THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST

SPREADING THE SOUL-SAVING MESSAGE OF JESUs

Acts Lesson 4

(Chapters 23-28)

Introduction by narrator accompanied by a cappella singing:

THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. Spreading the soul-saving message of Jesus. And now, Timothy Sparks and Ben Bailey.

Ben Bailey:

“Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, ‘Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day’” (Acts 23:1). I’m Ben Bailey.

Timothy Sparks:

And I’m Timothy Sparks. Welcome to our study of the Book of Acts. This broadcast is being brought to you by individuals and congregations of the churches of Christ. We hope you will visit the churches of Christ in your area, and let them know how much you appreciate their support of this broadcast. If you have a Bible question or a spiritual concern, they would be happy to help you with it. If you would like a Bible study, they also would be glad to assist you with that. We, too, would like to be of service. Visit us on our website at www.thegospelofchrist.com, where we have streaming audio and video lessons of our broadcasts. You may download these and use them to assist you in your study of God’s Word. We also are making available DVDs and CDs of these broadcasts. We will be glad to send any of these to you completely free of charge.

In chapter 23 of Acts, we find Paul saying that he had lived “in all good conscience before God” until that very day. Paul was very sincere. He had lived in a way that did not prick his conscience, even though he had been persecuting Christians. What does that have to say for us today about allowing our conscience to be our guide?

Ben Bailey:

Acts 23:1 teaches us that our conscience is not a safe guide for our conduct. If our conscience doesn’t condemn us, that obviously doesn’t necessarily mean we’re right. And if our conscience does condemn us, that doesn’t necessarily mean we’re wrong. Our conscience is simply not a safe guide when it comes to our conduct. Consider the Nazis in the time of Hitler during World War II. They were convinced that they were right in slaughtering six million Jews. They had so trained their conscience that their conscience told them that’s what they needed to do. But that didn’t make it right. The conscience is simply an echo of the knowledge that you possess. If you possess faulty knowledge, then the advice given by the conscience will be faulty, too. The only truly safe guide is the Bible. If you go by the Bible as God’s Word, then you can know the truth, and the truth can make you free (Jn. 8:32). The only safe way to Heaven is not by following our conscience, but instead by following what the Scriptures teach. In Acts 7 when Saul was holding the coats of those who killed Stephen, and in Acts 8 when Saul was dragging Christians out of their homes to commit them to prison, he thought he was doing what was right. Thus, we should not put “I think” or “I feel” or “my conscience says” in place of a “thus saith the Lord.” We must not follow our conscience alone as our guide, because if we do, we may go astray. Proverbs 16:25 says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”

Timothy Sparks:

Although Paul had lived “in all good conscience,” he still had to obey the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In Acts 23, Paul is continuing what he began in chapter 22—his defense of why he left Judaism for Christianity, and why he is faithfully following the standards that Christ has set. As we get into chapter 24, we see that Paul is going to stand before Felix. In Acts 19:21, Paul had said, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” From that point on in the Book of Acts, the focus is on getting Paul to Rome. However, before he gets there, he’s going to have to stand before Felix (Acts 24), Festus (chapter 25), and Agrippa (chapter 26). Felix is sort of “putting Paul on trial,” but Paul turns the tables and puts Felix on trial—before God!

Ben Bailey:

Paul now has an opportunity to preach to Felix. He speaks to him of three things: (1) righteousness; (2) self-control; and (3) the Judgment to come (Acts 24:25ff.). We learn from history that Felix was an immortal sort of fellow. Thus, he wasn’t living in view of the Judgment to come. It’s sad to read Felix’s response to Paul. Felix said, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you” (vs. 25). Doesn’t that sound a lot like so many people today? We have so much going on, and we let so many things get in our way, that we just don’t have time for God. Why don’t we make time for God?

