## Study of the Book of Acts - Part 25

(Acts 1:8b) "…Ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

Tonight we continue to look at the development of Christianity to the Uttermost Part of the Earth.

I. Christianity in Jerusalem

II. Christianity in Judea and Samaria

III. Christianity to the Uttermost

A. The First Missionary Journey 13:1-14:28

B. The Council in Jerusalem 15:1-35

C. The Second Missionary Journey 15:36-18:22

D. The Third Missionary Journey 18:23-21:26

E. The Journey to Rome 21:27-28:31

1. Paul's arrest and defense 21:27-22:29

2. Paul before the Sanhedrin 22:30-23:10

3. Paul is escorted to Caesarea 23:11-35

4. Paul's defense before Felix 24:1-27

5. Paul's defense before Festus 25:1-27

a. Paul appeals to Caesar v 1-12

1) Festus in Jerusalem (v 1-5)

a) He heard from the high priest and the elders concerning Paul

b) They asked that Paul would be brought to Jerusalem to stand trial

c) Their full intention was to ambush Paul along the way and kill him

d) Festus decided against moving Paul since he was already at Caesarea and Festus, himself, would soon be returning there

e) He called for witnesses and accusers to return with him

2) A familiar scene is re-played (v 6-7)

a) Festus calls for Paul

b) The Jews "laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove"

3) Paul makes his appeal (v 8-12)

a) Paul denies the allegations saying he had done nothing against the Jews, the Law, the Temple, or the Caesar v 8

b) Festus then asks Paul to consider returning to Jerusalem for trial -

NOTE: Perhaps he was feeling the pressure of the situation but his desire was to please the Jews. v 9

c) Paul says no! - He puts the ball back in Festus' court by saying he was where he should be - and that Festus knew that he was innocent of the Jewish charges v 10

d) Paul makes appeal to Caesar v11

1] Paul knew that a trial in Jerusalem wouldn't be impartial

2] Paul also knew of the danger in traveling

3] So he makes his appeal to go before Caesar - this was his right as a Roman citizen

4] Paul stated that if he was guilty of anything worthy of death he was ready to die!

e) Festus agreed to Paul's request to go before Caesar v 12

b. Paul perplexes Festus v 13-22

1) Festus had a real problem on his hands

a) If Paul was released by Him - which was the honest thing to do - Festus would anger the Jews, and as a new governor he needed their support

b) But if he sent Paul on to see the Caesar it would reflect badly upon him because there were no crimes that Paul was guilty

2) Herod Agrippa II came to pay honor to the new governor v13-22

a) Festus now hopes to present this case before him - because he was familiar with Jewish religion and customs

b) He hoped he might be able to help him figure out what to charge Paul with to send him before Caesar

3) Festus fills Agrippa in on the background of his dilemma and Agrippa agrees to hear the case

c. Paul appears before King Agrippa v23-27

1) Festus introduces Paul to Agrippa v23-24 [5]

2) He admits that he also found him to be innocent v 25

3) He appeals to Agrippa to help him determine what charges should be made against Paul v 26-27

6. Paul's defense before Agrippa 26:1-32

a. Paul makes his opening statement v1-3

b. Paul declares that his heritage was that of a Pharisee v 4-11

c. Paul shares his salvation experience v12-23

1) I saw a light v 12-13

2) I heard a voice v 14-18

3) I was obedient v 19-21

4) I haven't quit v 22-23

d. Paul is interrupted by Festus v 24

e. Paul turns to Agrippa for confirmation v 25-29

1) He states that none of this is new - that Agrippa has heard of these events

2) He also appeals to Agrippa to respond by faith to the message

3) Agrippa said, "Almost..."

4) Paul answers that his desire was that everyone present might become a Christian - but without the chains

f. Agrippa also finds Paul innocent v30-32

1) Lysias the chief captain; The Pharisees of the Sanhedrin; Felix - Roman Governor #1; Festus - Roman Governor #2; and Agrippa II - All found Paul innocent of any charges worthy of imprisonment or death

2) But: Now they were still going to send him to Rome to fulfill his request

Next Paul's Journey to Rome is Underway