order to protect his position, he needed the support of the Jewish council.  He thought that by having Paul sent to Jerusalem, he would be able to keep honor among the Jews. Even though he was an authority who had control over others, he was always concerned over how to get other people’s support.

Felix was the same in 24:27 he too wanted to grant a favor to the Jews and left Paul in prison for 2 years. From old times up until now we see politicians who on one side are in a high position of influence, and on the other side they have a need to gain people’s support through flattery and doing special favors for them.  They make decisions not according to what is right or wrong, but by what is best for keeping their position. This type of people like Festus or Felix who thought only about getting the support of the Jews, earning points in Rome, and success, to have authority over Paul’s life is really dangerous.  However, this type of behavior is common in this world.

II.          Appeal to Caesar (vs. 10-11)

              Paul’s response is given in verses 10 and 11.  Paul completely resists Fiesta’s suggestion of going to Jerusalem and appearing before Festus. He boldly appeals to Caesar. This means he was requesting to go to Rome and appear before the Roman emperor for judgment.  Today this would be like going to the Supreme Court.  Since Paul was a Roman citizen, he had the right to have a trial before Caesar.  Paul made this request for 3 reasons.

              1.          Paul probably thought that even though the trial would before Festus, since he was being taken to Jerusalem that it wouldn’t be a just trial.  Even if you look at Jesus’ trial, or the trial that Paul was involved with, Stephan’s trial, they were not just.  Paul could foresee what kind of trial he would have.

              2.         The second reason was a matter of conscious.   If he had done something wrong, if he did something deserving death, then he would try to avoid death.  However, they had no proof for the things that they were accusing Paul of.  Therefore, he had confidence that no one could pronounce him as guilty.  If he has done anything wrong, that means that the Gospel that he was preaching was being objected to, which in turn would mean that God whom called Paul to preach the Gospel was also being objected to.  Up until now he always, towards all people intensively, truthfully, confidently fulfilled his calling to preach the Gospel.  In other words, now he is standing willing to give up his life, staking it on a pure conscious before God. Those who have such a free conscious are free from fear and have boldness and courage.  Paul is not giving his defense for his own profit.  He is defending himself for the truth and the Word of God.  That’s why he could be so bold and act so openly. He is an example of Jesus’ words, “And the truth will make you free.” (John 8:32)

              3.           The biggest reason was Paul thought that he must go to Rome.  Paul could use his Roman citizenship as a way to enter the Roman court.  In other words, he would be trialed before Caesar.  This would fulfill the calling that he received in 23:11. “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” Paul strongly believed in this promise.  If he returns to Jerusalem, then that was for the fulfillment of the plans of God.  God’s will was that he go to Rome.  Therefore, he decided to use his rights as a Roman citizen as a means to appear before the Roman emperor.  Even though Paul had spent 2 years in prison, he had not lost hope, or given up, but patiently endured because of his calling.  He believed firmly in his calling.  Therefore, he was able to appeal to Caesar.

              In our lives too like Paul we experience lots of troubles, and are always suffering.  We want to run away from the situations that we are in. We want to have more fun.  Let’s once again stand before God with a clear conscious, and receive again the hope and calling that the Bible gives. Then we will know the greatness of God’s mercy and will know the place where we have been placed.  No matter what happens, there is no place to run away from.  We are able to stand.  Paul stood on this promise and this grace.

III.         Walk in the way.  (vs.12)

              After Paul appealed to Caesar, Festus conferred with his council and then told Paul, “You have appealed to Caesar.  To Caesar you will go.”  In Festus eyes, this was a religious argument, so to leave the judgment up to the emperor, means that he would have no responsibility in the decisions made. Thus the promise made by the Lord to Paul was greatly moved toward fulfillment.

              God moved those who were authorities in the world, and changed the way history was moving towards God’s plans.  The governor in whose hand controlled politics, trials, and the army, was not able to show favor to the Jews.  The high priests, who tried to use their own special rights for their good, were unable to.  The only thing that was answered was the prayers of Paul who was in chain and unable to put up a hand or leg.  In this world even though we may have no power, if God is for us then we are the strongest of all.  If we are standing truthfully before God, and waking in his way, then the Lord will lead us.

              There are times when we like Festus and Felix worry less about what is truth and correct, and more about what is best for our position when we make decisions.  We tend to do what is best for ourselves.  We need to stand upon the will of God and walk the way that God desires for us. No matter where we are we need to walk the road that God shows us believing that God will lead us.        

              Today’s passage tells us about Paul’s trial before the Roman Governor, Felix. Paul who the Jews planned to lynch was transferred from Jerusalem to Caesarea. In 23:30 the centurion wrote a letter to the governor saying, “When I was informed of a plot to be carried out against the man, I sent him to you at once.  I also ordered his accusers to present to you their case against him.” “Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor.” (24:1) Today let’s look at three attitudes that Christians should have in　every situation that we can learn from Paul as he faced the trial before the Governor Felix.

I.                Even when abused, don’t abuse (vs. 2-9)

First let’s look at Tertullus’ case.  “When Paul was called in, Tertullus (the lawyer of the Jews) presented his case before Felix.” (2) First he flattered Felix. He said to the Governor, “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation.  Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude.” (2, 3) This is just a flowery rhetoric.  Tertullus doesn’t see Felix as such a person at all.  In fact, in verse 27 Felix looses his post.  This was due to a Jewish delegation’s complaint to the emperor about his ruthless suppression of a dispute between Jews and Gentiles in Caesarea.   Tertullus didn’t like Felix at all.  He was just trying to buy into Felix’s heart so that the trial would go well.

Tertullus gives his case in verses 5 and 6.  Here he says that Paul has committed 3 sins.

1.           Paul is “a trouble maker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world.” (5) The lawyer labels Paul a troublemaker.  The word used for troublemaker literally means “plague-spot”.   He means that Paul is like the source of a plague.  If you leave him there, then it will spread through out the people like the plague. This is referring to the influence of the Gospel that Paul is preaching more than to the influence of Paul himself.  That’s how much the words of the Gospel had penetrated     and spread out among the people.  One evangelist has this much influence. It makes us once again realize how much influence the Gospel has.  It is like a mustard seed. When it is planted, it is a very small seed.  However, when it grows it is bigger than other vegetables and it is big enough that birds make their nests there. (Matt. 13:31, 32) It spread out enough to stir up riots “all over the world.” (5)

Even so the word that Tertullus is using (plague-spot) is a cruel word to use. Terullus is trying to convince Felix and the court by giving the image that Paul is a really dangerous person. 

2.                                  Paul “is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect” (5) Tertullus used a contemptuous nickname for Christians, Nazarene and labels them a sect－no more than an unauthorized minority movement within Judaism.  In other words Nazarenes was a sect that believed in the Nazarene Jesus as their Savior and the ringleader was Paul.  The governor knew what such antiMessianic movements could cause fanatic political movements because he had to constantly deal with such civil uprisings from such movements.  Therefore, Tertullus thought that by saying such Felix would think that he would have to do something.

3.                                  Paul “even tried to desecrate the temple.” (6)  This refers to events of 21:28 and 29. They thought that when Paul came into the temple. That he had brought the Gentile, Trophimus, in with him. That was their impression so they arrested him.  However, this was not so in reality. It was just their assumption.  They were wrong.  Even so they accused Paul thinking that the Saducees who were affiliated with the temple also supported the Roman government so they thought by doing so the trial would go well for them.

