Today's Word Radio

Brett Meador: Paul said, I believe in the whole Bible, in so many words. He said, believing all things which are written in the law and the prophets.

Kurt: Pastor Brett Mether and the Apostle Paul's bold testimony of God's truth.

Brett Meador: 1 Thessalonians 2 verse 13 for this cause also thank we God without ceasing because when you received the word of God which you heard of us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth the word of God which effectively worketh also in you that believe.

Kurt: As Pastor Brett Mether has noted, some have said men do not reject the Bible because it contradicts itself, but they reject the Bible because it contradicts them. And continuing our study of Acts 24 and 25 in today's word, we find Paul standing before governors and rulers, answering false accusations brought against him and misinterpretations of scripture as well.

Brett Meador: Acts chapter 24. If you remember, Paul stirred some things up. Well, it really wasn't his fault. He really didn't do anything. You might say a little bit when he said, I believe in the resurrection. Remember that? And everybody flipped out because remember the Sadducees, they don't believe in the resurrection and the Pharisees who do believe in the resurrection, they're all like, oh yeah, we like Paul. He's cool. Once he said, I believe in the resurrection. But the Sadducees and some of the other Jews really flipped out. But largely the Jews in Jerusalem for the most part were the religious leaders were very much against Paul.

If you remember, the Roman chief captain Claudius Lysias takes Paul into custody for his own protection because the Jews were going to tear him apart. But if you remember, it got so hot therefore Paul in Jerusalem that Claudius Lysias took 470 soldiers and escorted Paul to Caesarea and really put him before the top chief Roman official Felix. You know, the Jews are accusing him, Paul, and Felix kind of wants to know what the story is. And so Paul's been there for several days now in Caesarea waiting for a sort of a pre-trial and we pick it up in verse 1 of chapter 24.

And after 5 days, Ananias the high priest descended with the elders and with a certain orator named Tertullus who informed the governor against Paul. Tertullus, who's basically an orator, some would call him an attorney or a lawyer. He's a silver-tongued, fanciful speaker, kind of a character this Tertullus. But it says in verse 2, and when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, that is Paul, saying, seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness and that worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy province. We accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness, notwithstanding that I be not further tedious unto thee.

I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. I think he's already said enough, don't you think? You know, these flowery, flattering words to Felix. And then in verse 5 it says, for we have found this man a pestilent fellow and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. Okay. Now, if you know the story so far, Paul was not doing any of these things. In fact, everything that this Tertullus guy says is really false and it's a mischaracterization of everything.

But let's just do the three big lies of Tertullus. Number one, they said in verse 6, Paul went about to profane the temple. Do you remember what Paul was actually doing at the temple? Remember the vow? Yeah, he was going to shave his head with the young men and and do the he was going perfectly by the letter of the law how you're supposed to, you know, do this whole thing. And he was practicing Judaism to its 10th degree in the temple. There was no profaning of the temple. He was fulfilling the vow where they cut the hair and make sacrifice.

That was back earlier in our story. Paul was proving, if you remember, that he was still a Jew and was still practicing those kinds of things. He brought Gentiles into the temple, they said, but he really didn't. That's all part of the lies. So this idea of profaning the temple, Paul didn't do that, not even close. The second lie of Tertullus was it says, we took him and we were going to judge him according to our law. That's the mosaic Jewish law. Remember Ananias when he punched him in the face? Was that according to the law?

No, that was the breaking of the Jewish law. They were judging Paul according to their own flesh to punch him in the face. So that was the second lie. They were going to judge him according to our laws. So that's the second one. Number three, they said Claudius Lysias came upon us with great violence. Is that what happened? No, the Jews were committing great violence against Paul. They were going to tear his arms out. Remember that? Tearing him limb to limb. And Claudius Lysias came to Paul's rescue and pulled him out of the mob of Jews ready to kill him and took him into protective custody.

So this is really something that they're lying about Claudius. He was rescuing from their violence that they were committing against Paul. None of this was true that that this guy was saying. And so now we pick it up in verse 10. Then Paul, after the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, for as much as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself. I'm really happy to answer your question. That what he says. But Paul goes cheerfully and goes on verse 11, because that thou mayest understand that there are yet but 12 days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.

And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues nor in the city. Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. He said, man, I was there peacefully and there's no evidence to say otherwise. That 's what he's saying. Verse 14. But this I confess unto thee that after the way, that's the Christians according to Paul's way of 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 the prophets and have hope toward God which they themselves also allow that there shall be both a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.

