Middletown transcript., 1921-11-19
!. Paul Before Festus (25 :1-12).


sieged with accusers against Paul,
and they desire that he be brought to
Jerusalem for trial, intending to lie
in wait and kill him on the way.
Festus refused their request, but
agreed to give them an opportunity to
accuse Paul If they would 60 down
to Caesarea. They go, but are unable
to prove anything against him. Fes-
tus, willing to please the Jews. pro-
poses to send him to Jerusalem for
trial. For this Paul issues rebuke
to Festus by asserting that ne very
we'll knew that he was innocent. See
ing that it was impossible to get JUS
tice before Festus, Paul makes use
of his right as a Roman citizen, and
appeals to Caesar. Paul well knew
that to go to Jerusalem meant death,
and since Festus was too much OF q
time-server to release him when ne
knew that he was innocent, he makes
use of the radical step Of appealing
to Rome as the last resort. Festus
seems to have been taken by surprise.
His failure to release On innocent
man had placed him in an awkward
position, for he could give no explain
alton as to why an innocent man
should 60 to Rome for trial. For q
man to appear before Caesar would
cast reflection upon Festus. He now
consulted his council as to what to
do but since the Roman law gave
every man the right of appeal to the
emperor, there was nothing left fof
him to do but to grant his request.
II. Paul Before Aarippa (25 5:13-
26:27).
/. The occasion (25 1920. This
was the visit of Agrippa and Bernice
to Festus. Upon their arrival they
expressed q desire to hear Paul,
whereupon Festus told them Of his
perplexity: so it was arranged that
Paul be brought before them for ex-
animation.
2. The defense (25 5:1-2O. ~ The
introduction wv. 1-3). In this he ex.
pressed his delight that he now could
speak and tell his case to one who
was able to follow his line Of argu'
ment, for Agrippa was an expert In
questions concerning the Jews; but
most of all he was now happy in that
he could witness to him of the Savior
and perhaps lead him into the light
of God. (2) In his manner of life
wv. 4-12). This he showed had
been in strictest accord with the most
rigid sect of the Jews. He possessed
the same hope-that Of coming De-
liverer-and reminded them Of the
fact that formerly he was most bit
terly opposed to Christ, as his zeal
would prove. These facts make the
change from prosecutor to an ar
dent advocate all the more remark.
able. (3) His supernatural conver'
sion wv. 13-15). Jesus Christ ap'
peared to him on the way to Damas'
ems and revealed himself to him. (4)
Jesus Christ commissioned him for his
work wv. 16-18). He was sent unto
the Gentlles (a) to open their eyes,
so awfully blinded; (b) to perform
the blessed work Of turning them from
darkness to light; (c) to turn them
from the power Of Satan unto God;
(d) that they might receive forgive
ness Of sins; (e) and that they might
obtain an inheritance among the
saints. (5) His conservation wv. 10.
2;D. AS soon as he received his COM
mission he obeyed. The very vigorous
prosecution of his work brought him
into conflict with the Jews. for which
they sought to kill him. (6) The in
terruption by Festus ". 24). Seeing
how thoroughly in earnest Paul was,
he attempted to account for it by
calling him a crank, attributing 1t to
the rawlings Of an unbalanced mind.
(D PauTs appeal to Agrippa wv. 25-
27), Still maintaining his courtesy,
he appealed to his knowledge Of the
work Of Jesus and Of the prophets,
for they have an intimate connection.
He was anxious to have Agrippa act
on the knowledge which he had.
III. Agrippa Almost Persuaded
(2e :2s-S2).
Whether this answer is contemptu-
GUS sneer or not, it is evident that his
soul was unwilling to yield. Paul
took Agrippa seriously. Paul's heart
longed that Agrippa and all concerned
would accept Christ and be saved. He
desired that NIL might have the saliva
tion of Christ, but would spare all the
bonds which he bore.