  Tertullus is again strongly charging that Paul is dangerous for the Romans and for the Jews both politically and religiously.  For Paul who believed that he was living completely righteously before God and men, this accusation must have seemed so disagreeable to him.  There are times that Christians who strive to live devoutly       also have this type of agony.  However, even if we are abused by being called “a plague spot” or gossiped about that we are “stirring up riots” or misunderstood as trying “to desecrate the temple”, there is no need to be disappointed

I Peter 2:19,20

Christ is so.  He left an example so that we can follow in his footprints.  Even if someone has to experience an unjust cruelty, even so God’s will is that he stifle that sorrow. 

Eccles. 7:21,22

In other words, even if a person experiences an unjustified cruelty, he must ignore it. That is so that person will not hear the curse.  Also that is because that person has also cursed others.   It is important to “not be over wicked, and do not be a fool” (Eccles. 7:16) It is also important to not go to extremes. We need to remember that although we didn’t deserve it, by the grace of God, by the atonement of the cross, our sins are forgiven. We need to stand on that grace. When George Newton, the captain of a slave ship, experienced God’s amazing grace, he wrote the hymn, “Amazing grace”.  We need to let that amazing grace penetrate deep within our hearts.

II,      Prepare for the coming judgment  (vs. 10-21)

              Next let’s look at Paul’s defense.  When Tertullus’ charge is finished, the governor motioned for Paul to give his defense.  Paul spoke against each individual charge that Tertullus gave.

              1.           First of all Paul spoke against the accusation that he was stirring up riots.   In verses 11 to 13 Paul says that if they looked into it that they would realize that he has not caused riots nor done anything to disrupt the peace in Jerusalem.  In reality he had gone to Jerusalem to worship, not to cause a riot.  It was the Jews who started the riot inside the temple.  Also he had only been in Jerusalem for 12 days so  he lacked opportunity to orchestrate a revolt. 

              2.           The second defense is against the accusation that Paul was “a ringleader of the Nazarene sect.” (5) In verse 14 Paul says, “I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect.  I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets.” Paul didn’t say whether or not he is the head of the Nazarene sect. He only said clearly that he was a member of the flock that believes in the Nazarene Jesus Christ.  However, he explained that this flock, which from the Jewish eyes looked like a cult, was certainly not the teachings of a cult.  Moreover, what the Jews were calling a cult, those following the way were actually following the way of people of the Old Testament.  They are really following the way of the God of their fathers.

              3.          Then Paul deals with the accusation that he “tried to desecrate the temple.” in verses 17-21.  He says that he definitely didn’t desecrate the temple. Rather he was following the teaching of the Jewish law and went to the temple to worship.  He completely denies the Jewish accusations.

              From the beginning this problem occurred purely over the Jewish doctrine of resurrection between the Pharisees and the Sadducees. If that is the case, it is strange that they would be disputing this in the Roman court.

              By Paul’s defense the Jewish accusations were withdrawn.  However, among Paul’s words there is one verse that we need to pay attention to.  That is verse 16. Paul is saying in his defense that he always strives to keep his “conscience clear before God and man.”     He had said this before in 23:1.  The meaning of conscience can be found in Psalms 26:2.

              When we look together with God at our heart, this is conscious. There are times when we deceive ourselves.  We easily deceive others.  However, even though we deceive others, God knows our hearts completely. Paul says that he has walked before God with a clear conscious.  There are few people who can say that.  There are people like the Jews who thought they were living righteously but in reality they were talking about God and wearing the jewelry of the law for their own satisfaction and own fulfillment. There are also those who like Felix who uses his position “hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. Also “because Felix wanted to grant a favor with the Jews, he left Paul in prison.” (27)  His heart was far from having a pure conscious.  However, Paul before men and God walked faithfully.  No matter who the other person is he insisted that what is right is right and what is wrong is wrong. He didn’t figure how he could benefit from it and walked correctly before the Lord.  He was able to do this because he realized that there is another judgment.  This is the judgment of verse 25, “the judgment to come”.

              “The judgment to come” is the final judgment. a judgment that determines eternity.  It is a judgment that we must all face.  Paul knew this so he wanted to stand before God in his court with no shame and a clear conscious. Therefore, Paul is striving to do what is right.  We too, for the judgment day, want to not fear, but have a life of joy, having no shame but a clear conscious before men and God.

III.         Leave everything to the Lord. (vs. 22 & 23)

              Lastly let’s look at the result of the trial.  Even though Paul gave his defense, Felix did not give a judgment , but ordered Paul to be kept until Lysias the commander comes.  Luke gives two reasons that Felix delays his verdict; his thorough acquaintance with Christianity and his desire to hear the testimony of Claudius Lycias, the only independent witness to any civil disturbances.  Felix knew “the Way,” the opposition to it from the Jewish leaders-and increasingly from the people-and the potential for civil unrest that its very presence seemed to create.

              According to verse 27 Paul was there 2 years.  Even though Paul was given a lot of freedom, it must have been very hard to wait considering his determination to goto Rome.  However, during these 2 years he wrote Ephesians, Phillipians, Colosians, and Philemon. In our lives this happens a lot.  Things don’t seem to be moving in our lives, but we are being led the best way.  Therefore we need to leave all to the hands of God who controls and leads us.

              There is “a time” in all that God does.  We don’t know when things will happen, but God is leading us in his plan for our lives.  Therefore we need to believe the promises of God’s word and even though it may not be now, believe that God will lead us.  Let’s have hope in this.  Let’s have hope in God’s time.  

In today’s passage Paul who was about to be killed by the Jews is rescued and is sent to Caesarea.  Paul after his third missionary trip returned to Jerusalem and here too strove to witness to the Lord.  However, the Jewish resistance was much stronger than he expected. It was like Agabus had once prophesized that the Jerusalem evangelism faced continuous persecution after persecution after persecution. Being in such a situation, Paul must have been depressed. However, the Lord came to such a Paul, stood next him, and encouraged him with the words recorded in verse 11.

              For such a tired and depressed Paul these words must have been such an encouragement and must have given him courage and strength.  With a new spirit, hope, and strength Paul must have been ready to move forward in his commission.  Just then another problem occurred.  That is recorded in verses 12 to 15.

              This seems like we are watching a suspense movie.  Just as we think the disturbance has calmed down, the simmering Jews made a plot to kill Paul. Not only that but they made an oath not to eat or drink anything until they killed Paul.  Today this would be called a “hunger strike”.  To go to the extreme to not eat or drink anything, gives a peek at their desperate efforts. “More than forty men were involved in this plot.” (13)  These men united with the Sanhedrin to have Paul brought before the chief priests and elders “on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case.” (15)  They planned to kill him before he got there.   No one knew what was happening so in the morning when Paul is brought to the Sanhedrin, along the way his killers will be waiting for him.  For Paul this was a dangerous situation and he will be driven into a corner. How will he escape from this dangerous situation? Today let’s look at three truths about God who saved him from this situation.