Now, Paul it sounds like he's starting to preach here and he kind of is, but there's a bunch of really cool things that he's talking about here. He's basically saying none of that is true, but here's what is true. And Paul says, number one, I declare myself a Christian. We would say that today. But he says, I I declare myself part of the way after which they, the Jews, call heresy. But that's who I worship. I worship the God of the way. Paul is not ashamed to be associated with believers in Christ. That's important. So number one, follower of the way declared himself a Christian.

Number two, he said, I believe in the whole Bible in so many words. He said, believing all things which are written in the law and the prophets, which was the written word at that time. And that too, don't be afraid to not only say I am a Christian, but I believe the whole Bible. And there's nothing to be embarrassed about in this book, nothing. And I hope you know that. And even if you don't know that yet, you can still say it with confidence, I believe the Bible. That's what Paul says. I believe in the law and the prophets.

By the way, I'm reminded of 1 Thessalonians 2 verse 13 for this cause also thank we God without ceasing because when you received the word of God which you heard of us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth the word of God which effectually or effectively worketh also in you that believe. 2 Timothy 3:16 reminds us of course this classic verse, all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. So the Bible continues to prove itself reliable, faithful, accurate.

It's amazing because not only is it true and right theologically, but even scientifically. Isn't it funny there's nothing in the Bible that just kind of goes against science? Uh well Brett, the Bible talks about the sunrise and the sunset. Well, so did the news guy on TV today. Come on, that's an idiom. We we understand the sun is not rising, but from our perspective it looks like it rises on the horizon and sets in the that's just dumb. That's a dumb argument. But what's amazing when the Bible, which is not a book of science, but when it touches science, it's 100% accurate.

It's amazing the Bible says the earth is hung upon nothing. The Polynesians thought the earth was put on a tortoise's back, a giant tortoise. The Greeks thought it was on Atlas's back. Bible says the earth is a sphere and it was hung upon nothing. I know that's a shocker for some of you that are flat earth still think that the earth is flat. But uh the Bible says the earth is a sphere and it uh it was correct back when they thought the world was flat. You know, it 's been said men do not reject the Bible because it contradicts itself.

But they reject the Bible because it contradicts them. That's the truth of the matter. And they'll say the Bible is full of contradictions. No, it's not. And you can bank on that. So number one, he says, I'm a follower of the way. I 'm a Christian. Number two, I believe in the in the Bible, the whole Bible. And then number three, he says, I believe in the resurrection. He says here in verse 15 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.

Do you remember some of you probably heard me talking about the two resurrections and I showed you Revelation 20 is a big description of that. I read that where some are resurrected to life and some are resurrected unto death. But Paul affirms that here if you think about it when he says, I have hope toward God verse 15 which they themselves also allow that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. So no matter who you are, you're going to resurrect. The question is, are you going to resurrect unto eternal life?

That means you're saved, a Christian, follower of Jesus. Or are you going to resurrect unto death? That means you've rejected Jesus is dying on the cross and you're on your own and you'll be judged according to your sins and end up in hell. This is important. Uh Paul clearly believed in the resurrection for both the righteous and the unrighteous. By the way, this is the idea of soul sleep or annihilation for the unrighteous is not accurate according to the New Testament teaching and it's linked to some of these notions of the resurrection unto death and unto life.

Well, verse 16. It says, and herein do I exercise myself to have always conscience void of offense toward God and toward men. Can you say that with integrity? I always have a conscience void of offense toward God and toward men. Man, I can't say that. Your pastor can't even say that about today. We just cannot say that. Paul is an impressive guy to be able to say, I don't have a bad conscience about the way I have offended God or men. I 'm pure before God, pure before men, Paul's arguing. Verse 17 it says, now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation and offerings.

Remember he collected a bunch of money from Asia Minor churches. And he brought a bunch of money with them and he was going to bring that money to the church in Jerusalem, the Christians, because remember they were persecuted and they were hurting. Um so he he says, I just came to bring money. Verse 18. Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple neither with multitude nor with tumult. Verse 19 who ought to have been here before thee. In other words, they should be here as witnesses, but where are they? You know, they should have been witnesses, but they're not here.

And object if they had ought against me. Or else let these same hearsay if they have found any evil doing in me while I stood before the council. Paul again is arguing he's innocent, he's done nothing wrong and if there's witnesses they should have been here, but nobody here is an eyewitness. Verse 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 come down from where? Remember Jerusalem? Come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. You know, this is interesting that Felix says, uh we're going to hear more about this later, but we know something about him now that's interesting.

