His Word Today

⁹ “I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. ¹⁰ And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. ¹¹ And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.” (Acts 26:9–11 (ESV)

The idiom “in their shoes” or “in someone’s shoes” means to be in someone’s place or stead. It also means to be acting for another person or experiencing something as another person might experience. It is to be in another’s position or situation.

The Apostle Paul understood the animosity the Jews had for him; even to the point of them wanting to assassinate him. He had been in their shoes, or more culturally accurate, their sandals. In his pre-converted life as Saul of Tarsus, he too wanted to destroy all who were committed to, trusting in, dependent upon and worshiping Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

In sharing his personal testimony of faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the apostle articulated his hatred for the God who he now served. He spoke to Agrippa, and all others in attendance, that he opposed the Lord Jesus Christ. To oppose means to be hostile.

Paul’s hostility extended to not only his attitude towards Christians, but also in his actions. He related how he locked up many saints in prison, having received authority from the chief priests to do so. Additionally, when the members of the Sanhedrin Council voted to put the incarcerated Christians to death, Paul voted for their execution.

He sought to punish, or cause to suffer, all believers in Christ he found in all the synagogues, even those in foreign cities. He attempted to make them curse and slander the One, True God. Paul described himself as a man consumed with raging fury, bringing him to the point of insanity.

Paul labored in his recounting of his life before Christ so King Agrippa II would begin to grasp the significant change that had occurred in this once violent Pharisee. What Paul had shared would be but a set up to then recount what happened to him on the Damascus Road.

By using this explicit language, the former prosecutor and persecutor of the church not only admitted to the inflicted injuries he caused, but also described his victims as holy ones, or saints. Paul has moved from hatred to love for believers? Why? It is because he has become one. How? That is what we will examine when next we meet.

The Apostle John stated that one of the evidences of true, saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is a love for one’s fellow believers (I John 3:11-15; 4:7-8). May it be said of us that we love one another with the love of Christ.

Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

“So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:

² “I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, ³ especially because you are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently. ₄ My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews. ⁵ They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee. ⁶ And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, ⁷ to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! ⁸ Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?”  (Acts 26:1–8 (ESV)

Governor Festus (24:37), the Roman procurator for Judea, assembled in Caesarea’s audience hall a great collection of dignitaries, including the Palestinian King Agrippa II and his sister Bernice, to come and hear the Apostle Paul. Festus did this in order to come to some consensus of what charges to bring against Paul, since the apostle appealed to an audience with Caesar because of the Jews’ unfounded accusations against him (Acts 25:21-22).

King Agrippa II did not ask Paul any specific questions, but rather gave him permission to speak. This scene was a fulfillment of Jesus’ words about Paul, in that he would speak the Gospel before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel (Acts 9:15). Jesus said to his disciples not to fear such situations as this, because the Holy Spirit would provide the appropriate words (Matthew 10:19-20).

Paul spoke intelligently, logically, persuasively, and passionately about his personal faith in Jesus Christ. He began with his childhood, and being raised to become a Pharisee. Paul made it very clear that he was imprisoned and on trial because of the biblical truth of the resurrection of the dead.

Paul’s message to Agrippa paralleled what he shared with the Jews in Jerusalem (Acts 22:1-21). The truth of the resurrection was reverently believed by the Pharisees and the Jewish people in general, but rejected by the more liberal and powerful Sadducees.

Are you familiar with the old hymn, “I Love to Tell the Story?” Paul loved to tell the story of his conversion and faith in Jesus Christ. Are you also glad to tell people what Jesus Christ has done for you? Doing so brings Him glory.

I love to tell the story
Of unseen things above
Of Jesus and his glory
Of Jesus and his love

I love to tell the story
Because I know ’tis true
It satisfies my longings
As nothing else can do

I love to tell the story
‘Twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story
Of Jesus and his love

I love to tell the story
For those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting
To hear it like the rest

And when in scenes of glory
I sing the new, new song
‘Twill be the old, old story
That I have loved so long

I love to tell the story
‘Twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story
Of Jesus and his love

Soli deo Gloria!