I.            God used Paul’s sister’s child (vs. 16-21)

              Here Paul’s sister’s child appears.  This is Paul’s nephew.  This is the only passage in the Bible that tells us about Paul’s extended family.  From this passage we can see that Paul had at least one married sister.  Paul’s family were Pharisees. Therefore, may be Paul’s sister married a Pharisee and was living in Jerusalem.  When Paul was studying the law under Gamaliel in Jerusalem, he may have even stayed at his sister’s house.  Therefore, it is possible that he lived with his nephew and they knew each other well. He may have heard of his uncle’s arrest and decided to visit him and bring food and other necessities.

              Paul’s nephew heard of the plot to kill Paul and so “he went into the barracks and told Paul.” (16)  As a result Paul was able to inform the commander and as a result of the commander’s decision, Paul was protected from the conspiracy and was able to escape from the danger of being killed by the ambush.

              Out of chance did Paul’s nephew hear about this plot?  Out of chance did he happen to tell Paul about it?  Of course not.  This was definitely not by chance. It was not an easy thing for Paul’s nephew to know and go to tell Paul about the danger his uncle was in. In a lot of cases the nephew would be putting his own life on the line by going to Paul and telling him about the plot. It was also possible that just by going to Paul that his name would be put on the blacklist.  Even so, despite the dangers, the nephew went to Paul.  He did this because God was working.  God spoke to Paul’s nephew and gave him the desire to tell Paul about the plot to kill Paul.

              This is a little different from the other ways people escaped that we’ve seen up until now in the Bible.  For example, in 12:5 Peter escaped from the prison.  The prison was completely closed.  Herod had thought he would “bring him out for public trial after the Passover.” (12:4) The church continually prayed fervently for Peter.  God sent an angel and helped him out of the prison. “Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains.” (12:6)  There were also guards at the door.  An angel “struck Peter on the side and woke him up.” (12:7) Then Peter’s chains fell off. Peter put on his clothes and sandals and followed the angel outside.  At first Peter thought he was dreaming. However, after getting outside he realized that God had sent his angel and rescued him.  This was a miracle.  Humanly speaking it was an unthinkable thing, a super unnatural work of God. 

              However, in today’s passage neither God, Christ, nor angel does not appear. The nephew of Paul hears about the plot, and tells Paul who is under the keeping of the commander.  Even so, God was working behind the scenes.  God used people to help save Paul.  God like in the case of Peter uses super unnatural ways to help save us and God also like in the case of Paul uses natural ways by working behind the scenes to save us.

              Not only that but Paul’s sister’s child, Paul’s nephew, appears only one time in the Bible. His name is not even mentioned.  He is introduced as only “Paul’s sister’s child”.  Not only that but, he was a “young man”. (17)  The word for “young man” is usually used for boys between 8 and 14 years old.  In other words, a “young man” is about the age of junior high students.  This type of person was used to save Paul.  God uses different people and different methods to help save us.

II           The commanders amazing command (vs. 22-30)

              When the commander heard through Paul’s nephew about the plot to ambush Paul, he ordered Paul’s nephew not to tell anyone that he had told the commander about the plot.  Then he called two of his centurions and ordered them to go to Caesarea at nine o’clock at night.  They were to “get ready a detachment of 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen and 200 spearmen.” (23)  Not only that, but they were to “provide mounts for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix.” (24) This required an enormous amount of preparation.  This was about half the amount of infantry, cavalry, and soldiers in Jerusalem.  It was an unthinkable amount of military for taking just one prisoner.  Why would the commander send such a huge force with Paul?

              According to the letter that the commander wrote to Felix the reason given is that Paul was a Roman citizen so he helped Paul escape.  In other words, Paul was arrested by the Jews.  After investigating the commander realized that the problem was over the Jewish law, and that Paul had committed no crime worthy of death or imprisonment so he helped Paul escape from the lynch.  In other words, what the commander had done was because Paul was a Roman citizen so he did his responsibility faithfully to protect a Roman citizen.  His motives and prudence was that he wanted to be recognized or appreciated by his superiors. He wasn’t thinking about Paul. However, even though he had such motives and prudence, by this special method Paul escaped danger because God was working behind the scenes and was leading.  God controls all things.  God used the commander’s calculated motives to help Paul flee from the Jewish ambush and send him to the Caesarean governor where he would be safe.  Therefore, you could say that this was the road of escape that God prepared for Paul while he was in the trials of having his life at stake. 

I Cor. 10:13

              Paul’s nephew’s sudden appearance, and the commander’s actions rooted in his thinking at one glance seem as if there is no connection between the people and events, but in reality it is the Lord God Himself who prepared a road of escape for Paul.

              Why did God use such a method?  We wonder if God was going to save Paul, why he didn’t use a more exciting method. For example, suddenly superman came in the sky and like an eagle scooped Paul up and flew back in the sky and took him to a place that no one knows.  Rains came from heaven upon the Jews and they died so Paul didn’t feel any danger and lived a long life.  I’m not a novel writer, but God’s thinking is tremendous.  It’s deep. It’s perfect.

              When we think about why God chose this method, we remember Acts 23:11. “As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

              In other words, this series of events: Paul being, accused by the Jews, arrested, fleeing and being sent to Caesarea was in reality, so Paul could have confidence that from Jerusalem, that God would fulfill this promise and that he would go through Caesarea and continue on to Rome. Now Paul isn’t going heroically to Rome. Paul is going as a prisoner in chains.  However, even though he is in a situation that he can do nothing about, the Lord’s hand is actually working.  In the midst of this condition, he is definitely moving toward Rome. God is definitely leading forward towards his goal.  It is for this reason that God chose this method.

              This is a huge encouragement to us who are living in the forward movement of the kingdom of God. When we meet various trials, and in the daily perseverance as we daily pray for help, we sometimes wonder whether God has forgotten us or not?  However, in reality the Lord’s hand is working.  Not only that but God’s hand is not just working so we can flee, but for the purpose of the advancement of the Kingdom of God.  It has real meaning.  Things occur that we never thought of, we have nowhere to turn, but even so the Lord’s hand definitely supports us, leads us, encourages us, and comforts us. Even if we live each and every day as it comes, in reality, we are moving closer to the will of Jesus Christ because everything is a part of the plan that God has for us.  Even if in our present situation we are facing obstacles that we have no strength to cut down, and have no strength to stand up to, still it is not meaningless to pray “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” It will become a fulfillment in the advancement of kingdom of God.

III.  Trust in the Lord (vs.31-35)

              Therefore, the third point is no matter what situation we are in to trust in the Lord. Then the soldiers did what was commanded and took Paul “during the night and brought him as far as Antipatris.” (31)  The next day the soldiers let the cavalry take Paul on and they returned to the barracks.  Antipatris was a military outpost about half way between Jerusalem and Caesarea. According to the command of the commander, the soldiers left in the middle of the night and took Paul to Antipatris.  They took him in the middle of the night because the Jews planned to kill Paul as quickly as possible.  They thought by leaving in the night they could avoid that from happening.  Even so leaving Jerusalem at 9:00 at night and going 55 kilometers to Antipatris was quite a hard schedule.  Then on top of that the next day they left Paul in the hands of the cavalry and returned back to their starting point. To walk 100 kilometers in 24 hours is impossible so they must have gone by horseback.  They left the rest of the trip in the hands of the cavalry. “When the cavalry arrived in Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and handed Paul over to him.” (33)  After Felix read the letter he asked Paul what province he was from.  Paul answered that he was from Cilicia.  Therefore, Felix said that he would hear Paul’s case when his accusers came.  “Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod’s palace.” (35) By this the plot to kill Paul was completely destroyed. Humanly speaking, Paul was in a helpless situation, but by God’s method, Paul was saved from danger and was being led to complete his commission of witnessing in Rome.