Timothy Sparks:

Doesn’t it have to do with the priorities we’ve set in our lives? It’s evident that Felix understood Paul’s message. The text in Acts 24 records that as Paul “reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid” (vs. 25). Felix wanted to procrastinate. It has been said that procrastination is the thief of time. That may be true, but procrastination is also the thief of people’s souls. We have no record in the Bible as to whether or not Felix ever found that “more convenient time” when he could obey the Gospel. Perhaps that “convenient time” never came. What about you? Are you procrastinating in regard to your salvation? It has been correctly said that we need to obey now what we know now. If Felix had obeyed the Gospel that Paul preached to him, Felix could have altered his eternal destiny. We know that if he did not obey the Gospel, then he is lost. There is a sense of urgency in obeying the Gospel, as we learn from the account in Acts 16 of the people who were baptized “immediately.”

Ben Bailey:

“Immediately” is a key word here. It’s a word that is used in Mark’s Gospel many times to describe Jesus’ actions. We learn from 2 Corinthians 6:2 that “now” is the acceptable time of salvation. So many people want to put off their salvation until “tomorrow”—when they think they will have everything “right” in their life. But the Bible makes it clear that “now”—today!—is the day of salvation. The problem with Felix is that he had no guarantee that he would ever have a “tomorrow.” Nor do we! As James pointed out, “What is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” (4:14). The psalmist reminded us, “We finish our years like a sigh. The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years” (Psa. 90:9-10). And that’s not a “hard and fast” rule. We may not live that long. Thus, we must obey now what we know now.

In Acts 25, Paul is going to go on trial before Festus. No one has found anything so far that Paul has done wrong. But in chapter 24, Paul does something that is very important—he appeals to his Roman citizenship. He appeals to Caesar, and as a result, he is going to get an all-expense-paid trip to Rome to preach the Gospel there. At first glance, this doesn’t sound like very good news for Paul. But, as it turns out, it is God’s way of getting the Gospel to Rome.

Timothy Sparks:

Acts 19:21 documents that Paul wants to get to Rome to preach the Gospel. He will tell the Christians at Rome, “So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also” (Rom. 1:15). Paul is going to go to Rome. Notice what he says in Acts 25:11, “For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying.” Paul’s point is that if he has done something worthy of death, then he won’t object to being put to death. On occasion, people commit a crime, are sent to prison, have a sort of “religious experience,” and then suggest that they shouldn’t have to endure the death penalty. But that isn’t the attitude Paul adopted. Paul was willing to take responsibility for his actions. Acts 25:12 records, “Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, "You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!”

Ben Bailey:

There is a brief interruption before Paul is sent to Rome. King Agrippa wants to hear the message that Paul is preaching (we’re not told why). Paul thus has an opportunity preach the Gospel to yet another high government official. Festus is present on this occasion, and he says, “Paul, your much learning is driving you mad.” Paul responds, “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” (Acts 26:25-26). Paul then looks at the king and says, “do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe” (vs. 27). Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian” (vs. 28). Surely those are some of the saddest words in the entire Bible. How many people have “almost” become a child of God? Paul said to Agrippa, “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” (vs. 29). Agrippa understood the message, and knew that he needed to act on it. But there was “something” holding him back. Is there something holding you back from obeying the Gospel? If so, is it pride? Pride so often gets in our way. We think that people may make fun of us if we become a Christian. Or, we think that our friends won’t like us anymore. Is it love of all things worldly? Sometimes, money and possessions get in our way. Maybe there’s a certain sin that you haven’t been able to overcome. You need to let God—through the Gospel—help you with that sin. Repent and put the sin behind you. Don’t be “almost persuaded.” Obey the Gospel now. Obey now what you know now. Become a child of God.