We will devote each Lord’s Day in 2021 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2021. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter Four: Creation. Part 1.

1. It pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,^a for the manifestation of the glory of his eternal power, wisdom, and goodness,^b in the beginning, to create or make of nothing the world, and all things therein, whether visible or invisible, in the space of six days, and all very good.^c

a. Gen 1:2; Job 26:13; 33:4; John 1:2-3; Heb 1:2. • b. Psa 33:5-6; 104:24; Jer 10:12; Rom 1:20. • c. Gen 1 throughout; Acts 17:24; Col 1:16; Heb 11:3.

Take the time today to read each attribute along with its corresponding biblical reference. You will be blessed and edified.

Soli deo Gloria!

^23 “So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. ²⁴ And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. ²⁵ But I found that he had done nothing deserving death. And as he himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him. ²⁶ But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write. ²⁷ For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.” (Acts 25:23–27 (ESV)

One of my all-time favorite movies is The Adventures of Robin Hood starring Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland (1938). At the climax of the film, there is a scene in the great hall of Prince John. There is a tremendous amount of pomp and circumstance as he is about to be crowned King of England, until the ceremony is thwarted by Robin Hood and England’s true king: Richard I, the Lionheart.

Luke’s description of Paul’s audience with King Agrippa II is somewhat parallel because of the great pomp with which Agrippa and Bernice entered the audience hall. They were accompanied by military tribunes along with prominent men of the city of Caesarea.

In contrast to the majesty of the earthly king, is the Apostle Paul. He is a prisoner who is brought in at the command of Governor Festus. One can imagine Paul is dressed in tattered clothes from having been in prison for over two years (Acts 24:27). However, he represents the King of kings and the Lord of lords (I Timothy 6:15), who is sovereign over all.

Festus’ reasoning in presenting Paul before King Agrippa II was so that he might conclude some reason, or charge, against Paul in sending him to Rome, per Paul’s appeal to have his case heard by the Emperor Nero. While not a formal trial, it was an examination (Acts 25:26).

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “To refer a Roman citizen’s case to the emperor rather than resolving it locally, entails some political jeopardy for a provincial governor. This is particularly true if he cannot articulate the crimes against the empire that warrant further legal process rather than the prisoner’s exoneration and release.”

That web of the Jews’ deception against the Apostle Paul has entangled Governor Festus. Festus hopes that King Agrippa will help to untie him from this political predicament involving Paul. The audience with Agrippa will provide Paul with one of his most personal and public testimonies of his faith in Jesus Christ.

Soli deo Gloria!

^13 “Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. ¹⁴ And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a man left prisoner by Felix, ¹⁵ and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. ¹⁶ I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him. ¹⁷ So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought. ¹⁸ When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed. ¹⁹ Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. ²⁰ Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them. ²¹ But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.” ²² Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear him.” (Acts 25:13–22 (ESV)

Paul remained in Roman custody for some time following his appearance before Governor Festus (Acts 25:1-12). Apparently, Festus was in no hurry to send Paul to Rome in order for the apostle to appear before Caesar. The Roman Caesar at this time was Nero.

Dr. R .C. Sproul writes, “Festus fully intends to honor his commitment to send Paul to Nero. But he has a problem. Paul’s appeal places the governor in the unenviable position of having to justify sending Paul to Nero without specific charges. Nero and his officials would not take kindly to a governor who showed incompetence in judging trivial matters. Festus was unable to formulate a charge against Paul because the accusations by the Jews pertained to religious matters having nothing to do with Roman law.”

As today’s text reveals, it was during this time that King Herod Agrippa II and his sister Bernice visited Festus. Agrippa II was the great-grandson of Herod the Great (Matthew 2) and son of Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12). Agrippa II ruled the northern half of Palestine. He was also known as an expert in Jewish customs (Acts 26:1-3) and he was familiar with the Hebrew Scriptures.