              Here neither God nor Jesus appears. Also supernaturally God does not enter the situation.  Only Paul’s nephew found out about the plot to kill Paul and informed him and the commander is used to send Paul away from the danger.  However, behind the scenes God was working and leading.  God used these people and events to save Paul from danger.

              When you are in such dangerous situations, how do you try to flee from the situation?  Humans have an instinct to protect themselves.  Therefore, they rely on people and things. They rely on their own knowledge and wisdom, but those things won’t really take care of us.  Only God can protect us from such things.  God by amazing methods will protect us from all misfortunes.  He will take care of us.  Therefore, let’s keep our eyes on God who can really protect us, and trust in Him. When we pray to Him, we not only can overcome all earthly powers, but we can continue to walk strongly. Let’s believe that God is working behind the scenes, and leave everything in His hands.  If so we will see God’s works and glory greater than we ever imagined.  The way of escape that God prepares is a road of victory that we as brave soldiers walk on.  Let’s remember this and move forward taking one step at a time, looking more and more to heaven, and keeping our hearts up.

              In today’s passage that we just read, the Roman commander wanted to know why Paul had been arrested by the Jews so he took Paul to the Jewish counsel. What happened at the counsel is recorded in today’s passage.  Here it is recorded that the Greek commander was invited and attended the Jewish counsel and Paul was able to speak to the counsel. Both of these things were usually unthinkable things. This passage is often questioned as being historically correct.  The Paul in this passage leaves a very deep impression. When Paul stands in front of the Jewish counsel, in front of the priests and elders, he says that until now he has lived before God with a pure conscious.

              Paul up until now has lived before God with a pure conscious.  He is saying that he hasn’t gotten angry with men who have bothered him, nor has he lived by what others thought was right, nor has he played up to others to get their approval, but before God he stood up for what he believed and lived that way.  No matter what others said or how much he was pushed by authorities, before God “yes” was “yes” and “no” was “no” because he could have a free spirit.  That is the free conscious that is mentioned in verse 16.  How blessed it would be if we too lived with a free conscious. Today let’s look at three things about having a free conscious.

I. Have a pure conscious (vs. 1-3)

             First of all the Christian life is a life of having a conscientious lifestyle.  When Paul stood before the counsel, he said, “I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” (1)  This is really a bold accusation.  Paul is saying to the Jewish Priests and elders that he have lived before God with a completely pure conscious.

              Before Paul had been thoroughly educated in the Jewish law, and was extremely zealous towards God.  When he was going to Damascus to persecute the Christians there, he met the resurrected Jesus. When he heard a voice says, “Saul, Saul, Whey do you persecute me?” (22:7) he fell to the ground and asked, “Who are you?” (22:8) and the voice answered, “I’m Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.” (22:8) Then Paul clearly realized that up until now what he had thought was correct was in reality wrong.  Jesus who he thought could not be God in reality was God and the Savior. Then he began to preach Christ, that Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God, Christ.  At first no one believed him.  Paul who had persecuted the Christians so severely was now saying the Jesus was Christ.  However, through the support of Barnabas Christians accepted him, the Antioch church sent him out, and he gave his life to preaching the good news.  He is saying that his actions were all stemmed from the base of a pure conscious. That conscious was not afraid of people, nor was it influenced by what others thought, nor did it play up to others to get their approval, but it was a heart of dignity based upon living before God as he believed he should.  He lived with a completely pure conscious before God.

              This is one thing that is different between other religions and Christianity.  Christians have a pure conscious. Why don’t Christians deceive others, or tell lies? That’s because they have a pure conscious.  They want to live with a pure conscious before God who can see to the depths of our hearts.  They are living with a pure conscious.  The average person is not like that.  The average person bases his actions upon whether something is against the law or not. However, Christians are different.  Christians think about how they are before God. They think about how God sees them. They think about whether their actions will make God happy or not. Paul told the council, “I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.”  This should be the base of all that we do too.

              When Paul said this, “the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth.” (2)  What was the problem or why did the high priest get so angry?  Probably it was because Paul said that what he has done was correct before God.  He was probably shocked. 

              Then Paul said to Ananias, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall!  You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!” 

              “A whitewashed wall” is a heart that is like a wall that has been painted to look attractive but in reality it may be ready to fall.  Even though the wall is ready to fall, the beautiful paint camouflages it so no one realizes it.  Before in Matt. 23:27 Jesus said to the teachers of the law and Pharisees, “You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are of dead men’s bones and everything unclean.”  This means that the teachers of the law and Pharisees looked like they were living correctly, but their insides were filled with “hypocrisy and wickedness”. (Matt. 23:28)  Here Paul didn’t say, “whitewashed tombs”, but “whitewashed walls”.  However, the meaning is the same. Even though the outside is beautifully painted the inside is dirtied by wickedness and is like a cracked fence that is ready to fall.  That is what Paul was saying to Ananias.

              This is what a person who lives rightly before God is like.  No matter who the other person is, he does not flatter the other person, but follows his own conscience and clearly states what he thinks is right. He doesn’t flatter other people to gain their approval, but before God and before men he doesn’t have a guilty conscious, but a good conscious, and does his best.

              Sometimes we don’t say the truth to the other person. We think it wouldn’t be nice to say how we really feel and thus our conscious bothers us. We need to be like Paul and before God and before man have a guiltless conscious and do our best.

II.          A conscious that misses the mark (vs. 4-10)

              Next let’s look at a conscious that missed the mark.  When Paul called the High Priest, Ananias, a “white washed wall”, those around Paul said, “You dare to insult God’s high priest?” (4)  Paul replied, “I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’” (5)  Paul who followed his conscious freely and even if the other person was the High priest Paul insisted “no!” “What is bad is bad”, but here he looks very soft spoken. 

              Paul knew that Ananias was the High Priest.  Paul was using pure irony. He is saying, “is this person really the high priest? I would never have guessed so!”  He said this because the things that the high priest said was so far from what a high priest should be that it was unbelievable. Paul said this in hope that Ananias would realize his mistake and repent.

              We can also see this in the following verses where Paul saw that part of the council was Sadducees and part were Pharisees and thus spoke about the hope of resurrection from the dead.  Paul spoke about the resurrection of the dead to break down their core.  In other words, their religion was not a pure conscious, but a conscious that depended on what was good for them personally.

              When Paul said this “a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and Sadducees and the assembly was divided.” (7)  The Sadducees denied the resurrection, angels and spirits.  The Pharisees insisted that all 3 existed.  It turned into a great uproar.  Some of the Pharisees said, “We find nothing wrong with this man…What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” (9) 

              In other words, Paul purposely caused a dispute to break out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees so they could break down the wicked                  parts of their religious baggage.  That is to say that their behavior did not arise from pure conscious, but their behavior was determined by their own hearts as they considered what was best for them.  As a result it looks like they are following their conscious, but in reality they are following their conscious that is missing the mark.

