Acts of the Apostles - part 33: Testimony

Feb 9, 2025 • Pastor Chris Sherwood

Questions for Further Study

Have you witnessed a miracle and spoken about it later? How did that go?

Have you spoken about how God has changed you? How did that go?

Paul was unjustly accused, threatened, and beaten. (See Acts 23:1-5) How did he respond? How would you respond?

How has witnessing injustice impacted your faith?

What does 1 Peter 3:15 mean to you?

How does 1 Peter 3:15 impact your prayer life?

Sermon Outline:

Introduction - Are You A Witness

Have you seen a miracle?

Someone healed?

Someone transformed

Ever told the story? Given a testimony?

I have seen healing and restoration

people who should have been mean but were kind

Marriages saved

I have testified

The Apostle Paul witnessed Many miracles

Resurrection, healing, personal transformation, etc

Paul testifies, fulfilling prophecy of Jesus

Luke 21:12-13 But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you, handing you over to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 21:13 This will be a time for you to serve as witnesses.

His Testimony is found in Acts 21:27 — 24:27

PRAY

Remember

Paul endures pain of saying good bye

Paul endures pain of warnings regarding Jerusalem

Paul enters Jerusalem, meets with church & elders

Paul is ceremonially washed and pays for some devout Jews going through a special time of devotion as a demonstrate his allegiance to Judaism.

Orthodox Jews don’t care, they are ANGRY

Paul testifies in Jerusalem

21:30-31 The whole city was stirred up, and the people rushed together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple courts, and immediately the doors were shut. 21:31 While they were trying to kill him, a report was sent up to the commanding officer of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion.

Roman officer sends troops to arrest Paul and save him

While under guard Paul addresses Jews in their mother tongue

Paul tells his growing up story:

born a Jew, studied w/ Gamaliel

Zealous in persecuting, arresting “the way”

Approved stoning of Stephen

Worked for High Council

Crowd listens quietly util Paul’s Damascus road story

bright light, interaction w/ Jesus, blindness & healing, revelation of God’s will…Then Paul Testifies

22:21-22 Then he [The Lord] said to me, ‘Go, because I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ 22:22 The crowd was listening to him until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, “Away with this man from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live!”

Jerusalem Jews were unwilling to accept Gentile believers

Mob mentality returns as Jews try to kill Paul

Roman Officer orders Paul be taken to HQ & “Lashed”

Paul asks if lashing is ok for Roman citizens

Officer speak w/Paul W/O lashing

Next Day Officer calls Sanhedrin to explain

Paul testifies

I have lived w/ clear conscience

High Priest has him struck, Paul responds then apologizes

Eventually Paul uses Pharisee/Sadducee division

“I am on trial concerning the hope of the resurrection”

An argument w/in the Sanhedrin occurs

23:9-12 There was a great commotion, and some experts in the law from the party of the Pharisees stood up and protested strongly, “We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 23:10 When the argument became so great the commanding officer feared that they would tear Paul to pieces, he ordered the detachment to go down, take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks.

The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Have courage, for just as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

When morning came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink anything until they had killed Paul.

Miraculous happenstance, Paul’s nephew hears the plan

He warns Paul, then Roman officer

Officer sends Paul to Caesarea [Maritima]

To Regional Governor Felix w/letter explaining

at night w/ guard

Paul before Governor Felix

Five days elapse then High Priest, Attorney, Elders arrive

24:5-6 we have found this man to be a troublemaker, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 24:6 He even tried to desecrate the temple

Paul responds

24:11-15 not more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 24:12 They did not find me arguing with anyone or stirring up a crowd in the temple courts or in the synagogues or throughout the city, 24:13 nor can they prove to you the things they are accusing me of doing.

24:14 But I confess this to you, that I worship the God of our ancestors according to the Way (which they call a sect), believing everything that is according to the law and that is written in the prophets. 24:15 I have a hope in God (a hope that these men themselves accept too) that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous

Paul also says, if anyone has charges against him, they should list them

Felix is well informed

He is married to a Jewess

He is familiar with Judaism AND “the Way”

He is also curious and continuously calls for Paul to share more

One time…

24:25-26 Paul was discussing righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for now, and when I have an opportunity, I will send for you.” 24:26 At the same time he was also hoping that Paul would give him money, and for this reason he sent for Paul as often as possible and talked with him.

This continued for two years

Felix was replaced by Porcius Festus

He wanted to do the Jews a favor, so he left Paul in prison.

Conclusion — God’s Sovereignty is Always on display

God exposes Sanhedrin

Leaders who unlawfully persecuted Jesus also w/ Paul

“Zealous Jews” were unwilling to accept Gentile believers

Messianic Jews strengthened by Paul’s example

God uses Paul’s imprisonment to expand the Gospel

Paul ministry to/from friends

Writes countless letters

Continually testifies to Roman officials AND soldiers