FELIX, FESTUS AND AGRIPPA II
10. Felix and Agrippa were brothers-in-law (Drusilla was Agrippa's sister). Felix was a Roman governor and like so many others, he was an immoral and greedy gangster. Of him, the embittered Roman historian Tacitus said "with savagery and lust he exercised the powers of a king with the disposition of a slave". Jews hated him. He wanted Paul to bribe him (24:26). What he wanted was money, what he got was a message on self-control and coming judgment. He kept a man a prisoner for two years knowing full well he was innocent (24:27).
11. Felix was recalled to Rome to face charges and Festus took his place. Festus was a decent man but if he had given Paul justice, Paul would never have had to go to Rome for the emperor's personal decision (25:9-11). Festus was glad when Agrippa II arrived to greet the new governor. Agrippa was known to be well versed in Jewish matters and Festus was wanting help here. The one thing that did get through to Festus was that Paul's central message was about Jesus, who had been dead and whom Paul said was alive again (25:19).
12. The king arrived with his sister, Bernice. Bernice, at thirteen, married her uncle (which was probably a second marriage). She then had a passionate affair with her brother before moving on to a Cilician king. She deserted him and then returned to Agrippa. She would later become mistress to Vespasian and Titus. This couple arrived at Caesarea in splendor (25:23) and it was arranged for Paul to tell his story. He defends himself, of course, but in the process he proclaims, not his story, but the story of the Christ! So here before a governor and a king, one of Christ's apostles fulfilled the word of Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:18-19). The truth is, it wasn't the wandering preacher, Paul, who was on trial here!
THE JOURNEY TO ROME
13. The trip must have been a nightmare. The storms, the 266 people in cramped conditions, the more than three months at sea, the shipwreck, the cold, the confusion, the sailors wanting to desert the ship, the plan to kill the prisoners—and more. Through it all there was Paul's assurance that he would preach Christ at Rome (Acts 23:11). They made it and as soon as Paul is settled he begins to teach the gospel about Jesus Christ (28:17-23). The gospel, conceived in eternity, first preached in Jerusalem was reinforced at the hub of the world by the arrival of one driven by love of Christ!
WHAT WE'VE LEARNED IN LESSON NINE
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The gospel can so change men that they can show warmth and hospitality to someone who has persecuted them in times past.
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A person can occupy a place of honour and power without being honourable and an honourable man can be in chains.
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Paul who had formerly been a tireless persecutor of God's People became a tireless servant of God and his People.
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Even high-ranking diplomats can be made to tremble at the thought of coming judgement.