              Many people say that they are following their conscience in what they are doing.  However in a lot of cases they are like the Sadducees and Pharisees and are following their conscience which is missing the mark. Even Paul before he met Jesus, he thought that his actions were conscientious and persecuted the church. You may think you are following your conscious and doing the right thing, but it may not necessarily be correct.  Conscientious actions are correct only when they are standing on a correct base. Jesus Christ’s cross is the correct base.  The conscious of a natural man is like the Sadducees and Pharisees whose conscious missed the mark.  Even Christians who believe in Christ and have been changed and who are standing on the base of Christ’s cross, need to continuously check themselves by the Word of God. or else they may go off in the wrong direction. Let’s live by making the cross of Jesus as our base, continually check ourselves by the Word of God, and have a pure conscious.

III.         Take Courage (vs.11)

              The third point is to take courage.  “The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them.  He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks.” (10)   Then the following night the Lord stood next to Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” (11) 

              Probably Paul was very depressed at that time.  He came to Jerusalem and risked his life testifying in Jerusalem, but there were hardly no results.  In the temple because of the misunderstanding with the Jews a huge riot occurred.  He was sent to the Jewish counsel by the Roman commander, but an uproar occurred there too.  He wanted to give his testimony so that the Jews would be saved, but in front of his eyes uproars, and more uproars occurred.  I think he spent a very tired and lonely night.  The Lord came to him and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” (11) Up until now too, whenever something happened, Paul heard the Lord speak to him.  Especially the Words of the Lord that came to him at Corinth were left strongly impressed into his heart. “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.  For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” (18:9,10)

             The Lord always at the necessary time and with the necessary words encourages and helps him stand again. This was true in Corinth. This night too the words of the Lord, enter deeply into Paul’s heart and deeply encouraged him.

              Here these words that the Lord gave him didn’t just encourage him.  There were certain promises and a commission. There was the promise that this trip would not be over in Jerusalem, but will continue on to Rome.  The Lord said, “you must also testify in Rome.” It is a must, a certainty.  It is a promise that he will.  From such promises and commissions Paul received courage. Those who are able to stand up have received from God such encouragement and are able to encourage others.

              Those who have received freedom of conscious before God, and not only have been encouraged by the courage of God, but are also able to encourage those who are suffering, and can live to give strength to others.  Let’s remember that we are now being invited to this type of life. Let’s have a good conscious and before God and men be guiltless. Let’s strive to do our best.

               In last week’s passage Paul was arrested and he gave his defense to the Jewish people. In today’s passage is the crowd’s reaction to Paul’s defense. The crowds “raised their voices and shouted, ‘Rid the earth of him! He’s not fit to live!’… They were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air.” (22, 23)  The Roman commander wanted to know why the crowds were shouting so much at Paul so he ordered Paul to be whipped and then questioned. When they started to whip him, Paul, almost like he was bragging, says that he is a Roman citizen.  However, he wasn’t bragging, and he was not using his Roman citizenship as a “ticket” to Rome. He was saying this so that he would have a longer chance to evangelize. By saying this, he was protecting his life so that the Gospel of God could be shared.  For Paul “to live is  Christ and to die was to gain. ” (Phil. 1:21) He wanted Christ’s name to be praised through him whether he lived or died.  Today let’s look at 3 aspects of “To live is  Christ.” (Phil. 1:21)

I.             Don’t forget the calling that God has given you. (vs. 22, 23)

First let’s look at how the crowds got angry.  From verse 1 and on as Paul’s testimony was given, the crowds were calm. First Paul says that before he became a Christian, he was too a very enthusiastic person toward the law.  Secondly he says that that zealousness was wrong.  The goal of the law was to believe in Jesus Christ, but he persecuted Jesus Christ. His enthusiasm missed the mark.  Therefore, his third point was to repent, believe in Christ, and make Christ your backbone. 

Paul talked considerately as not to get the crowds emotionally upset and in an uproar. However, the Jews threw off their cloaks, flung dust into the air and, shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He’s not fit to live!” (22)  Why did they become so furious?

Of course, they probably as they listened to Paul talk, anger built up in their hearts.  In most cases anger works that way.  At first it doesn’t matter what is said, you are able to have a calm attitude.  However, when it hits the limits, you are unable to keep still. Then it explodes.  Even so there is usually something that triggers the explosion.  In this case, what was the trigger?

The trigger was Paul’s words recorded in verse 21.  The reason these words pierced their hearts was because they thought of themselves as “the chosen people of God”.  Since they were the chosen people, they thought God would always be with them. Consequently, they thought they were better than any other nation or peoples. They thought that only they were saved. For a Gentile to be saved, first he had to become a Jew.  The real problem was that they had forgotten the purpose for which they were chosen.

Deut. 7:6-8

In this passage we are told that they were chosen by God to be a holy people, the “treasured possession” of God. (Deut. 7:6)  They were a special people to God.  They were chosen not because there were a lot of Jews or because they were strong.  They were chosen because the Lord loved them and because God was keeping the oath which He had made with their ancestors.  Concretely said, it was the promises that God made to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3

The Jewish ancestry began with Abraham. God chose Abraham and told him to leave his home and go to the place that God would show him.  If he did so, then God would make him into a huge people and bless him and all peoples on the earth would be blessed by him.  Therefore, Abraham left the land that he was born in and went to God’s Promised Land, Canaan.  That was not only so that he would be blessed, but so that all peoples on the earth would be blessed. In other words, Abraham was chosen that he might be a base for the blessing of all peoples.  Even so, the Jews forgot the purpose for which they were chosen. They thought only about themselves being blessed. They completely forgot that they were chosen to be a witness to the real living God in the entire world. Therefore, when they heard Paul say that God told him to go because God was sending him to the Gentiles, the Jews were furious because they couldn’t conceive of the idea that the chosen Jews would be set aside and that Gentiles would be saved. For them, that was unthinkable!

Here, we can see basis of the sin of prejudice. When a person is afraid about his position, then he always lowers the other person, and tries to protect himself.  Prejudice comes from such mental thinking. The wrong Jewish consciousness of being “the chosen people” is the outcome of nothing else than self-protecting sinners. They didn’t want their special privileges to be invaded on by other peoples and nations.

We need to have the vision that all the people on the earth will be blessed by us.  If you have some special ability or skill, you need to think that through you all the peoples of the earth will be blessed and use those abilities for all the peoples in the world.  We need to have vision to see that all peoples are in one family and not focus on our own group.

We can say the same of us Christians who hare chosen.  We have been chosen so that through us, all peoples will be saved.  We have been chosen to be a base for salvation.

I Peter 2:9

We have been chosen to be “a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God,” so that we can share the greatness of God who called us “out of darkness into his wonderful light” (I Peter 2:9) If we loose sight of this purpose, and are just content with being chosen, then we are abiding in self-protecting sin and selfishly are protecting ourselves. Therefore, it is important to remember why we were chosen to be Christians and reconfirm our calling. 

These Jews who had forgotten such fact, tried to kill the awakened Paul. The same is true today.  When we try to live above group consciousness or racial consciousness and live by God’s calling, we always meet large obstacles. However, God’s will is “I will send you far away to the Gentiles.” (22:21) and “all the peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:3) Therefore, we need to give up our wrong consciousness that we are the chosen people and remember that we exist so that all peoples on the earth will be saved and live.

