STUDIES IN THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

 

VOLUME FOUR

 

Lessons 34-

Chapter’s 21-28

Plus Examination Sheets

 

INTRODUCTION

 

We come now to the finals chapters and verses of the Acts of the Apostles. The Apostle Paul has been Providentially brought through some great trials and in these chapters we see the hand of God upon him even through severe persecution.

As we come to the end of the Acts of the Apostles, we should realize that this is not the end of the great ministry of the Apostles. They would continue for a few more years and work they had begun would spread from Rome to Spain, to Europe and Great Britain, alas, also to America and Canada from whence it will go to the isles of the sea. The perseverance of these men of God ought to inspire us to continue in the gospel way and ever seek to do as they did, as admonished by Jesus Himself, “Occupy till I come.”

And now we look at Acts Chapter 21.

 

LESSON THIRTY-FOUR:

THE PROPHET AND

 PAUL'S JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM

 

Scripture: Acts 21:1-16

 

Text:   Acts 21:13

"Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break my heart? For I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."

 

INTRODUCTION:

If God called you to go to New York, and someone told you the plane you were to go on would crash into a building, would you go? Would you change planes? Would you change religions? This is somewhat the issue we have before us. Paul felt led of the Lord to go to Jerusalem, and it seems almost as strongly, to then go on to Rome. Yet here were his colleagues in the gospel ministry, even those gifted as prophets, not forth telling, but foretelling the danger that lay ahead of him.

Personally, I am rather glad that the Lord does not tell me all of the things that lay ahead of me on my pilgrim journey, and concerning my ministry. I just live my life and continue my ministry, one day at a time.

We just trust the Lord and do our best to follow His word, knowing that he has promised to be with us in life and in death. Whatever be the lot, we are "absent from the body and present with the Lord."

Is it not strange that everyone is talking about heaven and wants to go there? They just do not want to go today!

Let us follow Paul and his friends as they journey closer to the holy city, Jerusalem.

 

1.            FORWARD ON THE JOURNEY: Vs 1-5

            Exodus 14:15 

"And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:"

God has always sought to bring his people forward. Sin gets us sidetracked into a wilderness experience. The Lord's churches have come forward down through the ages, but many got sidetracked into Catholicism and a multitude of heretical doctrines. The Protestants of the Reformation were on the right road back to the truth but stumbled over ecclesiology. However, the Lord has had his church in every age since it began on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

"Forward through the ages, in unbroken line,

Move the faithful spirits at the call divine:

Gifts in differing measure, hearts of one accord,

Manifold the service, one the sure reward.

Chorus/ Forward thro' the ages,

            In unbroken line, Move the faithful spirits

            At the call divine.

(Pg 220 -ABA Hymnal 1960 edition)

 

A.                 Toiling On: Vs 1-3

1.      After Paul and the others had departed from their meeting with the Ephesian elders they again set sail coming in "straight course" to Coos, the next day onward to Rhodes and then to Patara.

2.       A spiritual lesson here is this, - "we cannot go straight to anywhere if we do not leave the place where we are." Many want all of the blessings of God without God Himself. They want salvation without the Savior, healing without the Healer, gifts without the Giver of gifts. We do not hear enough today about the need for Biblical separation. The bottom line here, of what I am trying to say is simply this, there needs to be fruit on the Lord's trees. We should also desire that the fruit should increase both in quality and in quantity. So they left, setting a straight course for where they wanted to go.

3.      Coos and Rhodes are islands off of the southern coast of Asia Minor (Turkey) while Patara is a seaport in Lycia. (Students should locate these on their Bible map.)

4.      Vs 2- "And finding a ship sailing over unto Phoenicia, we went aboard and set forth."

Locating a ship that was sailing to Phoenicia (modern day Lebanon) they boarded it, and immediately set sail.

5.      Vs 3 - Now when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her burden."

They sailed out into the Mediterranean, passing just to the south of the island of Cyprus; they sailed into Syria, landing at Tyre. Here it was that the ship was to discharge her cargo.

The whole area including what is now Lebanon was then part of Syria. The coastal area was also known by its former name, Phoenicia.

 

B.                  Tarry With the Church: Vs 4-5

1.      Locating certain disciples, as this does not appear to be accidental, they tarried there in Tyre for seven days.

2.      "Who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem."

Literally, "prompted through the Holy Spirit," they kept telling Paul not to go to Jerusalem.

This is one of those paradoxes of scripture. It may appear on the surface that the Holy Spirit is contradicting Himself as to the leading of Paul. On the one hand, Paul feels led of the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. Yet, on the other hand everyone seems led of the Spirit to tell him not to go. What is the truth here? Most certainly we cannot accept as a fact, that the Holy Spirit contradicts Himself.

Dr. John Gill has a good note on this:

"Not that the Spirit of God in these persons contradicted his own impulse in the apostle, by which he was moved to go to Jerusalem, see (Acts 20:22.) The sense is, that these disciples, by the spirit of prophecy, knew that if the apostle went to Jerusalem, many evil things would befall him; wherefore of their own spirit, and out of love to him, they advise him not to go."

The Geneva Bible footnote says-

 "They foretold through the Spirit what dangers were about to befall Paul, and this they did as prophets: but they misdirected him away from Jerusalem because of a fleshly affection."

3.      Vs 5- When their seven-day visit was over the church members, including women and children escorted them to the beach where they would board ship on their journey to Jerusalem. Here they had a great prayer meeting, sparked perhaps by their knowledge of what might lie in waiting for Paul and his party in Jerusalem. Remember that Jerusalem had a history of slaying the prophets. Remember the words of the Lord Jesus?

Matthew 23:37 

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!"     

 

2.            FRIENDSHIP ON THE JOURNEY: Vs 6-9

A.                Departing from Friends: Vs 6

1.      Again, it is never an easy thing to depart from friends. I can recall leaving the various places where I ministered in the Philippines, throughout Mindanao, in Bohol, Leyte, Samar, Cebu, Pangasinan, and Metro Manila. It is always hard to say goodbye.

"And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and they returned home again."

2.      Paul and his associates boarded ship, while the others returned home, back to the everyday life of being a lighthouse for the Lord Jesus in their city. That my friends is the duty of all of us, to brighten the corner where we are.

            Matthew 5:16 

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

            1 Peter 2:12 

"Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation."

These just went back home to be what we all ought to be as the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. We worry too much about other things, that our light goes out and we become a bunch of silly grumblers who spend all of our time debating issues that need no debate.

 

B.                 Delightful Associates: Vs 7-9

1.      Vs 7 - "And when we had finished our course from Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day."

Ptolemais is a short distance south of Tyre, before Caesarea.

                        Josephus thus speaks of Ptolemais:

"`Ptolemais is a city of Galilee on the sea coast, built in a large champaign country, but is surrounded with mountains, on the east with the mountains of Galilee, sixty furlongs off; on the south with Carmel, distant a hundred and twenty furlongs; on the north with a very high mountain called the Climax, or ladder of the Tyrians, which is a hundred furlongs from it; two miles from the city runs a very small river called Beleus, near which is the sepulchre of Memnon, taking up the space of an hundred cubits, and is worthy of admiration; it is round and hollow (i.e. the river), casting up glassy sand, which ships in great numbers come and take up, and the place is filled up again.''

This description shows why they would take a ship to come here from Tyre, as it was only about 32 miles in distance.

2.      Arriving in Ptolemais they saluted "greeted" some more brethren and remained with them for the day (or actually the day and overnight.)

3.      Vs 8 - "The next day Paul and his associates departed and came to Caesarea."

How they traveled, it does not say. They may have gone by ship since Caesarea has a good seaport. They could also have gone by land route. Arriving in Caesarea they entered the house of Philip the evangelist. This is the same Philip who was one of the seven, the first deacons in the church at Jerusalem. (This is not the apostle Philip.)

John Gill says-

"This man, very likely, was the same that taught in Samaria, and baptized the eunuch, and who after that settled at Caesarea; see Acts 8:40. one of the seven deacons in the church in Jerusalem - Acts 6:5."

4.      Vs 9 - "And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy."

John Gills note on this verse reads -

"And the same man had four daughters, &c.] So that he was a married man, which may be observed against the Papists, who forbid marriage to ecclesiastics: and they were, virgins: not under any vow of virginity, but they had not as yet changed their state of life, and were pure and incorrupt: which did prophesy; not explain and interpret Scripture, or preach in public assemblies; for these were not allowed women, neither in the Jewish synagogues, nor in Christian assemblies; but they were endowed with a gift of foretelling future events, as was promised such should have in Gospel times, Joel 2:28."

5.      From this verse, we learn that this minister of the gospel or evangelist was a married man, like was Peter and most others.

(for Peter see Matthew 8:14.) Forced celibacy may be religious, but it is not true to Scripture nor is it generally practical.

Celibacy causes more problems than it cures and should not be forced upon God called ministers of the Gospel. Of course there are exceptions to this rule has seen in the ministry of Paul, although he may have been married at one time, as he was a member of the Sanhedrin of which we understand required a man to be married.

See also - Matthew 19:12 concerning eunuchs.

 

3.            FORETELLING OF DANGER: Vs 10-16

A.                 Prophetic Ministry: Vs 10-12

1.      Vs 10 - "And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judea (actually Jerusalem) a certain prophet, named Agabus."

There is good reason why a prophet had to come down from Jerusalem, when there were already four women who had the gift of prophecy there in Caesarea.

This no doubt had to do with the place of women in the church as to ministry.

2.      Concerning Agabus, John Gill says "of whom mention is made in Acts 11:28 who is there said to come from Jerusalem, to Antioch, and here from Judea to Caesarea; he had been many years going about from place to place prophesying, for between that and this account must be a space of about sixteen or seventeen years."

A.T. Robertson (N.T. Word Pictures) says -

(prophet named Agabus} (profhthv onomati agabov). A prophet like the daughters of Philip, mentioned already in connection with the famine predicted by him (#Ac 11:28), but apparently not a man of prominence like Barnabas, and so no allusion to that former prophecy."

                        3.      Vs 11 - "And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles."

The word "girdle" refers to the belt or tie-cord that went about Paul's garments. We should read this in connection with the dress custom of that day.

This was a prophetic word of knowledge. It should not be taken, as Paul did not take it, as a directive of the Holy Spirit not to go to Jerusalem. Agabus simply related what lay ahead for Paul in Jerusalem. The Gentiles mentioned here would be the Romans.

                        4.      Vs 12 - "And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem."

                              The Holy Spirit had already told Paul to go to Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit through Agabus told Paul what lay in wait for him there. The disciples with Paul were speaking humanly because of the danger that apparently lay in store for Paul.

                              The lesson here is this: What appears on the surface or circumstantial evidence is not always Providential or the leading of the Holy Spirit.

                              We should never make a decision based solely upon circumstances. If we do that we can get into difficulty, get outside of the will of God, and miss the greater good or blessing that God has for us. In this case, we leave the benefit of hindsight, and know that Paul was in this way to get a free trip to Rome, from whence the gospel spread to Europe, England, and later to America. This was God's plan, but the flesh of Paul's friends thought only of the immediate trials.

                              We cannot have gold or silver unless the ore passes through the fiery furnace. Already we are hearing such stories coming from the recent disaster in New York City. I rather think that 20 years from now we will look back and see a greater purpose, if only to bring us to our knees.

 

B.                  Paul's Earnest Reply: Vs 13-14

1.      Vs 13 -Paul's reply, not to the prophecy of Agabus, but to his friends.

"What mean ye to weep and to break my heart? For I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."

What a glorious testimony! What a great statement of faith! If only we could catch the fire of such a commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ?

We cannot play down Paul's statement, in light of the history of his persecution throughout his ministry. He had already been jailed, beaten with a whip with metal tied to the end of it, stoned and left for dead. Paul already bore the marks of his faithful ministry. We might well ask ourselves the question. Where are our marks?

Galatians 6:17

"From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." 

(See these scriptures for a study of Paul's infirmities - Acts 9:16;

2 Corinthians 1:5; 11:23-30; 12:7-10.)

2.      Vs 14 - "And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, the will of Lord be done."

When we could not persuade Paul from going to Jerusalem, we dropped the matter, and left it to the will of Providence. The word "ceased" seems to imply, simply put, "we shut our mouths".

As in the model prayer, "thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10.)

 

C.                 Purposed Travel: Vs 15-16

1.      Vs 15- "And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem."

Let us not read this verse too quickly, as it is easy to miss some very applicable truth here.

We know that Paul would go to Jerusalem, but what about the others? What would you do in this situation? They knew that trouble lay ahead, possible confinement in prison, even death. Here is where many today would "jump ship" and leave the church.

To use an old adage, "if you cannot stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."

However, to the credit of Luke and the other disciples that accompanied Paul, "we took up our carriages and went up to Jerusalem."

A.T. Robertson has this note:

"{We took up our baggage} (episkeuasamenoi). First aorist middle participle of episkeuazw, old verb to furnish (skeuov, epi) with things necessary, to pack up, saddle horses here Ramsay holds. Here only in the N.T. {Went up} (anebainomen). Inchoative imperfect active of anabainw, we started to go up."

The meaning here is "we gave in to the will of God, packed our bags and went up to Jerusalem. "There is a sense of "immediate action." They did not do this in a pouting fashion. Perhaps there is even a sense of urgency here.

Application:

Let me ask you, are your bags packed? Are you ready to go forward with the Lord, even in the face of trial? Some get mad, others get glad. Remember the promise of the Lord, (Matthew 28:20)  "I am with you always, even unto the end of the age."

2.      Vs 16 - "There went with us also certain of the disciples of Caesarea, and brought with them Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple with whom we should lodge."

Not only Paul's immediate party, those who had traveled with him, but some others from the Church in Caesarea came along also, as well as an old disciple formerly from Cyprus

There is some good application here; some lessons I do not think should be overlooked by reading this verse too quickly.

a)      Paul's influence upon the Church in Caesarea is strongly amazing, in that some of their number were willing to accompany Paul into such knowingly dangerous waters.

b)       Mnason, the old disciple from Cyprus. This was possibly from the  influence of Paul's earlier ministry in Cyprus. Here is an old man who still had a job to do in the Lord's work. (So much for retirement!) I choose to go along with the KJV that this old man traveled with them from Caesarea. He probably had a house in Jerusalem where Paul and his friends were lodged. He could well have just previously come down from Jerusalem with Agabus (21:10) who would not likely travel by himself. He may not have been a real old man, but had been a Christian for a long time. However, he was no young man either, if he had been converted at Pentecost, or under the ministry of Christ Himself. The point however I wish to make is, that you are never too old to serve the Lord.

Peloubet's Bible Dictionary says of Mnason -

"An "early" disciple; that is probably from the time of Pentecost. Paul and his companions lodged with him on this, his last visit to Jerusalem. He was a Cyprian by birth, and may have been a friend of Barnabas. (Acts 4:36.)

Jamieson, Faussett, Brown Commentary - says-

"One Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple,  etc.--not an "aged" disciple, but probably "a disciple of old standing, " perhaps one of the three thousand converted on the day of Pentecost, or, more likely still, drawn to the Savior Himself during His lifetime. He had come, probably, with the other Cyprians (#Ac 11:20), to Antioch, "preaching the Lord Jesus unto the Grecians, " and now he appears settled at Jerusalem."

c)      From these verses we see how the Lord uses many people to perform his service. Each one of us is important in the work of the Lord. The church is described as a many membered body, each member having its own function individually, yet performing together for the good of the whole.

 

CONCLUSION:

What is important here, is not the trials that Paul is about to face, nor the rigors of the journey enroute to Jerusalem. The important thing, the bottom line in all of this is "they were all faithful in their commitment to the ministry." You are no apostle Paul, there was only one such man. We are not all leaders, ministers in the sense of clergy. However, we all are ministers (or ought to be) within the sense of the body of Christ, the Lord's local New Testament Church. Some would talk about a so-called universal Church, but that is not scriptural to begin with. It is also not practical and certainly in a very real sense, not very personal. As you look around you this morning, and see the members of our church, you can reach out and shake their hand. You can call them by name and know the trials, difficulties, and the blessings each one faces This is the body of Christ in this place. If you are a member, this is your place of function, of service. As the Lord leads this body, he leads you. As the Lord blesses this body, he blesses you. We are laborers together with Christ!

Have you noticed the sense in which Paul was accompanied by others? Have you sensed the involvement, the commitment of others, as Paul sought to be obedient unto the heavenly calling?

Finally, have you sensed that in the face of death itself, they did not leave Paul alone? Dare we expect less than this in our church, and in the New Testament Missionary Baptist Churches in the world today?

Brothers and sisters, there is a job to do here in our city and in the Philippines and other mission fields. Let us arise and be faithful to the Lord, and do it!

 

Sermon preached by Dr. D. Paul Tuck Sr.

Landmark Baptist Church, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

Sunday morning, October 14th 2001

 

LESSON THIRTY-FIVE:

PAUL IN JERUSALEM

 

Scripture: Acts 21:17-40

 

Text:   Acts 20:16

"For Paul had determined to sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of Pentecost."

 

INTRODUCTION:

It seems like a long journey since Paul first determined to go to Jerusalem. Indeed by the standards of travel of that time, it was a long journey. Paul went to Jerusalem out of obedience to the call of God, which call does not always take us along smooth streams and give us sunny days. God did not promise Paul an easy road when so many years previously, he had saved him and commissioned him to the ministry he had hitherto been very faithful. The stuff we are made of is determined, not by how articulate we may be, but how well we can endure hardship in the execution of God's will for our life. In other words, we need to be faithful!

Whatever trials lay ahead for Paul, it was perhaps softened by the welcome of the Jerusalem Church. We ought as a church to ever welcome God's men into our midst, especially those engaged in missionary evangelism. We ought to welcome and support as best we can those missionaries of the gospel of sovereign grace.

Let us join Paul now in Jerusalem, as we look at these verses under three headings:

 

1.            ASSEMBLED WITH THE CHURCH: Vs 17-25

2.            ASIAN JEWS IN THE TEMPLE: Vs 26-30

3.            ARRESTED AND BOUND: Vs 31-40

 

1.            ASSEMBLED WITH THE CHURCH: Vs 17-25

A.                 Met by the Brethren: Vs 17

1.      As Paul came into Jerusalem, Luke says, "the brethren received us gladly." This is no doubt a reference to the whole body of the Church in Jerusalem, as it is separated from the reception of James and the elders in the next verse.

2.      The highest court of appeal in this world for God's people is the CHURCH. This verse underscores the importance of the New Testament Church.

3.       This Church, being in Jerusalem, and being the Mother Church or first Church, that which was instituted by Christ himself, was no more or less important than any other local church body anywhere in the world. That the Jerusalem Church (or the Roman Church for that matter) is not the central office of a worldwide body or universal church is seen from several angles as we read through scripture. Remember, that later when Jesus would address the "Seven Churches of Asia" (Revelation chapters 2-3) he addressed each church independently and no mention is made of either Jerusalem or Rome. He simply spoke directly to each local church. This Church in Jerusalem like Mary, the mother of Jesus, ought to be honored for her place in history, but we ought not to make more of either of these than the scripture allows. The Jerusalem Church exists no longer, probably being scattered upon the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

4.       How gladly do we receive those who are missionaries, in obedience to the Great Commission? Too many churches are Missionary Baptist in name only. As we read through the Acts, we discover that every action of the churches was involved in missionary evangelism, the establishing of New Testament Churches everywhere possible, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

 

B.                 Meeting with the Pastor and Elders of the Church: Vs 18

"And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present."

1.      It appears from this verse that Paul actually accompanied Luke and the others of their party in to visit with James who was the Pastor of the Jerusalem Church. Why this is put this way can only be conjecture, as the scriptures do not say any more than that.

2.      That there is no mention of other apostles implies that by this time the others were dispersed to other places to minister the Word of God. Only James the son of Alphaeus, brother of Jude (Acts 1:13) was there. James is the son of Alphaeus and Mary. Alphaeus is likely Joseph's brother and Mary is the sister-in-law of Jesus mother. She is referred to as Mary's sister, but there would not be two Mary's in the same family. The terms "sister" and "brethren" are used in the wider sense of family according to oriental custom. This makes James, Joses and Jude as cousins of Jesus.

3.      "And all the elders were present" - Other ministers in the Jerusalem Church which was likely still large enough to warrant a plurality of elders. The Jerusalem Church had at least eight thousand members at its height. (See Acts 2 and 3.)

4.      By comparing Paul's letter to Titus, verses 5 and 7, we see that the term elder is the same as "bishop" or pastor.

Titus 1:5

"For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:"

Titus 1:7

"For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;"

                    5.      Paul then began to relate to James and all of the ministers present, the things that God had done through him and his associates in their ministry to the Gentiles.

 

C.                Mission Report: Vs 19-25

1.      In the meeting with James and the elders, Paul brought a report on his

missionary activity among the Gentiles. This does not appear to be a report to the whole church for at least two reasons:

a)            Due to the prejudice stirred up by the Judaizers against Paul, such a large gathering would not be advisable.

b)            The Church in Jerusalem was not Paul's home Church (Antioch) which did not necessitate a report.

2.      Vs 20 - "And when they heard it they glorified the Lord…."

They were glad and rejoiced in the Lord over the report that Paul brought to them.

"Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe;" -

They are bringing to Paul's attention, a problem. With thousands of Jews that now believed on Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

"And they are all zealous of the law."

All of these are zealous to keep and maintain the Mosaic Law.

3.      Vs 21 - "And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs."

These Jewish believers have been told that you have continually taught the Jewish believers among the Gentiles to forsake the Law of Moses and not to circumcise their children nor keep Jewish tradition.

This report is of course misleading, and was not believed by James or the elders. The problem lay with the multitude of Jewish believers, and especially being stirred up by the Judaizers or unbelieving zealous Jews.

4.      Vs 22- "What is it therefore?"  Or, "What is the best thing to do?"

"The multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come."

A multitude or crowd will come together, for they will surely hear that you have arrived in Jerusalem.

5.      Vs 23 - "Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;"

They exhorted Paul to listen to them and do what they recommended. With them were four men who had taken a vow upon themselves.

6.      Vs 24 -"Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law."

Paul was being asked to join the four men who had taken a vow. To take them to the temple, paying their expenses and having their heads ceremonially shaved in keeping with the vow. This way everyone will see you and think that you are keeping the law and would not teach others to forsake it.

This would be a Nazarite vow -See Numbers Chapter 6.

7.      Vs 25 - "As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication."

8.      As far as the Gentiles were concerned, we have already made recommendation verbally and in writing, that they do not need to keep the law except in the areas we directed, " that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication."

Cf Acts 15:20,29.

