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04653
* Paul before Festus, he appeals to Caesar. (1-12) Festus
confers with Agrippa respecting Paul. (13-27)
#1-12 See how restless malice is. Persecutors deem it a peculiar
favour to have their malice gratified. Preaching Christ, the end
of the law, was no offence against the law. In suffering times
the prudence of the Lord's people is tried, as well as their
patience; they need wisdom. It becomes those who are innocent,
to insist upon their innocence. Paul was willing to abide by the
rules of the law, and to let that take its course. If he
deserved death, he would accept the punishment. But if none of
the things whereof they accused him were true, no man could
deliver him unto them, with justice. Paul is neither released
nor condemned. It is an instance of the slow steps which
Providence takes; by which we are often made ashamed, both of
our hopes and of our fears, and are kept waiting on God.
04665
#13-27 Agrippa had the government of Galilee. How many unjust
and hasty judgments the Roman maxim, ver. #16|, condemn! This
heathen, guided only by the light of nature, followed law and
custom exactly, yet how many Christians will not follow the
rules of truth, justice, and charity, in judging their brethren!
The questions about God's worship, the way of salvation, and the
truths of the gospel, may appear doubtful and without interest,
to worldly men and mere politicians. See how slightly this Roman
speaks of Christ, and of the great controversy between the Jews
and the Christians. But the day is at hand when Festus and the
whole world will see, that all the concerns of the Roman empire
were but trifles and of no consequence, compared with this
question of Christ's resurrection. Those who have had means of
instruction, and have despised them, will be awfully convinced
of their sin and folly. Here was a noble assembly brought
together to hear the truths of the gospel, though they only
meant to gratify their curiosity by attending to the defence of
a prisoner. Many, even now, attend at the places of hearing the
word of God with "great pomp," and too often with no better
motive than curiosity. And though ministers do not now stand as
prisoners to make a defence for their lives, yet numbers affect
to sit in judgment upon them, desirous to make them offenders
for a word, rather than to learn from them the truth and will of
God, for the salvation of their souls. But the pomp of this
appearance was outshone by the real glory of the poor prisoner
at the bar. What was the honour of their fine appearance,
compared with that of Paul's wisdom, and grace, and holiness;
his courage and constancy in suffering for Christ! It is no
small mercy to have God clear up our righteousness as the light,
and our just dealing as the noon-day; to have nothing certain
laid to our charge. And God makes even the enemies of his people
to do them right.
04680
* Paul's defence before Agrippa. (1-11) His conversion and
preaching to the Gentiles. (12-23) Festus and Agrippa convinced
of Paul's innocence. (24-32)
#1-11 Christianity teaches us to give a reason of the hope that
is in us, and also to give honour to whom honour is due, without
flattery or fear of man. Agrippa was well versed in the
Scriptures of the Old Testament, therefore could the better
judge as to the controversy about Jesus being the Messiah.
Surely ministers may expect, when they preach the faith of
Christ, to be heard patiently. Paul professes that he still kept
to all the good in which he was first educated and trained up.
See here what his religion was. He was a moralist, a man of
virtue, and had not learned the arts of the crafty, covetous
Pharisees; he was not chargeable with any open vice and
profaneness. He was sound in the faith. He always had a holy
regard for the ancient promise made of God unto the fathers, and
built his hope upon it. The apostle knew very well that all this
would not justify him before God, yet he knew it was for his
reputation among the Jews, and an argument that he was not such
a man as they represented him to be. Though he counted this but
loss, that he might win Christ, yet he mentioned it when it
might serve to honour Christ. See here what Paul's religion is;
he has not such zeal for the ceremonial law as he had in his
youth; the sacrifices and offerings appointed by that, are done
away by the great Sacrifice which they typified. Of the
ceremonial cleansings he makes no conscience, and thinks the
Levitical priesthood is done away in the priesthood of Christ;
but, as to the main principles of his religion, he is as zealous
as ever. Christ and heaven, are the two great doctrines of the
gospel; that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is
in his Son. These are the matter of the promise made unto the
fathers. The temple service, or continual course of religious
duties, day and night, was kept up as the profession of faith in
the promise of eternal life, and in expectation of it. The
prospect of eternal life should engage us to be diligent and
stedfast in all religious exercises. Yet the Sadducees hated
Paul for preaching the resurrection; and the other Jews joined
them, because he testified that Jesus was risen, and was the
promised Redeemer of Israel. Many things are thought to be
beyond belief, only because the infinite nature and perfections
of Him that has revealed, performed, or promised them, are
overlooked. Paul acknowledged, that while he continued a
Pharisee, he was a bitter enemy to Christianity. This was his
character and manner of life in the beginning of his time; and
there was every thing to hinder his being a Christian. Those who
have been most strict in their conduct before conversion, will
afterwards see abundant reason for humbling themselves, even on
account of things which they then thought ought to have been
done.
04691
#12-23 Paul was made a Christian by Divine power; by a
revelation of Christ both to him and in him; when in the full
career of his sin. He was made a minister by Divine authority:
the same Jesus who appeared to him in that glorious light,
ordered him to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. A world that
sits in darkness must be enlightened; those must be brought to
know the things that belong to their everlasting peace, who are
yet ignorant of them. A world that lies in wickedness must be
sanctified and reformed; it is not enough for them to have their
eyes opened, they must have their hearts renewed; not enough to
be turned from darkness to light, but they must be turned from
the power of Satan unto God. All who are turned from sin to God,
are not only pardoned, but have a grant of a rich inheritance.
The forgiveness of sins makes way for this. None can be happy
who are not holy; and to be saints in heaven we must be first
saints on earth. We are made holy, and saved by faith in Christ;
by which we rely upon Christ as the Lord our Righteousness, and
give up ourselves to him as the Lord our Ruler; by this we
receive the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and
eternal life. The cross of Christ was a stumbling-block to the
Jews, and they were in a rage at Paul's preaching the fulfilling
of the Old Testament predictions. Christ should be the first
that should rise from the dead; the Head or principal One. Also,
it was foretold by the prophets, that the Gentiles should be
brought to the knowledge of God by the Messiah; and what in this
could the Jews justly be displeased at? Thus the true convert
can give a reason of his hope, and a good account of the change
manifest in him. Yet for going about and calling on men thus to
repent and to be converted, vast numbers have been blamed and
persecuted.