Grace Bible Church Gillette, Wyoming

2. Festus’ remark was an unbridled outburst in a loud voice. Festus exhibited a bit of mania himself, for obviously he could no longer endure Paul’s gospel presentation. The purpose of Paul’s defense was a declaration of the Gospel, not necessarily a legal argument.

3. Festus told Paul he was “out of his mind” (verb, mainomai – to be mad, rave, of persons who speak and act in such a way that they appear to others as being out of their mind or senses, Acts 12:15. English word “maniac”).

4. Festus attributed Paul’s great learning as the cause of his insanity (“mad,” noun, mainia comes from mainomai).

5. Festus, like all who are without the Spirit, considered spiritual truths to be absurdities (Act 17:32; 1Co 1:18; 2:14).

a) Israel considered God’s prophets (“inspired men”) as demented men (Hos 9:7).

b) Israel considered Jesus insane (Mar 3:21) and demon-possessed (Joh 10: 20-21).

B. Paul Declared the Sober Truth (25)

1. Some have lessened Festus’ remark to imply not madness, but enthusiasm. Paul was enthusiastic. However, vs. 25 finds Paul’s argument aimed against insanity, not enthusiasm.

2. Paul stated he was not out of his mind. Instead, his words were declared as sober truth. “Sober” is the Greek word sōphrosunê (sōzō= saved or sound, phên=mind) and means soundness of mind. It is a life characterized by the ability to restrain passions and impulses as well as irrational and nonsensical thoughts.

3. However, Festus would agree that Paul was not insane when he addressed Festus as “most excellent.” Paul was certainly sane when his words were rationally sound, declaring the sober truth.

VI. RESPONSE OF AGRIPPA (26-32)

A. Agrippa was Acquainted with Public Events (26)

1. Paul’s proof of soundness was King Agrippa, who knows about the matters of Jewish beliefs, Jewish prophecies and prophecies concerning the Messiah.

2. Paul was confident that the things that have taken place in Jerusalem in the last 30 years have not escaped his notice. Agrippa would have known about Jesus the Nazarene, His claims, His crucifixion, His resurrection, and His followers.

3. These events were not done in a corner. In fact, Jesus commanded His followers to spread the gospel in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth (Act 1:8). According to Jesus’ Great Commission, the whole world was to hear about Christ and Christianity.

a) Agrippa II would have seen and heard Agrippa I (A.D. 37-44) acting and discussing these things (cf. Act 12:1-2). In the nine years that Agrippa II was king, he certainly would have been accustomed to hearing about Christianity (cf. Act 25:22).

b) From an apologetical viewpoint, such an argument has a ring of truth. Only a madman would preach something that could be easily falsified though current events.

c) Anyone, including Festus, could confirm the validity of Paul’s facts. Though they may not have become believers, they would have had the biblical, historical, and rationale evidence to do so.

B. Paul Asserted Agrippa’s Belief in the Prophets (27)

1. Though Paul was the prisoner wearing the fetters, he was the one dominating the conversation.

2. Like a good preacher, Paul challenged Agrippa asking him if he believed the Prophets. Paul knew that the obvious answer was that Agrippa did believe the prophets. The “Guardian of the Temple” took his Jewish beliefs seriously, at least outwardly before the Jewish people.

C. Agrippa was Almost Persuaded (28)

1. Paul was pressing for more than mere acknowledgement of beliefs. He was pressing Agrippa for faith in Christ as Messiah.

2. Agrippa responded that if Paul would have been able to continue, he would be persuaded to become a Christian.

3. Perhaps to assure his Roman spectators that he was not going to become a “mad” (insane) Christian himself, Agrippa diverted Paul’s question.

