Chapter 5 - Session 5

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August 22, 2020, Saturday, 6:57 PM

Manila, Philippines

CCF 4W'S BE A FAITHFUL WITNESS

WELCOME

When was the first time you heard about Jesus Christ? If you were to use one word to describe who Jesus it to you, what word would you use? Why?

WORD

Acts 24:1-27

Paul's Trial Before Felix

24 Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor. 2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: "We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. 3 Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. 4 But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly. 5 "We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect 6 and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. [7] [a] 8 By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him."

9 The other Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true. 10 When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: "I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense. 11 You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.12 My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. 13 And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me.14 However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, 15 and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. 17 "After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings. 18 I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance. 19 But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me. 20 Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin—21 unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: 'It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.'" 22 Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. "When Lysias the commander comes," he said, "I will decide your case." 23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.

24 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus.25 As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you." 26 At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. 27 When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.

Acts 25:1-27

Paul's Trial Before Festus

25 Three days after arriving in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem, 2 where the chief priests and the Jewish leaders appeared before him and presented the charges against Paul. 3 They requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way. 4 Festus answered, "Paul is being held at Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon. 5 Let some of your leaders come with me, and if the man has done anything wrong, they can press charges against him there." 6 After spending eight or ten days with them, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he convened the courtand ordered that Paul be brought before him. 7 When Paul came in, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him. They brought many serious charges against him, but they could not prove them.

8 Then Paul made his defense: "I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar."

9 Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?" 10 Paul answered: "I am now standing before Caesar's court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. 11 If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!"

12 After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: "You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!"

Festus Consults King Agrippa

13 A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. 14 Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul's case with the king. He said: "There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner. 15 When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and asked that he be condemned. 16 "I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over anyone before they have faced their accusers and have had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges.17 When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court the next day and ordered the man to be brought in. 18 When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. 19 Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. 20 I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges.21 But when Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor's decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar." 22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, "I would like to hear this man myself."

He replied, "Tomorrow you will hear him."

Paul Before Agrippa

23 The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high-ranking military officers and the prominent men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. 24 Festus said: "King Agrippa, and all who are present with us, you see this man! The whole Jewish community has petitioned me about him in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. 25 I found he had done nothing deserving of death, but because he made his appeal to the Emperor I decided to send him to Rome. 26 But I have nothing definite to write to His Majesty about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that as a result of this investigation I may have something to write. 27 For I think it is unreasonable to send a prisoner on to Rome without specifying the charges against him."

Acts 26:1-32

26 Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself."

So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense: 2 "King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies.Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently. 4 "The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child,from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem.5 They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee. 6 And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. 7 This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me. 8 Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead? 9 "I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord's people in prison,and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities. 12 "On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.13 About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic,[a] 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.'

15 "Then I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?'

" 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' the Lord replied. 16 'Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

19 "So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. 21 That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. 22 But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— 23 that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles." 24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul's defense. "You are out of your mind, Paul!" he shouted. "Your great learning is driving you insane."

25 "I am not insane, most excellent Festus," Paul replied. "What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do."

28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?"

29 Paul replied, "Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains." 30 The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. 31 After they left the room, they began saying to one another, "This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment."

32 Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar."

The apostle Paul's life serves as an encouragement for all followers of Christ. He was not shaken by even the most difficult circumstances as he sought to fulfill God's mission for him. Instead, he was firm on his purpose, his eyes fixed on Jesus & was able to accomplish great things in the mission field. Today, we are bombarded by discouragements & challenges that cause many to lose hope. Paul had his hope rooted in Christ. If we want to remain faithful to our calling in the of our trials & sufferings, our hope must be grounded in Christ. Paul was a worthy example of a FAITHFUL WITNESS for the gospe. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit

Acts 1:8

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

to enable us to be His witnesses to the entire world. To be a faithful witness:

1) BE CREDIBLE

A faithful witness is CREDIBLE. Paul's life was a good background for the message he shared to others. He was beyond reproach & his confidence was in Christ. Amidst the accusations thrown against him,

Acts 24:1-6

Paul's Trial Before Felix

24 Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor. 2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: "We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. 3 Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. 4 But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.

5 "We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect 6 and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.

Paul was credible in his defense & there was no proof of his guilt over accusations that he was the ringleader of a Nazarene sect starting riots, etc.

Acts 24:10-14

10 When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: "I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense. 11 You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.12 My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. 13 And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me.14 However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets,

Paul was credible because he had a clear conscience before Christ & men. Having a clear conscience does not mean that we are perfect; it means that before God, we keep living a life that clearly brings honor & glory to Him.

1 Peter 3:15-16

15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience,so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

reminds us to always be ready to defend the faith with gentleness & reverence & to keep a good conscience before those who are against us.

2) BE COURAGEOUS

A faithful witness is COURAGEOUS. Sometimes we feel embarrassed to speak about the gospel, but like Paul, we can be filled with courage as we lean on the assurance that God is with us.

Acts 24:24-25

24 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus.25 As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you."

recounts how Paul discussed righteousness, self-control & God's judgement with governor Felix & his Jewish wife, Drusilla. Felix was cruel, unrighteous & immoral. Drusilla divorced her husband to be with Felix. That is why when Paul presented the gospel, he did not sugarcoat the truth; he told them of God's righteousness & the coming judgement! We are to speak the truth in love.

Ephesians 4:15

15 Instead, speaking the truth in love,we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

Though Paul was a credible & courageous witness. Felix did not believe in Jesus. So, remember that you can be the best witness, but you cannot change the hearts of people. Changing hearts is ultimately God's department! As witnesses, we can only make sure that we share Christ with others, empowered by the Spirit & trust God for the results.

3) BE CHRIST CENTERED

Paul thereafter was kept in jail & yet even in the dark times. Paul's heart continued to hope in Christ. When the new governor, Festus was about to send him to Jerusalem for trial, Paul knew that it will be a treacherous route; with divine wisdom, he appealed to Caesar to stand trial in Rome.

Acts 25:10-11

10 Paul answered: "I am now standing before Caesar's court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. 11 If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!"

In his report to King Agrippa II, Festus verdict was that Paul could not be charged with any crime.

Acts 25:18-20

18 When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. 19 Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. 20 I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges.

In Acts 26, Paul was given permission to meet King Agrippa II & queen Bernice, before whom Paul once again was able to share the gospel through his testimony as he defended his case. Paul's defense was not a mere presentation of his innocence, nor ab attack against his accusers. A faithful witness is always CHRIST CENTERED. Paul took the opportunity to share God's amazing story in his life! We see this repeated in Acts; Paul was consistent with his story of redemption by Christ. He defined himself a strict adherent to the law as a Pharisee & shared how he led the persecution of Christians

Acts 26:8-10

8 Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?

9 "I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord's people in prison,and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.

before his life changing encounter with Jesus on the Damascus Road. Paul was one guy you will not want to invite to your Bible studies. He was considered a dangerous enemy of Christ. BUT NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD! As Paul continues his story, the central point became JESUS CHRIST. It is Jesus who plays the transformative role in our salvation story; to open our eyes, release us from darkness to light, forgive us of our sins, provide us an eternal inheritance & to transform our lives! Agrippa rightly observed that Paul wanted to persuade him to turn to Christ.

Acts 26:28-29

28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?"

29 Paul replied, "Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains."

Once again, the apostle was given a "not guilty" verdict by King Agrippa of any crime worthy of death or imprisonment. But the greater achievement of Paul was not getting cleared of all charges, but his FAITHFUL WITNESS for the Lord before kings & rulers & all those who were present with them. Are you ready to be a faithful witness of the gospel? Be credible, be courageous & be Christ centered!

DISCUSSION QUESTION:

1. How credible are you as a witness for Christ?

Mia answer: As I witness for Christ my credible is as long as I can share the gospel to others & pray for them

Kathy answer: My credibility as a witness for Christ depends on I could share the gospel to others and how I can intercede for them.

2. In what areas do you need to improve in being Christ centered?

Mia answer: In my attitude, I need to improve in being Christ centered

Kathy answer: I need to improve my attitude especially in times of crisis, this is how I need to improve in being Christ - centered.

3. Who is that one person whom you will courageously share the gospel to this week using your one minute testimony?

Mia answer: To my ka dgroup for now

Kathy answer: I would share the gospel this week is to my father and my Bible study group. For my father, we would listen together the podcasts on Sunday or listen to morning devotion prayer everyday as we finished our breakfast. For my Bible study group, I would join the discussion promptly.

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