Timothy Sparks:

Paul’s woes are not over yet. In order to get to Rome, Paul is going to have to travel by ship, on which are 276 passengers. Paul perceives that a serious storm is going to arise. He tries to warn the master of the ship, who is not predisposed to listen to a mere prisoner in chains. A storm does arise, and becomes so severe that everyone on board the ship fears for their lives. However, a messenger from the Lord conveys to Paul the fact that while the cargo will be lost, not a single person is going to die. In Acts 27:25, Paul is recorded as saying, “Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me.” We need to have the same kind of faith, and believe that whatever God has said He will do, He will do! We don’t need a messenger from the Lord to tell us that, because we have the inspired Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

Ben Bailey:

I saw a bumper sticker once that said, “God said it, I believe it, that settles it.” Isn’t that backwards? It should say, “God said it, that settles it, and I believe it.” Acts 27:25 teaches us that when God says something, that is the final word on the matter. That ought to encourage us, not scare us. Peter said, “Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7). God cares for us. If we took that to heart and believed it—just like Paul did—how much help and comfort it would afford us in this life! As Paul put it in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Whatever we wish to do that is in accordance with God’s will, we can do. If we really believed that, imagine the things we could overcome in this life. When God says it, that settles it. As the psalmist put it, “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven” (Psa. 119:89). As we enter into Acts 28, we see that Paul faces numerous difficulties on his trip to Rome. He has been shipwrecked, and is now stranded on an island. But he never takes his focus off of the goal. And that’s how we should be today.

Timothy Sparks:

After the shipwreck, Paul finds himself on the Island of Malta. While putting some sticks on a fire to that people can warm themselves, a viper comes out and bites Paul. Those standing around believe that this is God’s punishment on Paul. Their idea is that even though he has escaped the shipwreck, God is nevertheless going to punish him by sending the viper to bite him. Through the miraculous work of God, Paul survives. And, later, he heals a person. Both of these events serve to confirm the fact that the message he brings is from God. Yes, Paul finally gets to Rome. But he had to undergo numerous trials and tribulations to get there. Think about all the technology available to us today—like radio, television, shortwave radio, the Internet, newspapers. There is no doubt in my mind that if the apostle Paul were alive today, he would be using such technology to reach the lost of the world.

Ben Bailey:

Paul took advantage of every opportunity to preach the Gospel, and so should we today—whether it be via radio, television, the Internet, or by any other legitimate means. Paul got into a boat (the best transportation available to him in his day) and went where he could to preach the Gospel. Evangelism was a serious matter to Paul, and should be to us as well. Someone has suggested that, as the crow flies, Paul traveled more than 13,000 miles to preach the Gospel. We may not all be able to do what Paul did, but the Bible is clear that we have the responsibility to take the Gospel to a lost and dying world. Luke 19:10 says that Jesus came to seek and save the lost. If Jesus came for that express purpose, and if we are to follow in Christ’s footsteps, then we need to be about the business of seeking and saving the lost. Acts 28 tells us that in spite of the numerous difficulties he encountered along the way, Paul accomplished his goal of preaching the Gospel in Rome. Interestingly, in Rome Paul was allowed to have his own rented apartment, from which he could preach and teach.

Timothy Sparks:

Paul is under a sort of “house arrest” in Rome. But we know from the book of Philemon that a runaway slave by the name of Onesimus finds his way to Paul, is taught by Paul, and becomes a Christian. Paul is preaching the reality of the kingdom of God in the first century. This indicates that the kingdom was present at that time. Acts 2, of course, shows us that this was, in fact, the case. Some in religion today suggest that the kingdom has not yet come. They suggest that the church was a substitute for the kingdom that Christ will eventually return to Earth to establish. That is not true! Jesus accomplished what He set out to accomplish by establishing the church. Paul is teaching the reality of the church in the first century. Although he was under arrest, Paul nevertheless had the attitude expressed in Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” He understood the truth that “stone walls do not a prison make, nor iron bars a cage.” Paul wanted people to know that the Gospel was not bound! He charged young Timothy, “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Tim. 4:2). This indicates that we are to preach the Word with great urgency. I’m reminded of an illustration about a man who had cancer on the side of his head. He went to the doctor, who wanted to remove it. But the man refused. When his friends kindly admonished him to follow the doctor’s advice, he still refused. Eventually, the cancer ate a hole into the side of his head the size of your fist. Sin is a cancer that eats away at our soul in a similar fashion. If you do not allow the Lord—Who is the Great Physician—to take your sin away, then you will die in your sin, and you will not enjoy Heaven with Jesus.