 

2.            ASIAN JEWS IN THE TEMPLE: Vs 26-30

            In response to this vow (Vs 26) John Gill says:

"Then Paul took the men, &c.] The four men that had the vow on them; he joined himself to them, and put himself in the same condition, and under a like vow: this he did, not as what he thought himself bound to do in obedience to the law, and much less as necessary to salvation; but to satisfy weak minds, and remove their prejudices, that he might gain them, and be useful to them; and in such a case he would very easily and readily condescend; but when such like things were insisted upon as points of duty, and especially when urged as necessary to salvation, no one more stiffly opposed them:"

A.                  Response to the Vow: Vs 26-27

1.      Paul went with the four men and in fact became their sponsor, paying their expenses or temple fees.

2.      Vs 27 - "And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia (Minor) seeing Paul in the temple, sought to stir up the people against him, and "laid their hands on him." They physically grabbed hold of him.

3.      So it appears that Paul's effort was for nothing, as the Asian Jews would not care much for Paul's effort at Jewish tradition. Their hatred of Paul apparently went beyond even their own law and tradition. This is usually always so in such cases. They were more concerned with getting rid of Paul than they were with their own law.

 

B.                 Redress of Paul: Vs 28-30

1.      They called out to all of the men in the temple in a slandering, accusing manner:

a)            This is the man that teaches all men everywhere against the Jewish people.

b)       He also teaches against the Law of Moses.

c)      He even teaches against this very temple.

d)      He furthermore brought Greeks (uncircumcised Gentiles) into the temple and in so doing polluted it.

2.      The apparent basis of this additional charge was that they had seen Trophimus, an Ephesian with him in the city. From this we can well imagine that they had deliberately come looking for Paul in the temple, since they knew he was in the city. They were looking for trouble!

3.      Vs 30 - "And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut."

The whole city was apparent moved or stirred up by what was happening. Paul was thrown out of the temple because they thought he had polluted it. The doors were shut by the doorkeepers, to keep Paul out, and any Gentile polluters as well.

 

3.            ARRESTED AND BOUND: Vs 31-40

Vs 31 - "And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar."

As the Jews planned and were in the midst of killing Paul, news of this was brought to the commandant of the Roman Garrison of soldiers attached to the temple area. News had come to him that the whole city was about to riot.

A.            Paul's Arrest: Vs 32-36

            1.            This chief captain was Claudius Lysias, as appears from Acts 23:26.

            2.      The Chief Captain immediate took soldiers and Centurions and ran down into the crowd. A Centurion was an officer usually over about a hundred men.

            3.      When the Jews saw the soldiers arrive, they stopped beating Paul.

4.      Vs 33 - " Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done."

The Commandant in coming near to Paul took and arrested him, commanded he be secured with two chains, and demanded whom he was and what he had done.

5.      Vs 34 - "And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle."

As the Commandant asked this question people in the crowd shouted out one thing and then another. No one seemed to know for sure what he had done, or why they were beating him. When the Commandant could not get a proper answer, he commanded Paul to be brought in to the castle. (The castle of Antonio, named by King Herod after Anthony the Roman General.)

6.      Vs 35 - "And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people."

When they reached the stairs leading into the castle, Paul had to be carried by the soldiers in protection from the people who had become very violent.

7.      Vs 36 - "For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him."

The large crowd of people followed Paul and the soldiers, crying away with him. This is the same type of crowd and spirit that cried after Jesus, "away with him" so as they had done to Paul's Lord, they attempted here to do with Paul the apostle of Jesus Christ. The reference to "away with him" was probably to Roman crucifixion.

 

C.                Paul's Argument: Vs 37-40

1.      Vs 37 - " And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?"

Paul asked to speak with the Commandant, apparently in Greek. The Commandant's reply was "Do you speak Greek?

2.      Vs 38 - "Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?"

The Commandant then asked a second question of Paul regarding an Egyptian who caused a riot and led four thousand men to their death, of which -

"Josephus speaks {i} of one that came out of Egypt to Jerusalem, and gave out that he was a prophet, and deceived the people, whom he persuaded to follow him to the Mount of Olives, where they should see the walls of the city fall at his command, and so through the ruins of it they might enter into the city; but Felix the Roman governor fell upon them, killed four hundred, and took two hundred prisoners, and the Egyptian fled:" - (Taken from John Gill's Expositor- ibid.)

This Commandant apparently thought he had caught a big fish that would bring him honor in Rome, and among the Jews here in Palestine.

3.      Vs 39 - "But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people."

Paul was not an Egyptian, but rather a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilisia. He was a citizen of this renowned city, known for its defense against Alexander the Great.

Josephus {t} calls this city the most famous of the cities in Gallicia; and derives it, and the whole country, from Tarshish, the grandson of Japheth, Genesis 10:4.

4.      Paul then asked permission of the Commandant to speak to the people.

5.      Vs 40 - "And when he had given him license, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,"-

When the Commandant had given Paul permission to speak and to address the people, he waited for a while and when the crowd became quiet, he began to speak to them in the Hebrew language.

6.       So Paul, Providentially was able to address the crowd having used his knowledge of Greek and Hebrew as well as the advantage of safety from the stairs of the Roman Garrison and its soldiers. From this advantage point, the crowd was about to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

CONCLUSION:

So in accordance with the prophecy of Agabus, and by direction of Providence, Paul was in Jerusalem and about to deliver his message to the people. We see here how the Lord is able to open the way before us and that the gospel can be brought to multitudes. The way is not always easy, but the end result is to honor God and His Word. That men might hear the good news of Jesus Christ and those who are chosen before the foundation of the world, effectually called by the Spirit through the gospel preached. Others would be left to themselves and to go wheresoever their wills dictate, ever down and never up, for thus is the way of human depravity.

And you, can you hear the voice of God's Spirit calling you to repentance and faith? Today, if you can hear His voice, do not harden your heart but come to Him just as you are.

 

Sermon preached by Dr. D. Paul Tuck Sr.

Landmark Baptist Church, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada,

Sunday morning, October 21st 2001.

 

 

 

LESSON THIRTY-SIX:

PAUL'S DEFENSE OF THE GOSPEL

 

Scripture: Acts Chapter 22

 

Text: Acts 22:1

"Men, brethren and fathers, hear ye my defense which I make now unto you."

 

INTRODUCTION:

Paul is now in Jerusalem, arrested by the Roman Commandant, for reasons he did not as yet know. He thought Paul to be an Egyptian terrorist that had previously wrought havoc in Jerusalem. Then upon learning that Paul was able to speak fluent Greek, he then allowed him to address the Jewish crowd from the steps of the Garrison where he was taken. The lesson we have before us here concerns with Paul's defense of the gospel and of his ministry, as well as the spread of the gospel to the Gentiles.

Listen to this story as Paul begins with the simple truth of his own testimony. He relates to his conversion to Christ, and his call to the gospel ministry.

 

1.            TESTIMONIAL:  Vs 1-9

What better way to defuse an angry mob than to give them your own story? In giving your personal testimony, of that which the gospel has done for you.

A.                 Pedigree: Vs 1-3

1.       Paul began his address with a greeting to his Jewish brethren, and the spiritual leaders (father's) of the Jewish faith. Rather than ignore the leadership, he chose rather to address them directly. This no doubt at least for the moment got their attention. The rest of the crowd would listen once the leaders were silenced.

2.      Paul's speaking in the Hebrew language further defused the mob and they more readily listened. No doubt after so many years away from Jerusalem, most of these were strangers to Paul. This is suggested by the words "when they heard that he spoke in the Hebrew tongue to them." Vs 2

3.      Paul's history:

a)      I am a man, a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia.

While the city of Paul's birth was Gentile, outside of Israel, he was nevertheless a Jew.

It was not advantageous to mention his Greek father here, but he does this later for his own defense.

b)      Furthermore, he told them that he was raised in Jerusalem at the feet of one of the great doctors, by the name of Gamaliel. Gamaliel, along with Paul was a member of the Sanhedrin, the ruling counsel in Jerusalem.

      Gamaliel was mentioned back in Acts 5:34.

      Easton's Bible Dictionary says this of Gamaliel:

"The son of rabbi Simeon, and grandson of the famous rabbi Hillel. He was a Pharisee, and therefore the opponent of the party of the Sadducees. He was noted for his learning, and was president of the Sanhedrin during the reigns of Tiberius, Caligula, and Claudius, and died, it is said, about eighteen years before the destruction of Jerusalem. When the apostles were brought before the council, charged with preaching the resurrection of Jesus, as a zealous Pharisee Gamaliel counseled moderation and calmness. By a reference to well-known events, he advised them to "refrain from these men." If their work or counsel were of man, it would come to nothing; but if it was of God, they could not destroy it, and therefore ought to be on their guard lest they should be found fighting against God.

      See Acts 5:34-40 Paul was one of his disciples #Ac 22:3"

c)      Paul said that he was, "taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the father's."

Paul does not mention the word "Pharisee" here, but no doubt the Pharisees present if not the rest of the crowd would know that Gamaliel was a Pharisee. Paul states that he was taught according to the strict manner of the Jews, which would perhaps allude to the Pharisees, since the Sadducees were the more liberal.

The law of the father's is another way of saying, the Law of Moses." Paul however was probably using this term in reference to the present fathers that he addressed in verse one.

d)      "And was zealous toward God." - It was Paul that as Saul of Tarsus showed his zeal in persecuting the Church, even consenting to the death of Stephen.

 

B.                Persecution of the Christians: Vs 3b-5

1.      Paul said that he was then as zealous toward God as they that were listening to him were. He actually referred to his pre conversion days.

2.      Paul "persecuted this way unto the death" - That is, he persecuted Christians and caused their death. Not just Stephen, but others too!

3.      He ordered Christians, both men and women to be bound and cast into prison. Vs 4.

4.      The High Priest knew Paul and could bear witness to his terrorist antics, along with all of the elders of Israel. This is probably a reference to the Sanhedrin.

5.      Vs 5 - He refers to the letters he received from the council to go to Damascus and arrest and bring back to Jerusalem to be imprisoned, any found to be Christians or followers of Jesus Christ.

 

C.            Paul's Conversion on the Damascus Road: Vs 6-9

                        1.      Paul did not reach his intended destination in Damascus, Syria. He was there arrested by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

                        2.      At high noon, Paul had a confrontation with the Lord. The sun was no doubt bright, but the light of Christ shone even brighter, deep into the heart and soul of this man who wrecked havoc among the Christian churches.

                        3.      That this was more than the sun is seen by the fact that at noon the light came from heaven and was great or extremely bright.

                        4.      Vs 7 - This light brought Paul to his knees as he fell to the ground. Liberals would say that he had a sunstroke. If so it was the first sunstroke that ever resulted in the conversion of such a tyrant as Saul. As he fell or was slain to the ground, he heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me." To persecute a true Christian is to persecute Jesus Christ Himself. It was the Son, crucified and risen that changed Paul, not the sun in the sky.

                        5.      Vs 8 - Paul's reply to the voice he heard was first in the form of a question. "Who art thou Lord?"

6.      The word "Lord" is the Greek word "kurios" which according to Vine

Means - "Properly an adjective, signifying having power (kuros) or authority, is used as an noun, variously translated in the N.T., "Lord", "Master, owner", sir" a title of wide significance, occurring in each book of the N.T. save Titus and the Epistles of John. Thus the users of the word in the N.T. follows two main lines; one - customary and general, the other peculiar to the Jews, and drawn from the Greek translation of the O.T.

Christ Himself assumed the title, Matthew 7:21,22; 9:28 and many other references."

It was not until after the resurrection of Christ that the title became clearer as to Jesus deity. This is seen for example, in the exclamation of Thomas when he was confronted by the resurrected Christ, John 20:28.

Paul's use of the word "Lord" here is clearly of his recognition of the deity of Jesus Christ. This recognition is impossible in it's full sense without regeneration.

1 Corinthians 12:3 

"Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost."

                        7.      Notice the reply of the Lord to Paul as given here in Paul's testimony. "It is Jesus of Nazareth whom thou persecuteth." Jesus did not deny his Lordship, but he related to Paul much on his own level as the Son of Man, "Jesus of Nazareth." I am the Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee whom you have been so busy persecuting. This draws Paul to the fact of resurrection. Secondly, to persecute Jesus disciples is to persecute the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus made this connection earlier in his ministry; John 15:20

"Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also."

                        8.      Vs 9 - This that happened to Paul was not done in a corner. "They that were with me saw indeed the light." This was a witness to others who were unregenerate men with Paul (Saul.) Why would they not also hear the voice of Jesus? I think it is clear that it was Paul that Jesus was dealing with at that moment, not the others. Regeneration is a personal thing, not collective. God in sovereign grace dealt with Saul out of the several who were there. Perhaps others were later saved, but right then it was Saul and he alone as an individual that was dealt with. Saul was a sheep, still lost but he hearkened unto the voice of the Shepherd. Only sheep hear the shepherd's voice (John 10:26-27.)

That I am sure is why Paul says, "they heard not the voice of him that spake to me."

 

2.            THINGS TO DO WHEN ONE IS SAVED: Vs 10-16

One cannot read the testimony of the apostle Paul without seeing clearly that he was saved, here on the Damascus Road. The things that readily followed that conversion are secondary to one's salvation, or the fruit of it. These are no less important but they must have personal conversion as its basis. Blood comes before water, and faith before works. Then regeneration comes before conversion since dead men (totally depraved) cannot respond to anyone spiritually or otherwise.

A.            Direction of the Lord: Vs 10

1.      “What should I do Lord?"- Was Saul here looking for some good deed to accomplish in order to merit salvation? I rather think not. The meaning here is that Paul out of a sense of personal guilt for his sins, and upon realizing that this was the same Jesus who had been crucified, and whose disciples he was persecuting, surrendered to the Lordship of Christ. Enough to say, "What can I do now? Certainly not continue as I have in persecuting the followers of Christ."

2.       Saul was now looking not for doing something to merit salvation, but for further direction for his life. Obviously, he could not continue as he was or had been. No, my friend and neither can you. A true personal encounter with Jesus Christ results in personal conversion and a change of heart, mind, and direction.

2 Corinthians 5:17 -

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

3.      This is what Saul was to do; "rise from where you are and go to Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do."

Paul's account here is abbreviated as he leaves out the name of the street he first went to and the man he stayed with there. (See Acts 9:11.) Paul here did two important things, which show symbolically a true conversion.

a)      Arise and go.

b)      The street he went to was called Straight Street.

4.      Here the Lord directed him and led a disciple by the name of Ananias to instruct him more fully and bring him to the waters of baptism, and to the local New Testament (Baptist) Church.

(Students should here go back to Acts 9 and read the details of Saul's personal conversion on the Damascus Road.)

5.      "All things which are appointed for thee to do" -

God has an appointed time and an appointment for his elect. In order for the Christian to go on in his pilgrim journey or Christian walk, he needs to know the sovereignty of God. The idea that we are saved by grace but must walk the Christian life by our own faith is unscriptural and idiotic to say the least.

In Titus 2:11-12 we see that Paul says that grace does two things:

a)      It bringeth salvation.

b)      Teaches us that "denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world."

 

B.            Devout Accompaniment: Vs 11-13

1.      The light of the glory of Christ had blinded Paul, and he needed to be led by his old friends into the city of Damascus.

2.      This blindness is not that symbolic of spiritual death, but like a kitten just born who awaits the opening of its eyes.

There was a young lad selling kittens by the side of the road. A priest came along and asked him what kind of kittens he was selling. "They are Catholic kittens Father," replied the lad. "That is very good," replied the priest.

A few days later the young lad still had not sold his kittens when the priest came by again. "What kind of kittens did you say they were," asked the priest? "Oh they are Baptist kittens, Father!" "Baptist kittens" remarked the priest! I thought you said they were Catholic kittens the other day. "Oh they were Catholic kittens Father, but they have their eyes open now, and they are Baptist kittens!"

Of course it takes more than the opening of the eyes to make a Baptist, but Paul was going in the right direction, as we will see in verse 16.

3.      Vs 12 - "And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there."

Ananias was no doubt a Christian believer, and a respected man throughout the Jewish community in Damascus. (Remember that Damascus is in Syria, not in Israel.)

Ananias apparently lived to the letter of the law. God used such a man to introduce this former persecutor of Christians to the Church while at the same time having the respect of the Jewish community.

4.      Vs 13 - "Ananias stood before Saul and calling him brother, said "receive thy sight."

There is nothing said about laying on of hands, just the power of his word brought healing from the Lord to Saul. I say healing rather than a miracle since we read, "And the same hour I looked up upon him." It seems that he received gradual healing within the space of one hour.

Note: Some would translate this as "that very instant" as Moulton and Milligan. This is so translated in the Amplified Bible. However, I will stick with the KJV for this reason; the Greek word "hora"- refers to "hour": the word for "instant" is "ekeneia" and translated instantly in Acts 26:7. So it seems that Paul's healing took place within that hour of time.

Acts 22:13 (Interlinear Greek N.T.)

" elywn prov me kai epistav eipen moi saoul adelfe anableqon kagw auth th wra anebleqa eiv auton"

Acts 26:7 "eiv hn to dwdekafulon hmwn en ekteneia nukta kai hmeran latreuon elpizei katanthsai peri hv elpidov egkaloumai basileu agrippa upo twn ioudaiwn"

 

C.                Direction Through Man: Vs 14-16

1.      God uses devout men to give direction to others.

Note the words of Ananias concerning Paul:

a)      The God of our fathers has chosen you.

c)      To know His will.

d)      To see Jesus and hear his voice.

e)      For you will be His witness.

f)        A witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.

g)      Now arise and be baptized symbolically washing away your sins and calling upon the name of the Lord (Jesus.)

2.      Looking at Paul's direction we see that it came, not from Ananias, but from the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of Israel.

It was this God who had chosen (elected) or predetermined Paul first as His elect, and secondly to His service.

3.       Paul's calling was not just as a mere Christian, but also, to a specific apostolic office, as apostle to the Gentiles.

Paul would write to the Corinth Church -

1 Corinthians 9:1

"Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are not ye my work in the Lord?"

There are 12 apostle listed and referred to as the apostles of the Lamb -of these, Matthias was elected to replace Judas Iscariot.

Revelation 21:14 

"And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb."

The names of the 12 apostles are listed in Luke 6:13ff

Cf Acts 1:26 "Matthias was numbered with the eleven in replacement of Judas Iscariot."

Paul referred to himself as an apostle, born out of due time.

1 Corinthians 15:7-9

"After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.

And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God."

Cf 1 Corinthians 15:5 "then of the twelve."

This makes Paul a thirteenth or special apostle. -Cf Romans 15:16.

4.      Paul was to know the will of God for his life. This is not exclusive to Paul, but to all of us. God has a plan and a purpose for each of His elect children. The application here is just this. Do you know God's plan for your life? In most instances you can find it written directly in Biblical text for you to see plainly.

E.g. Romans 8:27 

"And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."

1 Thessalonians 4:3 

"For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:"

Cf - 1 Thessalonians 5:18

5.      To see the resurrected Jesus Christ is a requirement for apostleship as seen in the following scriptures. (Acts 1:22ff; John 15:27.)

6.      Paul testifies of his direction to baptism. -

Vs 16

"And why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."

A.T. Robertson's note on this verse:

{By baptized} (baptisai). First aorist middle (causative), not passive, Get thyself baptized (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 808). Cf. #1Co 10:2. Submit yourself to baptism. So as to apolousai, Get washed off as in #1Co 6:11. It is possible, as in #Ac 2:38, to take these words as teaching baptismal remission or salvation by means of baptism, but to do so is in my opinion a complete subversion of Paul's vivid and picturesque language. As in #Ro 6:4-6 where baptism is the picture of death, burial and resurrection, so here baptism pictures the change that had already taken place when Paul surrendered to Jesus on the way (verse #10). Baptism here pictures the washing away of sins by the blood of Christ."

Note: Baptism in the scriptures always follows repentance and faith, being an outward symbol of an inward work of grace. Baptism or burial is by immersion in water. If it is by sprinkling, it does not properly symbolize burial. Also, if it is for salvation, then a little water on the head does not wash away much sin.

Dr. John Gill has an excellent note on this verse of which I quote only from the last part of verse 16 -

"arise, and be baptized; this shows that Ananias was a Christian, since he directs to an ordinance of Christ, and that he was a preacher of the word, and had a right to administer baptism; for that it was administered by him, though not in express terms yet seems to be naturally concluded from #Ac 9:18 as also this passage shows, that baptism was not administered by sprinkling, since Saul might have sat still, and have had some water brought to him, and sprinkled on him; but by immersion, seeing he is called upon to arise, and go to some place proper and convenient for the administration of it, according to the usage of John, and the apostles of Christ. "And wash away thy sins"; or "be washed from thy sins"; not that it is in the power of man to cleanse himself from his sins; the Ethiopian may as soon change his skin, or the leopard his spots, as a creature do this; nor is there any such efficacy in baptism as to remove the filth of sin; persons may submit unto it, and yet be as Simon Magus was, in the gall of bitterness, and bond of iniquity; but the ordinance of baptism, may be, and sometimes is, a means of leading the faith of God's children to the blood of Christ, which cleanses from all sin;

Calling on the name of the Lord; the name of the Lord is not only to be used by the administrator of baptism in the performance of it; but it should be called upon by the person who submits to it, both before and at the administration of it, for the presence of Christ in it; and this invocation of the name of the Lord in baptism, signifies an exercise of faith in Christ at this time, a profession of him, and obedience to him."

                        7.      Some might want to question the authority to baptize Saul. Was Ananias a Christian elder? It does not say, but he was commanded of the Lord to offer baptism to Saul. Straight Street was (and is to this day) right next to the river. (See my notes on Acts 9.) While the church still worshipped in the synagogue, there was still a gathering of believers in Christ there in Damascus. It does not seem unlikely that these disciples would gather in their own assembly as well. Thus there was a church there with whom Paul remained for a short time (Acts 9:19.) I do not think Paul's baptism was done apart from the Damascus Church.

 

3.            TEACH OTHERS ALSO: Vs 17-30

            A.            Called from Jerusalem:

                  1.      Vs 17-18 Paul relates to his first visit to Jerusalem and that while he was praying in the temple, the Lord directed him to leave the city. The reason being that "they will not receive thy testimony concerning me."

                  2.      Vs 19-20 - Paul makes confession before the Lord of persecuting believers in Christ and consenting to the death of Stephen. He states this as a reason for possibly remaining in Jerusalem.

                  3.      Vs 21 - A direct command is then given by the Lord:

a)      Depart:  Go, get out of town immediately!

b)       "I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles" -

God had something else for Paul to do than to try and convince a lot of religious hardhearted hypocrites of the truth.