4. Perhaps to break the inward tension of having to make a decision, he wittingly answered with a nervous joke.

5. Nevertheless, Agrippa was confronted with the truth of Scripture and with a rationally sound presentation.

6. Though Agrippa may have been close to trusting in Jesus of Nazareth, he halted at the threshold.

D. Paul Desired to Convert Everyone (29)

1. If indeed Agrippa was insincere, Paul was not. Paul’s “wish” (aorist optative of euchomai – appeal or prayer to God - 2Co 13:7, strong desire - Rom 9:3) was for Agrippa’s salvation whether it took a short or long time.

2. Paul did not only desire Agrippa’s salvation, but all who were listening that day. He wanted them to become like him, a Christian, but without the chains.

E. They Decide Paul Unworthy of Death (30-31)

1. At the conclusion of this stirring sermon, Agrippa, Festus, and Bernice stood up. They did not stand up to give Paul a standing ovation. Nor did they stand up to an altar call. But they stood up to consult with one another.

2. If Paul did not win them to Christ, he certainly won them over in proving that he was not insane, but sincere in his belief.

3. Their consultation concluded with the unanimous agreement that Paul had done nothing for which he should be imprisoned or put to death.

F. Paul Faced an Irreversible Appeal to Caesar (32)

1. Agrippa concluded that since Paul had done nothing worthy of imprisonment or death, he could have been set free. However, Paul had sealed his arrest by appealing to Caesar.

2. Did Paul rush to judgment and appeal to Caesar too soon? No.

a) The Jews had conspired to ambush and kill Paul on the way to Jerusalem.

b) Neither Felix nor Festus were going to infuriate the Jews by letting Paul go.

c) Agrippa merely paid a cordial visit; he was not there for a formal trial.

d) Jesus revealed that Paul would testify of Him in Rome. Appealing to Caesar preserved Paul’s life and guaranteed a visit to Rome.

VII. OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS

A. Believers will be Persecuted and Ridiculed

1. The response of the world to belittle and ridicule the believer does not call Christianity into to question. Rather it confirms the truth of Christianity by revealing ahead of time that the world would respond in such a manner.

a) Unbelievers view God and His spiritual truths as foolishness, but believers know it to be the power of God in salvation (1Co 1:18; 2:14).

b) God rejects and destroys the wisdom of the world (1Co 1:19).

c) There is no worldly wisdom that endures in this life or eternity (1Co 1:20).

d) Ultimately, the world views God’s wisdom as foolishness, but that foolishness saves those who believe (1Co 1:21).

e) The Jews ask for signs though God has given them many. The Greeks seek for wisdom though God has revealed it in the gospel of His Son (1Co 1:22, 23).

B. Two Groups of Unbelievers

1. Unbelievers could be divided into two groups, those who ridicule Christianity (Festus) and those who are sympathetic to Christianity (Agrippa). But they both have in common the fact that they have rejected Christ.

2. Believers must be able to boldly and clearly present the gospel to both groups.

C. Believers Must Present an Apologetical Gospel

1. Though Festus and Agrippa may not have become believers, they would have had the biblical, historical, and rationale evidence to do so. DRH

2. Believers must give a biblical, historical, and rational gospel presentation. Believers must know the word of God, all aspects, all doctrines, especially pertaining to apologetics, prophecies, and salvation. Believers must understand the historical validity of the Bible and they must be able to present it in a apologetical rational manner.

D. Everyone Must Come through the Threshold of Faith

1. Many come to the threshold of faith but never crossover.

2. Scripture gives warnings to those who would merely flirt with Christianity, to those who would make nervous jokes about Christianity when convicted, and to those who have some knowledge of the truths in Scripture but fail to be persuaded (Heb 3:7-12; 12:25-26).

3. Practical Applications To The Recipients

a) Warning against drifting from Salvation (Heb 2:1–4)

b) Warning against disobeying the Word of God (Heb 3:7–14)

c) Warning against degenerating into Apostasy (Heb 5:11–6:20)

d) Warning against despising the Truth (Heb 10:26–39)

e) Warning against departing from God (Heb 12:25–29).

Grace Bible Church · 4000 E. Collins Rd · PO Box #3762 · Gillette, WY · (307) 686-1516