II.          To live is Christ (vs. 24-28)

              Secondly, let’s look at Paul who claims he is a Roman citizen. The Roman commander saw the crowds attack on Paul and immediately ordered that Paul “be taken into the barracks.” (24)  The Roman commander knew the Paul was the cause of the problem, but he couldn’t understand what he had done to cause such a disturbance.  Therefore, he commanded that Paul be whipped and questioned.  This was not really questioning, but while being whipped he would be forced to confess.  The whip was a merciless instrument of torture.  It was a whip of leather thongs with pieces of bone or metal attached to the ends. When the person was whipped, the bones and metal would tear the skin so that the internal organs would fall out.

              When Paul was ordered to be whipped, Paul said to a centurion that was standing near, “Is it legal to fog a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been found guilty?” (25)  Paul claimed that he was a Roman citizen. It was legal to use a whip to force a confession from a slave or alien, but never from a Roman citizen. It was illegal to whip a Roman citizen unless he had a proper trial.  It was a huge crime to do so.  However, if Paul was willing to die, why did he claim his rights?

              Paul claimed his rights so he could live to fulfill his call from God.  When he was in Ephesus, the Holy Spirit told him something.  That was that he was to go through Macedonia and Achaia to Jerusalem and from there he “must visit Rome also.” (19:21) That was his call from God. To fulfill that call, he went to Jerusalem, and witnessed fervently to the Jews in hope that they would be saved. There is nothing left for him to do there.  All that is left is Rome.  He needs to go to Rome and share the Gospel there.  To do that he has to live a little longer.  This is not for his own safety.  It is so the he witness to the Gospel.  For Paul both living and dying is so that Christ will be worshipped.

Philippians 1:20,21

              Paul wanted at all times and cases not to be shameful, but always boldly witness to Christ. To live was Christ.  For Paul, “to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Phil. 1:21) May we too at all times and in all cases not be shameful, but always boldly witness to Christ.

III.         Never fear at all times (vs. 29)

              When Paul claimed that he was a Roman citizen, “Those who were about to question him withdrew immediately.   The commander himself was alarmed when he realized that he had put Paul, a Roman citizen in chains.” (29)  Now the situation has completely reversed itself.  Instead those who were going to question Paul are now afraid.  This is because all situations are in the hand of God.

              Even in the deserts of life, in dangerous situations, God’s hand is there in the midst of the desert.  In no matter what situation we are in, God is there so there is no need to fear.

Matt. 10:28-31

              Even one sparrow does not fall to the ground without God’s permission.  We are only a small thing, but our Father in heaven remembers us.  There is nothing we need to fear.  The only thing we need to fear is the one and only God who can throw our soul and body into Hell.

Isaiah 12:2

              If we put on glasses of fear and look at situations then everything causes worries and anxiety.  However, if we believe in our Savior, live relying on the Word of God, then everything will change to thanksgiving and praise.  What is necessary is to not look at the situations and our environment, but to keep our eyes on God.  We need to put on such glasses of faith. What kind of glasses are you wearing when you look at your present situation?

              Let’s not draw back from all situations, but deal with them.  Even with struggles and dangers before us, let’s believe that the Lord is with us.  Confess our fears to God. God is our hiding place and our fort. He is who we should depend upon.  “To live is Christ.” (Phil. 1:21) and let’s at all times and in all cases not be shameful, but always boldly witness to Christ. Let’s seek to have Christ worshipped.  That’s because for us too “to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Phil. 1:21)

Today let’s look at 3 aspects of making Jesus Christ the back bone of our life.

I.  Being earnest toward God（vs．1-5）

              When Paul was in Jerusalem taking part in purification rites in regard for the Jewish Christians, he was arrested. As he was about to be taken to the Roman military barracks, Paul asked the commander for permission to speak to the crowds.  He was given permission and his speech is recorded in 22:1-21.

              First he tells about his birth.  He was a Jew born in Tarsus in Cilicia.   In other words, he was of the same Jewish background as the people who were knocking him down. 

            Next Paul tells us about his up bringing.  He learned under the scholar of the law, Gamaliel. He received thorough training in the law.  He was extremely zealous for the Lord.  If we look at verses 4 and 5, we can see how zealous he was.  He persecuted the Christians by throwing both men and women into prison, and put them to death. He was so approved of that even “the high priests and all the Council can testify” to it. (5) There was no one who didn’t know about his zealousness.

              Why did Paul share about his past?

1.               By defending himself, he is able to find common areas with the other people, contacts that could pull their hearts together with his heart. Therefore, Paul avoided using the public languages of Latin and Greek and spoke Aramaic or possibly Hebrew. Aramaic was the most commonly used language among Palestinian Jews.   By using Aramaic the other person’s heart was opened and that opened the door for them to accept the Savior.  This is an example of “becoming a Jew to the Jews.”

2.               By sharing about his background and how zealous he was before he was converted, when he shares in verse 6 and on about he was converted, the story will burn in the hearer’s heart and will leave an impression in their hears.   In other words, his zealousness towards God to the point of persecuting the Christians is the same as theirs. However, zealousness is not everything.  His zealousness was destroyed.  That happened on the way to Damascus to persecute the Christians.  There he met the risen Jesus.  Then he realized that what he thought was right up until now was actually wrong.   It was an experience like a sand castle being washed away in the waves.  

Jews in comparison with other people are very deeply religious and very zealous.  They do not do things half way.  Therefore, what they achieve is so great that it is hard to believe that it was obtain humanly.  However, just being serious, enthusiastic, having a deep faith isn’t necessarily enough. The important thing is what you believe in.  If what you believe in is wrong, then you will be going completely in the wrong direction.  The Jews were enthusiastic towards what they believed in, but it was not what God desired or willed.

A missionary who came to Japan commented, “I was surprised that Japanese are such an extremely industrious, and highly motivated people.” According to a survey that was conducted, the majority of the people responded, “Extremely busy” to the question,”Now do you feel that your everyday life is extremely busy?” Japanese are an extremely busy people.  To the question, “Then if you had a free day, would you like to spend it resting or would you feel that you had to be doing something?”, 60%  to 70% of the respondents said “I would have to be doing something.” I would have probably answered the same way too. That means that we are making ourselves busy.  This type of person is often seen as industrious, enthusiastic, and as putting things into action. However in reality he doesn’t know the reason but is just having a hectic time from time pressure. If his enthusiasm isn’t based upon real wisdom, then his enthusiasm is missing the mark. We shouldn’t live the life we want, but live a Christ centered life and then we will have enthusiasm for the right things, and have a reason for living.

II.              The will of God, Jesus Christ (6-15)

Paul thought that Christianity was the most blasphemous religion. That was because Jesus claimed that he was the Son of God, the Savior.  Paul though that Jesus was just a regular man.  To say that he was God or the Messiah was blasphemy.  Something had to be done about it.   He was very serious. Therefore, Paul was going to go to Damascus and bring the Christians there “as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.” (5) 

However, when they neared Damascus, a bright light flashed around him and he heard a voice, “Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?” (7)  Paul asked, “Who are you, Lord?” (8)  The voice answered, “I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.” (8) 

This showed that Paul and the Jews premises were decisively wrong. They thought that Jesus of Nazareth could never be the Son of God, the Messiah, and the Savior.  Anyone that says such a thing must be a blasphemer.  However the Jesus that Paul was persecuting was in reality, the Lord Himself.

Paul who studied the law of the Old Testament under Gamaliel so enthusiastically did not know this.  Romans 10:4 says, “Christ is the end of the law…” This “end” means the fulfillment or the goal.  In other words, the goal of God’s law was Christ.  When He came, Christ would fulfill the law, end it.  Even so they didn’t know Jesus who fulfilled the law, and was the goal of the law.  It’s like looking at one tree and missing the forest. Ananias’ words point this out in verse 14, “The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth.”

Paul thought that he had been “thoroughly trained in the law” (3) but “The God of our fathers has chosen” to show Paul his will and for then Paul will “see the Righteous One and… hear words from his mouth.” (14)  This “Righteous One” is Christ, the will of God.  If you don’t know this then you can’t see Him.

This is like a map.  When we open up a map it is for the purpose of finding out how to get to the place we want to get to.  However, if we think about each individual place on the map, we’ll forget about where we wanted to go and there will be no purpose in having opened the map.  If we think, “Ah, there’s a 7-11 here!” “Oh, here’s a bakery! When I have a chance I want to see what they sale!”  “Oh, here’s the park that everyone is always talking about.  I wonder what the park is like.” “Oh, I forgot where I was going to go.” Then the map has no purpose.  The Law was supposed to be a map that man was supposed to follow.  It was good that man did consider the map very important, but they were concerned with each individual thing on the map and forgot about where they were going.  There were supposed to arrive at Jesus. When Paul met Ananias in Damascus and heard the words of Ananias, he understood clearly those words.  Jesus of Nazareth whom he had been persecuting was the Son of God, the will of God. Also his calling was to be a witness and witness to all people.

Since Japanese don’t have the Old Testament, we tend to think that this is for Jews only.  However in reality that is not so.  If we are separated from the “Righteous One” and “Going my way” then we have no different from Paul who forgot where he was going because he was so busy looking at the map. 

“Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons, and the dove, the swift and the thrush observe the time of their migration.  But my people do no know the requirements of the LORD.

How can you say ’We are wise, for we have the law of the LORD,’ when actually the lying pen of the scribes has handled it falsely?

The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what kind of wisdom do they have?”

Jeremiah 8:7-9

This passage is saying that the birds know when it is time to return home. This is because it is part of their nature. In the same way, man too has such instinct.  For example, in the natural law that would be the ability to determine right and wrong, our consciences, etc. Man’s actions are kept fixed because there are such laws. As long as man is man, such laws are part of the instincts of man.   Even so if they say that they don’t know what God’s will is and live a self centered life, “what kind of wisdom do they have?” (Jeremiah 8:9) They have no wisdom.  They are foolish.  In other words, this is not just Jews, but true of us Japanese too.  Man who was made my God. Man was made in the image of God. He was made so that he could know God, to please God, to pray to God, to fellowship with God, but man doesn’t make God God, and lives a self centered life. That is no different from the Jews who had lost the purpose of the law. It is enthusiasm without wisdom, a meaningless walk.   

When David became king, Saul, the previous king whom David served, died in battle.  One of the servants of Saul saw that Saul was injured. The servant killed Saul.   Then he “took the crown that was on his head and the band on his arm” and brought them to David. (10) Then David said to the man, “Why were you not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?” (14)

This servant took action by human laws of thinking and thought that he was doing something good and enthusiastically took action.  However he failed to see who was “the LORD’s anointed” and to see his relationship with God, and lost the central point of action.

We too think that other religions are good, other people are no different from Christians, maybe even better, and admire them.  If we allow the Messiah to be removed from the center, no matter how enthusiastic we become according to human laws, it won’t do any good.  Jesus Christ is the center of the law, the goal of worship to God.  By knowing Him, man’s actions, and the focal point of all laws of life are put together.

III.            Jesus as our backbone (vs. 16-21)

Ananias said to Paul who had missed Jesus and had lived according to his own thinking, being completely out of focus, “And now what are you waiting for?  Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.” (16)  Sin in its original meaning means “missing the mark”.  If you are living with the law as the center, and have missed the mark of Christ, you must call on his name and “be baptized and wash your sins away”.(16) We have to rebuild our unfocused life by putting Jesus Christ who came from heaven to die for our sins at the center of our thinking and our actions.  How can we live a life of not missing the mark if we don’t make Jesus our backbone?

What we thought was good, actually was a completely wrong aim.  In reality, Paul too, was very enthusiastic toward God, but because his zealousness was leaving out Christ it was completely wrong aim. Instead, we need to make Christ our backbone, the center of our lives. Verse 17 is a concrete example of this.

              When Paul returned to Jerusalem, he entered the temples and prayed.  He “fell into a trance and saw the Lord speaking.” (17,18)  The Lord said to him, “Quick!” “Leave Jerusalem immediately, because they will not accept your testimony about me.” (18) Paul who realized through Ananias’ words that he had been wrong, openly accepted  what Ananias said and repented, witnessed about Christ.   If he did so, he thought the Jews would all be like himself and realize their mistake.  However in reality it didn’t happen that way. The Lord’s thinking was different.  The Lord’s will was to “Leave Jerusalem.” (18)  The Jews weren’t going to change their thinking so easily.  Instead God’s will was that Paul go to the Gentiles.

              We should not decide things by our own thinking. Before Paul was like this, but he repented and made Jesus the backbone of his life, he chose to live his life not by his own thinking but live a life of being led by the Lord Jesus Christ.  What we need to do is live with Jesus as our backbone. Then we will be filled far more than we can ever imagine with God’s glory.

              How about you? Are you living for yourself, for your own thinking?  Even though humanly speaking it may seem right, in reality the focus is off. “And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.” (16) Rebuild your out of focus life. Put the Lord Jesus Christ as the center of your thoughts and actions.  Let’s listen to the Lord’s voice and walk according to his leading.  This is the enthusiasm that the Lord is happy about.

The events in today’s passage occurred after Paul ended his third mission trip and went to Jerusalem. In today’s passage Paul is arrested, and is bound in chains.  From here until the end of Acts Paul’s hardships are recorded.  Luke who wrote Acts wrote it in four parts.  At Pentecost Acts began with the coming of the Holy Spirit and was greatly expanded with the salvation of Paul on the way to Damascus.  Presently Paul is arrested at Jerusalem and this is tied to his imprisonment in Rome. In other words, these events in Jerusalem are central to all the events in Acts.  They are the turning point to what happens from here on. Today from this event of Paul being arrested let’s look at three things that we can learn from Paul who did everything for the sake of the Gospel.

I.           In order that many people would be won (vs. 17-26)

              First let’s look at Christian freedom.  When Paul arrived in Jerusalem, the Church brothers welcomed him.  The next day they went to see the Jerusalem Pastor, James. There Paul reported to the church elders who had gathered there, the great things that God had done through him among the Gentiles. Of course at that time too they gave the offerings that had been gathered from the Macedonian churches.  Those elders who heard the report praised the Lord. There was unity in the church.  Even if the works were done by other people than themselves, it was the Lord that worked through the other person so they rejoiced in the work and was thankful.  It is important to be happy and rejoice together in the work of the Lord through other people.