He already knows about the Christian church. He already knows and this knowledge of the King James that he has a more perfect knowledge of that way, the idea is he already has a pretty good understanding of what the Christian church is. And because of that, he's not just quick to judge Paul, which is kind of interesting, but instead he defers. He says, I'm going to defer. And when Lysias, remember Claudius Lysias, uh we'll have him come down from Jerusalem and speak into this and then I'll know the deeper issues of the matter. I kind of feel that Felix is putting this off.

We'll see that even more as we get going. But verse 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. So this is Paul probably sort of being followed around by a Roman soldier, but had freedom to move around. And also Christians could come and minister to him, which is even the language of the sort of the the King James here. But basically number one here, Felix is avoiding making a legal decision. But Felix, you know, asked of the chief captain Claudius Lysias to come.

Uh so he's free to move around. One thing that's noteworthy is there's no mention here or other places that I'm aware of where the church came and ministered to Paul for these two years while he was in Caesarea. It just makes you wonder, was really Paul kind of alone here for this two years? We don't know for sure, but there's nothing that the Bible says that the church came and ministered because it would have been kind of a dangerous thing maybe even to show up and help Paul out. They might put you in the same sort of category.

So verse 24 it says that after certain days when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 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 convenient season, I will call for thee. But you know, in verses 22 and 23 we see Felix avoiding making a legal decision. Now in verses 24 and 25 we see Felix avoiding making a spiritual decision for Christ, which is interesting. So Felix keeps Paul.

Now what is he doing here? Well, let's finish up. Verse 26. Felix, he hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him. Wherefore he sent for him the oftener and communed with him. But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix's room or in his office place. And Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound. So now we're going to transfer from Felix who now is gone and Festus from Gunespoke who is going to come and to the rescue. No, no, Festus we'll we'll meet him in a second.

But you know, it's interesting because notice that Felix this shows kind of his colors. Remember I read Tacitus's writings about Felix. He was greedy and he always tried to get money and bribes and stuff like that. Well, right here that's what Remember Paul told him earlier, hey, I brought money for the Jewish church and now feels like, hey, let's let's have some coffee, man. Come on over, dude. We'll chat and you know, it'd be awesome. And maybe give me some money and maybe we could let you go. We could do an arrangement here. You know what I mean?

Uh you know, scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. But Felix, it's almost as if he's like a corrupt warden trying to extort someone he knows is innocent just to get money. And so Paul is going to be there for two whole years. So like I mentioned, Felix ended up going by the time Festus will send Paul to Rome as we know the story is going to go. Felix is pulled back to Rome. Drusilla his wife died in the shopping adventure in Pompeii from Mount Vesuvius. Now one of the things that noticed that Felix reminds me of is Pontius Pilate.

Pontius Pilate with Jesus knew that Jesus was innocent. He said it over and over, I find no fault in this man. But being afraid of the people, the fear of man is a snare, the Bible says. And that's the way Pontius ruled. And it seems that Felix had a similar uh you know, he knew Paul was innocent. You could just tell this. And he holds them just to make the Jews happy and try to appease them. They know what is right, but they refuse to do the right thing purely out of fear. And they have an eternally fatal lack of courage, these guys, Pontius Pilate and Felix.

They're not the kind of men that do the right thing. They just try to appease the people. I hope you're not one of those people. The fear of man is a snare. We ought to obey God rather than men, the Bible says. Acts chapter 5. So what are we going to do now that Festus is on board? Well, verse 1 of chapter 25 it says, now when Festus was come into the province after 3 days, he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem. See, there it is again. Now they're ascending. Why? Because they're going up to Jerusalem.

Verse 2. Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul and besought him and desired favor against him that he would send for him to Jerusalem laying weight in the way to kill him. Do you wonder if with these 40 guys that made their dumb vow to not eat or drink, they're like, it's been 2 years. Like I'm pretty sure they had some food. But it might just be the same guys. Okay, get them to come up to Jerusalem and and then they'll lie and wait between Jerusalem and Caesarea and they'll take him when he's traveling.

That was their plan. But Festus is not going to be tricked. By the way, Festus is a bad Roman guy, but he's nothing like Felix. Actually the Jews liked Festus. And one of the reasons they liked him is because he was willing to go up to Jerusalem about this issue. That's in history, not just in the Bible, but uh the Jewish history tells us they liked Festus because he would it was more personal and went to Jerusalem. So they said, hey, bring Paul up to Jerusalem just like you came to Jerusalem. Well, verse 4 but Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea and that he himself would depart shortly thither.

