Good Wednesday June third as we come before the Lord through studying His word.
Almost convinced-
Paul knowing Festus has knowledge of Judaism contrasts his calling to Moses’ experience when God called him and sent him to lead the Israelites out of slavery from Egypt. The Israelites then, were despised people, looked at as animals only good to serve the elite world of the Egyptians. In contrast Paul an authority of the Israelites is as Moses and asked to go to the gentiles, who the Israelites treated as a despised people, and free them in Christ Jesus. The Israelites believed the story of Moses and the burning bush, Moses before Pharaoh, and Moses speaking in the presence of God having been in glory, whose face shined from being in God’s presence. Exodus 34:29 “It came about when Moses was coming down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the testimony were in Moses’ hand as he was coming down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because of his speaking with Him.” Paul testifies I have been in the presence of God, the Messiah, and Jesus spoke and commissioned me as He had commissioned Moses, Festus you believe about the burning bush the glory on Moses’ face then believe that I too have had a similar experience. Let’s read together from Acts 26:24-32“Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!” But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.” When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them; and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, “This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.” Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.” Festus in hearing says Paul all your knowledge has made you mad. What did Paul say that made Paul appear a madman to Festus, the resurrection of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:23” but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness.” Stumbling block meaning the Jews were happy to follow the traditions of old but had no intention to see if God were doing anything new. Many fall back to old customs old ways to childhood traditions which basically keeps God in the ground. The resurrection had to take place to set all captives free, captives in religion those who believe they are gods themselves. Festus again believes as the Sadducees that there is no resurrection. Paul says, King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.” Then the words that will direct his future he says, no almost but no. Paul is just mad they say but not a criminal. What do you believe now with this knowledge, is it true? Remnant