              However, there were some people who weren’t like this.  These were Jews who became Christians, but fervently held to the law. There weren’t necessarily a lot of such Christians, but because of their zealousness towards the law, they were openly against Paul.  This was because they thought that just by believing in Christ that you aren’t saved.  They thought that you must also follow the law to be saved. Therefore, when they heard that Paul was not requiring the Jewish Christians to follow the law, they became antagonistic towards Paul.

              Not all the Jews who entered the Christian faith were like that.  It was just some of the Jewish Christians, but they were very zealous towards the law so they weren’t able to leave the old customs, and they weren’t able to see the whole picture, and were locked into their own thinking. 

              There are times when we are the same.  We are so enthusiastic that we can’t see what’s happening.  Especially those who have studied about the subject think that they are right and can’t look correctly at the situation.

              However, this problem that is occurring here has already occurred in the Antioch church.  That problem was supposed to be already solved.  In 15:1 the Jews from Judea came to Antioch and were teaching, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.”  This caused a huge dispute.  As a result Paul and Barnabas went to Jerusalem and discussed this with the apostles and the elders.  This was the Jerusalem council.  There it was decided that God gives the Gentiles the same Holy Spirit.  There was no partiality.  God purified them through their faith.   Therefore, they must not burden them down with the law.  A person is saved through faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore it was decided to “write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.” (15:20) The problem was solved this way, but again the problem arose.  Also they are saying that Paul was teaching “not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs.” (21) Paul was teaching that you do not have to be circumcised to be saved.  The Jerusalem leaders also agreed to this.  However, he never forbids them to circumcise.  He never said that they could not follow the law.  He only said that salvation was through Jesus Christ.  Only by believing in Christ are you saved.  Jesus is the savior.  The basis of our faith is that by believing and receiving Christ you are saved.  This is what Paul was emphasizing.          

              The Jerusalem leaders who realized that the Jewish Christians accusations were wrong made a suggestion in verses 23-25.

              We don’t know what the vow was that the 4 men had made.  It was probably a Nazirite vow.   We’ve seen the Nazirite vow before, but the Nazirite vow was for at least 30 days and during that time you cannot drink alcohol, go near a dead body, eat unclean food, or cut your hair.  When the vow is over, you must cut your hair before God, and offer a sacrifice unto the Lord. Then you are set free.  If Paul paid part of the expense of the purification rites it would show them that Paul was following the law and living rightly.

In verse 26 we are told how Paul reacted to their suggestion. “The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them.  Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.”    

              Paul immediately accepted their suggestion and the next day went to the temple, and was purified with the men who were being purified for their vows. He paid the bill for all of their purifications. Then until their days of purification were over, 7 days later, he didn’t do anything.  Paul taught that a person is saved only by Jesus Christ, not by what he does; but he participated in their vow purification. He was not against the Jewish customs.   He followed these customs so that he would not be a stumbling block. He wanted others to be saved. 

I Cor. 6:12

              Christians are free.  However, we need to think about how we are going to use our freedom. We need to be like Paul and be careful not to be a stumbling block. This is love.  We are free, but we use that freedom for other people’s good. 

I Cor. 9:19-23

              This was Paul’s heart.  In order for others to be saved he became a Jew to the Jews and like a Greek to the Greeks.  The central points of the Gospel should never be changed, but we should be willing to be flexible with non essential points.  Having a correct understanding of the Gospel and being sacrificial is a good Christian witness.

              Christians are living to show the greatness of Christ.  At times that requires being sacrificial.  You can’t live how you want to, but so that the wonderful Christ can be seen.  We want to gladly give of ourselves. That was how Paul lived.  Paul was able to live like a Jew because he wanted many people to be saved.  We too need to live like Paul.

              The sacrifice that Paul makes is not a compromise. 

              1.           Here Paul and the Jerusalem leaders are confirming again what the Jerusalem counsel had already decided upon.  In other words, salvation is only by faith not by following the law.  Paul knew that the Jerusalem Church was standing correctly in their understanding of the Gospel so he could confidently worship at the temple and took part in the vow purification. When we are established in our basic doctrine, then we are able to make sacrifices.  When our understanding of the Gospel is not well established then often we compromise.

              2.           The reason and motive for the sacrifice is important.  Paul wanted the Jews to be saved. Therefore, he was willing to make sacrifices.  If we just don’t want to be a stumbling block then we make compromises.  However, if we are really concerned that the Gospel be spread and others saved, then we will be willing to make the necessary sacrifices.

              In the present day church there are occasionally people like these Jewish Christians that cause conflict within church.  Sometimes there is thinking that we should compromise.  However it is important to stand in a correct understanding of the Gospel and have a heart of love to be like the Jews to the Jews, and spread the Gospel of Christ.

II.          There is the help of God (vs. 27-36)

              “When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple.  They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him.” (27) First Paul was being criticized by the Jewish Christians.  Next Paul is arrested by the Jews.  The Jews from Asia are not Jewish Christians but pure Jews who hadn’t enter the Christian faith yet.    They thought that Paul had brought Trophinus, the Ephesian, into the temple area and had defiled the holy place.  The temple was a very important place for the Jews.  That was a symbol that God was with them.  They believed that God was there.  Not just anyone could enter the temple. There was a garden of the Gentiles.  The Gentiles couldn’t go in beyond this point. Anyone who went beyond that point would be considered making the temple unclean.  They thought that Paul had brought Trophimus into the temple and had defiled the temple.

              However, this was not the case.  They had jumped to conclusions and thus made Paul a criminal.  It caused uproar and riots within the city. They tried to kill Paul but “news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. He at once took some officers and soldiers, and ran down to the crowd.  When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.” (32) They were too stuck in their own thinking so they weren’t able to open their hearts and understand the present situation.

              When they tried to kill Paul, the commander of the Roman troops came and “they stopped beating Paul.” (32)   If the Roman commander would have been later, then Paul may have been killed.”  This was not because the Roman commander wanted to help Paul.  The Roman commander was worried about the riot and what influence it would have on his reputation. God used this fear to help Paul. Paul was helped by God.

III.        Use every opportunity as a chance to spread the Gospel. (37-40)

              Lastly let’s look at Paul’s defense.  “The commander came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains.  Then he asked who he was and what he had done.” (33)  The crowd was shouting all sorts of things in confusion so he wasn’t able to find out what happened.  Therefore, he commanded that Paul be taken to the barracks. As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks, Paul asked the commander, “May I say something to you.” (37)  The commander was surprised that Paul spoke Greek.  Paul requested permission to speak to crowd. “Having received the commander’s permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd.  When they were all silent,” he spoke to them in Aramaic.”  (40) 

              In the middle of a riot, when he was in a dangerous situation, Paul didn’t become discouraged, but asked the commander, “May I say something to you.” (37) 　Paul wanted to witness to the people.  He wanted to witness to the Gospel.  Next week we will look at what he said, but Paul used the opportunity he had to witness to the people.  This was because for him sharing the Gospel was the most important thing.  What a person thinks determines his actions.  Those who think that sharing the Gospel is the most important thing will use every opportunity they have to do so.

              Paul thought that sharing the Gospel was the most important thing so he used every opportunity as a chance to do so.  For you what is the most important thing?  Let’s make God number one in our life and live for God.  We are alive for the purpose of sharing the Gospel. Let’s use every opportunity as a chance to share the Gospel.