Acts 25 Worldviews in Conflict
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Introduction
Introduction
Acts Paul before Festus (25)
Paul before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa (24–26)
Paul before Felix (24)
Paul before Festus (25)
The plot revived and resisted (25:1–5)
Paul’s trial (25:6–12)
Festus’s (in)decision (25:13–27)
Paul before Agrippa (26)
Acts Paul before Festus (25)
Paul before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa (24–26)
Paul before Felix (24)
Paul before Festus (25)
The plot revived and resisted (25:1–5)
Paul’s trial (25:6–12)
Festus’s (in)decision (25:13–27)
Paul before Agrippa (26)
Sometimes we encounter great difficulty in mining for doctrine in God’s word. So it is with chapter 25 of Acts. However, despite it being primarily a narrative, we can find some hidden gems here waiting to be mined.
Summarize chapter 25.
25:1-5
Paul, after two years in captivity in Caesarea, comes to the attention of Festus, the new roman governor of the province, by way of the Jews, who still hate Paul.
The plot of the Jews is revived, but is thwarted by Festus.
25:6-12
Paul is tried by Festus.
25:13-27
Festus is indecisive on what should happen to Paul.
King Herrod, when visiting, is consulted.
Acts Paul before Festus (25)
Paul before Festus (25)
The plot revived and resisted (25:1–5)
Paul’s trial (25:6–12)
Festus’s (in)decision (25:13–27)
Background Context
Background Context
Now, here is the background context of this section of scripture.
John 15:18-
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’
Jewish Worldview (religious worldview)
Jewish Leaders
They hated Jesus not because He called them names, but because He threatened their security, prestige and income. He was going to ruin everything they had worked so hard for.
They hated Jesus not because He called them names, but because He threatened their security, prestige and income. He was going to ruin everything they had worked so hard for, and getting everybody killed
They hated Paul for the same reason.
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’
kosmos (world system)
Worldviews in Conflict
Worldviews in Conflict
We see a religious worldview, political worldview and a hedonistic worldview. All of which, we encounter today, so it is important to see how Paul responds so that we, too, can respond biblically and truthfully.
Religious Worldview
Religious Worldview
Jewish Leaders
They hated Jesus not because He called them names, but because He threatened their security, prestige and income. He was going to ruin everything they had worked so hard for.
They hated Paul for the same reason. Moving backward.
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.
And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him,
And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul. And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: “Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude. But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him. By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.”
When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut.
Acts 21:27
Acts 21:27-
Why were they so hostile to Paul?
Because they hate Jesus!
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’
John 15:
If the world hates you. kosmos, world systems.
If the world hates you. kosmos, world systems.
Today
We see this today from many of the world religions, but a more predominant and subtle approach that we encounter falls under the banner of diversity. COEXIST
In the spirit of diversity, other religions don’t want to appear to be hostile to Christianity.
instead, we need to be aware of a more subtle approach (coexist) Liberal Christianity
preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
2 tim
Ecumenism
Often, ecumenical pursuits of commonly held beliefs are done so at the sacrifice of the gospel.
Paul consistently stood for the truth.
Hedonistic Worldview
Hedonistic Worldview
Greco-Roman gods were nothing more than projections of humanity. Schaeffer called this “amplified humanity.”
Rome allowed all religions, but after Augustus Caesar was officially recognized as a god after his death. Only a god could bring peace to the Roman world.
Rome’s religion was a political religion/worldview.
Can be antagonistic
Paul is, in fact, in prison.
Can be friendly
Protecting Paul from wrongful death.
Pagan Worldview (Hedonistic)
Felix and Drusilla, immorality
The Works of Josephus: New Updated Edition Chapter 7: Felix Is Made Procurator of Judea; As Also concerning Agrippa, Junior, and His Sisters
While Felix was procurator of Judea, he saw this Drusilla, and fell in love with her; for she did indeed exceed all other women in beauty, and he sent to her a person whose name was Simon,a one of his friends; a Jew he was, and by birth a Cypriot, and one who pretended to be a magician; and endeavored to persuade her to forsake her present husband, and marry him; and promised, that if she would not refuse him, he would make her a happy woman.
Common today.
Hostile to Christianity, why, because Christianity forces men to face their sinfulness.
Look at Felix’x response in Acts 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. 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.”
Acts 4:
Paul spoke truth.
Faith in Christ
Dialogemi. dialogue (not a monolog)
Righteousness, self-control and judgment
The Works of Josephus: New Updated Edition Chapter 7: Felix Is Made Procurator of Judea; As Also concerning Agrippa, Junior, and His Sisters
While Felix was procurator of Judea, he saw this Drusilla, and fell in love with her; for she did indeed exceed all other women in beauty, and he sent to her a person whose name was Simon,a one of his friends; a Jew he was, and by birth a Cypriot, and one who pretended to be a magician; and endeavored to persuade her to forsake her present husband, and marry him; and promised, that if she would not refuse him, he would make her a happy woman.
