From the summer of the year 58 AD to the fall of the year 60 AD, the apostle Paul lived as a prisoner of Rome. The Jews from Jerusalem accused him of violating the Law of Moses by preaching the gospel of Christ and diligently sought to kill him. Their hearts were so poisoned with hatred, that they “bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul” (Acts 23:12). As a result of this oath, Claudius Lysias found it necessary to send the apostle to Caesarea as a means to protect his life since he was a Roman citizen (Acts 23:23-27). During his tenure as a prisoner, the apostle continued to preach the gospel despite his prison chains. In accordance to the words previously spoken by the Master to Ananias concerning Paul, the apostle served as “a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:14-15). After being sent to Caesarea, three different rulers heard Paul’s defense toward the accusations presented by the Jews. Although it would have been logical that the apostle’s main focus be to plea his case to obtain his freedom, Paul fulfilled the Master’s purpose by taking advantage of his three different trials as an opportunity to speak of the Lord’s gospel. Luke (the author of the book of Acts) describes how Paul valiantly preached of Jesus being God’s chosen One to Felix, Festus, and Agrippa; as foretold by the Savior. However, even though these three men were taught about God’s saving grace by a giant in the faith, his words failed to persuade each one of these rulers to accept it. Regrettably, each one of these men rejected the blessing of attaining salvation for their souls due to poor, irrational judgment. In a true example of our Lord’s warning about where our heart’s treasure should be, Felix, Festus, and Agrippa leave behind an ominous example of what it means to be so close, yet so far. As we briefly examine and analyze the reasoning behind their unwise decision, let us be wise and wary that we too are not trading in God’s grace in a similar way.
Felix, the ambitious (Acts 24:24-27)
Antonio Felix was governor of the region of Judea for several years (Acts 24:10). It was to this man that Lysias wrote a letter, asking him to pass judgment on the apostle Paul’s case. After hearing both Paul and his accusers, Felix made no decision concerning the case. Instead, Luke reveals to us that Felix sent for Paul and “heard him concerning the faith in Christ” (Acts 24:24). Now it is also revealed to us that Felix was well informed of “the Way” (Acts 24:22). This is important to observe since it proves that the governor’s interest was heightened by the apostle’s lessons to him. However, as Luke continues to relate the details of this event, he enlightens Felix’s true motive for constantly calling the apostle to him. According to Luke, Felix “hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him” (Acts 24:26). In Felix, our God reveals to us how an ambitious heart hardens itself and disallows His grace to enter it. Although Felix would send for Paul often, the motivating factor was financial gain. The same is true when man seeks God only in his time of need. In a similar fashion to Felix, people seek God only to gain a “blessing” in return. Yet, when they “reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come” they flee like Felix, believing that they will have a “convenient time” to return to God (Acts 24:25). How tragic it is to fall into this track of mind.
Festus, the incredulous (Acts 26:22-24)
An incredulous person is commonly defined as a skeptic person; someone who is expressive of his or her disbelief. This is how Luke describes Porcius Festus regarding Paul’s words to him. This Roman governor, too, heard the Jewish pleas that Paul be sent to Jerusalem and tried there, but did not do so (Acts 25:4-5). Similar to Felix, Festus heard Paul’s defense against his accusers; the same defense he presented to the previous governor. Although Festus did not seek a bribe like Felix, he did show to be skeptical of what he heard. In his explanation to King Agrippa, Festus acknowledges that the Jews simply had “questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive” (Acts 25:19). It is interesting to note the skepticism Festus exhibits by saying to the king that “Paul affirmed” that Jesus was alive. He has no doubt that this “certain Jesus” had died since His execution was very public, but could not fully accept that this same Jesus had also resurrected from the dead. Instead, as Paul presented his case before King Agrippa, Festus antagonizes the apostle by shouting “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad” (Acts 26:24)! With these words, the governor verbally expressed what he had already mentally decided. This is the same rationale exuded by those who question the validity of God’s word. Similar to Festus, they rely more on their human wisdom and reject God’s omniscience as madness. Their mockery of God’s word shortens their sight and blocks their way to obtaining true understanding. The “Festus” of our time are those who deem time dedicated to studying the bible as time wasted since, in their logic, it should be spent doing something “more productive.” It is sad, however, that these “thinkers” openly oppose God and voluntarily ignore the foolishness of this decision.
Agrippa, the prideful (Acts 26:26-28)
This man was the one who verbally expressed the words of our title; it is also what makes his decision the most tragic of the three. This man was an “expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews” (Acts 26:3). This fact was what the apostle Paul used to his advantage as he (for a third time) preached Christ’s gospel. However, unlike the first two times, Paul observes that Agrippa was fully aware of the truth that he preached since “none of these things escapes his attention” (Acts 26:26). The problem for Agrippa was sacrificing his position before the Jews by accepting Paul’s doctrine publicly. He knew that what he heard was truth, but he also knew the price of embracing it as his own. Surprisingly, Agrippa did not learn from the mistakes of his father, Herod Agippa I (Acts 12:1-23). Instead, he allowed his pride to stand in the way of his salvation by taunting the apostle, stating that he “almost” converted over. Sadly, this is perhaps the most popular answer today. It is mirrored by “I know you are right, but I want to serve God my way.” Man’s rebellious spirit will always disallow him from pleasing God correctly. Agrippa’s answer was a bold way of putting his needs before God’s glory. This unfortunate tragedy remains predominant in our society today.