May 15, 2006
May 15, 2006
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Bible Study: Acts Chapters 25 and 26
A Doubled-Minded Man is Unstable
Introduction:
Recently, I was summonsed to participate at a three-day jury selection. The first case involved someone I knew personally. Being one of the 30 chosen to sit in the jury “box,” Realizing to approach the bench to discuss why they should not appoint me for this trial, I felt queasy. Although the judge seemed very nice, just the thought of speaking directly to him rattled me. Obviously, my nervousness was unmerited. They dismissed me from the obligation.
Often, authoritative people intimidate us and we allow them to undermine our freedom. Because of our demoralized spirit, we often appear double-mined missing opportunities to witness.
Core of the Lesson:
For two years, Felix kept Paul imprisoned. At the time of his departure, Felix decided to do the Jews a favor and let Paul bound. Before Felix’s replacement, Festus, took his seat in the governor’s palace in Caesarea, he journeyed to Jerusalem. During his brief stay, he met with Paul’s accusers. They requested Paul’s return to Jerusalem for a trial. However, Festus denied the request requiring them to travel to Caesarea to take up the matter before the judgment seat. Unknowingly, Festus acted as God’s agent of provision for Paul. (Remember some of those accusers took a vow to see Paul dead.) Verse 3 verifies that after two years they had not lost sight of their vow.
When Festus and the Jews convened for the trial, Paul had no trouble defending himself. Not only did he know he did nothing wrong, he knew the Lord’s plans for him. Paul proceeded with confidence in what Jesus had told him, “Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome” (Acts 23:11). Paul believed God would take care of him and would do all He said He would. Without wavering, Paul demanded his rights as a Roman citizen.
James wrote, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:6-8). Although James referred to seeking wisdom, we can apply the concept to all areas of our lives as the later statement suggests. When we say we trust God in all things then worry about our future, we contradict ourselves, show our lack of wisdom, and prove ourselves double-minded and unstable for God’s service. Someone once asked, “What are you worried about?” Then, he replied, “That is an area in which you do not trust God.” What an eye-opener! Some of us try to cover our doubts by saying we aren’t worried just concerned. Perhaps this is a true statement, but the moment we begin to resolve the problem ourselves without seeking God we prove we are worried.
Paul showed no signs of concern for his future. He faced his accusers and the new governor with confidence and appealed to Caesar. Like a slap in the face, this request infuriated Festus. Shortly afterward, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to greet Festus. Unsure of what to do with Paul, Festus presented the predicament to Agrippa stating that he had no grounds on which to send Paul before Caesar. Festus informed Agrippa that the only charge against Paul was pertaining to religious matters and to “some one named Jesus, who was dead and Paul affirmed to be alive.” No stranger to the events of the day, Agrippa eagerly requested to hear Paul.
Upon introducing Paul to Agrippa and the others, Festus confessed, “For it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.” This would be like a member of your church bringing a fellow member up on some trumped up charge. And then, the accused party insisting that the matter be tried in the Supreme Court. Without having just cause for sending Paul to Augustus, Festus knew his head would be in the noose and not Paul’s.
Agrippa was the brother of Bernice and Felix’s wife, Drusilla. In chapter 24 (v 24), Luke informed us that Drusilla was a Jewess. (It doesn’t take a master in Theology to realize that would make Agrippa Jewish as well.) Agrippa was the son of Herod Agrippa mentioned in Acts 12 and the great-grandson of Herod the Great.
Fearlessly, Paul addressed the appointed king. Paul knew Agrippa’s background and reputation. Agrippa was Jewish and must have been more just than his father because Paul said that Agrippa was an expert in such cases.
Paul began his discourse with the commonly known facts of his Jewish heritage and prestige. He mentioned the same credentials in the third chapter of his letter to the Philippians. In verse 8 of that chapter, Paul explained the importance of his vast education and knowledge of the law, Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.
Reminding Agrippa of the hope of the promise made of God to our fathers (26:6), Paul declared that it was for that hope’s sake that he was on trial. Paul confessed his loyalty to Judaism in his third testimony of his conversion, which Luke included in this chapter. Paul never denounced the authenticity of Judaism, the Law, or the Prophets. He simply confessed the fullment of the former way.
In his testimony, Paul stated that the Light came from “above the sun’s brightness” (v13). This could mean that the Light was brighter in its intensity. However, we should not overlook the implications of the Light coming from a place in the universe beyond the sun. Here again, Paul emphasized his calling to witness not only to the Jews, but also to the Gentiles. Paul realized Jesus’ promise to deliver him from his accusers and to open their eyes to the gospel through his ministry. He counted no man unworthy of hearing the gospel, nor did he assume any man too great.
Paul verified his mission in verse 20 stating that he preached that, “they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.” The term “works meet for repentance” does not mean that we can do works to earn repentance. The Greek word translated “meet” means proper or fitting. Paul meant proper works as evidence to someone who has changed his ways. There are actually three Greek words used in the New Testament that have been translated repentance.
(1) Metamelomai (verb) denotes a change of mind which produces regret or even remorse because of a transgression of the law, but not necessarily a change of heart. We find this word in Matthew 27:3 used with reference to Judas Iscariot.
(2) Metanoee (verb) denotes a change of mind and purpose resulting from knowledge and is closely connected to
(3) Metanoia (noun) refers to true repentance, a change of mind and purpose of life. This is the condition of the promise of remission of sin.
Salvation consists of:
(1) True repentance – a sincere sense of sinfulness and actual hatred of sin,
(2) A knowledge and understanding of God’s law condemning sin,
(3) Acknowledging our helplessness in the matter,
(4) A willingness to accept God’s mercy in Christ,
(5) An earnest effort to live a holy life walking in the Light of Jesus Christ and obeying His commandments.
All this must have convicted Festus because with a loud voice, he accused Paul of being crazy. People have a tendency to get loud and obnoxious when the Holy Spirit is dealing with them. Paul stated that he has not crazy, but truthful and sober. Then, he addressed Agrippa. “Do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe” (v 27). Interestingly, Agrippa does not deny his faith or his heritage. He only confesses that Paul “almost” persuaded him to become a Christian. Challenging Agrippa and the rest of his audience to ponder his testimony, Paul prodded a little further in his closing statement. It was his prayer for his accusers that they, too, would come to know Jesus personally and worship Him as the risen Son of God – the promised Messiah.
After Paul finished his discourse, Festus, Agrippa, and Bernice left the room to discuss the outcome of the hearing. Unable or unwilling to make a decision, Agrippa simply acknowledged Paul’s innocence and agreed that Festus had to honor Paul’s request to appear before Caesar.
Conclusion and Challenge:
I seriously doubt that, while he sat in prison, Paul thought this is exactly what God promised. Nevertheless, Paul never adjusted his plans to go to Rome. He trusted God fulfill His promise in His time and in His way. Paul never stopped executing the task of his calling. While free, Paul preached the gospel and proclaimed his conversion experience. While imprisoned, he preached and testified to everyone he came in contact with. Paul never stopped believing God’s promise. He understood God’s commission and determined to carry out God’s plans.
When God promises us one thing and something else seems to divert that promise, we often become bewildered. Assuming that we misinterpreted God’s meaning, we begin to adjust our plans. We use the inconvenience as an excuse to abort our mission. Lacking faith, we become double-minded. We allow the commission to fall rather than carrying out God’s plans at all cost. Let us mimic Paul by preaching and testifying while we wait for the LORD to accomplish His desired end.