 

            B.            Call - Rejected By Those Who Immediately Heard: Vs 22-24

                        1.            They listened to Paul's testimony of God's grace in his life.

                  2.      It appears that Paul's testimony of the Jews previously not listening that they began to take sides against him further.

                              Vs 22 -"And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live."

                  3.      Vs 23 - The extent of their rejection is seen in their further demonstration. Cf  2 Corinthians 2:14-17

                  4.      Vs 24 - "The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him."

                              At this point it appears that the Commandant thought that there must be more to the story than Paul had said. He therefore ordered that he be brought into the Garrison and scourged (beaten or tortured) in order that they might know the whole truth.

                              Sinful men in rejecting Christ scourged and crucified him. Sinful men in rejecting the testimony of Paul scourged him and would also have put him to death.

 

            C.      Call To Roman Law: Vs 25-30

                  1.      Paul saved himself from a beating by proclaiming his Roman citizenship.

                              Vs 25 - "And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and un-condemned?"

                  2.      Vs 26 - "When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman."

                              The Centurion went to the Commandant and cautioned him regarding Paul because he claimed Roman citizenship.

                  3.      Vs 27 - Paul answers the Commandant in the positive when asked if he was a Roman.

                              Paul had a Jewish mother of which he could lay claims to being Jewish, but he had a Roman father of which he was a freeborn Roman citizen.

                        4.      Vs 28 - Paul's rely to his citizenship. The Commandant had apparently purchased his citizenship. Paul however was a freeborn citizen by a Roman father.

Our Christian citizenship on our part is FREE for it was purchased with the redemptive blood of Jesus Christ on Calvary's cross.

                        5.      Vs 29 - They that were about to examine Paul by torture left what they were doing and the Commandant was afraid since he had already illegally bound him.

6.      Vs 30 - "On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them."

This verse actually belongs in the next chapter. Paul was kept over freely until the next day, but a sense of urgency is seen in that the Commandant wanted to know what was really behind the accusation of the Jews against Paul.

This we will see gives Paul a further opportunity to preach Christ to others. It was an opportunity that most hearing Paul speak would reject to their own destruction.

 

CONCLUSION:

Paul had made his defense of the gospel and of his ministry. Multitudes had heard the gospel by the mouth of Paul. Many had accepted Christ and were now following Him, while others dug a hole for themselves deeper into the pit of hell. God's sheep are predestined from the divine decree of a loving and merciful God from eternity past. He did not predestine others to hell, as some might teach. However, God holds all men responsible for their own sin and their acceptance or rejection of the only remedy, Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1:30-31

"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."

It is not our faith that saves us, nor is it even the gospel, IT IS CHRIST HIMSELF.

Where do you stand in God's scheme of things? Are you saved?

 

Sermon preached by Dr. D. Paul Tuck Sr.

Landmark Baptist Church, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

Sunday morning, October 28th 2001

 

 

LESSON THIRTY-SEVEN:

 

PAUL BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN

AND THE PLOT TO KILL HIM

 

Scripture: Acts 23:1-24

 

Text: Matthew 24:9 

"Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake."

 

INTRODUCTION:

Jesus had warned his disciples that the same ones who persecuted Him would persecute them as well. It is interesting to see that those who claim knowledge and access of the God of creation can be so blinded to the truth so as to want to kill those who seek to follow that same God.

While multitudes of the common folk had come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, the leaders of Israel remained adamant in their rejection of their own Messiah (Christ.) Paul had been a member of this same council, which now sought to kill him. That is not only history it is as well reality!  Many today would as well bite the hand that feeds them. No one is so blind as he who would not see.

Paul has been arrested by the Romans, but escaped severe scourging because of his Roman citizenship. He was able to seize one opportunity to defend the gospel before the multitude of Jews and those of the Roman garrison. Now he is to be brought before the Jewish Sanhedrin, the ruling council of Judaism in Jerusalem.

 

1.            DEFENSIVE ACTION: Vs 1-6

2.            DIVISION OF THE SANHEDRIN: Vs 7-10

3.            DIRECTIVE OF THE LORD: Vs 11

4.            DEVIOUS PLOT AGAINST PAUL: Vs 12-24

 

1.            DEFENSIVE ACTION: Vs 1-6

A.     Paul's Religion: Vs 1

1.      Paul with his eye to the council gave a brief statement.

      "I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day."

2.      With these words Paul is telling the council.

a)            God is his witness as to how he has lived up to the present time.

b)      This being the case, there is no concrete reason for my being here apart from God Himself.

c)      In doing this he put himself to say the least, on the same level as the council.

 

B.     Paul's Rebuttal: Vs 2-6

1.   This is no doubt the reason why the High Priest ordered that they slap his mouth.

2.   It appears that this council was already prejudiced against him and ready to condemn him. They of course had to deal with the Roman soldiers and especially the Commandant who stood nearby.

3.      Paul's rebuttal of this action was quick and to the point.

Vs 3 - "Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?"

What Paul actually said:

a)      God will deal with you for what you have just ordered done.

b)      "Thou whited wall" - A whitewashed wall, or one that has the dirt covered over by whitewash.

c)      You claim to judge me after the law, but act in a way that is contrary to the law. You actually defy the very law you claim to represent.

Cf John 7:51

4.      Of Ananias the High Priest, John Gill says:

"If this was Ananias, the son of Nebedaeus, as is generally thought, it is remarkable, that five years after this, in the beginning of the wars of the Jews with the Romans, this Ananias, hiding himself under the ruins of a conduit, was discovered, and taken out, and killed {q}: and no doubt but he very fitly calls him thou whited wall; or hypocrite, in like manner as Christ compares the hypocritical Scribes and Pharisees to whited sepulchers, See Matthew 23:27."

5.      Vs 4 - "And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest?"

Paul is here accused of railing against and insulting the High Priest.

John Gill says -

"revilest thou God's high priest? which seems to confirm that the apostle's words were not a bare prediction, but an imprecation, since they are charged with reproaching, reviling, and speaking evil of him; and the aggravation of which was not only that the person reviled was a priest, an high priest, but an high priest of God; though this could not have been proved, for there was now no high priest of God but Jesus Christ; the priesthood was changed and abrogated, and there were no more high priests among men of God's appointing and approving."

6.      Vs 5 - Paul's reply "Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people."

Paul's reply to this immediate charge was:

a)            I did not realize that it was the high priest.

b)      It is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

Some would suggest that Paul had very bad eyesight and perhaps could not see the High Priest. I believe this idea to be ridiculous and rather accept the words of Gill on this verse.

"Ver. 5. Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest, &c.] Or I did not know that he was the high priest; and the sense is, that he did not really know him, either because he had been long absent from Jerusalem; and besides there were new high priests made, sometimes every year, and sometimes oftener, that it is no wonder he should not know him; or because he might not sit in his usual place; or chiefly because he was not, in his habit, an high priest; for the priests, both the high priest, and the common priests, only wore their priestly robes, when they ministered in their office, and at other times they wore other clothes, as laymen did, according to #Eze 44:19 which the Targum paraphrases thus;

``when they (the priests) shall go out of the holy court into the outer court, to be mixed with the people, they shall put off their garments in which they ministered, and lay them up in the holy chamber, and shall clothe themselves with other garments, that they may not be mingled with the people, Nwhyvwblb, "in their garments".''

For as soon as they had performed their office, there were servants that attended them, who stripped them of their robes, and laid them up in chests which were in the temple {r} till they came to service again, and put them on common garments; for they might not appear among the common people in their priestly garments; which when they were off of them, they were, as Maimonides says {s}, Myrzk, "as strangers", or as laymen, like the rest of the people; for which reason Paul might not know Ananias to be the high priest: and this points to another sense of these words; for it was a rule with the Jews {t}, that

``at the time the priests' garments were upon them, their priesthood was upon them, but when their garments were not on them, Nhyle Mtnwhk Nya, "there was no priesthood upon them"; for lo, they were as strangers.''

And then the sense is, Ananias not being in the discharge of his office, nor in his habit, the apostle did not know, or own him as an high priest, or consider him as in such a station; or rather, since the priesthood was changed, and there was no other high priest of God but Jesus Christ, he did not own him as one; had he, he should not have spoke to him in the manner he did. Moreover, if this was Ananias, the son of Nebedaeus, as is the opinion of many, he had no right to the office of the priesthood when he was first made an high priest; after which he was sent a prisoner to Rome; during which time several succeeded in the priesthood; and at this time not he, though he had got the management of affairs in his hands, was high priest, but Jesus the son of Gamaliel; so that the apostle's sense might be, he did not own or acknowledge him high priest. Some take the apostle's words in an ironical sense; he an high priest, I should not have known him to be an high priest, he looks and acts more like a furioso, a madman, an unjust judge, and a tyrant, than an high priest, who ought to behave in another guise manner. But what follows shows rather that the apostle spoke seriously, unless the words can be thought to be a citation made by Luke, "

 Cf Exodus 22:28

7.      Vs 6 - Paul was quick to get himself out of this predicament and must have had good enough eyesight to perceive that the Council was divided between the two sects of Pharisees and Sadducees.

Paul did, what Jesus had done in putting the two factions against each other.

"Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question."

Paul was still a Pharisee, because that which distinguished the Pharisees from the Sadducees was also part of Christianity. He believed in the resurrection and life after death, contrary to the Sadducees.

 

2.            DIVISION OF THE SANHEDRIN: Vs 7-10

Paul's tactic of defense was to first get the enemy off guard by dividing them into two factions, which indeed they already were. Then perhaps he could win some at least from the sect closest to him doctrinally.

 

A.      Dissension: Vs 7-8

      1.      There arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees.

The Pharisees were the more conservative wing of Judaism, while the Sadducees were the more liberal. The main doctrinal difference was that the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection, neither angel nor spirit.

                  2.   Paul by his statement was able to divide the enemy into these two factions and they then busied themselves in fighting each other.

                  3.   Sometimes the Lord's churches shame themselves by division on non-important or essential issues. I have heard of churches, which split over which hymnal to use in worship. Sometimes like the Church in Corinth there are differences of personality.

Often times these divisions are ploys of Satan to hinder the work of Jesus Christ.

                  4.   This particular dissension was indeed legitimate, and it divided those who not only opposed Paul but also, sought to kill him.

                  5.   The reference here to angels and spirit is according to John Gill:

                        "…. but the sense seems to be, that they did not believe any such species of beings as angels, nor indeed any spirits whatever, which were immaterial or immortal; for as for the spirit or soul of man, they took that to be only the temperament of the body, and that it died with it, and did not exist in any separate state after this life:"

                  6.   How hopeless is the end of one who has no faith or hope for life after death. Resurrection puts meaning into the short meager existence of this life and this world, as we know it. Jesus Christ gives us hope for resurrection.

 

            B.            Disorder: Vs 9-10

                  1.   "There arose a great cry " - This dissension caused an uproar and brought disorder to the large crowd assembled at the Garrison.

                  2.   The Pharisee faction immediately more or less came to Paul's defense upon hearing about the resurrection. It is certain that neither side knew what the main issue was, except for perhaps the Asian Jews who started the whole ruckus in the first place.

                  3.   "But if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God."

                        This was the reasoning of the Pharisees that actually leaves out any reference to actual Scripture or even manner of law.

                  4.   This caused more disorder, as there was "a great dissension between the two parties.

                  5.   The Commandant then feared that Paul would be badly hurt, so ordered the soldier to get him and bring him into the Garrison. That they had to take him by force was, because of the crowd, not because of any resistance of Paul. No doubt the hand of the Lord was here in protecting Paul for further use in the ministry.

 

3.            DIRECTIVE OF THE LORD: Vs 11

The night following or that very night, the Lord stood by Paul and encouraged him.

"Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome."

It was still along way to go but with the encouragement of the Lord Jesus Himself (thou hast testified of me) Paul would also go on to Rome. In fact as we know from history, his ministry in Rome would have greater and more far-reaching results than in Jerusalem.

Psalm 32:8

"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye."

Psalm 34:10

"The young lions do lack and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing."

 

4.            DEVIOUS PLOT AGAINST Paul: Vs 12-24

The failure of the Asian Jews to bring an end to Paul by stirring up the city against him resulted in an attempt to assassinate him. So runs the spirit of terrorism.

"And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul."

I don't know if these silly rascals died of starvation or not?

 

A.      Conspiracy: Vs 13-15

1.      1.      There is no end to which they that oppose themselves; haters of God will go to wreck havoc on the work of Jesus Christ.

2.      "And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy."

3.      Vs 14 - Did they water down their curse by the time they got to the chief priests? They left out the part about not drinking. Whatever, they got their conspiracy underway. The chief priests would go along with the conspiracy because they would have someone else to do their dirty work and to blame if things went wrong. Sin has her co-conspirators but don't expect them to stick up for you.

4.      Vs 15 -They wanted the chief priests to ask the Roman Commandant to bring Paul to them again the next day, pretending to want to question him further. They would lie in wait along the way to attack and assassinate him. So the plot was made and the wheels of sin put in motion.

 

C.     Counter Action: Vs 16-24

1.   It is interesting from our point of view to be able to sit back and see the sinister forces of evil at work and God's help on the part of His elect. It is almost like watching a giant chess game.

2.   Right seemingly out of nowhere, we see that Paul has a sister and a nephew. This is a one-time mention in scripture, but ever so important in God's scheme of things. We should never underestimate the power and usefulness of small things.

3.      Paul's nephew had no doubt been mixing with the crowd and overheard the men plotting to assassinate his uncle. This news he brought to Paul.

4.      Vs 17-19 - Paul asked a Centurion to bring the young man to the Commandant so he could relate the news to him. This put the wheels of defense in motion for the protection of Paul. God often uses human influence even in the protection of His elect.

5.      Vs - 20-22 - The Jewish plot was laid out before the Commandant by Paul's nephew. He was charged to tell no one else of what they knew of the plot against Paul's life.

6.      Vs 23-24 - The Commandant put into motion a plan to protect Paul and to bring him to Felix the Roman Governor in Caesarea. (See vs 33.)

7.      God watches over us and nothing contrary to the will of God can harm His people.

Well did David write in Psalm 37-

"Fret not thyself because of evil doers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb."

Psalm 18:3

"I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies."

                              So Paul knew, as did David -

                              Psalm 18:30

"As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him."

 

CONCLUSION:

God did not promise Paul, nor does he promise us a smooth road, or bed of roses. He did however promise to be our stay. Therefore, as did Paul put your hope in the Lord and let him worry about the enemy. Our concern is to do the work he called us to do and to be the people of God, of faith that we ought to be.

 

Sermon preached by Dr. D. Paul Tuck Sr.

Landmark Baptist Church, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

Sunday morning, November 4th 2001.

 

 

 

LESSON THIRTY-EIGHT:

 

PAUL IS TAKEN TO CAESAREA

(Circumstantial Providence)

Scripture: Acts 23:23-35

 

Text:   Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

 

INTRODUCTION:

God permits his people to get into circumstances that they do not always understand at the time. It is clear from Scripture that he permits things to enter our lives, which are both for our overall good and for His glory. These I like to call circumstantial Providence.

The servant of Abraham in search of a bride for Isaac said -

   Genesis 24:27 

   "And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren."

   Paul then being himself in the way of the Lord was directed by circumstances that would eventually lead him to Rome, from where the gospel would spread into Europe and eventually to America and the entire world.

      Our part is to know that the one who has called us will see us through unto the end.

      We need to leave the details in the hands of Providence.

 

   1.      PROVISION: Vs 23-30

            A.      Preparation: Vs 23-24

1.      While it is the Commandant that begins the process of provision for Paul's safety, behind the scenes unknown to the soldiers is the hand of Almighty God.

2.      There would be more than adequate provision made for Paul's safety. Two Centurions were ordered to make ready two hundred, foot soldiers to go to Caesarea. In addition to this there would be three score and ten horsemen, which is 70 men. As well there would be 200 spearmen. All of this was done to protect just one little old Baptist preacher from some mad religionists.

3.      They were to provide beasts for Paul to ride bringing him safely to Felix the Roman governor.

4.       So the preparation ordered by the Commandant was completed in order to counteract the report of concern for Paul's safety.

 

            B.      Proper Documentation: Vs 25-30

1.       An official letter to Felix was written to accompany Paul. This would mean that any interference on behalf of the Jews or anyone else would constitute a breach of Roman law. This letter constituted an official legal document, which would provide for Paul's safe delivery to Caesarea.

2.      The name of the Commandant is stated as Claudius Lysias. He addressed Felix as "the most excellent governor." This of course was not really true as history states that Felix was quite the tyrant.

3.      Vs 27-29 A brief description as to why he was sent to Felix is stated in the letter.

            a)  He was taken by the Jews whom would have killed him.

b)  The Commandant states that he came with an army (literally the

            troops) having understood that he was a Roman citizen. This of course

            was a misrepresentation of the facts. He first thought that Paul was an

            Egyptian terrorist. (21:38.)

c)      I wanted to get the facts as to what they were accusing him of so I brought him before their council (Jewish Sanhedrin.)

d)      I perceived that he was accused of questions regarding their (Jewish religious) law.

e)      That there was no charge worthy of death or bonds (imprisonment.)

4.      Vs 30 - "When it was told me how the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him."

So Paul was to be brought before Felix and if the Jews wanted to have their say, they would need to go to Caesarea and Felix.

 

   2.   PROTECTION: Vs 31-33

            A.      Command Fulfilled: Vs 31

                  1.   Paul was led out of the Garrison, enroute to Caesarea accompanied in the safety of a small army of soldiers.

                  2.            He was brought by night, under the cover of darkness to Antipatris.

                  3.   Antipatris was a town about 28 miles south of Caesarea. Herod when he rebuilt the city changed the name in honor of his father Antipater. This site is now known as Ras el 'Ain.

 

            B.      Continued to Caesarea: Vs 32-33

                  1.   The next day, all of the foot soldiers left and returned to Jerusalem. The horsemen continued the journey, accompanying Paul to Caesarea.

                  2.   They more than likely figured that they had outsmarted the Jews who wanted to kill Paul. Also the horsemen would be sufficient accompaniment during the daylight hours.

                  3.   So with this protection, Paul was taken to Caesarea where he would again give testimony. Paul along with the letter was presented to Felix the governor.

 

   3.   PURPOSE: Vs 34-35

            A.      Presentation to the Governor: Vs 34

            1.   Felix, upon reading the letter, asked the soldiers of what Roman province Paul was from.

                  2.   When he understood that Paul was from Cilicia, he said that he would hear Paul's story.

            3.   Paul was now rescued from the religious law to stand before the royal law of Rome. The Jews would bend the letter of the law to execute Paul, while under the Roman law he would be given an opportunity to defend himself.

 

            B.      Proper Trial before Felix: Vs 35

                  1.      Felix would hear Paul, but needed to wait until his accusers had come.

      2.   Felix commanded that Paul be kept in Herod's judgment hall. This was likely Herod's palace, the praetorian.

      3.   Here Paul would rest comfortably, and would have a better chance in a trial before the Roman governor than he would before the religious Sanhedrin.

      4.   Providence has His ways of protection for God's people and for His own glory and preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

5.      5.      The rulers of both the political world and the religious world would know, not just of Paul's calling as an apostle, but of the purpose of Christ's death burial and resurrection, the gospel that Paul preached.

 

CONCLUSION:

This was the immediate purpose of Providence in Paul's coming to Caesarea. It was a step in Paul's journey to Rome. It was also a final opportunity for the Jews of Jerusalem and Caesarea to know about Jesus and God's plan of salvation for His people.

In preaching the gospel, as a witness for Jesus Christ, Paul stood before the poor and the rich, the outcasts and the rulers of the land.

And this witness is given to all people today.

John 6:37

"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."

 

Sermon preached by Dr. D. Paul Tuck Sr.

Landmark Baptist Church, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

Sunday morning, November 11th 2001

 

 

LESSON THIRTY-NINE:

 

PAUL-CONFRONTED

BY THE ORATOR TERTULLUS

 

Scripture: Acts 24:1-23

 

Text: 1 Peter 2:15

"For so is the will of God that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men."

 

INTRODUCTION:

Satan will use every way he can devise to hinder the work of Jesus Christ. He is not short of men who with a vibrant language and great swelling oratory can sway the minds of the ignorant and ungodly of this world.

It is not surprising the efforts of the Asian Jews to discredit Paul. Their hatred of him and the gospel he preached has its roots in the very pit of hell, authorized by that great mastermind of evil, Satan himself.

Our lesson today, not only shows the sinister devises of evil religion, but to the glory of God the triumph of good over evil.

David wrote it this way -

Psalm 139 19-20

"Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.

For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain."

Let us now examine the case at hand more closely -

 

1.         PLOT AGAINST PAUL: Vs 1-9

A.      Acclamation: Vs 1-4

1.   It took the Sanhedrin five days to get their plan together of accusation against Paul. Whether this was on purpose, we do not know. The wheels of bureaucracy grind very slow, usually covered in red tape.

2.   Coming to Caesarea, Ananias the high priest and some of the elders brought a man with them who was known as a great orator. His name was Tertullus. Not only was he a great orator, but also from his name he appears to be a Greek Jew. This they no doubt thought would aid their cause against Paul before the Roman Governor.

3.      Tertullus we read, informed the governor against Paul. He spoke out against Paul in the accusing language of a prosecutor.

4.      Vs 2 - "And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him"

He brought railing charges of misconduct against Paul.

5.      Tertullus charge is sugar coated in flattery of the governor himself.

a)      "By thee we enjoy great quietness" -Under your leadership we Jews have enjoyed great peace.

b)      "Very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence."

      You have by your foresight and provision brought great reforms, amendments and improvements, which have greatly affected this nation. Tertullus in his flowery oratory relates in general while not giving any specifics. The use of the word nation brings the Jews under the leadership of Rome. This would not be what they wanted but it helped to persuade Felix of their so-called submission to Roman authority.

c)      Vs 3 - "We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness."

This was not likely the truth, but his lying was intended to sway Felix and persuade him against Paul.

Tertullus stated their thankfulness, while in truth they only sought to persuade him of their charges.

6.      Vs 4 - "Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldst hear of us thy clemency a few words."

Tertullus states that he does not want to hinder or detain Felix too long. This matter can be cleared up quickly once you know our charges. He asked for Felix clemency, courtesy and kindness, in granting a brief and concise hearing. The implication here is that once Felix knew their side of the story he could then convict Paul.

The problem with the Sanhedrin, as with the problem with all religion, was spiritual. The apostle Paul wrote in his letter to Timothy.