Festus discussed the case concerning the Apostle Paul with the visiting royal couple. Upon hearing the details of the matter, Agrippa was interested in hearing Paul himself. Festus was agreeable and the audience would occur the next day.

The setting was set for Paul to give one of his most personal messages. Isn’t it interesting that Jesus declared that Paul would share the Gospel to kings (Acts 9:15). Providentially, the Lord arranged for this to occur. God caused all things to work out for the good (Romans 8:28). He still does.

Soli deo Gloria!

⁶ After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. ⁷ When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove. ⁸ Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.” ⁹ But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” ¹⁰ But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. ¹¹ If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” ¹² Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.” (Acts 25:6–12 (ESV)

Paul received a new trial. The Jews leveled the same accusations against him, but again they could not prove or provide evidence to their charges. Paul again defended himself and denied that he had violated Jewish law, desecrated the Jewish temple, or attempted either to threaten or overthrow Roman authority.

However, instead of Governor Felix presiding, it was Governor Festus. Festus, as a shrewd politician, endeavored to please the Jews by proposing that Paul stand trial in Jerusalem. He asked Paul, ““Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?”

Paul had enough. He had been in jail for two years, and had endured two trials. He refused a third trial in Jerusalem, but rather invoked his right as a Roman citizen to have a trial in the capital city. He appealed his case to Caesar.

Dr. R. C. Sproul explains, “Though he is willing to be punished even by death if found guilty of a crime, Paul will not accept transfer to the Jewish authorities while his guilt is unproven. Impatient for a decision, indignant over his treatment, and perhaps fearful of the Jews’ malice, He takes the fateful step of appealing his case to the emperor.”

After Festus conferred with his council, he agreed to send Paul to Rome. He said, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”

Paul was a Roman citizen and possessed certain rights under Roman law. Depending upon the country you currently reside, you also have rights as a citizen of that country. However, we must all agree that no earthly court of law is perfect. Pray today that God would give justices, judges, lawyers and other legal offices a love for the truth.

Soli deo Gloria!

Now three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. ² And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him, ³ asking as a favor against Paul that he summon him to Jerusalem—because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way. ⁴ Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly. ⁵ “So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.” (Acts 25:1–5 (ESV)

Previously, Luke mentioned that Porcius Festus succeeded Felix as the Roman governor of Judea (Acts 24:27). The precise date of Festus’s accession to power is debatable but has been narrowed to sometime between ad 55 and 60. The only sources mentioning Festus are the book of Acts and the writings of Josephus, a Jewish historian who lived in Rome in the first century ad (Antiquities 20.8.9–11; 9.1).

One commentator writes, “Josephus wrote that Festus ruled wisely and justly, in contrast to Felix and Albinus, Festus’ successor. Sicarii bandits (named after the small swords they carried) who had terrorized the Palestinian countryside were eliminated under Festus’s rule. In spite of this, he could not reverse the damage incurred by his predecessor, Felix, who had aggravated the conflict between pagans and Jews.”

Luke records that three days after Festus arrived in the Judean province, he traveled from Caesarea to Jerusalem. Upon his arrival, Luke states, “And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him, asking as a favor against Paul that he summon him to Jerusalem—because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way.”

However, Festus proved to be every bit a shrewd and savvy with the Jewish leaders. Luke records Festus refusing their request saying that Paul would be kept at Caesarea and that Festus himself intended to go there shortly. Festus also stated, “Let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.”

Festus granted the Jews another opportunity to bring their case against Paul. However, he did not grant them the change of venue they desired.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “Festus must protect Paul while he was in Roman custody. Probably having reviewed the letter from the tribune Claudius Lysias (Acts 23:26-30), that explains Paul’s relocation to custody in the provincial capital, Festus refuses the request of the Jews, saving Paul from their plot.”

Today’s text once again displays the sovereign providence of God in the life of the Apostle Paul. The same sovereign providence is active among believers today. May each of us rest in God’s sovereignty.

