On Trial Again -26

Summary of Chapter 25

1. New Governor v.1

2. New Plot against Paul v.2

3. New Trial v.6

4. Not Guilty Plea v.7-8

5. Another Hearing offered v.9

6. No deal and appeal to v.10-12

7. Arrival of King II and Bernice v.13

8. Explanation of Circumstances to Herod v.14-21

9. Herod desires to hear Paul v.22

Herod the Great -tried to kill the infant by the killing of babies at Bethlehem. - executed , and held part of Jesus’ trial. Herod Agrippa I - executed James and imprisoned Peter Herod Agrippa II - appointed by Festus to hear Paul’s defense.

Antonius Felix, Roman procurator of , Paul’s first judge - became the second judge, and Paul appealed to Caesar. Berenice - left her third husband for her brother Agrippa II (rumored lover)

I) Contrast of Characters

A. Pompous Audience

Acts 25:23

23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth.

B. Plain Apostle

Acts 25:23 23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth.

In an early Christian document, the Acts of Paul, a description of Paul is given “A man of middling size, and his hair was scanty, and his legs were a little crooked, and his knees were far apart; he had large eyes, and his eyebrows met, and his nose was somewhat long.”

2 Cor 10:10

10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.

II) Contrast of Conduct

A. Past Conduct v.4-12

B. Powerful Conversion v.13-18

C. Present Commitment v.19-23

III) Contrast of Conclusion

A. Animosity v.24-26

B. Apathy v.27-30

“Almost persuaded” now to believe; “Almost persuaded” to receive; Seems now some soul to say, “Go, Spirit, go Thy way, Some more convenient day on Thee I’ll call.” “Almost persuaded,” come, come today; “Almost persuaded,” turn not away; Jesus invites you here, 2 are ling’ring near, Prayers rise from hearts so dear; O wand’rer, come! Oh, be persuaded! Christ never fails— Oh, be persuaded! His blood avails— Can save from every sin, 3 Cleanse you without, within— Will you not let Him in? Open the door! “Almost persuaded,” harvest is past! “Almost persuaded,” doom comes at last; “Almost” cannot avail; 4 “Almost” is but to fail! Sad, sad that bitter wail— “Almost—but lost!”