2 Timothy 3:5

"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." You cannot deal spiritually with one who is dead spiritually. You cannot start a car with a dead battery. There must be first regeneration and then conversion wrought in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. This is what was missing in these accusers of Paul. Thus, to them Paul was an invader, one who would rob them of their fleshly hope and kingdom. They rejected their only hope in Jesus Christ.

 

B.     Accusation: Vs 5-9

1.            Having acclaimed themselves and buttered up Felix a bit, Tertullus then sought to lay out the accusation against Paul.

2.            Vs 5 - The charges against Paul -

a)      He was a pestilent fellow - a perfect pest.

b)      "A mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world" - An agitator or source of disturbance among all of the Jews in the entire world. The reference to sedition would score them some points with Felix because the Romans did not want the Jews to be stirred up religiously or especially politically.

c)      "A ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes." The idea was that Paul was one of the main leaders of the heretical division-producing sect of those here called Nazarenes.

The word Nazarene refers to Jesus who grew up in Nazareth in the Province of Galilee. Most of his first disciples came from that area.

The idea that Tertullus seems to be trying to get across if ever so subtlely is that Paul was a rabble-rouser, a threat to Roman authority.

3.      Vs 6 -"Who hath gone about to profane the temple:" Tertullus now adds to the charge, that of Paul supposedly profaning or desecrating the Jewish temple.

This charge was definitely not true since those who saw Paul with Trophimus in the city, either thought he did bring him into the temple, or just used this as an excuse to charge him. (See Acts 21:28-29.) In any sense he was being falsely charged.

"Whom we took and would have judged according to our law." -

We the Jews arrested Paul and would have judged him according to our law (Upon religious charges.)

4.       Vs 7 - "But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands."

We would have sentenced him according to our religious laws, but the chief captain Lysias came and with great violence and force, took him out of our hands. This in fact is a charge against Lysias. If there was any violence, it was among the Jews, not the Roman soldiers.

Here at least some of the blame is placed upon Lysias the Commandant of the Garrison in Jerusalem. It is easy to blame someone who is not there to defend himself. This statement of course is greatly exaggerated, and if there were to be any violence it would have been the crowd of aroused Jews, not the soldiers that did it.

5.      Vs 8 - "Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him."

Tertullus simply told Felix that by examining Paul you would come to the same conclusion as we, as to why he is so accused. That is the real reason why Lysias commanded (us) his accusers to come unto thee. This of course was not the reason, but rather because of the plan to assassinate Paul who was also found to be a Roman citizen.

6.      Vs 9 - "And the Jews also assented, saying these things were true."

The Jews with Tertullus agreed with what he said, that in fact these things were true.

Paul was being accused by the use of lies, half-lies and innuendos.

 

2.         THE PLEA OF PAUL: Vs 10-21

A.     Address to Felix: vs 10-11

1.      Felix allowed Paul to speak in his own defense.

2.      Paul began by addressing Felix personally, feeling safe that he had been a judge for many years and was not new to this sort of charge. For this reason Paul could answer for himself without further legal representation.

3.      Vs 11 - Paul related that it was not more than twelve days since he went up to Jerusalem. He had not been there very long.

4.      He stated that he came to Jerusalem for to worship, which was in deed true. He had been in the temple and he had been with the Jerusalem Church. The bringing of alms to the Jerusalem Church was also classified as an act of worship. Jesus had said, "as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren ye have done it unto me" (Matthew 25:40.)

5.      This then was Paul's opening remarks and address to the Governor Felix who sat before him as Judge to hear his plea.

 

B.     B.     Answer in His Own Defense: Vs 12-21

1.      Paul stated that they did not find him causing any disturbance in either the temple, any synagogue or in the city of Jerusalem itself.

2.      The word "disputing" means debating or arguing. Paul says he did not bring together any seditious crowd.

3.       Paul states, that they cannot prove any of the things they accuse me of.

4.      Paul then makes a clear-cut and positive statement.

Vs 14 - "But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets."

Let us examine this statement:

a)            This is Paul's positive confess.

b)      The way in which the Jewish leaders and accusers call heresy or party-spirit.

c)      I worship the God of my fathers. Paul was not alone as he includes his ancestors, which would imply Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

d)      He believed everything written in the Law of Moses and in the writings of the prophets. He believed the Bible.

5.      Often in the annals of history the doctrines of true believers are found under the label "heresy." The written doctrines of Missionary Baptists through the middle ages were mostly burned and destroyed. They were however kept alive by the historians of the Roman Catholic and later the Protestant churches under the classification of heresy.

6.      Vs 15-16 - the second part of Paul's confession:

"And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.

And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God and toward men."

a)            I have hope (guarantee) toward God.

b)            They themselves also claim to hold and look for this same hope.

c)      "That there shall be a resurrection of the dead" - This was Paul's belief and he ignored the Sadducees at this point.

d)      Paul held to a two-fold resurrection: the justified and the unjustified or the righteous and unrighteous.

Both the saved and the unsaved with rise again, the righteous unto eternal life and the unrighteous unto judgment and eternal damnation.

(See John 5:28-29.)

e)      Because of this resurrection, Paul states clearly:

"Therefore I always exercise and discipline myself - mortifying my body (deadening my carnal affections, bodily appetites and worldly desire) endeavoring in all respects - to have a clear (unshaken, blameless) conscience, void of offense toward God and toward men." (A.B.)

Paul's religion not only reached up to God but it encompassed mankind as well. This of course is the nature of Biblical Christianity.

7.      Vs 17 - Paul's reason for coming to Jerusalem.

"Now after many years I come to bring alms to my nation, and offerings."

"Alms" - contributions of charity. Offerings - monetary gifts from the churches in Europe and Asia Minor which, he had collected for this purpose. See -2 Corinthians chapters 8-9

8.      Vs 18 - "Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude nor with tumult."

Specific Jews who come from Asia Minor came across me worship in the temple. There was no crowd or uproar; I was simply there to worship God, occupied in the rite of purification.

Paul was minding his own business when overcome by these Asian Jews.

9.      Vs 19 - "Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had aught against me."

The Asian Jews apparently were not there and Paul declared that since it was them that started these charges, they should be there if they had anything against him.

10.  Vs 20 - "Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council."

The Asian Jews being absent, then let these who are here speak up if they had found anything considered wrong doing, as I stood before their council. Someone ought to speak up as to specific charges against Paul.

11.  Vs 21 - "Except it be for this one voice, that cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day."

The only thing they might accuse Paul of was his belief concerning the resurrection of the dead that he declared from the steps of the Roman Garrison in Jerusalem. This of course would shut up the Pharisees who believed this teaching and divide them from the Sadducees who did not believe it. Besides, this was a religious, doctrinal matter that was out of place before the Roman court.

 

3.         THE REMAND: Vs 22-23

            We now come to the decision of Governor Felix:

A.     Deferred by Felix: Vs 22

1.            Vs 22 - "And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter."

2.            Felix appears to have a rather accurate understanding of the way of the Lord. This is further borne out by the fact that his wife Drusilla was a Jewess - (Vs 24.)

3.      He put off or adjourned the trial remanding Paul until Lysias the chief Captain of the Jerusalem Garrison could come down and give his version of the story, the charges that had been made against Paul.

Why Lysias had not already come is only conjecture. Perhaps he was afraid being that he had temporarily bound Paul and ordered him scourged, which was contrary to Roman law concerning Roman citizens.

 

B.     Discharged to a Captain: Vs 23

1.      Vs 23 - "And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him."

2.      Paul was still in custody but given limited freedom under the charge of a centurion. His acquaintances, fellow Christians and relatives were given freedom to minister to his needs.

3.      Thus the Lord opened a way for Paul and the enemies of the gospel could not touch him.

                              Psalms 91:7 

"A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee."

Psalm 85:9

"Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land."

 

CONCLUSION:

Could God not have set Paul free at this moment to continue his journey on to Rome? There should be no doubt that he could do this. However, there was still a testimony to be given to Felix and another witness to the leaders of the Jews. My how patient, longsuffering, and compassionate our God is! No man can accuse God of being unjust. Even the fact that you are here to receive this witness yourself is ample reason of God's longsuffering. Who but ourselves can we blame if we reject God's offer of salvation in Jesus Christ, brought to us through the gospel?

Therefore, if you can hear His voice, believe him and know this -

"….him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37.)

 

Sermon preached by Dr. D. Paul Tuck Sr.

Landmark Baptist Church, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

Sunday morning, November 19th 2001.

 

 

 

LESSON FORTY:

 

FELIX- THE SIN OF PROCRASTINATION

 

Scripture: Acts 24:24-27

 

Text: Acts 24:25

"And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a more convenient season, I will call for thee."

 

INTRODUCTION:

One of the saddest things for a minister of the gospel to face is to see a person push Jesus Christ and His gospel away. This they always do to their own hurt and sometimes even to their eternal doom. It is certain that God is a God of a second chance, as many of us did not receive Jesus Christ as our Savior upon first hearing the gospel. It is also true that Jesus made it clear in John 6:37 -

"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." This is not fatalism - it is sovereign grace!

Here in these verses we will see that in God's choice of sinners and man's rejection of Jesus Christ, it is man that is responsible for his own sin. If you or anyone else ends up in hell it is not the fault of God. Here we will walk the doctrinal balance of human responsibility and the doctrine of God's Sovereign Grace.

There are some people who never seem to be able to make up their mind about anything. They put things off not wanting to make a decision. Someone has rightly said, "don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today." The procrastinator says, "don't do today what you can do some other time." This idea is hurtful, in fact when it comes to spiritual things it is even damning. It is not for lack of conviction, but rather because of a spirit of laziness and the inability to make a decision that causes this trait in many people.

Failure to make a decision does not simply put that decision on a shelf for a rainy day; it will be decided for us if we fail to make room for it in our lives.

Did the fate of Felix and even his wife, lie in his inability to face the truth? Was it his inability to grasp the importance of spiritual decision?

I believe that in this story of Felix and Paul we see human responsibility failing to grasp the call of truth that would bring him unto eternal life. There is a fine line between God's sovereignty and human responsibility. Here we see it at work and the failure of a man who came face to face with his sin and its cure, only to fail.

Deuteronomy 24:16 

"The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin."

 

1.            PRESENTATION OF THE GOSPEL:

            Paul does not hesitate to relate the gospel to this unregenerate man.

            A.            Witness of Faith: Vs 24

1.      Felix came a few days later and brought his Jewish wife Drusilla with him.

                  2.                  Here he sent for Paul and heard him concerning his faith in Jesus Christ.

Paul no doubt gave him the story of his conversion. This he had done with many others before.

Faith means to trust and rely upon. Paul placed his faith and trust, indeed his very life in the hands of his savior, Jesus Christ.

2.      2.      Felix would know about the expected Christ or Messiah from his wife Drusilla. Drusilla could well have been there listening with Felix.

                  3.            In hearing of Paul's faith in Christ, this term is synonymous with hearing the message of the gospel, but only in the sense of a general call.

The gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ and what he has done for His elect, those who would believe.

 

B.     Witness of the Word of God: Vs 25

1.            Paul "reasoned" with Felix, strongly pushing each point and driving them home toward the conscience of this Roman governor.

2.            Paul reasoned with Felix of -

      a)            Righteousness - right living. God's standard for living, purity of life.

      b)            Temperance - moderation, the control of the passions.

      c)      The judgment to come - That God will hold every man responsible as for how he/she lives their life.

1 Timothy 5:24 

"Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after."

Ecclesiastes 11:9 

"Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment."

Hebrews 9:27 

"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"

Revelation 14:7 

"Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters."

(See Matthew 25:31-46)

                  3.            Paul then appealed to the conscience of Felix. Total depravity does not mean the all men are void of a conscience. The conscience is what tells us we are wrong when we have broken a law. The conscience of a young child is usually rather tender, but as we get older our conscience becomes harder and seared. Perhaps that is why it is hard to see someone over 30 converted to Christ. Most people, who are saved, are saved when they are young.

 

2.            PROCRASTINATION OF DECISION:

Vs 25 - "…. Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a more convenient season. I will call for thee."

A.     Conviction:

John Gill says -

"His conscience was awakened, accused him of the injustice and incontinence he had been guilty of; and his mind was filled with horror, at the thought of the awful judgment he could not escape, which Paul had described unto him; nor could he bear him to discourse any longer on these subjects:"

1.      Felix conscience, backed by the knowledge of his wrong living, and perhaps aided by the teaching of his wife, brought him under conviction.

2.      Conviction is not regeneration. There is no indication that Felix was ever regenerated. He was not born again (John 3:3.) therefore could not perceive of the Kingdom of God.

3.      Many people are fooled into thinking that they are "saved" because they were convicted. This is a step perhaps in the right direction but if the Holy Spirit does not "prick the heart" as on the day of Pentecost, there is no call in a positive way, "men and brethren, what should we do?" (See Acts 2:37-41.

 

B.     Convenience:

Of this John Gill says -

"He signifying he was not at leisure now to hear him any longer; when he had a spare hour he would send for him, and hear him out; but this was only an excuse to get rid of him now, and lull his conscience asleep, and make it quiet and easy; which he was afraid would be more and more disturbed, should he suffer Paul to go on preaching in this manner: it is a saying of R. Judah {e},

``say not when I am at leisure I will learn, perhaps thou wilt never be at leisure.''

This is Felix excuse in order to allow his conscience to "cool down" else he would have to admit his sinfulness.

If one does not answer the doorbell, the one ringing will not wait there all day. Therefore the convenient time to answer God is NOW.

 

C.      Call:

When will Felix call for Paul regarding his own salvation? Did Adam and Eve call for God? No they made their own covering for their sin and hid behind leaves.

Romans 3:10-11

"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one;

There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God."

We can only call upon God, when we are enlightened by the Holy Spirit. Dead men do not talk!

1.      When will anyone call for God? They will call for Him only that they might have a form of Godliness but deny the power thereof.

2 Timothy 3:5

"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."

Proverbs 1:28

"Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me."

2.      Man in his depravity can be very religious but they replace God with icons, images, self-made ideas and ideals. They seek for salvation, not in the Lord but in the symbols of religion.

Jonah learned the hard way - "Salvation is of the Lord" Jonah 2:9.

3.      God is sovereign! He is the Savior! He is our salvation! Man today has viewed God as a lighter. They carry Him in their pockets and whenever they want a little light, they flick their Bic!

4.      God's call says, "Today…Felix said, "another day."

Hebrews 3:7-8

"Wherefore, (as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear his voice,

Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: …."

2 Corinthians 6:2

"(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation).

 

3.            PERSON - RESPONSIBLE:

            A.            Sovereignty of God:

1.      Is Felix truly the sovereign here? No doubt he thinks so. He feels that he is the one who is in control. Humanly speaking this may be so; after all he is the Governor.

2.      Paul for the moment seems to be on the losing side of this debate. This however is not the case of history.

Solomon the wise King wrote -

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

"Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be bad.

3.      Man today in his theology of humanism decries the doctrine of the absolute sovereignty of God. They flat reject any absolutes.

4.      God in his sovereignty decreed all things good and bad. Paul writes to the Roman Church -

Romans 9:21

"Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor?"

Therefore we see that God decreed all men into existence, both sheep and goats.

Does this make God responsible for sin, and for a man going to hell?

Some have gone to an extreme and said "yes" but as we rightly and truthfully divide the Scriptures we will see that there is a balance between God's sovereignty and human responsibility. Man is responsible for his own sin. Those who go to hell, do so in rejection of Jesus Christ, not because they are predestined to hell.

So we then must examine –

 

            B.            Human Responsibility:

                  1.            In his sermon on the day of Pentecost, Peter declared -

                              Acts 2:23

"Him being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain."

What is Peter saying here? -

a)      On the basis of God's decree (determinate counsel) Jesus was delivered into the hands of sinners. God predestined Christ to go to the cross and pay the sin debt of his elect.)

b)      Foreknowledge is based upon the determinate counsel of God not merely on what he knew would happen. God knows the end from the beginning because He decreed it so.

                              c)   "Ye have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain."

                                    "Ye" is reference to the people of Israel, God's nation of Jews.

                                    You are responsible for his death.

2.      Acts 2:36

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ."

God is responsible for the death of Christ in that He gave His only begotten Son. Man then is responsible for His death.

We must balance this out theologically, else why should I repent of sin if God causes it? We cannot make God the sinner. In a sense, Arminianism makes God the sinner and man the Savior by his own faith.

3.      Another example from scripture -

James 1:13-15

"13 ¶ Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

14  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

15  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."

4.      Thomas Paul Simmons says -

"By human responsibility we mean man's accountability to God for all of his actions."

"The question is, then, how can man be responsible for his actions when all that he does has been ordained and decreed of God? This is not a new question. It is at least as old as the New Testament, and probably much older. Paul anticipated this question from his readers when he penned the wonderful ninth chapter of Romans. He said: "Thou will say then unto me, Why doth he still find fault? For who withstandeth his will?" And Paul's reply was, "Nay, but O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why didst thou make me thus? Or hath not the potter a right over the clay, from the same lump to make one part a vessel unto honor, and another dishonor." Paul's mentioning of this question and his reply show conclusively that Paul taught the absolute sovereignty of God. Indeed his preceding words clearly teach it. Paul made the reply that he did because he anticipated the question as coming from an objector. When it comes as a reverent inquiry, it deserves more detailed consideration. Paul's reply had to be brief because his time and purpose would not permit a lengthy discussion.

Man is responsible for his actions, notwithstanding the fact that God has decreed all that comes to pass, for at least three reasons."

Simmons three reasons I state briefly -

a)      God's decree concerning sin is not causative but permissive, directive, preventive, and determinate.

b)      The law of God and not His decree fixes man's duty and responsibility.

See Deuteronomy 29:29

c)      The motive back of man's sinning makes him responsible.

Sin always proceeds from man's love of darkness - John 3:19

(Thomas Paul Simmons -A Systematic Study of Bible Doctrine - Page 174-176)

5.      While God only chooses some to salvation through Jesus Christ, no man can blame Him if he is not chosen and goes to hell. Men go to hell, who reject Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Man then is responsible for his own actions.

God did not make men as mere machines, but responsible human creatures. While we cannot do one thing to save ourselves or to meet God's requirement for holiness, we are responsible for what we do. We cannot blame God for our sin.

Man is responsible in Adam as a son of Adam. As Adam was responsible, so are we. We inherit Adam's sinful nature and we inherit the responsibility that goes along with it.

Romans 5:12

"Therefore as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that ALL have sinned."

Man is not a sinner merely because he sins; rather, he sins because he is a sinner. Man was held responsible to God and disobeyed the direct command of God in effect committing treason against the kingdom of God.

6.      Felix then, as all of us must take responsibility for our actions. He procrastinated any decision with regards to his salvation. He rejected Jesus Christ, and therefore is doubly guilty before God.

a)            He is a sinner in Adam, as a son of Adam with regards to original sin.

                        b)      He is a sinner by breaking God's law and rejecting God's offer of salvation in Jesus Christ.

7.      Some of the roots of sin that often show their ugly head are seen in the closing verses of this chapter.

a)      Vs 26 - "He hoped also that money should have been given of Paul,

      that he might loose him."

      Where would Paul get money to bribe Felix? Felix probably thought he had it in the alms he was bringing to Jerusalem. Possibly that since Paul appeared to be the leader of a large sect, his followers would be able to raise some money? There is no end to the greed of such men as Felix.

b)      "For this reason he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him."

      Felix had been convicted, but he like a pig wallowing in the mire hid himself in his sin. He talked with him about his personal affairs, not about his doctrines, which had caused him conviction.

c)      Vs 27 - "But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix room: and Felix willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound."

So Paul, temporarily free from Jewish persecution was still a prisoner

of  Rome.

After two years had gone by Felix, was succeeded in office by Porcius Festus. Felix, wishing to gain political favor with the Jews, left Paul still a prisoner in chains.

John Gill says -

"He leaves Paul bound at Caesarea, when it was in his power to have loosed him, and who he knew was an innocent person: but this piece of policy did him no service, for the persons he had wronged, the chief of the Jews at Caesarea, went to Rome, and accused him to Caesar; and he was sent by his successor thither, to appear before Nero, and answer to the charges exhibited against him; and had it not been for his brother Pallas, who was in great authority at court, he had been severely punished"

 

CONCLUSION:

We cannot blame God for our actions. Whether we are Christian or pagan, we are responsible to the law of God.

Ignorance of the laws of man, do not stand in the human court. Ignorance or claim of such will not stand in the final just and holy Judgment of God.

John 5:24

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life."

May God call you to Himself this day and give you life eternal.

 

Sermon preached by Dr. D. Paul Tuck Sr.

Landmark Baptist Church, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

Sunday morning, December 2nd 2001.

 

 

 

 

LESSON FORTY-ONE:

 

PAUL APPEALS TO CAESAR

 

Scripture: Acts 25:1-27

 

Text:   Acts 25:12

"Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? Unto Caesar shalt thou go."

 

INTRODUCTION:

Two years had gone by and Paul was still under house arrest in Caesarea. Porcius Festus now replaced Felix and things would begin to move again for Paul. Nothing is said here of Paul's activities during this time, but he no doubt took advantage of every opportunity to preach Jesus Christ. Of such was the spirit of this great apostle and missionary evangelist.

Did Paul tire of his treatment in Caesarea? Perhaps he longed to move on in his quest to preach Christ in Rome and the regions beyond? It seems that his appeal unto Caesar came as a result of not wanting to go through the rigors of listening to more of the rhetoric of the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. Rather than go to Jerusalem, he chooses to appeal unto Caesar. This would speed up the process that would take him to Rome.

Here we look at the details that lead to this appeal and another opportunity for Paul to witness to kings of his saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

1.            CHARGES REOPENED: Vs 1-12

A.                 Ascension to Jerusalem: Vs 1-6

1.      Three days after Festus arrived in Caesarea he went up to Jerusalem.

2.      While Festus was in Jerusalem, (it appears immediately) the high priest and chief Jewish leaders informed him of their charges against Paul.

Festus knew about Paul since he had left him imprisoned (24:27) in Caesarea.

3.       Vs 3 - They sought to persuade him or get into his favor in order to have Paul brought from Caesarea to Jerusalem for trial. They had not forgotten their old plan of ambush and assassination of Paul enroute to Jerusalem.

4.      Vs 4 - Festus reply was that Paul would remain in Caesarea. He probably had been made aware of the former Jewish plot to assassinate Paul. However the excuse he gave was that he was about to leave for Caesarea himself.

5.      Vs 5 - Festus suggestion was that those able to travel should go down to Caesarea to bring their own charges, if any, before him there.

6.      Vs 6 - After a visit of about ten days, he left for Caesarea. The day following he sat upon the judgment seat and asked for Paul to be brought before him.

