Acts 25 A MAN IN BONDS The central figure of all history and the Subject of the life-changing Gospel message is the Lord Jesus Christ. It is determined by God that every knee shall bow to Him and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Frail mortal men often have the mistaken idea that they are the masters of their own life and their destiny is in their own hands - "if there is life after death." Festus seemed to take himself and the official position he held very seriously. He didn't wait long, only three days, before he went to Jerusalem to establish his authority in that hotbed of discontent and public opposition to Rome. In our service for God, we will often find it difficult to get permission to rent public places for preaching the Gospel or to speak publicly in the open air. Some people want bribes. Some are linked to local congregations and they use their position of authority to support the religion of their choice. Our reasonable response to unreasonable men and unreasonable decisions can open the door to do the work to which we are called rather then to resist them by countercharges or demands to "our rights." Occasionally we will have to take our position as citizens and defend our work in a court of law, because "we ought to obey God rather than men." But usually those who bluster and bluff will not persist in an unreasonable course of action when faced with calm assurance of those who trust in the Living God - and if necessary, legal exposure.
Two years had passed and Paul was still not a free man. The Jews were still openly opposed to Paul and at the first opportunity wanted Festus to have Paul come to Jerusalem so they could kill him on the way. God's decision was to have Paul go to Rome. The Jews decision was to kill him. One has well written in a hymn, "In vain do earth and hell oppose, for God is stronger than His foes." There is no way the schemes and plans of men, be they great or small, stop God's plans from being fulfilled. This provides great assurance to us when we are furthering the work of God in the place, and in the way He intends. It is our privilege to be instruments in His hands to accomplish His work. Let us never get side-tracked by threats and opposition. Paul's example of submission is one we do well to follow. The two years that seem wasted were part of
God's plan. Preparation times are often long while the objective may be accomplished in a very short time. God was able to have His servant do publicly in and an hour or two what Paul had waited two years for.
False charges by their very nature are quite easily discerned even by ungodly men. The same unfounded charges were laid against Paul that had been made two years before. Again, Paul's answer was respectfully given and positively answered. A fact we know to be true is those who are allied in some way against God, will not undermine each other. Festus, Felix and Pilate all sought to please the Jewish leaders even when the charges and decisions were totally unreasonable and/or false. Sometimes we are amazed at the foolish charges and responses to the work of God. The reasons for opposition have no point at all and the charges are obviously without foundation. And yet they get away with it. Paul's great statement of appeal must have startled all who were at that hearing. He declared his innocence and the governor knew he was innocent of all the charges against him. But to fulfill God's plan and purposes he went over the heads of all who were there and claimed his right as a Roman citizen. By this time the escalation of the matter had taken on large proportions that both Festus and his council, and the high priest and the Jews, knew were serious. Paul in complete trust in the will of God could calmly declare his innocence. Now the deceitful actions of both the accusers and the government official were in danger of full exposure. When such decisions have to be made in our lives, it is important that our motives are right before God and our appeal is righteous. Now instead of being on the defensive, when those who oppose are exposed, they are the ones in danger.
Legally, Festus had no choice but to defer to Paul's appeal. The priest and his people had no other recourse but to go home and await the outcome. God's power was now the overruling force of subsequent actions and the powerlessness of men no longer had any influence. One sentence from Paul took the whole matter out of Festus authority and the false charges of the Jewish leaders, and place it in the hands of a far greater authority. A careful evaluation of a matter by a faithful servant acting in fellowship with God, can bring a conclusion rather quickly. The continuation of an argument, charges and counter-charges have no end to them. Paul's consistent life and testimony was there to be seen. His dignity and calmness was easy to see. His faith in "One, Jesus," was out in the open without any deception. "Jesus was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive." How can any charge be laid against him? When under the challenge of false charges, the wise defender of the faith clarifies simply and plainly the message of the Gospel. That is the word from God. Prove it wrong if you can. Prove Jesus who lived, died and was buried, and has been testified that He is alive, is not alive. The tumult that resulted from Paul's message whenever and wherever it was given was because of "Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive."
Festus may have spoken those words in sarcasm and ignorance but he knew what the issues are when it comes to the truth of the Gospel. The immoral, ungodly leadership that gathered to hear Paul's defense must have been very defensive themselves in front of the calm, quiet assurance of God's man who could look each person in the eye, and with clear conscience tell of his "manner of life." The history of Agrippa and Bernice would have been an embarrassment to most people. They probably lived constantly under the conviction of a bad conscience. Great pomp and ceremony cannot compare with the power of holy simplicity. A sinful life, a bad conscience, latent hatred, suppressed fury are all exposed without a word. A consistent life, calm words, reverence and respect for God fulfills a man's duty before God and man, and testifies that this person is one who walks in the light with God.
When standing before ungodly men, there is physical evidence that shows. One who does not to pressure bend, has an authority no accuser knows. Because he has hope and his faith is real, God is his authority To whom he submits and before Him kneels - His judgments are for eternity.
People will oppose and complain, because faith is in a Higher Person than man. Their objective is to lay on you blame, and pass a guilty verdict if they can. Fear not, their feeble opposition is doomed to failure and ultimate defeat. No fearful threat or proposition, moves the Judge who all must meet.
In life we will not be popular or favored, because the Gospel, sin does expose. The life we have in Christ is only savored, by those who God's grace really knows. We can't expect those who live in the darkness, to appreciate the value of light. Those who reject God when His grace harkens, don't understand faith - only sight.
There is a dignity, calmness and respect, when one lives consciously before his God. In those who deny, refuse and reject, a deep-seated resentment is influenced by the world. The one lives with assurance this will pass, the future before him is bright. The other without solid truth to grasp, will go further into the dark night.
"I thank Thee Father, for the fellowship with those who walk in the light with Thee. To one it seems like I can identify with Paul and others who were challenged and changed without any basis for their opposition. Many are silent now but please keep Thy servant with a sense of dependence on Thee at all times, so I will be ready for any disturbance that will come. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."