From Top to Bottom, King Agrippa, Antonius Felix (center)
and Porcius Festus. All Bronze Prutah coins of same size
representing the 3 rulers who Paul addressed when he finally
was being heard by all three of these rulers in Aprippas judgement hall. These little coins are our link with that
time period. |
Ambassador in Bonds
By
Dewey Maggard
Christians everywhere are acquainted with acts and deeds of the apostle Paul. Here was a man under constant threat of death by his own countrymen. Many of the Jewish Christian converts looked upon him with mistrust and so he was subject to ridicule from both sides. Time after time false charges were brought against him. So forceful and penetrating was his message that riots ensued wherever he went.
One such riot was taking place in Jerusalem even while Paul was in chains as there were certain Jews who wanted to kill him. Had it not been for a Roman garrison commander, one Claudius Lysias, who hastened with soldiers to quell the riot, he surely would have been slain. Lysias permitted Paul to address the mob (See Acts 22:2) "And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them they kept the more silence." Yet after his address to them, they cried out "Away with such a fellow from the earth; for it is not fit that he should live." Acts 22:22.
The next day, Paul is taken before the Sanhedrin for trial, but during this trial the events between the Pharisees and Saducees became life threatening again. Therefore the chief captain Clouds Lessees took Paul by force from among them and took him to the castle.
So intensely did the people hate this man; they had taken an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed him. Our chief captain heard of the plot and ordered two of his centurions to make ready two hundred soldiers. With the realization of Paul being a Roman citizen, he is now getting safe conduct to the most excellent Governor Felix. (See Acts 23; 26).
Can you imagine, here we have had the entire Jewish authority of the Sanhedrin plotting to kill this man who had held a seat among them. What a tremendous turn of events.! No doubt this authority had reports from all of Asia of what this man had accomplished there. In their minds he was usurping their authority. Seven major Christian churches had now been established. Jews and Greek Gentiles were being converted in large numbers to the doctrine this man Paul was teaching. He was a troublemaker to the Jewish hierarchy and therefore worthy of death. With the background of this scenario we are seeing a legalistic religion and dirty politics hand in hand at its worst. Through all of these trials Paul sees himself as an Ambassador in Bonds.
Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greetings." (Acts 23;26) So it is here that we meet Felix the governor who with his wife Drusilla heard Paul concerning faith in Christ (Act 24:24) "And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgement to come, Felix trembled and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a more convenient time, I will call thee." Two more years finds Paul still in bonds, when Procius Festus enters in the decision of what must be done concerning this man. Paul stands before Festus at Caesar's judgment seat (Caesarea) . It is at this time he says, "I appeal to Caesar. Festus answers "unto Caesar shalt thou go.":
After certain days king Agrippa and his sister Bernice came to Caesarea to salute Festus of whom
it appears Festus has just been appointed as a governor. This seems to be the reason for king Agrippa's
presence. A short time later, Agrippa said to Festus he would hear of this matter concerning Paul. We
may see from these scenes that the Romans had great respect for their laws and the rights of their citizens.
Agrippa and Bernice entered the judgment hall or the place of hearing with great pomp- with the chief captains and principal men of the city. Please notice it is to these important people that Paul is about to address. It is in this 26th Chapter of the book of Acts where we find one of the most eloquent testimonies for Christ that was ever given. Our Ambassador in Bonds concludes with these words.
"Having therefore obtained the help of God I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead and should show light unto the people and to the Gentiles. (Acts 2623.
Folks, these were real people. The coins above were issues of each of the three rulers, Felix, Festus and Agrippa.. Notice the umbrella with the tassels on the Agrippa coin; This testifies to the: pomp: as he liked which is referred to when He and Bernice entered the Judgement Hall.
© copyright Feb 2 2001
All Rights Reserved
|