Ben Bailey:

As we come to the end of the Book of Acts, let’s review the three main points of the Book of Acts. The first main point is the establishment of the church. Daniel 2 had prophesied that the church would come in the days of the Roman Empire. In Acts 2, we see that very thing occurring. The church came into existence in the first century.

Timothy Sparks:

The second main point of the Book of Acts is to point out instances of conversion—how people became Christians. What they did then is what we must do today. If we obey today what they became then, we will become today what they became then. What were they? They were Christians (Acts 11:26).

Ben Bailey:

The third main point of the Book of Acts is a history book that applies to the rest of the New Testament. When we read of Lydia and the Philippian jailer, and then go to the Book of Philippians, we know something about the history of that book. Acts tell us about the establishment of the church in places like Corinth, Ephesus, and Thessalonica.

If you have not obeyed the Gospel, we want to encourage you to become a child of God. If you’ve never put the Lord on in baptism, why not do what they did in the first century? Look at Acts 2 with us one more time. The Jews there heard the message, and knew that they were in sin, and that they could not be saved except through Jesus as Lord and Christ. They believe in Him with all their heart. We are told to do the same thing today. Jesus said in John 8:24, “If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” But our faith must go beyond “mere belief.” One of the points of the Book of Acts is that belief alone never saved anyone. James 2:24 says, “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” Thus we believe. We also have to repent, as several instances in the Book of Acts document (e.g., Acts 3:19). Repentance means that we change both our will and our way of life. We change our heart (mind), and then we follow that up by changing our actions. Then we must confess, just as the Ethiopian nobleman did in Acts 8 when he said, “I believe with all my heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Then we learn from the Book of Acts that we must be immersed for the forgiveness of our sins. Acts 2:38 is so clear that you would need help to misunderstand it! We are to repent and baptized for the remission of our sins.

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Narrator accompanied by a cappella singing:

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STUDY QUESTIONS FOR Acts lesson 4 (Chapters 23-28)

  1. In this lesson, considerable emphasis was placed on the fact that the conscience is not a safe guide for our conduct. The statement was made, “The conscience is simply an echo of the knowledge that you possess.” Explain that statement.

  2. Why was Saul—in all good conscience—able to drag Christians from their homes and deliver them up to be imprisoned or killed?

  3. In Acts 19, Paul makes a statement about a future event in his life that will become the focus of most of the Book of Acts from that point forward. What was that event?

  4. When Paul spoke to Felix, he talked to him about three things. What were they?

  5. Explain the relationship between 2 Corinthians 6:2 and Acts 24:25?

  6. There is a broad “rule of thumb” about how long humans generally live? What is it? Incorporate Psalm 90:9-10 into your answer.

  7. In Acts 25:12, we see Paul requesting to be sent to appear before Caesar in Rome. Why could Paul do such a thing?

  8. What did Paul mean when said that King Agrippa knew that the things of which Paul spoke had “not been done in a corner”?

  9. According to this lesson, what are some of the saddest words ever recorded in the Bible?

10. Explain the importance of Paul’s statement in Acts 27:25, “I believe that whatever God has said, He will do.”

11. Why did the natives on the Island of Malta believe that Paul was a murderer?

12. Why could Paul—even under arrest in Rome—“rejoice in the Lord always”?

13. The Book of Acts has three main points. What are they?

14. Where were the disciples first called Christians?

15. What is the one word that is used repeatedly in the Book of Mark to describe Jesus’ actions and express a sense of urgency?

16. List five things that can stand in the way of someone becoming a Christian.

17. Is there anything wrong with this statement? “God said it, I believe it, that settles it.”

18. Some in religion today suggest that Christ’s church never materialized in the first century. What single chapter in the Book of Acts proves this concept to be false?

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