 

B.                 Answer to the Jewish Charges: Vs 7-8

1.      Vs 7 - When Paul was brought before Festus, the Jews that apparently had already come from Jerusalem, stood before Festus and "made many and grievous complains against Paul. Things that they could not ever hope to prove.

2.       Vs 8 - Paul answered for himself before both Festus and the accusing Jewish leaders.

a)      He did not offend or break the law of the Jews - (Moses Law.)

b)            He did not desecrate or bring a Gentile into the temple as originally charged (21:28.)

c)      He did nothing offensive to Caesar (did not break any Roman law.)

Paul pleaded not guilty to any charge, and no charge was ever proven.

 

C.                Appeal Unto Caesar: Vs 9-12

1.       Festus then played a bit of a political game here. "willing to do the Jews a pleasure."

2.      "Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?

Why would it be necessary for Paul to go to Jerusalem to be judged by Festus of whom Paul now stood before there in Caesarea?

Paul was a Roman citizen and Festus had no legal right to order such a trial, much more in light of unproven allegations.

3.      Vs 10 - Paul's reply to Festus' question was both legal and logical.

a)            "I am now standing before Caesar's judgment seat." You Festus are the representative of Caesar, why should I go elsewhere?

                                    b)            Paul is a Roman citizen and ought to be judged here, in Caesarea, not in Jerusalem.

c)      I have broken no Jewish (religious) law. As Festus himself well knew. Paul was not about to play into the hands of Festus political pleasure.

4.      Vs 11 - Paul was willing to die if he had offended any law worthy of death. It is as if God is saying, "Paul is not guilty of any of these charges, I will not allow any man (including Festus) to deliver him unto such men."

"I appeal to Caesar." - Paul will take a legal step here that would take him out of the jurisdiction of Festus and bring him before Caesar in Rome. He would go over Festus head, to the Supreme Court of his day, rather than allow them to take him where he most certainly would be killed.

5.      Vs 12 - "Then Festus when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? Unto Caesar shalt thou go."

Festus first conferred with the council- John Gill says-

Ver. 12. Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, &c.] Not with the Jewish Sanhedrim, or any part of it that came down on this occasion; but with Roman counselors, which he had to assist him in judgment, when any difficult matters were before him; the Syriac and Ethiopic versions render it, "with his counselors"; and the Arabic reads in the singular number, "with his counselor"; with these he advised, whether it was proper to admit of Paul's appeal, or not; -"

 

 

2.            CAUSE OF PAUL BROUGHT BEFORE THE KING: Vs 13-21

After a number of days, Agrippa and his wife Bernice came into Caesarea to greet Porcius Festus as the new Roman governor. (Vs 13.)

A.                Agrippa and Bernice: Vs 13-14-a

1.      Agrippa - John Gills note:

King Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus: this King Agrippa was the son of Herod Agrippa, who killed James the brother of John, and of whose death mention is made in #Ac 12:1,2 the Jewish chronologer {h} calls him Agrippa the Second, the son of Agrippa the First, the fifth king of the family of Herod: he was not king of Judea, this was reduced again into a province by Claudius; and upon the death of his uncle Herod, king of Chalcis, he was by the said emperor made king of that place, who afterwards removed him from thence to a greater kingdom, and gave him the tetrarchy, which was Philip's, his great uncle's; namely, Batanea, Trachonitis, and Gaulanitis, to which he added the kingdom of Lysanias; (see #Lu 3:1) and the province which Varus had; and to these Nero added four cities, with what belonged to them; in Peraea, Abila and Julias, and in Galilee, Tarichea and Tiberias {i}. The Jewish writers often make mention of him, calling him, as here, King Agrippa; see Gill on "Ac 26:3", and so does Josephus {k}. According to the above chronologer {l} he was had to Rome by Vespasian, when he went to be made Caesar; and was put to death by him, three years and a half before the destruction of the temple; though others say he lived some years after it: and some of the Jewish writers affirm, that in his days the temple was destroyed {m}. Agrippa, though he was a Jew, his name was a Roman name; Augustus Caesar had a relation of this name {n}, who had a son of the same name, and a daughter called Agrippina; and Herod the great being much obliged to the Romans, took the name from them, and gave it to one of his sons, the father of this king: the name originally was given to such persons, who at their birth came forth not with their heads first, as is the usual way of births, but with their feet first, and which is accounted a difficult birth; and "ab aegritudine", from the grief, trouble, and weariness of it, such are called Agrippas {o}. Bernice, who is said to be with King Agrippa, is not the name of a man, as some have supposed, because said to sit in the judgment hall with the king, but of a woman; so called, in the dialect of the Macedonians, for Pheronice, which signifies one that carries away the victory; and this same person is, in Suetonius {p}, called Queen Beronice, for whom Titus the emperor is said to have a very great love, and was near upon marrying her: she was not wife of Agrippa, as the Arabic version reads, but his sister; his father left besides him, three daughters, Bernice, Mariamne, and Drusilla, which last was the wife of Felix, #Ac 24:24. Bernice was first married to her uncle Herod, king of Chalcis {q}, and after his death to Polemon, king of Cilicia, from whom she separated, and lived in too great familiarity with her brother Agrippa, as she had done before her second marriage, as was suspected {r}, to which incest Juvenal refers {s}; and with whom she now was, who came together to pay a visit to Festus, upon his coming to his government, and to congratulate him upon it."

(John Gill's Expositor - ibid)

                        2.      Agrippa then was made king or ruler over a vast district of several provinces including parts of Galilee, Perea, and Tiberias. His father was Herod Agrippa who was responsible for the death of James in Jerusalem (Acts 12:1-2.) He is a direct descendant of Herod the Great.

Agrippa is said to be Jewish, but with a Roman name. (See Gill.) This however might better be attributed to his father, Agrippa 1st, of which the Talmud says he was Jewish and kept the Jewish law.

Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia says that he died in Rome in 100 AD leaving no heir.

                        3.      Bernice - She was living with Agrippa as his wife, but was in actuality, his sister.

                              "Agrippa's private life was blighted by scandal. His sister Bernice, widow of Herod of Chalcis, moved to his house in AD 48 and soon had the weak man in her control. Their incestuous relationship was commonly discussed in Rome as well as among the Jews. To stop the report, Bernice married Polemon of Cilicia, but soon returned to her brother and apparently resumed the old relations."-(Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia.)

                        4.      Vs 14-a  - After they had been there (in Caesarea) several days, Festus brought up the subject of Paul's case. This apparently was not something that was ready on the mind of Festus, as it took him so long to bring it up. Providence can however prick the mind of a man with the hardest heart.

 

B.                 Account of Paul Given to Agrippa: Vs 14-b-21

1,            "There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix."

Did he deliberately refer to Paul only as "a certain man?" It seems unlikely that even Agrippa would not have heard of this man whom the Jews had charged with "turning the whole world upside down."

                        2.      Vs 15-21 - Festus in these verses relates to Agrippa the history of Paul's case and the charges against him by the Jewish leaders.

                        3.      Festus story ends with the fact of Paul's appeal to Augustus Caesar. Augustus tells us which of the Caesars it was to whom Paul appealed. However, it would be Nero Caesar by whom Paul would years later be condemned to die but on other charges, not related to the Jews.

                        4.      Festus own views of Judaism are seen by the use of the word "superstition" in verse 19.

5.      He also relates to Agrippa Paul's views of Jesus as "one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive." He did not use the term "resurrected" which would relate more truly to Paul's doctrine.

(Christ was crucified, buried and risen again from the dead.)

6.      Festus doubts were not so much of Paul's doctrine as of the Jewish charges being worthy of death. (Vs 20.)

7.      Paul's appeal to Caesar had blocked Festus attempt to play politics and please the Jews.

 

3.            COURT REOPENS BEFORE AGRIPPA: Vs 22-27

A.                Action of Agrippa: Vs 22-23

1.      Agrippa was intrigued by this story and said he would like to hear it from Paul personally. This hearing would be informal as it was in Festus jurisdiction, not in Agrippa's.

2.      Festus agreed and gave permission for Agrippa to hear Paul on the following day.

3.      The following day Agrippa arrived with Bernice amidst great pomp and ceremony, being led into the place of hearing.

4.      The chief captains and principal men of the city of Caesarea were also there. Then at Festus command, Paul was brought before this court.

5.      Festus reason for this is probably to please Agrippa, but also perhaps to some extent to ease his own conscience concerning his handling of Paul's case. For had Festus not wanted to please the Jews, he would have had to free Paul immediately. So in a very real sense, Festus was throwing the ball into Agrippa's court. Let Agrippa now deal with it!

 

B.                Account of Festus to the Roman Court: Vs 24-27

1.      Festus stands before the court and relates the case of Paul. He addresses king Agrippa and "all men which are present with us."

2.      Vs 25 - Festus then tells them "I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death."

3.      In relating Paul's appeal to Caesar, Festus does not mention that he asked him to go to Jerusalem, where he must have been aware, and Paul certainly was, that the Jews would ambush and seek to assassinate him. Festus own wish to please the Jewish leaders was not related to Agrippa. Such is the politics of government, then, and it has not changed in our times as well.

4.         Vs 26 - This seems to be an after thought of Festus, or something he did not expect, that Paul would appeal to Caesar. He had no charge to write up as an order of Paul's appeal.

"Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and especially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have something to write."

5.      The term "my lord" is in reference to Augustus Caesar, not to king Agrippa.

This is not really Festus reason for bringing Paul before Agrippa. It is only a convenience that was due to his own poor handing of the case, in wanting to please the Jewish leaders.

                        6.      Festus could not reasonably send Paul to Rome as a prisoner and have him face the tribunal there without any formal charges. Festus was asking this court under Agrippa to find him a reason to go with Paul's appeal to Caesar. Otherwise, Festus would look foolish in Rome if he sent Paul with out any official documentation. Foolish no doubt as a result of his own doing.

 

CONCLUSION:

The facts of the case were now made known and documentation was needed to authorize Paul's appeal to Caesar.

Providence it seems would open the way for Paul to go to Rome.

Psalm 34:18-19

"The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all."

God did not promise Paul an easy road, nor does he any of his elect. He does promise to be with His Church unto the end of the age.

We need not worry about the details of which we should leave in the hands of him who calls us to service. Ours is not the details of God's command. Our duty is to obey that call.

 

Sermon preached by Dr. D. Paul Tuck Sr.

Landmark Baptist Church, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

Sunday morning, December 9th 2001

 

 

 

LESSON FORTY-TWO:

 

PAUL'S DEFENCE BEFORE AGRIPPA

(Almost Persuaded)

 

Scripture: Acts Chapter 26

 

Text:  Acts 26:28

"Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian."

 

INTRODUCTION:

Paul's defense before Agrippa is a wonderful story of God's permissive will. He permitted Paul another opportunity to preach the gospel to others. More amazingly He allowed Festus to hear that gospel once more, perhaps for the last time. He allowed king Agrippa and Bernice the opportunity to hear the gospel. This story shows the deceitfulness of sin and the depth of human depravity. It shows as well the depth of love and mercy of our God in relation to his justice. All of us, apart from the regenerating enlightenment of the Holy Spirit are so depraved as to not being able to reach the zenith of righteousness required by God for human redemption.

Here before Agrippa, Paul the apostle of Jesus Christ is permitted to speak for himself in his own defense.

 

1.         THE HOPE OF ISRAEL: Vs 1-7

A.     Testimony of Grace: Vs 1-5

1.   Agrippa gave Paul permission to speak of which he availed himself this opportunity to testify for himself.

2.   Paul expressed his pleasure in being able to speak freely before Agrippa of all the things of which the Jews (leaders of Israel) had accused him.

3.      Paul knew that Agrippa was an expert or one well acquainted with Jewish law and customs. The questions among the Jews would relate not only to those things they accused Paul of, but the questions of division among the various sects especially the Pharisees and the Sadducees.

Paul asked Agrippa to please have patience with him as he got into some detail.

4.      All the Jews by now had known Paul's history, his birth and his being brought up as a Pharisee, under the tutorship of Gamaliel. Paul does not mention these things specifically since he says, "they are well known."

5.      Paul related that the Jews could also testify that Paul lived after the teaching of the most straightest sect of the Jews, he lived a Pharisee. This was important in Paul's defence since the Pharisees were the most conservative sect of the Jews, certainly more than the liberal Sadducees.

6.      Paul now goes to his theology. "And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers."

Paul ignores the other things he is accused of and goes to the very core of difference that the Jewish leaders have against him. It concerned the "hope of Israel in the coming Messiah. This the Christians had found in the Person of Jesus Christ.

All of the law and prophets had pointed to a coming deliverer, a Messiah the root of Jesse who would inherit the throne of David.

Isaiah 11:10

"And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people: to it shall the Gentiles seek and his rest shall be glorious."

(Cf Romans 15:12; Isaiah 4:2; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; Jeremiah 23:5; Deuteronomy 18:15)

Daniel spoke of Messiah - (Daniel 9:25-26)

Cf Matthew 24:21; John 1:41; 4:25.

 

B.     Tribal Hope: Vs 6-7

1.   Paul stated that the real reason for his problems with the Jewish leaders was his belief concerning the Messiah who is called the hope of Israel.

2.   The coming of the Messiah is a unifying factor that -

a)      Brings the 12 tribes together.

b)      Is the hope that keeps them instantly or continuously trusting in and serving God.

c)      All of Israel is hoping for the coming of Messiah.

                  3.   The fact that Paul mentions all 12 tribes indicates that he does not believe that any of the tribes are lost or missing as taught by British Israel doctrine and Herbert Armstrong's World-Wide Church of God.

                  4.   For the sake of this hope King Agrippa, I Paul am accused of the Jewish leaders. Paul's problem was not with the people of Israel but with the Jewish leaders. Many Jews had embraced the gospel and were now Christians even as was Paul.

 

2.         THE HOPE OF RESURRECTION: Vs 8-21

A.      Incredible Salvation: Vs 8-17

1.   "Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?"

      Remember that Paul was talking to Agrippa that claimed to have somewhat of a belief in God. Does a sovereign God not have the ability to do what he pleases, including raising the dead?

2.      Paul answers his own question by giving his own testimony. Paul thought that in accordance with his own belief in God he had to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. At that point in his life he knew him only as Jesus from the remote Galilean village of Nazareth.

Many today know him only in a similar fashion, but not as the Son of God, the Savior of sinners, King of Kings and Lord of Lord's!

3.      Paul relates to his persecution of the followers of Jesus, whom in Jerusalem he had put in prison. He received authority from the leaders to jail these Christians and testified against those who were put to death.

4.      He continued to punish these often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme or turn against Jesus Christ at threat of death. Paul says he persecuted them even unto foreign cities.

5.      Vs 12 - Paul went to Damascus in Syria under authority from the chief priests, (a probable reference to the Sanhedrin.)

6.      Vs 13 - A moment of crisis came as Paul was traveling to Damascus. On the Damascus road, "at mid-day, I saw a light from heaven above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me."

7.      7.      Vs 14 - And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks."

The light affected everyone - (General call).

The voice was heard only by Saul - (effectual call.)

The word "pricks" refers to a goad stick used by an oxen driver to goad the oxen and keep them going. They were goaded in the heel,  and to kick against it would be like pouring salt in their wounds. It would hurt more. It hurts to kick against God's goad-stick.

8.      8.      Vs 15 - Paul's reply to the voice he heard -

"Who art thou LORD?"

The answer came back plainly, "I am JESUS whom thou persecutest."

The man he thought was dead, was not only alive but leading the forces that Saul was persecuting. He could not fight against the LORD!

9.      9.      Vs 16 - Paul's Call to Service:

"But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister, and a witness both of these things which thou has seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee."

Let us look at this calling more closely:

a)      a)      Stand upon your feet. (there is some running to do!)

b)      b)      There is a purpose of which, and for which I have appeared to you. (God has a purpose in everything!)

c)      c)      "to make thee a minister" - we do not chose a ministerial vocation; it is the making of God Himself. God alone calls ministers, and the church blesses them and confirms that call.

d)      d)      "And a witness" - One who will give evidence as before a court.

e)      e)      Evidence of what you see now and of what I shall yet show you.

God's witnesses are to give evidence of God. God is seen in his people.

Do you want to see God? Look long at Jesus Christ. But listen to the testimony of those who witness to the truth in Christ.

10.  Vs 17 - "Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles unto whom I now send thee."

I will deliver you from the people (Jewish people.) and from the Gentiles to whom I now send you.

Paul spoke boldly and by faith, that God had told him he would be delivered from both the Jews and the Gentiles. This of course we know to be the truth from reading the book of Acts, and church history.

Paul would go to Rome and spend many more years in the service of Christ.

 

B.      Incredible Summons: Vs 18-21

1.      Vs 18 - God's purpose in Paul's going to the Gentiles -

      a)      To open their eyes - through the preaching of the gospel.

                        b)      To turn them from darkness to light. God would use Paul through the preaching of the gospel and the whole counsel of God to turn the Gentiles from darkness to light. Paul would not do this himself; it is the office work of the Holy Spirit.

                                    Ephesians 4:18

                        "Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart."

                        Ephesians 5:8

                        "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light." See- 1 Peter 2:9.

                  c)      "From the power of Satan unto God" - 1 Thessalonians 1:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:9

d)      "That they may receive forgiveness of sins" -

Luke 1:77

"To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins."

Ephesians 1:7

"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." See also Colossians 1:14.

Acts 5:31

"Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins."

e)      “And inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me."

Ephesians 1:11

"In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will."

Acts 20:32

"And now brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and give you an inheritance among all them that are sanctified."  See Hebrews 9:15

The word "sanctified" means to "set apart as holy."

Hebrews 10:10

"By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

See John 17:19; Romans 15:16; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2; Hebrews 9:13.

2.      Vs 19 - "Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision."

Paul regarded his encounter with Jesus Christ on the Damascus road as a "heavenly vision."

He told Agrippa that he was not disobedient to the call that he received from Jesus Christ.

3.      Vs 20 - The basis of Paul's call of God:

                        a) He first went to Damascus, and the reference is to the Jews, not the believers he met with there. This we will see as we look at the last part of this verse and verse 21.

                        Acts 9:20ff

                        "And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God."

                        b) "And at Jerusalem"- Paul's trip to Jerusalem where he witnessed to the Jews there and met with the Church. His reference again is to the Jews, not to the believers. See Acts 9:29

                        c) "And throughout all of the coasts of Judea" - This he most likely did enroute to Tarsus.

      Acts 9:30

"Which when the brethren knew they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus."

d)      "And then to the Gentiles" - This is a reference to his missionary journey's out from the Antioch Church in Syria.

e)      Paul's message in a nutshell was; "that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance." That is, they should show the fruit of repentance.

The question here is, "Is repentance a work of man or of God?"

I believe the answer is that God works repentance into our hearts. That no man can repent unless it is given him of God. Upon regeneration then, a sinner can repent (have a Godly sorrow for sin accompanied with a change of mind, attitude and direction.) With this God given repentance the person can then bring forth fruit meet for or resulting from repentance.

Romans 2:4

"…the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance."

Acts 5:31

"Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins."

2 Timothy 2:25

"In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth."

See 1 Corinthians 7:9-10.

4.      Vs 21 - "For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me."

Paul says, "this is the real reason behind the plot of the Jews (leaders) to kill me. This is the reason those who today oppose the gospel seek in any way possible to discredit those who preach the same gospel that Paul preached. Paul had hope in the resurrected Christ, a hope that the Jewish leaders could not see nor were they willing to admit to. They were content in living in the shadows of symbolism not seeing that Christ was the visible image of the invisible God. They then rejected their own Messiah.

 

3.         THE HOPE OF GOSPEL PREACHING: Vs 22-32

A.                Attestant to the Gospel: Vs 22-23

1.      1.      Paul gives credit to God for his continuance in the gospel. No man can work independently of God. God's promise is to be with us at all times.

2.      Paul witnessed to the poor and to the rich, the weak and the powerful, to the down and out, and to the up and out.

3.      Paul's message was based upon the Word of God. He preached what the Scriptures clearly taught in the Law of Moses and in the prophets concerning events that would come to pass.

See Romans 3:21; Luke 24:14; John 5:46.

4.      Vs 23 - "That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles."

Luke 24:26; 1 Corinthians 15:20; Colossians 1:18; Revelation 1:5.

"and should show light unto the people and to the Gentiles" -

See Luke 2:32; Isaiah 42:6; 60:3; 61:9

Note: The student should take their concordance and look up the word "Gentiles" to see a multitude of references to them and the Messiah (Christ.)

 

B.                 Almost Persuaded: Vs 24-32

1.      Paul's witness for Jesus Christ to Agrippa apparently brought at least some conviction to Festus as it had to Felix before. As Paul was speaking for himself, Festus called out with a loud voice, "Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad."

2.      Paul immediately replied to Festus, that he was not mad or insane, but spoke the words of truth and soberness (straight, sound truth). (Vs 25)

3.      Paul then redirects his attention to king Agrippa.

Vs 26 - "For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner."

Agrippa was well aware of the law and the prophets, through his father and his own Jewish connections as well as Bernice who sat beside him. Perhaps he would also be aware of the doctrines of Jewish Christians whose numbers by now had great multiplied.

4.      Paul then did what every preacher ought to do. He put Agrippa on the spot. He gave Agrippa a brief invitation, an opportunity to publicly proclaim his faith in Christ.

Vs 27 - "King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest."

Agrippa's belief was only intellectual as seen by his reply to Paul in verse 28. -

"Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian."

"Almost persuaded, now to believe;

Almost persuaded, Christ to receive;

Seems now some soul to say, go Spirit go Thy way,

Some more convenient day - on thee I'll call."

 

Agrippa was almost a Christian. Almost is but to fail, almost leaves him still standing at the wicked gate, surrounded by all of the religious lost who love to play church and hang around Christians. What a sad scene we have here, one that no doubt has been repeated again and again down through the ages. Almost……but LOST!

5.      Vs 29 - "And Paul said, 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 for these bonds."

Paul reached out with an open heart that was heavy for the soul of Agrippa and those who heard his witness in that great hall. I suppose only eternity will declare the reality of that witness, as to whether any of them who heard the general call, heard also an efficient and effectual call that day.

That same call goes out to all who hear this message today or read it in print. "Christ came into the world to seek and to save that which was lost." He is the Christ, the Son of the living God, the Savior of His elect people. So repent and believe the gospel!

6.      Vs 30 - "And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them."

This does appear to be their final answer to the Gospel of saving grace.

7.      Vs 31 -"And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds."

How do we know what they said in privacy? Perhaps it was overheard again by Paul's nephew? We know that the author of all Scripture heard it, for the Holy Spirit is omniscient.

8.      Vs 32 - "Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty had he not appealed unto Caesar."

a)            Roman law had to be fulfilled and followed through. Paul would go to Caesar.

