The Pilgrim Path---Acts 25: 13 – 27

Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a man left prisoner by Felix, 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. 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. 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. When the accusers stood up. They brought no charge in his case of such evils as I had supposed. 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. Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them. 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.” Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear him.”

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. 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. 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. 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. For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.”

“I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR THE MAN…”

---We owe people the dignity of their office: a measure of respect. God in His providence has elevated them to a position of authority (Romans 13). They are not where they are by happenstance…

---We owe those in “high” position---as we have opportunity---some brief understanding of Gospel clarity. Paul will “begin” his message---with a personal conversion story (it is not awfully long).

---We must remember that pomp and ceremony---great stature in the world’s eyes---do not automatically mean people are reconciled to the LORD God Almighty. Agrippa and Bernice were the children of King Herod Agrippa I. Only the LORD knows “exactly” how hard their lives had been. Historians reveal that Bernice had been “married off” to an uncle at age 13 (Herod of Chalcis). She had two sons with him in a marriage that lasted less than eight years (her husband died). Bernice went back to her brother Agrippa. He became king of Chalcis---two years later. She functioned as his queen (historians Josephus and Juvenal both indicated that there was always the belief of an incestuous relationship that existed between them--NETFLIX film come to life). Bernice did marry Polemo---king of Cilicia---sometime after A. D. 64. Story goes---she did not “stick” with him long. She returned to her brother…

---We must remember: People are dead in their sins---until Jesus Christ makes them alive. HE specializes in the most difficult cases. It is marvelous that the Holy Spirit “records” this meeting between the Apostle Paul---and prominent---and needy souls (Agrippa & Bernice).

From John Duncan: All light is from the Father of lights.

From Samuel Rutherford: It is not our part to make a treasure here: anything under the covering of heaven we can build upon is but ill ground and a sandy foundation: every good thing, except God, wanteth a bottom, and cannot stand its alone: how then can it bear the weight of us?

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason