Paul Was Sued. How Did He Defend?
A David Pao Sermon Summary
Acts 21-28 describes how Paul was sued. The trial was moved from Palestine to Rome, so that Paul could be tried before the emperor. But Acts ends without the trial and verdict. What happened?
Before going to Rome, Paul was falsely charged with instigating riots and brought before Felix, the governor of Judea. Rome greatly prioritized stability, so instigating riots was considered one of the worst offenses at that time (Acts 24:1-9).
When given the chance to defend himself, Paul argued that he didn’t stir up any riot, but he did believe in God and the resurrection (Acts 24:10-15).
Saying the wrong thing could lead to death. So why did Paul bring up resurrection, which seemed irrelevant?
Instead of fighting for himself, Paul argued for the Gospel. Paul wanted Felix to know that real peace comes from the resurrected Christ, who is the final judge of all. Paul asserted he was on trial because of the resurrection of the dead. Felix then adjourned the proceedings (Acts 23:7, 10:36-42, 24:15, 21).
A few days later, Felix visited Paul with his wife, who was someone else’s wife Felix took. When Paul talked about righteousness, self-control, and judgment to come, Felix became afraid. Suddenly Paul was the judge over Felix (Acts 24:21-26).
By focusing on the resurrection, Paul subverted Felix’s perceived reality. Paul wasn’t really a prisoner, but a messenger of God. The emperor wasn’t the judge; Christ was and is. The real kingdom wasn’t Rome, but God’s kingdom. Acts doesn’t include the emperor’s trial and verdict for Paul because they weren’t important (Acts 28:31).
Many contemplate the afterlife when facing adversity. But when the church was persecuted, Christians didn’t pray about resurrection (Acts 4:24-30).
Instead, resurrection leads to repentance. God exalted the resurrected Christ to His right hand to be the ultimate judge, holding us accountable for what we have done. So, if there is resurrection, one should repent (Acts 2:32-38, 3:15-26, 5:30-31, 13:30-41, 17:18-31).
By defending himself with the resurrection, Paul redefined reality, revealing to Felix who was the real judge and who was really in control.
One day, God will judge. When that day comes, will we be able to say that we have lived in light of Christ’s resurrection?
Summary of a sermon, “Argue for the Gospel,” by David Pao:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCfBJ60yEr4
Before going to Rome, Paul was falsely charged with instigating riots and brought before Felix, the governor of Judea. Rome greatly prioritized stability, so instigating riots was considered one of the worst offenses at that time (Acts 24:1-9).
When given the chance to defend himself, Paul argued that he didn’t stir up any riot, but he did believe in God and the resurrection (Acts 24:10-15).
Saying the wrong thing could lead to death. So why did Paul bring up resurrection, which seemed irrelevant?
Instead of fighting for himself, Paul argued for the Gospel. Paul wanted Felix to know that real peace comes from the resurrected Christ, who is the final judge of all. Paul asserted he was on trial because of the resurrection of the dead. Felix then adjourned the proceedings (Acts 23:7, 10:36-42, 24:15, 21).
A few days later, Felix visited Paul with his wife, who was someone else’s wife Felix took. When Paul talked about righteousness, self-control, and judgment to come, Felix became afraid. Suddenly Paul was the judge over Felix (Acts 24:21-26).
By focusing on the resurrection, Paul subverted Felix’s perceived reality. Paul wasn’t really a prisoner, but a messenger of God. The emperor wasn’t the judge; Christ was and is. The real kingdom wasn’t Rome, but God’s kingdom. Acts doesn’t include the emperor’s trial and verdict for Paul because they weren’t important (Acts 28:31).
Many contemplate the afterlife when facing adversity. But when the church was persecuted, Christians didn’t pray about resurrection (Acts 4:24-30).
Instead, resurrection leads to repentance. God exalted the resurrected Christ to His right hand to be the ultimate judge, holding us accountable for what we have done. So, if there is resurrection, one should repent (Acts 2:32-38, 3:15-26, 5:30-31, 13:30-41, 17:18-31).
By defending himself with the resurrection, Paul redefined reality, revealing to Felix who was the real judge and who was really in control.
One day, God will judge. When that day comes, will we be able to say that we have lived in light of Christ’s resurrection?
Summary of a sermon, “Argue for the Gospel,” by David Pao:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCfBJ60yEr4