                                    b)            There were some other things that God had in mind for Paul, and now he had a free boat ticket to Rome.

c)      Paul would as well be protected from the Jewish leaders who would no doubt still like to kill him, and much more since they had failed in their court case against him.

CONCLUSION:

Paul's main line of defense in standing before Agrippa was his own personal testimony of saving Grace, and in his stand upon the Scriptures. What a great witness this proved to be and remains to this day.

May our churches today return to the witness of Scripture for the Word of God abideth forever and stands as an anvil upon which the hammers of apostasy break.

Upon what does your life stand?

 

Sermon preached by Dr. D. Paul Tuck Sr.

Landmark Baptist Church, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada.

Sunday morning, January 13th 2002

 

 

 

 

LESSON FORTY-THREE:

 

PAUL SAILS FOR ROME!

 

Scripture: Acts 27:1-20

 

Text:   Acts 23:11

"And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be pf good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome."

 

INTRODUCTION:

With Paul's appeal of his charges to be made before Caesar, the way was now open for a free trip to Rome, all expenses paid by the Roman government.

We again see the workings of Providence in moving this great Missionary Evangelist first to Jerusalem and now enroute to Rome where stood the palace of the Caesars. God does not do everything in a hurry. Paul was two years in Caesarea and now the rigorous journey over the Mediterranean Sea before this vision that God gave to him would be fulfilled.

In our study today we begin that journey with Paul and seek to learn the lessons that are there for us along the way.

 

1.            DETERMINED VOYAGE: Vs 1-2

No one every got anywhere without determination. Paul's determination began with the plan and purpose of God for his life. While the details of the voyage appear to be determined by men, God nevertheless overruled the whole thing. This was not Paul's trip, it was divinely and Providentially planned.

A.            Set Plan:

1.         Once the sailing time was fixed, Paul was delivered along with some other prisoners to a Centurion by the name of Julius.

2.         Julius was a member of a special company known as the Augustus band, named after Caesar Augustus.

3.      Everything generally looks secure as we begin our journey. This is true also to the new Christian convert. Beginning the Christian life is a real enjoyment until we learn of the struggles of life enroute on our pilgrim journey.

4.      Paul may understandably be just a little excited himself as he was just a little closer to Rome.

 

B.           Set Accompaniment: Vs 2

1.         In order to take a journey anywhere there must be a vessel and one must get on board. On the journey from earth to heaven, Jesus said, "I am the way the truth and the life" (John 14:6.)

2.         One never has to take the Christian journey alone; there are others that the Lord has to accompany us on our pilgrim journey. As well He has promised to journey with us.

3.      The ship that Paul entered was from Adramyttium. This is a seaport in the Roman Province of Asia (Turkey), situated on a bay of the Aegean Sea, about 70 miles north of Smyrna in the district anciently called Aeolis and also Mysia. Today it is known as Adramyti and is just a poor village. (Peloubet's Bible Dictionary).

4.      A man by the name of Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica also accompanied them. Luke the writer of Acts includes himself by use of the word "us".

ARISTARCHUS: We read about him in Acts 20:4 and 27:2. He accompanied Paul on his third missionary journey (Acts 19:29). He was with Paul on his return to Asia Acts 20:4, and again here on his voyage to Rome. We read of him later as Paul's fellow prisoner in Colossians 4:10 and Philippians 2:4. Tradition makes him bishop at Apamea.

5.        These then accompanied Paul as they sailed for Rome, first along the southern coast of Asia Minor.

 

2.            DELIGHTFUL VOYAGE: Vs 3-5

The journey had begun but now they must endure the rigors of continuing. This of course pictures for us the Christian walk to which one must persevere. Too many are Christians in name only, but do not persevere. Someone has said, "If we take the name, we must also take the blame." However, Christianity is not something we join, we must come into it by spiritual birth. (John 3:3.)

A.         Continuation:

1.       "And the next day we touched at Sidon" - This was just up the coast near to Tyre. The newness of a spiritual journey causes the young Christian to think they had come a long way.

2.        Julius the Centurion was kind to Paul and allowed him some limited freedom. Liberty in the Christian life is not always available. The Christian is first like a young colt frolicking in the pasture. The day comes when he must endure the halter, then the harness, and then learn to pull the kings carriage. Before that time comes he will endure the rigors of doing the petty and the mundane. He will pull logs and wooden stone-boats, before he would be entrusted to pull the carriage of the king.

3.        Paul was not a young Christian and long had pulled the kings carriage himself. In fact like an old war-horse he was given liberty here that he might refresh himself. The real hardness of the journey still lay ahead.

 

            B.            Contrary Winds: Vs 4

1.        "And when we had launched from there, we sailed just below Cyprus, because the winds were contrary." It does not say if they wanted to stop at one of the two ports in Cyprus. However, if they did, they were not able to because "the winds were contrary."

So it is on our pilgrim journey, we all too often must endure contrary winds. A good sailor must learn to tack or buck those kinds of winds. When the winds are contrary, the sailor will not reach his point directly, but will set a zigzag course until he reaches the desired place. This is a good lesson for those who would seek to lead others into doctrinal truth.

2.       Along the Pilgrim journey there are many places we might stop over at. Some only so briefly.

Vs 5 - "And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia."

How much zigzagging this took we cannot be sure, but such tack usually gets us to a place of rest at a safe port.

Someone says, "sometimes it takes more zigging than zagging, but hang in there, if Jesus is the pilot, you will make it!

 

3.            DIDACTIC VOYAGE: Vs 6-20

The journey of life is morally and spiritually instructive, if we have the will to learn. This you may have learned already from the spiritual lessons I have already drawn out on Paul's journey. We will learn much more here as we journey on with Paul towards Rome.

A.         Changing Direction: Vs 6-8

1.       "And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein."

2.        Some people are far too stubborn to ever change ships. However, we need to be sure that the one we are on is going towards our desired haven. I am reminded of an old Negro spiritual that starts out, "O come and take a trip on this old gospel ship." Many are on a ship but they are not heaven-bound. I am reminded of the time that the disciples took Jesus into a ship to cross the Sea of Galilee.

Mark 4:36

"And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships."

There were many ships, but Jesus and his disciples were only in the one ship.

You need to be sure that the ship you are in for the journey is the one that Jesus is in. The old gospel ship leaves from the Port of Calvary.

If there is no cross, there can be no crown.

3.        "And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone."

Friend, you need patience for this journey, as sometimes things do not move very fast. You are tempted to jump ship! Maybe you could swim faster? We have had church members that left because our church was not growing very fast. Things at the time were just not moving. They left, and as soon as they did, things started to move. The wind began to blow. (Of course they never brought anyone to church themselves. They were the hindrance.)

Cnidus - is a city of great consequence, situated at the extreme south-west of the Peninsula of Asia Minor, on a promontory now called Cape Crio, which projects between the islands of Cos and Rhodes. (See Acts 21:1)

It is now in ruins.

Crete - is west of Cyprus and straight south of Greece.

Salmone -is the eastern point or cape of the island of Crete. It is visible from a long ways off.

4.       Vs 8 - "And hardly passing it, came into a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea."

Fair Havens was an inlet or harbor not far from the city of Lasea on the southeastern end of Crete. It is still known by its old Greek name.

It is always good to find a "Fair Haven" on our Pilgrim journey. Perhaps the danger here is that we might linger too long and waste time. It appears that this may have been the case with this ship, which was bound for Italy.

 

B.         Counsel of Paul: Vs 9-11

1.      Vs 9 - "Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them."

It does not say why they "spent much time" Perhaps they had some cargo to unload but the context does not allow this. It does not appear that this was a scheduled stopover. By "much time" we should read, as in the Amplified Bible -

"But as the season was well advanced, for much time had been lost and navigation was already dangerous, for the time for the Fast (the day of Atonement about the middle of September) had already gone by, Paul warned and advised them."

So the reason for the delay was more than likely due to the keeping of the Fast, which at least some on board would do.

The fact that navigation was already dangerous was due to the seasonal change, as winter would be coming soon. That would mean high winds, rain and rough seas.

2.        Paul's admonition was likely prophetic as he could foresee the danger that lay ahead with hurt and much damage for both the ship and those on board. (Vs 10)

3.       Vs 11 - Like most men of the world, the preacher is the last one they will listen to.

"The Centurion believed the Master and owner of the ship more than the words of Paul."

Hardly do such people of the world want to listen to the preacher or to attend to their spiritual lives and attend the services of the church.

I am reminded of the man who said, "Preacher I will come to church just as soon as I get straightened out."  Six months later, the preacher conducted his funeral. He was straightened out physically, but not spiritually.

Later, this Centurion would no doubt wish he had of listened to Paul.

On our pilgrim journey, in our eagerness to get going, we should not throw all caution to the wind.

Contrary to the old clique, "rules are not meant to be broken." Laws are for the betterment of society, and should be kept.

 

C.           Consequences of Rejection: Vs 12-20

1.           "And because the haven was not commodious to winter in the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth to the south-west and north-west." (Vs 12)

   Paul could see down the road, but those of the ship saw only that Fair Havens was not the best place to winter in. This was likely due to its position, even though it was a good harbor, the reason it was called "fair."

   "The more part" or the majority. Someone has well said, that, "the majority is not always right."

   "If by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter…."

   Literally they "hoped somehow to reach the better harbor of Phenice"

   This city was located on the opposite end of the island of Crete.

   Phenice or Phoenix is the modern Lutro. The word apparently comes from the Phoenicians who lived along the Mediterranean coast of Palestine. Tyre and Sidon were Phoenician cities. These were a seafaring people who spoke a branch of the Semitic language.

2.           Vs 13 -"And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete."

   The south wind would keep them close to Crete, enabling them to soon reach the desired port. Or at least that was the plan and desire. However, man does not control the wind any more than they can control their tongue.

   Often when we disobey, things go all right for a little while, before all hell breaks loose!

3.      Vs 14 - "But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon."

The Amplified Bible translates this first very well. "But soon afterward a violent wind (of the character of a typhoon) called a northeaster, came bursting down from the island."

This was a sudden change of direction for the wind and a very treacherous northeaster was known to be quite dangerous. This change of wind, like a southern Pacific typhoon would prove the ships master wrong and the preacher as right.

Note: Not that preachers are sometimes wrong, but Paul was not just an elder, he was an apostle placed in the church by Jesus Christ.

4.        Vs 15 - "And when the ship was caught and would not bear up into the wind, we let her drive."

When they were not able to sail into the strong wind, they let her go as the wind drove it. The wind then would take the ship in a southwesterly direction.

This is not a good position to be in at any time. Here one is at the mercy of circumstances. It is no fun to be the victim of circumstances.

A man was asked by the preacher how he was doing. "Fine, under the circumstances" replied the man. I wonder said the preacher, how you would be if you were "over" the circumstances?"

5.        Vs 16 - "And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat."

Running under the shelter of this island, it was all they could do to draw the ship's lifeboat onto the ship and secure it. It was probably being towed behind.

Even with the shelter of this small island, the effect of the storm was such that they were still in great trouble. At such times, even the life saving provision we think we have may be in danger.

Clauda - is a small island nearly due west of Cape Matala on the south coast of Crete, and nearly due south of Phenice; now Goza, corruption of Gaudonesi. (Peloubet's Bible Dictionary.)

6.        Vs 17 - "Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, stake sail, and so were driven."

Again let me read from the Amplified Version -

"After hoisting it on board, they used supports with ropes to under-gird and brace the ship; then afraid that they would be driven into the Syrtis (quicksands off the north coast of Africa), they lowered the gear (sails and ropes), and so were driven along."

With the sails down, they were at the mercy of the wind, waves and current.

I wonder what was going through the mind of the Centurion now?

7.       Vs 18 - "And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship."

David said, Psalms 55:8 

"I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest."

Sometimes we need to take stalk of our lives and lighten our ship to survive the tempest. To take inventory of our spiritual lives from time to time is important, and not wait for a tempest to come before we do.

8.        Vs 19 - "And the next day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship."

Things were getting very serious, so they threw out the tackling, the tackle and furniture. It is amazing what we can throw away when our very lives are in such danger or we are in dire straits.

Remember though that this is the direct result from turning aside from the advice of the preacher.

9.       Vs 20 - "And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away."

The tempest did not let up but continued to toss the ship and drive it out of human control. All hope that they would be saved seemed to be gone.

The day was dark and about to get even darker. These on board the ship were about to get a lesson on the power of a sovereign God.

Psalm 107:23-30

"23 ¶ They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;

24  These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.

25  For he commandeth, and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves thereof.

26  They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.

27  They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end.

28  Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.

29  He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.

30  Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven."

Affliction is not always a chastisement for the Christian. Sometimes God is speaking, not to you but to the one next to you.

However, affliction is good for us, although it does not feel good at the time.

Psalm 119:67

"Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word."

Psalm 119:71

"It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes."

It is however always darkest before the dawn. We cannot know the salvation of the Lord until we know our own insufficiency. We need to know our own need, our depravity and inability to help ourselves or pick ourselves up by our own bootstraps.

                                    For this we must look beyond ourselves and see JESUS!

 

CONCLUSION:

Do you find yourself in the midst of a great tempest of life? Have you thrown overboard all you can throw, yet your ship is still driven by the tempest, heading for the rocks?

2 Chronicles 7:14 

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

When the outlook grows dim, try the uplook!

And you, who do not know the Lord, if you can hear his voice, feel the tug of his hand upon your heart. Then invite him into your heart and life.

"Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13.)

 

Sermon preached by Dr. D. Paul Tuck Sr.

Landmark Baptist Church, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

Sunday morning, January 20th 2002

 

 

 

 LESSON FORTY-FOUR:

 

THE ACT OF A SOVEREIGN GOD

ON A TEMPESTUOUS SEA

 

Scripture: Acts 27:21-44

 

Text: Acts 27:31

Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved."

 

INTRODUCTION:

Out on a tempest driven ship, tossed to and fro by the waves, totally at the mercy of the wind, you find that all you held dear and embraced as yours, means nothing except for the God given breath that you were now breathing.

This is the story of the apostle Paul, the passengers and crew of this sailing vessel as they attempted to head for Italy.

Here we learn a lesson of Providence, of Divine sovereignty and the Grace of God that alone can save us. Here we see how the Lord can lead us and use us to reach his elect and testify of his love, mercy and grace to others.

Was Paul's life about to be snuffed out and his body buried beneath the salt waters of the Mediterranean Sea? Was he finally going to find that the Lord that spoke to him on the Damascus Road, and led him through the valley of the shadow of death, telling him of his testimony in Rome, going to prove untrue? Is the sea greater than the Word of God, His decree, foreknowledge and predestination?

Let us look closely at these verses and learn as well the lesson that God painted for others out there on the tempestuous sea.

 

1.         THE CALL:

God's Call is based upon His foreknowledge of all events. By foreknowledge we do not mean that he simply knows the end from the beginning, but that he decreed and foreordained that end from the beginning. God's grace is absolutely sovereign.

Can God be God and be anything less than absolutely sovereign?

Here in the story enfolded before us we know that God had told Paul that he would go to Rome. Then we know that out of all those on the ship in the midst of this hurricane force wind; at least Paul would be saved. God's grace does effect all men in the sense that he provides rain on the vegetables as well as on the weeds. All men benefit from the grace of God, and just the fact that he does not immediately strike down those men such as Hitler, Mussolini, Bin Laden, or all sinners for that matter can be put down as a result of his sovereign grace.

 

A.                The Message: Vs 21-26

1.      I could call this the gospel, but I do not want to make my typology walk on four legs. However, the gospel being basically good news or glad tiding, this was a gospel message in that sense.

2.      Paul had spoken to the Ship's Master and the Centurion back when they were at Fair Havens. They did not listen to him, so he left them to themselves. Now we see that Paul feels they might now be ready to listen to him.

"After long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss."

Lessons for us here:

a)      It does pay to listen to the preacher.

b)      There is a high price to pay for not listening or hearkening to the Word of God.

c)      Those who go their own way and do their own thing to the neglect of the Word of God, waste time, pay a stiff price, and waste away their lives. The shortest way to Italy would have been to wait in Fair Havens.

d)      God's way is the way of the Word and it is the best way.

            3.      Paul's message to them is first in the form of an indictment or at least a rebuke. "Ye should have listened…"

Here we see human responsibility in action. Paul could have taken a fatalistic attitude and said, "well all things go according to God's decree." While we would not deny the absolute sovereignty of God in all things, we cannot overlook the fact of human responsibility. Man is human, not some kind of computerized mechanism or machine.

While Paul did attribute the happening here to God, at least indirectly, since he was God's representative, the ownership for the problem must be taken by those who did not listen to Paul. "Ye should have listened to me." We can never make God responsible for our wrongdoing and sin. Such is the case in scripture for example in Peter's sermon at Pentecost where he indicted Israel for the death of Christ. (Acts 2:36) "Whom ye have crucified."

There is a fine line between God's sovereignty and human responsibility that our finite minds have difficulty in locating at times. The best of theologians and commentators have this problem. Some have emphasized God's sovereignty, while others have gone to the other extreme and see only human responsibility. Both are taught in scripture and we ought to be lenient at least with those who try to locate the middle ground. Hyper-Calvinism would take you to the extreme right, and Arminianism would try to go to the left. I believe we have a balance for example in John 6:37 -

"All that the Father giveth me (sovereignty in salvation) shall come to me; and him that cometh to me (human responsibility) I will in no wise cast out." (Words in brackets are my own.)

                  4.      The consequences of not listening in this case is seen in the words of Paul, "and to gain this harm and loss." Perhaps a better word for gain here, is to suffer. The use of the word gain in our modern thinking is positive while their loss was negative.

5.      Vs 22 - "And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship"

I remember when an Asian flu epidemic hit the Bible school I was attending in New Brunswick, Canada in 1958. We were all laid out on our bunks with death written all over our faces. The dean of men came in, took one look at us and said, "cheer up…you'll soon be dead!"

I wonder if that is what these men thought when Paul uttered these words in the midst of a tempest. "You'll all make it but the ship will go down!"

There is a lesson here for all of us, and that is that we ought to trust the Word of God. Our security is not in the ship, but in the LORD! We today trust too much in material things. We trust in our bank accounts, our pension checks, our investments in bonds and property. Beloved, none of these things are safe in the long run.

"My hope is in the Lord Who gave Himself for me,

And paid the price of all my sin at Calvary."

6.      Vs 23 - "For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am and whom I serve."

Paul was not just giving his own opinion. This was the word of God given to him through the angel. It is good to be in proper fellowship with God, you will need Him sooner or later. We need to keep our accounts updated. Paul gave testimony to the fact that he belonged to God and was His servant. Can we say this or dare to even think it in the midst of the tempest of life. We should be able to stand upon the promises of God.

The call then went out to trust God. This was the second time we hear in affect, trust the word of the preacher.

7.      Vs 24 - "Saying, Fear not Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee." The reference here is to the lives of all those on board the ship. This does not necessarily refer to the personal salvation of all of these men. That may or may not be the case, for the reference is to being saved physically from this particular storm.

However, there is here a type of effectual calling. We see here the work of Providence in the face of imminent death.

The main thrust of this sea rescue was that Paul would go to Rome and stand before Caesar. This had been God's purpose and it would prevail even to the saving of all on board the ship.

Why did God want all of them saved and not just Paul, or the Christians that traveled with him? I am not going to try and read the mind of God. I will simply write that question down with some others I will ask Him when I get to heaven. He does not tell us the reason.

"I'll ask the reason, He'll tell me why

When we talk it over in the by and by."

Perhaps the Centurion was needed to escort Paul to Caesar, and the physical deliverance of all on board according to Paul's testimony, would certainly give him credit with Caesar. Perhaps that is one reason why Paul was given so much freedom when he later arrived in Rome?

8.      Vs 25 - "Wherefore sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me."

This is an interesting verse as we see some definite things concerning Paul.

a)            In the midst of a tempest he was able to cheer others up. This is based upon Paul's personal relationship with God.

b)      Paul was a man of respect for those over him. We see this by the use of the word "sirs."

c)      Despite the tempest and all that appeared on the surface before him, Paul could still trust God. This shows his tremendous faith but also reflects his past Christian experience.

d)      "It shall be even as it was told me." Paul saw no reason to change his view of God or to water down the message. It will happen exactly, to the letter of the word as God told me.

e)      "As it was told me" - This underscores Paul's relationship as an apostle of Jesus Christ. This is not mere illumination as we have today but direct revelation of God's will. God spoke to Paul directly. This underscores the inspiration of Paul's letters and doctrine as that of divine revelation.

2 Peter 1:21

"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."

2 Timothy 3:16-17

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

The application to us today, is that we can also stand upon the (written) Word of God. What God has said in His Word, He will surely accomplish.

9.      Vs 26 - "Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island."

Paul's word from God was direct and not general. We will be all right but we will be cast upon a certain island. For Paul, this would be a Providential deviation on his journey to Rome. A deviation from the direct path in order to give testimony of God's saving grace to the pagan inhabitants. Is the gospel to be brought to pagans? It certainly was here. All of us were pagan before we came to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. All men are sinners and in this sense we are pagan, heathen, outside of the truth that is in Jesus Christ.

Do not be too concerned when you must deviate from your plans for if you are following Jesus Christ as you ought, there is no plan but his plan, therefore there is no real deviation. Human deviation is nothing compared to the plan and purpose of our Master. Sometimes a change is as good, in fact better than a rest.

 

B.                 The Method: Vs 27-32

When it comes to our salvation, God has not only decreed it, but He has decreed the means used to accomplish it.

1.      Vs 27 - "But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country."

The fourteenth night of the tempest and they were still being driven by the wind off of the southern part of the Adriatic Sea. Where it joins to the Mediterranean Sea proper. The Adriatic Sea is found between Greece and Italy. This is a very open area and the wind could reach hurricane force and it blew down out of the north.

About midnight the men of the ship thought that they were near to the land of some country.

Imagine the howl of the wind, the roar of the waves as they tossed the ship to and fro in the sea. All of this in the pitch black darkness of night. A twinkle of hope came as they were sounding the depth of the sea, and discovered that they were probably close to some land.

They did not know where they were, but anywhere at this point would surely be better than this.

This too is somewhat the condition of the soul with whom the Spirit of God is dealing. In their darkness and depravity, some men are willing to grasp at anything and herein lays the danger of liberalism and the cults and false doctrine, that would seek to disrupt a safe landing upon the shore.

2.      In the middle of the night, it seemed that safety may be close at hand.

God's elect are safe no matter where they are, for the kind and loving Shepherd will follow them into the tempest and secure their safety.

