in Acts 24:2, “And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,”
As we stated previously, those were nice words, but none of them were true, they were simply flattery. Felix's reign was known for riots and destruction. In A.D. 58, Felix's soliders were so forceful in putting down a riot of Jews in Caesaera, that he was replaced by Porcius Festus. What about this man - Porcius Festus? We see:
I. A RULER VERSES 1-5
Festus was a much greater man in some ways than Felix, but like Felix he was persuaded by the crowds more than he was persuaded by justice. Three days after he had taken office in Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem, a metropolis of the Jews, for several reasons:
• First, he wanted to satisfy his curiosity, for he most likely was curious as to what kind of people these were that he would be dealing with.
• Secondly, to establish his leadership position. Knowing something about the Jews there would help him know what to do in leading them.
A. SAME STORY
Verses 1-2, “Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem. Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,"
As soon as he arrived in Jerusalem, “...the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him," for he was a politician, and they thought if they told Festus their complaint against Paul, Festus would help them get rid of Paul. They left no doubt in his mind how they felt about the apostle Paul.
Ananias and the Sadduccees wanted him to grant them a favor, not justice. After two years they still were not discouraged, and now having a new governor gave them renewed hope that once again they might be able to have Paul killed. They told him the same story they had told Governor Felix, that story did not stick then, but they now had hopes, with this new Governor, that it would stick.
B. SAME STRATEGY
Verses 3-5, “And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him. But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither. Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.”
Their strategy, like their story, was still the same. They wanted Paul to be brought back to Jerusalem and when he was brought they planned to ambush them and kill Paul. However, the new Governor, at that time, felt it would be best for Paul be kept in Caesarea and all those who had ought against him, should come down to Caesarea to vent their complaints.
II. A RASCAL VERSES 6-12
A. THE ROMAN
Verse 6, “And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.”
Notice a change in governor Festus. After he spent ten days with that bloodthirsty crowd of Jews, he went back to Caesarea and the Bible states he wasted no time calling for Paul to be brought before him. Festus had gone to Jerusalem with an open mind, but after associating with that crowd of Jews, it seemed as if he could not wait to call Paul up for judgment.
Illus: Some would have you believe it does not matter who we associate with, but if you go in our prisons today, and go from cell to cell, you would find, more than anything else, the influence of evil friends put those men and women behind bars.
And likewise, if you were to examine all the Christians who have messed up lives, you would find the number one thing that brought about their downfall was evil influence.
Illus: A preacher once received a religious periodical that was very negative, the editor was down on other Christians because they did not cross their T's and dot their I's the way he did. As the preacher would spend time reading this paper each week, he found himself becoming just like this editor, and had to quit reading the paper.
We do not need to deceive ourselves, we become like those we spend time with, that can be good or bad. In Governor Festus' case it was bad.
B. THE JEWS
Verses 7-12, "And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove. While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all. But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.”
The Scripture states they registered “grievous complaints against Paul” against Paul, but they could not prove any of them. Paul personally denied every complaint they made against him. But notice the scripture says, “...Festus, willing to do the Jews pleasure”. Like many crooked politicians, he did not care so much about justice, nor about just one human being. He could see the vast majority were against Paul.
Let me ask you a question, "Where are Paul's friends?" We do not read anywhere in these verses about them. We have read in the earlier part of the book of Acts where thousands and thousands had been converted. Now where were they? If Paul ever needed his friends, he needed them now!
Festus did not see the Christians crying, "Release him, Release him!” All he could see were the masses of people screaming for Paul's blood, and being the politician he was, he wanted to please the multitude. If anything gets a politician's attention, it is people who come out in large numbers. Only God knows the damage that has been done, because the devil's crowd came out and voiced their evil ideas, while God's people stayed home and twiddled their thumbs.
III. A REVIEW VERSES 13-27
A. THE CONSULTATION
Verses 13-2 , “And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus. And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix: About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him. To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him. Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth. Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed: But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters. But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar. Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.”
King Agrippa and his sister Bernice, came to pay a courtesy call on the new governor. Verse 14 states that after they had been there, "many days", Governor Festus began to explain to him about Paul's situation. As Festus began to unravel the story of the apostle Paul, you can see Festus protects himself.
1. He made sure King Agrippa knew that Paul was already there when he arrived.
Illus: One good thing about a pastor going to another church as a pastor, he can always blame his problems on the previous pastor.
This was what Festus was doing. He wanted Agrippa to know (in verse 14), “...There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix.”
2. He presented himself as being law abiding. In verses 15-16, he stated that the Jews had given him their side of the story, and wanted him to have Paul killed. He immediately explained that Romans do not convict a man before he had a chance for a trial.
3. He placed all the blame on the Jews. Festus said when he was trying Paul in Caesarea, he had doubts about the charges brought against him and asked Paul if he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be judged on these matters. In verse 9, we read the real reason he suggested that Paul should go to Jerusalem. It was not so he might have a fair hearing, but the Bible says, “But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure,…”
Felix kept Paul in prison, not because he was guilty, but Acts 24 states, “He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.”
Festus kept him in prison because he knew it pleased the Jews. Even though the Jews had no proof, he kept him. Paul told him he was innocent of all charges, and if he could not get justice there, he demanded that he be brought before Caesar.
Festus’ predicament was, how could he send a man to Caeasar, and not have any charges against him that could be supported by any evidence. King Agrippa agreed that he would like to have Paul brought before him.
B. THE CONCLUSION
Verses 23-27, “And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth. And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him. Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write. For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.”
Paul was brought before King Agrippa to present his side of the story. Agrippa was the son of Herod Agrippa. Bernice was the sister of Drusilla and Agrippa. She had been previously married to her uncle. She left him and was living then with her brother in what was rumored to be an incestuous affair. She later left him and married a pagan king, and after that left him to become the mistress of both Roman emperor Vespasian and his son Titus, who later destroyed Rome in 70 A.D.. Paul gave his testimony before this crowd and what a marvelous presentation Paul gave, almost persuading even Agrippa to come to know the Lord.
Conclusion:
Can you imagine how Paul's enemies must have felt when Agrippa said in Acts 26:28, “…Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.”
Some think that King Agrippa was being sarcastic, but verse 29 indicates otherwise. If Paul thought he was, he probably would not have responded by saying, “... I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.”
The world that opposes us, one day will wish they were like those of us who have come to know Christ.
Illus: Can you imagine how Noah's generation must have wished they were like Noah, when the rain began to fall and the water was up to their chins, but it was to late!
We can be like Governor Festus, and let the crowds dictate our stand, but one day we will wish that we hadn't been like him. We can be like the apostle Paul, take our stand, and God will reward us for eternity!
I. A RULER VERSES 1-5
A. SAME STORY
B. SAME STRATEGY
II. A RASCAL VERSES 6-12
A. THE ROMAN
B. THE JEWS
III. A REVIEW VERSES 13-27.
A. THE CONSULTATION
B. THE CONCLUSION