Government System
Government System
One final worldview system that we see at play here is the political or governmental worldview.
Greco-Roman gods were nothing more than projections of humanity. Schaeffer called this “amplified humanity.”
A government based on a belief in violent, petty, and immoral gods would result in a society that is violent, petty and immoral.
We see this in Felix wanting a bribe in
Festus was politically expedient. Not wanting to do anything to upset his political position.
Rome allowed all religions, but after Augustus Caesar(reigned 27 BC to AD 14) was officially recognized as a god after his death. Only a god could bring peace to the Roman world.
In that sense, the “official religion” of the Roman Empire was, in fact, the worship of Caesar as a god; and therefore, the “official religion” of the Roman Empire was a political religion
In that sense, the “official religion” of the Roman Empire was, in fact, the worship of Caesar as a god; and therefore, the “official religion” of the Roman Empire was a political religion.
Festus was politically expedient. Not wanting to do anything to upset his political position.
Rome’s religion was a political religion/worldview based on maintaining and exercising power.
Festus wanting to garner favor with the Jews in
Festus was politically expedient. Not wanting to do anything to upset his political position.
Rome allowed all religions, but after Augustus Caesar(reigned 27 BC to AD 14) was officially recognized as a god after his death. Only a god could bring peace to the Roman world.
In that sense, the “official religion” of the Roman Empire was, in fact, the worship of Caesar as a god; and therefore, the “official religion” of the Roman Empire was a political religion.
We put too much hope and emphasis on government addressing our needs and comfort.
Paul was not appealing to Caesar because he had hope in Nero.
Paul knew that God’s plan was for him to go to Rome. Jesus told him so in , after he was arrested.
Paul was resting in the sovereign will of God.
The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”
Acts 21
Paul was resting in the sovereign will of God. He knew who was in control.
God is sovereign, not just over the universe as a whole, but over the affairs of men and nations.
Divine providence is the governance of God by which He, with wisdom and love, cares for and directs all things in the universe. The doctrine of divine providence asserts that God is in complete control of all things.
Divine providence is the governance of God by which He, with wisdom and love, cares for and directs all things in the universe. The doctrine of divine providence asserts that God is in complete control of all things.
While the Government should not be our source of hope, we should be obedient to it.
Let every person be subject (hoop o tass o/Under arrange) tot he governing authorities.
When the government is no longer acting justly and no longer protecting life—sanctioning abortions, for example—then it is the task of the church to be the prophetic voice, to call the state to task and tell the state to repent and do what God commands it to do.
submission is an act of the will.
We see this with Paul as well in 25:11
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.”
The caveat
When the government is no longer acting justly and no longer protecting life—sanctioning abortions, for example—then it is the task of the church to be the prophetic voice, to call the state to task and tell the state to repent and do what God commands it to do.
But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”
Acts 4:
Acts 5:
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
Government can be helpful or antagonistic to Christianity.
Paul is, in fact, in prison.
Can be friendly
Christianity is not a political revolution against the government. Paul never rebelled against the government, he preached the gospel.
submission is an act of the will.
Protecting Paul from wrongful death.
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.”
Christianity is not a political revolution against the government. Paul never rebelled against the government, he preached the gospel.
Churches should be mobilized to preach the gospel, not to subvert the government.
We, by all means, should take part in the political process, but as individuals, we can’t influence the culture, as the church, we can.
Homosexual marriage? Preach the Gospel
Abortion? Preach the Gospel
Immigration? Preach the Gospel.
The mobilized church
Response to all worldviews.
As christians, we should be faithful to the truth.
Know who is in control. Rest on the providence of God.
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
English Standard Version Chapter 13
13 Let every person pbe subject to the governing authorities. For qthere is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you rwill receive his approval, 4 for she is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, tan avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also ufor the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 vPay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
Rom 12:1-
hy
ὑποτάσσω (hyptasso: hoop o tass o) from hypo (under) and tasso (arrange)
not blind obedience, but an act of the will.
False Religion fights the truth of the Gospel
Pattern of persecution
Christianity is not a political revolution against the government. Paul never rebelled against the government, he preached the gospel.
We, by all means, should take part in the political process, but as individuals, we can’t influence the culture, as the church, we can.
The mobilized church
Motivation of the Jews
Motivation of the Jews
What did Paul represent to the Jews.
Paul was a change agent. What he preached threatened to upset their way of life, their security, prestige and income.
What did Paul preach? The gospel.
He didn’t preach against the political views of the day.
He didn’t preach resistance to Roman authorities, or to governing authorities at all.
He preached submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
They hated Jesus not because He called them names, but because He threatened their security, prestige and income. He was going to ruin everything they had worked so hard for, and getting everybody killed.
Paul’s Response
Paul’s Response
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