3.      Vs 28 - "And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again and found it fifteen fathoms."

Sounding is the method used to discover the depth of the sea.  A fathom is a Greek and Roman measure of approximately six feet. (20 fathoms would be 120 feet while the second sounding of 15 fathoms would be 90 feet.

The shallower water of the second sounding would show shallower water but was not all conclusive as to there being land nearby.

4.      Vs 29 - "Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of the stern and wished for the day."

It is an awful feeling to be in the dark, but to be in a tempest at the same time would add to the worst of fears. Here they feared shipwreck upon the rocks. Rocks, which they could not see because of the darkness of night.

Darkness gives very little recourse, especially in a tempest. It can bring out the worst of fears. The need here is to know the one who can calm the troubled sea and bring us safe into our desired haven of rest.

They wished for the day or literally that they might have "light."

Oh that man might have the Light of the World!

"But men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil."

(John 3:19.)

These anchors would not hold, and neither will the anchors of manmade religion. The doctrines of men, traditions of the elders, the faith of works, of cults and false religion will not keep you from destruction upon the rocky shore.

5.      Vs 30 - "And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under color as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship."

Some of the men of the ship under the pretense of laying out anchors off the bow of the ship, had let the lifeboat down into the sea.

These men had no concern for others and sought to find their own way to safety.

I am reminded of the Hebrews who could not wait for Moses to come down from Mount Sinai with the law of God. Some of them chose to make a golden calf and set up worship of it with loud war-like (rock) music. (Genesis chapter 32.)

6.      Vs 31 - "Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved."

Long time before Paul, Isaiah the prophet had said -

Isaiah 8:20

"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."

It is so important that we heed to the word of God, to follow His will and plan.

7.      Vs 32 - "Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off."

Acceptance of the light and word of God results in obedience. Cut off the natural way of escape. Away with humanism and man's logic!

God not only decreed our salvation but the means of it!

The sure sign of our election is our obedience to the Word of God.

God would save them but in His own way, not theirs. God's salvation is wrought with His methods, not ours.

 

2.         THE CONFORMITY: Vs 33-44

If we are to be brought safe onto the shore of God's haven, we must conform not to the ways of the world, but to the word of God. Men like to take the credit for this but it is the work of the Holy Spirit within the depraved heart. It is easy for a transformed heart to conform to the will and word of God.

Philippians 2:13

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure."

The horse that fights the bit does so in vain. Such horses never get to pull the Kings carriage. How then does God prepare us for victory in the tempest of life?

A.                Secured Strength: Vs 33-41

1.      Dawn was now approaching; the light was beginning to seep through the night. When God's light begins to seep through our darkness, then we can begin to see the treasurers that God has for us.

2.      Paul besought the men to eat some food. As they had fasted for fourteen days. Now was the time to receive sustenance and to prepare themselves for the final thrust of their battle with the sea.

3.      The question may be asked, "Did fasting effect the spiritual life of all of the men on the ship?" Personally, I doubt it since all but the Christians who were with Paul would have spiritual life. Their fasting in these cases would be connected with their religion. Until one is first quickened by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:1) he is dead in trespasses and in sin.

4.      The taking of food here likewise is physical to meet with the rigors of the journey ahead as they attempted to get their feet safely on dry land.

5.      Vs 35 - "And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat."

The significance of giving thanks in this instance is in regard to acknowledging God in this situation. Many of these shipmen were probably pagan, since the ship was from Alexandria. The Roman centurion and all of these needed the example of Paul as he here, even though he was a prisoner, took considerable leadership at this point. Paul's prayer then put the whole matter into the hands of God. Otherwise, this breaking of bread was just a simple meal, and certainly no ordinance, nor can we claim anything more than that for Paul's actions here.

6.      Vs 36 - "Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat,"

Paul's faith in God apparently cheered them up as he made the simple prayer of thanksgiving. We should always be thankful, in every situation. Paul's spirit of thanksgiving affected the whole ship. How else could we account for such cheerfulness in the midst of apparent disaster?

                  7.      Vs 37 - "And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls."

That is, there were 276, people on the ship. Apparently several of the most ancient manuscripts list the number at 76 souls. That may be in better keeping with the size of ships that sailed on the Mediterranean Sea. The use of the word "souls" rather then "people" emphasizes the fact of eternity. The body dies, but the soul lives on in either heaven or hell. Death here in this situation would not be the end. Preparation for eternity is more important than that which is only physical.

8.      Vs 38 - "And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea."

First they made sure that they were filled, and then the work began. The wheat was no doubt the ships cargo. Their reason in throwing the cargo overboard was to lighten the ship, which would enable it to get into shallow water, and perhaps beached.

9.      Vs 39 - "And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust the ship."

Daylight brings a better vision of the situation. They saw the shore, but did not recognize where they were. Seeing a creek or bay with a beach they determined to steer the ship towards it.

The answer to their dilemma came in small stages as they proceeded forward, remaining in the ship as Paul had said. We do not need to know the end from the beginning as we sojourn through our tempest. We only need to trust God and take one step forward at a time. To live our lives in trust of God, one day at a time.

10.  Vs 40 - "And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoisted up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward the shore."

They ceased their struggle against the tempest, by loosening the anchors and the ropes that held the rudder still. The committed themselves to the see, and with the mainsail up (some would say foresail) they drove the ship as hard as they could toward the beach.

This was as if to say, "if we are going to have shipwreck, let it be in as shallow a water as we can find."

11    Vs 41 - "And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmovable, but the hinderpart was broken with the violence of the waves."

They struck a cross current that was open to two seas; they then ran the ship aground. The forepart of the ship stuck fast, a situation that was both good and bad, depending upon how they would view the situation. When our ship is stuck fast, then and only then can we begin to see the movement of God's Spirit in an open and positive way. (Not that he hasn't been working in our lives up to this point.) Now they had nowhere else to go, no place to run to. As the waves beat against the ship, the back part of it began to break apart. The waves would be rough and hard near to the shore. The chance of danger is always increased when we are close to the shore.

With these methods, Providence had brought them close to the land. To do otherwise, the whole ship, men, cargo and all would have been at the bottom of the sea.

 

C.                Salvation Accomplished: Vs 42-44

Psalm 107.30

"Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven."

1.      Vs 42 - "And the soldiers counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out and escape."

Just when safety appeared just a little ahead of them, then imminent death stuck up its ugly head. Had Paul come all this way, counseled the ships company to their own safety from a tempestuous sea, only to die by the sword?

It suddenly appeared that Paul and his company had jumped from the frying pan into the fire.

                              No doubt the hand of Satan was behind these words that could keep Paul from his destination in Rome.

2.      Vs 43 - "But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:"

God had decreed that Paul would go to Rome. Would Satan, circumstances or anything thwart that decree? Would God's purpose for Paul not achieve its desired end? No, for the God who decreed the purpose, also decreed its means. The words of the centurion would achieve God's sovereign purpose in Paul. God used the centurion to be the means of achieving His purpose.

3.      Vs 44 - "And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land."

How did Paul get to land? Since he was a prisoner, it seems highly unlikely that he swam. The rest is not really important. What is important is that God's Word prevailed and "they escaped all safe to land."

Was Paul singing as he made his way to shore? I do not know. If he were, I would rather think it would be these words-

"It is not mine to question the judgments of my Lord,

It is but mine to follow the leadings of His Word;

But if to go or stay, or whether here or there,

I'll be with my Savior, content anywhere."

 

CONCLUSION:

In closing may I ask you a question? Can you hear the voice of the Lord? He speaks to us today through His Word.

To some, perhaps he is calling to repentance and faith? Repentance of sin, and faith towards our Lord and Savor Jesus Christ. If that is the case, now is the time to heed that call and trust in Jesus Christ as your all-sufficient Savior.

To others, it may be to follow Him further in your pilgrim journey. To like Paul, allow His Spirit to so pervade your life that you will be a living testimony of Christ to others around you.

To others still he may be calling to some distant land or maybe a ministry just across the street.

God has a plan for every Christian, but we must leave the details to Him. My preacher son used to always ask me for the details. This became a bit of a joke over the years. However, with God, we must leave the details to Him.

Many years ago I was in a meeting with fellow pastors. There was much debate over the details of carrying out a certain motion on the floor. An old preacher stood up and said, "brethren, lets go out and just do the job, we can pass the motion later."

We get so tangled in the motion that we miss the mark and never act out the purpose. The apostle Paul knew the purpose and he left the details to the One who had called Him. Now he stood, safe on the shore, and all of the ships company stood with him.

To God be the glory great things He hath done!

 

Sermon preached by Dr. D. Paul Tuck Sr.

Landmark Baptist Church, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada,

Sunday morning, January 27th 2002.

 

 

 

 

LESSON FORTY-FIVE:

 

BRINGING CHRIST TO A HEATHEN LAND

 

Scripture: Acts 28:1-10

 

Text:            Romans 1:14

I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the un-wise."

 

INTRODUCTION:

God did not promise us an easy road, or a bed of roses in our service for Him. In fact He promised us trials, tribulation as we walk the Road called Pain. Paul did not know what lay in store for him as he landed on that beach that day. No one seemed to know even the name of the land. In fact, no one cared too much about where they landed, as long as it was on dry land. Their disobedience to the word of God through the preacher had cost them their ship with all of its valuable cargo. However, when they finally decided to listen to the man of God, at least they clean escaped with their lives.

"And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita."

No one truly knows where they are until they have escaped from the bondage of the penalty and power of sin.

John 20:31

"But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name."

When God saves you, you know where you are!

Paul had a steadfast faith in the leadership of the Holy Spirit. This leadership brought him through a shipwreck to the island of Melita, now known as Malta. Paul was not too far from the southern coast of Italy.

No doubt the purpose of God in bringing them here was to preach the gospel and declare Christ to the heathen inhabitants of this island.

Here we see -

 

1.         THE RECEPTION: VS 2

Not all missionaries are received this way, but perhaps due to the circumstances, a hand of welcome was extended to Paul and the entire crew.

A.                Barbarous Men:

1.      "The barbarous people" - Of this word some would translate "natives" but the meaning is much deeper than this.

W.E. Vine says, "Barbaros meant one whose speech is rude, or harsh; it was used of one who spoke in a foreign language, other than Hebrew or Greek. It came to denote any foreigner ignorant of the Greek language or culture. After the Persian was it acquired the sense of rudeness and brutality. In Acts 28:2 and 4 it was used unreproachfully of the inhabitants of Malta who were of Phoenician origin."

2.      These were heathen, uneducated according to the Greek culture. They were not believers of Jehovah God, as were the Jews.

3.      In order to reach such men for Christ, God would have to lead in such a way as to declare himself to them. It is one thing to preach the gospel to a Jew, another thing to preach the gospel to a Greek or ordinary Gentile, but here were truly pagan, heathen men who had not known of the one true God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

4.      Concerning the use of foreign languages without interpretation, Paul said, in 1 Corinthians 14:11

"Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me."

It is interesting to see how God used Paul to cross this barbarous barrier of language and culture.

 

B.                 Blessed Reception:

1.      "The people showed us no little kindness" - This is not always the reception of native peoples to missionaries. Sometimes to the contrary they have met them with swords and spears. Many a missionary has fallen on the beach of a sought out mission field by frightened natives who sought only to protect their habitat.

2.      The reason for this kind reception appears to be due to the weather. Would they have been so kind had they arrived in summer? That we will never know for sure, but here they were receptive first to the men.

3.      Initial reception is important anywhere one would seek to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ.

4.      One might well observe that most of these men were not too interested in any gospel. Except for Paul and a few of the disciples with him, it is doubtful that any of the others were beneficiaries of God's saving grace in Christ. That is certainly true, but Paul was a born again man of God with a mission. He had just landed on a mission field and in no time would begin to witness for the one who had called him out of darkness into His marvelous light.

5.      God used this means, the rain, and the cold, even as he used the tempest to bring the ship to Malta. God uses means, and if he used a rooster to crow a sermon to a weak kneed Peter; if he used a donkey to speak to a backslidden prophet. Then my friend, do not hesitate to open your mouth. God can surely use YOU!

 

2.         THE REALIZATION OF GOD'S POWER: Vs 3-10

In the days of the apostles, they did not have the completed revelation of God's Word. There were not yet any New Testament books compiled. Until the death of the apostles God used special gifts, including healing and miracles to witness to the power of God.

Such miracles were prophesied of and seen in the ministry of Jesus and the apostles. These were to be in existence until "that which is perfect is come."

This period of apostolic miracles lasted for a time of forty years.

Micah 7:15

"According to the days of thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I shew unto him marvelous things."

John 2:11 

"This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him."

From the first miracle Jesus performed until the word of God was completed, would be 40 years, bringing us up to the last of the apostles and the time of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

1 Corinthians 13:10

"But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away."

This refers to the Word of God, not to Christ. Christ would be "He" but the word of God is "that".

James 1:25

"But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deeds."

A.                Preparation: Vs 3-6

1.      Before one can deal with spiritual problems, first the immediate and physical human problems need to be dealt with. In this case there was the need to gather some wood and make a fire, because it was cold and everyone was wet. Men have no interest in anything else when sidetracked by physical discomfort.

2.      Lost sinners are not interested in God or heaven when they are physically uncomfortable.

3.       Providence can make ready such a situation better than we can. Paul was simply addressing one need when God took care of another, which got the attention of everybody there.

"There came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand."

This viper was likely a serpent or snake while some think it was a scorpion. Whatever it was, it was poisonous and clung to Paul's hand.

4.      Vs 4 - "And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live."

The word vengeance is reference to the god Justice. They are here showing their pagan superstition. Such superstitions are found everywhere today, even in our so-called industrial and civilized nations.

5.      This action caught the attention of everyone. The first reaction of the barbarians was one of superstition.

6.      Vs 5 - "And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm."

Paul's reaction was in compliance with the words of Christ in Mark 16:17-18. This was an apostolic miracle. Men today such as the snake handling Pentecostal in Kentucky are fools. This act had nothing to do with Paul's faith or lack of it. This was Providence getting the attention of some superstitious pagan sinners who needed to know that the God of the Christians was the God of power and authority. This is always the primary purpose of miracles.

7.      Vs 6 - "Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm done to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god."

After observing Paul and his hand for considerable time. When it should have been greatly swollen or he should have fallen down dead, they changed their mind and said that he must be a god. Sinful man would worship the creative rather than the creator. We make gods out of anything we do not understand. Foolish men have long set men up on a pedestal or set them upon a throne, bench down to them in worship and kissed their ring or even their feet. Of such is that called Popery.

Mark 10:42-45

But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.

43  But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:

44  And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

45  For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."

1 Peter 5:3

"Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock."

Paul regarded himself as but a servant of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:1

"Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,"

The Bible teaches the priesthood of ALL believers. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. It is religion that exalts the clergy above the laity in such fashion. This is unknown among true New Testament Churches, and it out to be so today.

Revelation 1:6 

"And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."

Psalm 149:5-9

"Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.

6 ¶ Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand;

7  To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;

8  To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;

9  To execute upon them the judgment written: this honor have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD."

1 Peter 2:5

"Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ."

B.                 Possessing Your Possessions: Vs 7-10

It is one thing to enter a land, it is quite another to possess it. It is one thing to be in God's Kingdom, it is another thing to possess it.

I think it is safe today that Christianity at least found its roots in Malta with the ministry of the apostle Paul. I am aware that today the land is ruled by religion and superstition of a different kind prevails. That can be said of any place or city where the gospel once prevailed. Jerusalem, all of the parts of Turkey in Asia Minor, is no longer Christian lands in any form. The same can be said of Rome, of England, yes even of America.

Let us go back to Paul and his sojourn on the island of Malta:

1.      Vs 7 - "In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously."

In the vicinity of that place there were estates belonging to the chief or headman of the island.

God knew just where to land that ship, so close to the house of the chief man of the island.

2.      The chief of the island was named Publius, who was probably the governor of the island. The Bible does not say anything more about him. The name Publius is a Roman name and Melita or Malta was at that time under the Romans. (See John Gill-Expository.)

3.      By "us", Luke includes the Christians and no doubt the Centurion and other prisoners. It is doubtful that he housed the whole ships company. (Whether 76 or 276 men.)

They were guests of Publius for three days and again we see this to be Providential.

4.      Vs 8 - "And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him."

Publius father lay sick with a fever and dysentery. When Paul entered into the place where he lay, Paul prayed, laid his hands upon him and healed him. Luke relates that he first prayed and then laid hands upon the sick man.

5.      Vs 9 - "So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed."

Someone has said, "It only takes a spark to get a fire going…"

Many from all over Melita were now flocking to Paul. Would this missionary not tell them about Jesus Christ? It seems highly unlikely that he would miss such a golden opportunity. Paul was no televangelist faith healer; he had one hundred percent results.

6.      Vs 10 - The people of the island showed them great respect and gave them many gifts.

When finally they departed, they provided them with many of their necessities for the journey.

Paul later would write to young Timothy:

1 Timothy 5:17-18

"Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.

For the Scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his hire."

John Gill in his Expositor says:

"And very likely many of them were converted under the apostle's ministry; for it can hardly be thought that the apostle should be on this island three months, as he was, and not preach the Gospel to the inhabitants of it, in which he always met with success, more or less; and the great respect shown him at his departure seems to confirm this; though we meet with no account of any church, or churches, or preachers of the word in this place, in ecclesiastical history, until the "sixth" century, when mention is made of a bishop of the island of Melita."

Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary says:

"Whether any permanent effects of this three months' stay of the greatest of the apostles were left at Malta, we cannot certainly say. But though little dependence is to be placed upon the tradition that Publius became bishop of Malta and afterwards of Athens, we may well believe the accredited tradition that the beginnings of the Christian Church at Malta sprang out of this memorable visit."

 

CONCLUSION:

And may I ask, how does our life effect those we come in contact with? Paul came to Malta shipwrecked and with nothing but the clothes he wore. Once on land he bore the blessings of His Savior to the inhabitants and left with all of the necessities they all needed to continue his journey to Rome. The God who called Paul was faithful to meet his needs and use him to bless others. This in itself was the personal testimony of this great apostle of Jesus Christ.

May our life too be a blessing to those with whom we come in contact, regardless of the hardship. May our life touch others that God may use us to bring His sheep into the fold of a New Testament Church.

 

Sermon preached by Dr. D. Paul Tuck Sr.

Landmark Baptist Church, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

Sunday morning February 3rd 2002

 

 

LESSON FORTY-SIX:

 

THE MINISTRY OF PAUL IN ROME

 

Scripture: Acts 28:11-31

 

Text:            Romans 1:15 

"So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also."

 

INTRODUCTION:

With these last verses of Acts chapter 28, we come to the end of the Acts of the Apostles and our current series of study. We do not however come to the end of the ministry of this great missionary evangelist and apostle of Jesus Christ. For reasons unknown to us, Luke did not have the opportunity to complete this treatise. We know that when he wrote it, Paul and Peter had not as yet succumbed to martyrdom; else Luke most surely would have said so.

Paul did not found the Church in Rome, for there was already a company of believers there when he first wrote his epistle to the Romans. Now as we see in these closing verses, there are brethren there to greet him upon his arrival.

So Dr. Luke concludes his treatise, and we will examine these verses under the following three headings:

 

1.            CONCLUSION OF THE TRIP TO ROME: Vs 11-16

2.            CALLING THE JEWISH LEADERS TOGETHER: Vs 17-27

3.            CONFIDENTLY REACHING OUT TO THE GENTILES: Vs 28-31

 

1.            CONCLUSION OF THE TRIP TO ROME: Vs 11-16

God's purpose in the tempest on the Mediterranean Sea, and subsequent shipwreck on the island of Malta had been fulfilled. I would suggest that Paul's conduct while a prisoner onboard the ship had a strong influence upon the Centurion and no doubt had much to do with Paul's future freedom while still a prisoner in Rome.

 

A.                 Departure: Vs 11-13

1.      "After three months" which would bring them through the winter.

It is hard to conceive Paul as being just a houseguest or a tourist while stranded on the island of Malta. He no doubt spent much time in prayer, but also in evangelism in preaching the gospel of Christ.

2.      "We departed in a ship of Alexandria"- If you remember, the ship that originally was to take them to Italy was also a ship from Alexandria.

See  - (Acts 27:6) - This second one however would reach her destination. Often times, we do not arrive at our goal the same way in which we left the place where we were previously. Life brings us many changes, but the God of Providence never changes. He says, "I am the Lord, I change not."

3.      "Whose sign was Castor and Pollux".

John Gill has this note on this sign-

"Whose sign was Castor and Pollux; or Dioscuri, that is, the sons of Jupiter; for Castor and Pollux were his sons, by Leda: these are placed among the constellations in the Zodiac, and go by the name of Gemini, or the twins; and these were supposed to have a power of saving men in danger at sea: wherefore such as were about to go to sea, first paid their devoirs, and made vows to them; which they performed when they returned, and were delivered from shipwreck; and when they were in danger at sea, they used to pray unto them: the fiery exhalations that sometimes appear at sea, they took for them; and when only one appeared, it was looked on as a bad omen; but when both, it was reckoned to portend a prosperous voyage; hence they were considered as sea deities; and the Ethiopic version accordingly renders it here "Dioscoura", and adds, "who is the god of the mariners": now the images of these two brothers were sometimes set at the head, or forepart of the ship, as they were in this, from whence the ship took its name; as it is very common for the names of ships to be the same with the pictures or images that are placed at the head of them: whether the centurion chose this ship because of its sign, imagining there might be more safety in it, he having suffered shipwreck already; or whether this was the only one in the island, that was going for Italy, is not certain, nor very material: the Arabic version takes the word rendered Castor and Pollux, to be the name of a man, who was the owner of the ship; for it reads the words thus, "in a ship of Alexandria", that belonged "to a man of Alexandria, called Dioscorides".

Dr. A.T. Robertson has perhaps a clearer note on this verse, which helps us to understand why it is included in Holy Writ.

"(whose sign was the Twin Brothers} (parashmw dioskouroiv). The word parashmw can be either a substantive (as the Revised Version has it) or an adjective "marked by the sign, " examples of both uses common in ancient Greek. dioskouroiv is in apposition with parashmw. The word means the twin sons (kourov or korov) of Zeus (diov, genitive of zeuv) and Leda, viz., Castor and Pollux. The Attic used the dual, tw dioskorw. Castor and Pollux were the tutelary deities of sailors whose figures were painted one on each side of the prow of the ship. This sign was the name of the ship. So they start in another grain ship of Alexandria bound for Rome."

4.      Vs 12 -"And landing at Syracuse" - A celebrated city on the eastern coast of Sicily. This was perhaps the largest of Greek cities being about 22 miles in circumference. It was known for its fountain of fresh water called Arethusa as well as an excellent harbor, which provided a good landing place for grain ships. Sicily is now part of Italy.

