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Political Politeness. Acts 25-26. I. The People. Jews – political force. Jesus. Stephen. Paul: Jews most-wanted Trump up charges to convict him. Jews – political force Festus – typical politician. Right words, wrong actions (25:15-16) Ignorance. 1 Co.6 Bias. Favored Jews over Paul.
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Political Politeness Acts 25-26
Jews – political force Jesus Stephen Paul: Jews most-wanted Trump up charges to convict him
Jews – political forceFestus – typical politician Right words, wrong actions (25:15-16) Ignorance. 1 Co.6 Bias. Favored Jews over Paul
Jews – political forceFestus – typical politicianAgrippa II – non-typical Herod Family
Agrippa grew up in Rome w. Claudius Gave him kingdom of Chalcis, AD 48 . . . . . . territories of Philip & Lysanias, AD 53 Nero: parts of Galilee & Perea, AD 55
Jews – political forceFestus – typical politicianAgrippa II – non-typical Herod Family Bernice
Bernice “…lived a widow a long while after the death of Herod [king of Chalcis], who was both her husband and her uncle. But, when the report went that she had criminal conversation with her brother [Agrippa, junior], she persuaded Polemo, who was king of Cilicia, to…marry her, as supposing, that by this means she should prove those calumnies upon her to be false… –Antiquities 20.7.3
Jews – political forceFestus – typical politicianAgrippa II – non-typical Herod Luke 9:9 Luke 23:8 Family Bernice Desire – to hear Paul
Jews – political forceFestus – typical politicianAgrippa II – non-typical Herod Implying a cheap displayof high status Family Bernice Desire – to hear Paul Companions, 23 – pomp & ceremony
I. The People II. The Plea
Acts 26 Remain a Jew if this happened to you? Give up power / approval for persecution? 1-3, happy to defend gospel before Ag. II 4-8, Saul, the Pharisee (5). Ga.1:14 – 6-8: resurrected Lord. Ga.3:24 9-11, Saul, violent persecutor (10; 22:20) 12-16 (19), Paul’s questions: Would you…
Acts 26 •Confession: aligns him w. madman •Denial: aligns him w. unbelievers 1-3, happy to defend gospel before Ag. II 4-8, Saul, the Pharisee. Ga.1:14 – 6-8: resurrected Lord. Ga.3:24 9-11, Saul, violent persecutor (10; 22:20) 12-16 (19), Paul’s questions: Would you… 16-18, Saul’s vision (witness) 19-23, Saul’s new life; death plots… 24-25: interruption (cf. 2:13) 26-29, Paul’s appeal; Agrippa’s will 30-32, Verdict: Paul is innocent!
I. The People II. The Plea III. The Purpose Why does Lukeinclude this section?
1. We learn by watching people Winsomeness Conviction Jews: only ones who do not treat opponents w. respect & courtesy Paul: does not defend himself, seek release; preaches gospel… Agrippa: too absorbed in world affairs to care for soul?
1. We learn by watching people2. We learn by witnessing God’s plan Everyone to be like him Acts 22:16 / 9:18 28: “You” – a man, not vision (Mt.28) 29: no one obeyed gospel 29: what did Paul want? 29: what did Paul want for all?
“Only Gentiles here; no baptism” • Does Ac.26 Contradict Ac.22:16? • Agrippa was a Jew • Ananias not mentioned in chap.26 • Repentance & faith not in Ac.9 / 22 • Ac.14:15; Rv.14:7 – whole gospel? • Truth, once stated, remains in effect • Agrippa already believed (27) yet . . . • Works worthy of repentance (20) • Repent and turn (20)
Turn! Acts 26:20 Repent Turn • Acts 3:19 • Repent • Turn Acts 2:38 • Repent Be baptized
1. We learn by watching people2. We learn by witnessing God’s plan3. We learn by welcoming God’s providence • God’s protective providence? ‘Adversity is the whetstone thatkeeps a Christian sharp’ • Festus must send innocent man to Nero. • What state did Paul live in? • Ph.4:11 • Ph.1:12-18