Soli deo Gloria!

²² But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” ²³ Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.

²⁴ After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁵ And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” ²⁶ At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. ²⁷ When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.” (Acts 24:22–27 (ESV)

Felix was nobody’s fool. He certainly wasn’t fooled by the inept case brought by the Jews against the Apostle Paul. Luke records that Felix had a more accurate knowledge of Christianity, the Way, than did the Jews from Jerusalem. As a result, Felix adjourned the hearing and said, ““When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.”

However, the Roman tribune Claudius Lysias had already expressed his opinion concerning Paul’s innocence in his letter to Felix (Acts 23:23-30). It seems that Felix believed Lysias because while he had Paul kept in custody, he extended to Paul liberties including permitting his friends to visit him and to attend to his needs.

Several days followed whereupon Felix, accompanied by Drusilla who was his third wife and who was also Jewish, sent for Paul and heard him share the Gospel and faith in Jesus Christ. Paul spoke about God’s imputed righteousness on behalf of sinners, the Christian virtue of self-control and the coming judgment of God.  

As a result of Paul’s preaching the truth of the Gospel, Felix became frightened and ordered Paul away from His presence until a later time. However, being a consummate politician, he hoped that Paul would offer him a bribe for his release. Receiving none, Felix continued to send for Paul and to have conversations with him. There is no evidence, though, that Felix ever repented of his sins and became a believer in Christ.

Paul was no respecter of persons. He preached the Gospel and confronted unrighteousness whenever and wherever he could. He loved the truth and also knew his eventual destiny was in God’s sovereign control and not in a human politician’s. Such fearlessness is needed today.

Soli deo Gloria!

^17 “Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings. ¹⁸ While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia— ¹⁹ they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. ²⁰ Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, ²¹ other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’ ” (Acts 24:17–21 (ESV)

The Jews presented three accusations against the Apostle Paul when both parties came before the Roman Governor Felix. The Jews accused Paul of (1) causing riots among Jews all over the world and (2) being a leader of the sect of the Nazarenes (Acts 24:1-9). Both accusations Paul refuted.

The third accusation was that he profaned the Jewish temple in Jerusalem. Paul indicated that he was in the temple court, having come to Jerusalem to present alms and offerings from the Gentile churches to the church in Jerusalem, to purify himself according to the custom of the Jews (Acts 21:17-26). While he did so there was no crowd and there was no riot.

On the contrary, Paul indicated the riot was caused by certain Jews from Asia. Paul indicated that these Jews did not even come to the trial. He stated that these were the ones who should be present accusing him if they had anything against him. At the very least,

Since the Jews who were present at this particular trial were not first-hand eyewitnesses of what took place in the temple, they should at least testify what occurred when Paul stood before the Sanhedrin (Acts 23:1-9). The apostle stated that the real reason he was before Felix was because of the truth of the resurrection of the dead through Jesus Christ alone. This was a truth that half of the Sanhedrin did not accept or believe. It was the truth for which the apostle stood on trial.

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “You may never testify about your faith in a court of law. You may not have Paul’s oratorical skills. No matter. You must live and speak of the One, True God day by day. Never hesitate to bring up spiritual things. You will face ridicule and anger, but your testimony may be used in ways you cannot imagine. Simply speak and trust God for the results.”

Be strong and courageous beloved (Joshua 1:1-9). Have a blessed day.

Soli deo Gloria!

We will devote each Lord’s Day in 2021 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2021. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter Three: Of God’s Eternal Decree. Part 4.

8. The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care,^a that men attending the will of God revealed in his Word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may, from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal election.^b So shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God;^c and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the gospel.^d

a. Deut 29:29; Rom 9:20. • b. 2 Pet 1:10. • c. Rom 11:33; Eph 1:6. • d. Luke 10:20; Rom 8:33; 11:5-6, 20; 2 Pet 1:10.

Take the time today to read each attribute along with its corresponding biblical reference. You will be blessed and edified.

Soli deo Gloria!