Landing here, they tarried for three days.

5.       Vs 13 - And from thence we fetched a compass" - This does not mean that they did not have a compass, but here they checked a compass as they headed for Rhegium.

It is always a good thing on any journey to check your charts and compass. I well remember one day when my wife and I were hiking in a Provincial park. Going through some rough woods we got turned around and ended up on the opposite side of the park from where our car was parked. We had about a three-mile walk back along the hot summer road, as we did not want to go back through the bush.

When is the last time you checked your spiritual compass? Are you headed in the right direction? The truly saved Christian cannot lose his salvation but he can certainly lose a lot of blessing by not following the Way laid out in God's Word.

Rhegium: Meaning "breach" an Italian town situated on the western coast, just at the southern entrance of the straits of Messina. By a strange coincidence, the figures on its coin are the very "twin brothers" which gave the name to Paul's ship.

Here they stayed for just one day, and as the south wind blew, they departed arriving the next day in Puteoli.

Puteoli: This is the harbor where ships landed bringing grain from Alexandria in Egypt. This is now known as the Bay of Naples. The name Puteoli perhaps arose from the strong mineral springs which are characteristic of the place. It was famous for its mineral salt baths. It was also the closest harbor to Rome. Here Paul stayed for one week finding brethren to fellowship with.

 

B.                 Delay: Vs 14-16

1.      It is not certain why they remained in Puteoli. It appears to be that when Paul found certain Christian brethren there, that he asked (desired) of the Centurion to allow them to stay a few days here. Perhaps the Centurion and others would want to avail themselves of the famous hot mineral baths. That would be rather hard to refuse in light of the rigorous journey and hard cold winter they had enroute to Rome. Again, the request to stay over may have come from the brethren themselves. If so be the case, they may have been quite prestigious men who could arrange such a detour of duty from the Centurion.

What a joyous experience, that no matter where one might travel, when we find brethren, there is that bond in Christ that is so refreshing and encouraging to the weary traveler. This in itself speaks well of our faith in Jesus Christ. What a fellowship, what a joy Divine! What a breath of fresh air! It is like finding an oasis in the desert, a gasoline station when the needle is on "E!"

2.      After the weeks layoff they proceeded onward toward Rome.

3.      Vs 15 - The brethren in Rome heard of the arrival of Paul and journeyed south as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns (or three Inns). How the news got ahead of them is not known. It is remarkable with the lack of communication in that day compared to our own time. Nevertheless, good news or bad, it can travel fast under any circumstances. It is usually the lie that travels so fast. (A lie can be a mile down the road before truth even gets its boots on!)

Meeting with brethren is most always an encouragement. We ought to always welcome the missionary, not just the well known but any who would travel our way in the ministry of the faith of Jesus Christ. Sometimes small churches hesitate to welcome missionaries as we think we cannot afford to help them in their cause. True, we may not be able to do much but we cannot afford not to welcome missionaries or to put a dollars and cents value on such fellowship. Most missionaries I have known have given us much more than we were ever able to give in return.

Appii forum: This is a well-known station on the Appian Way, the great road that led from Rome to the Bay of Naples. There is no difficulty today in identifying the site from some ruins near Treponti,

This would be about 10 miles south of Rome.

The Three Taverns: A station on the Appian Way, which Paul traveled from Puteoli to Rome. Three Taverns (or three Inns) was probably near to the modern town of Cisterna. This would be about 17 miles south of Rome. The total journey from Puteoli to Rome is said to be about 43 miles.

                  4.      Vs 16 - Finally arriving in Rome, the Centurion turned the prisoners over to the Captain of the guard. Paul however was given a place to dwell by himself under the keeping of a soldier. Here again we see Providence at work and the reward of Paul's good and positive attitude towards his captors. Paul's faith to a great degree rubbed off on others and he was rewarded for his Christ-like conduct. Sometimes our attitude to the situations of life brings us more trouble. At times, Paul stood almost alone with the odds seemingly against him. His attitude allowed him the benefits of respect even from those who did not agree with him or understand him.

                        Cf Acts 27:3

 

2.            CALLING THE JEWISH LEADERS TOGETHER: Vs 17-27

If you have religious but unsaved relatives, perhaps you can begin to understand the heart of Paul here?

How many times have we read, "henceforth I go to the Gentiles?" Yet here is Paul with his arms outstretched to his Jewish countrymen. Oh but this is so Christ-like! We see Jesus looking down upon Jerusalem, -

Matthew 23:37

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!"

Concerning the ministry of Jesus we read -

John 1:11-12 

"He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."

A.                Accusation of the Jerusalem leaders: Vs 17-19

1.      After a rest, which probably included prayer and meditation, Paul first called the leaders of the Jewish community in Rome together.

2.      Paul related his innocence of the charges that had been laid against him. Because of these false charges, I have been delivered a prisoner of the Romans and brought to Rome.

Providence had permitted the action in Caesarea to bring Paul to Rome. Nevertheless, Paul was quick to defend himself as innocent of any charges made against him.

3.      Vs 18 - "Who when they had examined me, would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me."

Paul relates briefly how that Festus had found that Paul had broken no law worthy of death, and would have let him go.

4.      Vs 19 - "But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto Caesar; not that I had aught to accuse my nation of."

Paul does not relate here his knowledge of the Jewish plan to assassinate him, as being part of the reason he appealed to Caesar. He did this to avoid any chance of going to Jerusalem from Caesarea, to face trial there. Paul did not accuse his nation (the Jews), of any wrongdoing. He had however avoided a further unnecessary trial in Jerusalem by appealing to Caesar.

 

B.                Answer of Paul to the Accusation of Jewish Leaders: Vs 20-27

1.      Vs 20 "For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain."

a)            This is the reason I have asked you to gather with me today. Paul did not wait for the Jews to seek him out, but came to them first and directly. If you sense a problem, it is best to meet it head on. It will not usually go away by itself. Paul looked for some kind of reception from the Jewish people for he longed to relate the gospel to them.

b)            To see you - a sense of longing for his countrymen, although he had not likely seen these particular ones before. How much of a burden do we have for our own countrymen?

c)      To speak with you - Paul was not guilty but he had a message for them. He had the gospel, which means "good news!"

d)      For the hope of Israel - The Jews knew exactly what Paul meant by this phrase. Israel's hope was in the deliverer, the Messiah that should come. Paul's gospel related to Jesus Christ being the Messiah, Israel's hope. See Acts 26:6-7.

Note: Concerning the hope of Israel, there are several views that many would base upon the scriptures. Basically however there are two main views, those who take a figurative or spiritual view of Israel and those who take a literal fulfillment regarding national Israel. Those who take a spiritual or figurative view, find fulfillment of all Scripture pertaining to national Israel in the Church. These, such as a-millennialists, find the church back in the Old Testament and refer all prophecies pertaining to Israel to the Church.

This writer is pre-millennial and believes that references to the future of Israel must be taken literally unless the context warrants otherwise. The apostle Paul makes clear that national Israel is presently, during the church or gospel age, set aside. Individual Jews may now come into covenant relationship through repentance, faith and personal conversion into the new covanant and membership in a New Testament Church. However, the future of Israel and its national restoration is spoken of through out all of scripture. The student is here directed especially to Romans chapters 9-10-11, where Paul deals with the past, present and future of Israel.

THE HOPE OF ISRAEL:

Three times in the Acts of the Apostles we read where Paul upbraided the Jews for their unbelief and said, "henceforth I go to the Gentiles." Yet every city he went to, it was the Jew he first visited and preached Christ. See Acts 13:46; 18:6; 28:28.

Romans 11:11-12

"I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?"

      Romans 11:26 

"And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob"

                                    See Isaiah 11:11-16

                                                                        Genesis 49:10 

"The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be."

                                                                        Isaiah 45:17 

"But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end." - See Isaiah 54:7-10; Jeremiah 3:17-23.

(The student should read all of the prophets that are literally loaded with the promises of the coming Messiah.)

See also - Daniel 9:24-26.

The first promise of God was given to Adam in Genesis 3:15.

See also (Genesis 22:18; 26:4; 49:10; Deuteronomy 18:15; 2 Samuel 7:12; Psalm 132:11; Isaiah 4:2; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6; 40:10; Jeremiah 23:5; 33:14-16; Ezekiel 34:23; 37:24; Daniel 13:32; Romans 15:8;Titus 2:13)

                                    2.            Vs 21 - "And they said unto him, we neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came, spake any harm of thee."

                                                It appears that they knew of Paul but had never received any formal notice of charges against him from Jerusalem, either by way of writing or word of mouth by those coming from Judaea.

                                                This of course would remove an obstacle from Paul's pathway as he attempted to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Jews here in Rome.

                                    3.            Vs 22 - "But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that everywhere it is spoken against."

                                                The Jews in Rome were open to hearing Paul and would allow him to speak, even though they knew that the sect (Christians or followers of Jesus of Nazareth) was spoken against everywhere. This is a reference to synagogues of the Jews in other cities.

                                    4.            Vs 23 - "And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening."

                                                They told Paul what day they could come to the place where he lodged. To those who came he expounded the Word of God and gave testimony from the Law of Moses and from the prophetic books concerning the Kingdom of God. From morning till evening, he both gave them the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ, but in a fuller way, expounded the Biblical teaching of God's kingdom.

                                    5.            Vs 24 - "And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not."

                                                Notice that the message of hope was given to all present in a general sense, but the Word of God did not work effectually in all of them. We like Paul should testify of Christ to as many as we can get to hear the word. The rest is the work of the Holy Spirit, It is the Holy Spirit that regenerates and makes it possible for men to repent, decide and believe for themselves. Even when Christ Himself preached, some believed and some did not.

                                                 See John 6 35-37,44; John 6:63-65; John 8:43; John 10:25-28.

                                                We see then the reason that all men are not able to respond to the gospel. In one word, they are not Jesus sheep! They are not elect!

6.      Vs 25 - "And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers."

It is a dangerous thing to attempt to base reception of the gospel upon a majority of believers. Jesus said that he would bring division to families and friends. How many good children have forsaken their father's faith for another or no gospel at all?

Paul finally used that same word to cut a division among these religious people. Paul's reference here is to Isaiah 6:9. -

7.      Vs 26 - "Saying, go unto this people and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive."

These who ought to have recognized the gospel of Jesus Christ could hear the news but not understand and ultimately rejected it. They, who had crucified Christ, rejected the very hope of Israel. The reason for this is shown in the next verse. -

8.      Vs 27 - "For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them."

Notice that the word "heart" is used twice in this verse.

                                                                        a)  Their heart was waxed gross- sealed as with a solder, or welded

                                                                                                shut against the truth.

b)      Spiritual understanding is a heart matter, not one of merely the intellect. - See Romans 10:9-10.

Man in his depravity cannot hear the gospel in an efficacious or effectual way.

We see here that salvation is a matter of God's sovereign grace and that God has a plan and purpose that reaches beyond the Jewish nation.

The word "heal" as used by Paul means "to make whole." From the Garden of Eden and the fall of man, the sons and daughters of Adam's race have needed to be made whole. This healing was more than the political healing that many of them looked for. It is more than a physical social healing. It is a spiritual healing of the whole man, body, soul, mind and spirit! This healing comes only by the quickening power of the Holy Spirit in regeneration. That is why Jesus said to Nicodemus, "Ye must be born again."

 

3.            CONFIDENTLY REACHING OUT TO THE GENTILES: Vs 28-31

A.              Salvation of God: Vs 28-

1.      Paul made it known loud, clear and plain that they were not rejecting him nor his teaching, but rather the salvation of God.

2.      Salvation being of God, it does not come by man or by man's idea of religious practice. The God that rejected the sacrifice of Cain was rejecting the religion of the Jews.

3.       Jonah learned that "salvation is of the Lord" - Jonah 2:9

4.      The teaching of Paul is that of sovereign grace-

Ephesians 2:8-9

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast."

5.       God's salvation is through the operation of the Holy Spirit and not by the will of man. - (Man's will is only to sin more.)

Titus 3:5

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;"

John 1:11-13

"He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

13  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

God's quickening power alone makes man capable of believing on the Lord Jesus Christ unto the salvation of his soul. (See Ephesians 2:1)

God enables the sinner to acknowledge his sin and come to God in repentance and faith. (See- Acts 5:31; 11:18; 20:21; 26:20)

 

B.             Salvation unto the Gentiles: Vs 28-31

1.      "That the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it."

This was the third and final call of Paul to the Jewish nation. Three strikes and they were out. He would go to the Gentiles and they would hear the gospel in an efficacious manner. Not all of them, but according to God's word there would be a remnant of Gentiles believers.

2.      Vs 29 - "And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves."

Paul's words, or literally the scripture, the Word of God, brought a division between the sheep and the goats.

The conclusion of their reasoning is not stated, but it appears that they desired their own religion above the salvation of God and rejected the very hope of Israel.

3.      Vs 30 - "And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him."

Paul's had the freedom to receive visitors and many came to sit under the teaching of this great missionary evangelist and Bible teacher. This was Paul's School of theology. Here, multitudes were taught the word of God and from this house, the word of God spread and churches were established in many places. Tradition and some historians tell us that Pudens; a Christian friend of Timothy (2 Timothy 4:21) was perhaps a servant of Tiberius or Claudius. He had likely been a soldier and probably gone to Britain since it is believed his wife Claudia was British. Tradition has them bringing the gospel to Britain, where the first Baptist Churches were established.

From England, Wales and Scotland, the gospel was brought to the shores of America and up into Canada. How thankful we ought to be that the Lord saw fit to bring Paul to Rome. From this humble hired house the gospel spread near and far. Not from a great cathedral but from a simple hired house. Never despise the day of small things!

4.      Vs 31 - Here we have Paul's message -

"Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him."

Paul's preaching concerned the kingdom of God. His message was not liturgical but personal, "those things, which concern the Lord Jesus Christ. This was the message of the apostolic Church and ought to be our message today. We do not need all of the trimmings of religion with its pomp and ceremony. We need only the gospel, the good news of saving grace.

5.      Paul here was free to preach and to teach the word of God. No man forbid or opposed him in his missionary effort..

6.      This is not the end, for Paul would be acquitted of his original charges, return to visit some of the churches before finally becoming one of those who became the victim of the madness and insanity of Nero who blamed the Christians for the great fire which destroyed Rome. (Nero no doubt started the fire himself.) Thus would end the life of this great apostle who said, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

But the Acts of the Apostles or more rightly the acts of the Holy Spirit through the New Testament Churches, would continue and in every age since, there have been churches that preached the same gospel and built upon the same foundation of Jesus Christ, as did Paul and the apostles. This we have already seen in our study of the Acts of the Apostles.

 

CONCLUSION:

The apostles of Christ had met in person the risen Jesus, and the first churches preached the person of Christ to all they came in contact with. Down through the ages, those who stood for these same doctrines were put to death by religionists and the powers of anti-Christ. Our message today ought to be the same, "we preach Christ crucified, buried, risen, and coming again."

Do you know this same Jesus? Have you received Him as your own personal Savior and Lord? Let us now go and put these Biblical principles into practice.

 

Sermon preached by Dr. D. Paul Tuck Sr.

Landmark Baptist Church, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada

Sunday morning, February 10th 2002

 

END OF STUDY NOTES ON REVELATION

 

EXAMINATION-ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

 

Note: Please set aside and do not use your notes in doing this examination. You may use your Bible. When you have completed the examination send it to us for marking and crediting it to your course of study. DPTSr.

 

1.     Who wrote the Acts of the Apostles? ___________________

2.      To whom did the writer address the Acts?  ________________

3.      Act shows the continued ministry of Jesus through the _____________  ___________.

4.      Set aside your Bible and write by memory, Acts 1:8-

5.      What day was the Holy Spirit outpoured upon the Church? _________________.

6.       What word is used to fulfill John’s promise of being baptized in the Holy Ghost? _____

7.        What word describes the speaking in tongues of Acts 2:4? _____________

8.       When they heard the gospel they were first ____________ in their hearts.

9.      What is the meaning of the Word Pentecost? ______    ________.

10.    In 2:38, what comes before baptism? _______________________

11.    Explain briefly- Acts 2:38

 

 

12.   Explain briefly Acts 2:39

 

 

13.   They that gladly received the word were _____________.

14.   In Acts 2:41-42 what precedes church membership?

 

15.   In verse 47, explain the meaning of “added to the church” -

 

16.   Why did Peter and John go up to the temple? (Chapter 3)

17.   Give the name of the temple gate ______________

18.   How long  had the man been lame _____________________________

19.  What did Peter NOT have? ____________ and __________

20.   What did Peter have? ________________

21.     In what two ways did this healing affect others? -

 

22.   What did Peter say they needed to do before their sins could be blotted out?

 

23.   What particular preaching grieved the Jewish leaders? –(Chapter 4)

 

24.   The leaders commanded the disciples not to

 

25.   What did Barnabus do with his land? -

 

 

26.  What did Ananias and Sapphira do with their land? -

 

27.  The angel of the Lord by night opened the_______________ of the _______________.

 

28.  What did the apostles do after they were jailed and beaten?

 

29.  Who chose the seven men in chapter 6 and for what purpose?

 

30.  What church office in the New Testament Church does this coincide with? ___________.

31.   Name the one of the seven that became the first martyr? __________________

 

32.  In Chapter 8-Who wrought great havoc of the church? ___________________

33.    What did Philip do in Samaria?

 

34.   What one requirement did the Ethiopian Eunuch  need in order to be baptized?

 

35.   What did Philip and the Eunuch do that indicates the scriptural mode of baptism?

 

36.   Why was Saul going to Damascus? (Chapter 9)

 

37.   What did the voice Saul heard, say to him?

 

38.   Immediately after receiving sight, Saul was ___________________

 

39.   What is the name of the woman that Peter raised from the dead? ______________

 

40.   What is the name of the centurion in Chapter 10 who was converted? ______________

 

41.   Peter was in what city praying? __________________ (Chapter 10)

 

42.   What happened to the people in the house while Peter was preaching?

 

43.  Peters question in 10:47 was?

 

44.   Peter went back to _______________ to defend the baptism of the Gentiles.

45.   What is said to have happened following the persecution around the death of Stephen?

 

 

46.   The Church in Jerusalem sent _____________ and _____________ to Antioch.

 

47.   The disciples were called Christians first in _______________.

48.   In those days there came ________________from Jerusalem unto Antioch.

49.   The church in Antioch determined to send ____________ unto the churches in Judea.

50. This was done by the hands of _________________ and ______________.

 

51.   Herod the king was responsible for the death (Chapter 12) of  _____________

52.   ________________ is called the brother of our Lord.

53.   Where did Peter first go when the angel got him out of prison?

 

54.   What happened to king Herod _

 

55.   Chapter 13- “Now there were in the Church that was in Antioch certain ___________

         and _________________.

56.    Who called Barnabus and Saul to ministry?  _________ ___________ ___________.

57.   Who commissioned or blessed Barnabus and Saul to carry out their ministry?

 

58.   Who traveled with Barnabus and Saul to Seleucia and Cyprus? __________ ________.

59.   Because the Jews would not listen to the  gospel, Paul said “______ turn to _________

          _______________.

60.   Paul’s greatest persecution was from the _________.

61.   What happened to the impotent man in Lystra? (Chapter 14)

 

62.   The people of Lystra thought that Paul and Barnabus were __________

63.   Paul was ____________ and left outside of the city for dead

64.   They ordained _______________ in every church.

65.   Returning to Antioch they gave a ______________ unto the Church.

66.   Chapter 15- Certain men from Judea came to Antioch and taught that they had to be

         __________________ in order to be saved.

67.   The Church in Antioch sent Paul and Barnabus to Jerusalem for ________________ on

        the subject of salvation.

68.   Peters word were that the Lord put no difference between the Jews and the Gentiles,

       ___________________ their hearts by __________________.

69.   The letter sent by James and the church in Jerusalem was to admonish the Antioch                 

        to –

 

70.   Paul and Barnabus had a disagreement over taking _________ __________________

        with them on their second missionary journey.

71.   Barnabus and _______________ sailed unto Cyprus.

72.   Paul met __________________ at Derbe (Chapter 16)

73.   Paul was forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the Word in _________________.

74.   In a vision, the man of Macedonia said to Paul “_

75.   What city was Lydia from? ______________.

76.   What did the Philippian jailor ask Paul and Silas?

 

77.   What was Paul’s reply to the Philippian jailor?

 

78.   Chapter 17 – Paul preached _________  __________ days in Thessalonica.

79.   In Athens Paul preached from ___________ Hill.

80.   Paul said he found an altar with an inscription “_to the __________  ___________.

81.   Chapter 18 -At Corinth Paul met a certain Jew named _____________ and his wife

         ___________________.

82.   A certain Jew named _____________ born in Alexandria, came to Ephesus.

83.   This man knew only the _____________ of _____________.

84.   Chapter 19 -The 12 men at Ephesus needed to be rebaptized? Why?

 

 

85.   What physical evidence accompanied the baptism of the 12 in Ephesus?

 

86.   Paul continued teaching in Ephesus for the space of _____  __________.

87.   Chapter 20 – On what day of the week did the disciples in Troas gather to break bread?

         The _________________.

88.    Paul wanted to be in Jerusalem for the day of _______________.

89.    Paul told the Ephesians elders, “I have not shunned to declare unto you the _________

         _________________  _____________ of  ___________.

90.   Chapter 21 -What did Agabus prophesy of Paul?

 

91.   In Jerusalem Paul was charged with bringing _____________ into the temple.

 

92.   Chapter 22 – Paul began his defence against the Jews with his __________________

        ______________________.

93.   Chapter 23 -The Lord encouraged Paul by saying “for as thou hast testified of me

         in  Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at _____________________.

94.   Chapter 24 –Felix said to Paul, “when I have a more _______________ season, I

       will call for thee.

95.   Chapter 25 -When they would try Paul at Jerusalem or Caesarea, Paul stuck to his  

        appeal to be tried as a Roman under _______________.

96.   Chapter 26 – In speaking to king Agrippa, Paul used the doctrine of the ____________

         in his defense to divide the two sects, Pharisees and Sadducees.

97.    Agrippa said to Paul, “Almost thou ______________ me to _________________ a

         _____________________.

99.    Chapter 27 – Paul suffered shipwreck on the island of ______________ enroute to        

          Rome.

100.   Chapter 28 – Reaching Rome, Paul dwelt ________  _________ _________ in his

           own hired house.

Note: Please sign your name as confirmation that you have not used any notes in completing this examination. Give it to your instructor or mail it to the school address.

 

END OF VOLUME FOUR