He says, let them therefore he said he which among you are able go down with me and accuse this man if there be any wickedness in him. And when he had tarried among them more than 10 days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day, sitting on the judgment seat, commanded Paul to be brought. That's the judgment seat that we've talked about that becomes a spiritual theological thing. The judgment seat of Christ is sort of uh an idea of the idiom of the judgment seat of the Greeks and the Romans. They had these sort of bema seats or judgment seats.

Well, so basically Festus say, okay, we'll start it all over again. We'll have another trial, but it's going to be in Caesarea, not in Jerusalem. Verse 7. And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood roundabout and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul which they could not prove. Same thing that happened before, false accusations, nothing provable, same song, different verse. The Jews just don't have a good case here. Verse 8. While he answered for himself, neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar have I offended anything at all, Paul says.

But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul and said, wilt thou go up to Jerusalem and there be judged of these things before me? Do you want to go to Jerusalem, Paul? Now I don't know how he was asking this. Do you think he was asking it like you really want to have me take you up there because that's not going to be good for you. You're probably going to die if I do that. Or did he just say, what do you want to do, Paul? Like was he really giving Paul an option here?

We don't really know. But verse 9, but Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, that's kind of the problem. Then he says to Paul, do you want to go to Jerusalem and there be judged of these things? So verse 10, then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat where I ought to be judged. The Jews, have I done no wrong? As thou very well knowest. Boy, that's bold. Paul says right to Festus, you know good right and well that I've done nothing wrong. Festus doesn't correct Paul on this by the way. He doesn't say, I don't know about that.

No, he he doesn't correct him at all. Actually I think Festus really knows Paul's done nothing wrong. There must have been something about Paul's character that was good enough to where people thought these crazy Jews and their flattering words and their accusations, they don't line up with this little bald you know, Jewish guy that's very intellectual and and very articulate. Festus doesn't correct Paul's statement, but he knows Paul's done nothing wrong. Now now verse 11 is gigantic. What Paul does right now, it's one of those big moments. And what happens? Verse 11 it says, Paul goes on it says, for if I be an offender or have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die.

But if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. You say, well, Paul can do whatever he wants but No. Remember Paul's a Roman citizen. And it's interesting because when a Roman citizen's been an extensive trials already like Paul, but she's already been 2 years of trials, he says, I appeal to Caesar and by law he had to be taken to Rome and be seen by Caesar.

Kurt: Pastor Brett Mether taking us verse by verse through Acts chapters 24 and 25 in today's word. As we continue to witness Paul remaining boldly faithful to the truth even when facing opposition and injustice. And we hope you'll be along for the continuation next time. And Pastor Brett is actually joined me now as we near the close of our study series in the book of Acts. Paul is on trial and it seems like none of the judges really know what to do with his situation which will eventually set him on a course to stand before Caesar in Rome.

Brett, what can we as 21st century Christians take away from this?

Brett Meador: Yeah Kurt, I love how God is always working behind the scenes. You know, even when people don't realize it, these judges thought they were in power, but you know, as often when humans are in power, we don't know what to do with that power. The governors thought they were deciding Paul's future. But I think Paul even didn't know exactly what was unfolding, but God knew the whole time. He'd already promised that Paul would testify in Rome. Uh and that's encouraging because sometimes life feels confusing and we're just kind of going down this river down the rapids.

But the Lord is the one who closes doors, changes plans. Even people let us down and disappoint us, but God was never caught off guard with Paul. You know, Proverbs 19:21 says there's many devices in a man's heart. Nevertheless the council of the Lord shall stand. You know, we can set our heart to do this or that, but the Lord knows what he's doing. And so whether it's a judge that's trying to judge against Paul or or Paul himself, Paul would later write in Romans 8:28 that we know all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

So he doesn't say that all things are good. He says that, you know, some things can be painful, some things can be unfair, but God is so sovereign uh that he can even weave those difficult experience into his perfect plan. So maybe someone listening out there today might feel like, you know, life's taken an unexpected turn, but I would just say like Paul, don't lose hope. The same God who guided Paul through prison cells and courtrooms and all the storms and shipwrecks and the whippings and all the things that Paul faced, you can trust him even when you don't understand what the Lord's doing.

And Paul's a great example of that for us.

Kurt: Yeah, that is such a great reminder when we go through our own struggles. And it's especially impactful when you hear about someone else who's gone through really tough times. And Paul certainly did. Thank you Pastor Brett. And for more information about today's word or Pastor Brett Mether, just visit our website at todayswordradio.com. Well, next time Pastor Brett continues another verse by verse look in the book of Acts. Today's word with Pastor Brett Mether is an outreach of Athey Creek Church in Westland, Oregon.