Introduction

Good day to everyone. Let us turn to Acts chapter 25. I have titled this chapter Paul to Bear Witness Before Caesar. Our Lord Jesus, during his appearance to Paul, spoke a very important sentence, which is recorded in the Book of Acts. Paul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, and Jesus' light illuminated him, so that he would bear witness to Jesus before all people.

Not only that, but Paul would also suffer greatly, which was God's Mingding Destiny for Paul! After hearing this, Paul kept it in mind. He knew that he had come into this world to bear witness to all people. Whenever he had the opportunity, he would surely give his testimony. This was Paul's mission and Mingding Destiny.

Please do not misunderstand. Do not give people too much theology; give your testimony. When I was teaching the Book of Acts sometime ago, I told everyone how to give a testimony, that is, to talk about what you have done, what you have experienced, or what God has done in you. People who hear this kind of testimony cannot deny that it happened. If you talk about a theory, such as the atomic nucleus or something about quantum mechanics, we really cannot understand or see it. Therefore, giving testimony is the best way to expound God.

This is why I have many stories to tell wherever I go. A few days ago, when I was having dinner with some students, I gave them my testimony. I talked about someone we all know who was dying in the hospital. When he was desperate and his condition was very bad, he thought of me. When I went to the hospital, I saw that he was really dying, and he did not even have the strength to smooth his hair.

After I prayed with him for an hour, he went home alive and kicking. After telling this testimony, what could he refute? He could not be stubborn and insist that this did not happen. If you say that you have eaten a flat peach and know what it tastes like, then no one is qualified to say that the flat peach you ate does not taste like that, because you really ate it. This is how it is. Giving testimony is the best way. Do not just preach there.

Paul received such a mission, and he had the ambition to bear witness before the Emperor, which was extraordinary. If you were asked to preach the gospel to the Emperor, what do you think would happen? I guess they would drive you out. It would be good if they did not cut off your head. What testimony would you give to the Emperor? So how would Paul bear witness before the Emperor?

Paul was to be tried before the Emperor in order to let the Emperor hear about his experience, how he met Jesus on the road to Damascus, and how he knew that the dead are resurrected. Perhaps the Emperor's family had some needs, and they wanted Paul to pray for their family, just to try it out. Therefore, God never likes preaching. God likes testimony, witnessing the glory of Jesus Christ, and witnessing the power of Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead. This is our God.

Those who hear the testimony cannot say that it is wrong or that it did not happen. You know him, I know him, and then I tell you what happened to him, and that is what I did. Someone once said to me that after following him to believe in the Lord, I could carry a cross on my back. I said that my computer bag was already heavy enough, and the pressure was already great. Why should I carry another cross? A few days later, another evangelist came and said that if I believed in Jesus with him now, I could go to heaven after I died.

I like to argue with people and asked him to prove to me whether he had been to heaven. If not, then forget it! You will find that many places in modern Christianity do not conform to the Bible. What is evangelism? It is giving testimony! If you have not experienced God yourself, who will believe you when you talk to them? If you have experienced it yourself, then tell others honestly.

If someone asks you whether it is true that following those people to believe in Jesus means that you can go to heaven after you die, the Bible does not really write it so clearly. The theme of this chapter is that Paul will bear witness before the Emperor. The Emperor, or the King, must listen to Paul's story. Even the newly appointed governor must listen. When they hear it, they find Paul's story quite interesting.

The Newly Appointed Governor to Hear Paul's Testimony

Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem. (Acts 25:1)

The newly appointed governor did not know about Paul at all. There were so many prisoners in the prison that he could not possibly understand each one. The newly appointed governor went to Jerusalem three days after taking office. You must know that politicians cannot cause trouble. If the city they govern suddenly has trouble, they will not be able to keep their job. The chief priests and Jews in Jerusalem are a powerful political force. The governor must settle things well, so he went to Jerusalem to see the chief priests after three days.

Do not underestimate them. Even the newly appointed governor may not be able to control these Jews. The Roman Empire was vast and conquered one small country after another. So they have their own set of theories. However, to settle these small countries, they cannot confront each other head-on. That is not politics. Politics is a theory of governing the country. The Roman Empire's theory of governing the country is one of the great empires in history. Like the Persian Empire, the Roman Empire also had a great management philosophy.

Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him, Desiring favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him. But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither. (Acts 25:2-4)

After Festus took office, he had to take care of things and visit the chief priests. As a result, when he went to visit the chief priests, these powerful Jews insisted that Paul die. This Festus felt that other things had not been discussed yet, and they came up to mention Paul. Who is Paul? Festus called Paul for questioning and listened to the testimony about Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead for a long time. If Festus was interested in this matter, he would definitely start to investigate it and listen to Paul explain the matter clearly one by one.

I think this matter about Paul is quite magical. The Holy Spirit hindered him from going to Jerusalem, but he insisted on going. Nothing ventured, nothing gained! If Paul did not take this path, how could he come before the Emperor to preach the gospel? Paul was arrested when he arrived in Jerusalem and was imprisoned for two years. He had a good time in prison for these two years. He wrote many epistles and also made sorting and summaries. In the past, he was too busy with work and did not have time to do abstraction, summarization, induction, and sorting. Now, in prison, he can not only sort quietly, but also allow visitors to visit.

The newly appointed governor also wanted to hear Paul's testimony. It turned out that this was the reason for going around in such a circle. I think our God is too humorous. The Holy Spirit deliberately hindered Paul to see if he was really willing to take this risk. As a result, Paul was serious. He could not be stopped. He just wanted to give testimony! The Holy Spirit hindered Balaam, but he could not be stopped; the Holy Spirit hindered Paul, and he could not be stopped either. However, Balaam was an ignorant prophet, but Paul was a very Mingding Destiny apostle! He would never forget to give testimony. The first case of the new governor was to listen to Paul's testimony. This matter left a deep impression on Festus.

And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought. And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove. While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all. (Acts 25:6-8)

Some people questioned that it was not good for Paul to be imprisoned, and whether God could not do this. But God just wanted to do this. Joseph was sold to Egypt. At that time, God sent a lying spirit to deceive Joseph's brothers, and as a result, they sold Joseph alive to Egypt and became a slave.

Our God does everything. Joseph later became the prime minister of Egypt. If you still cannot see through the matter of living, it is really difficult to cooperate with God. Paul was arrested when he arrived in Jerusalem and was imprisoned for two years. Two rounds of spring, summer, autumn and winter, the prison was very cold in winter, which was definitely not comparable to living in a hotel. Some people are not satisfied with living in a hotel, but Paul did not take imprisonment seriously.

During this period, the old governor did not listen enough to Paul's testimony, and the new governor continued to listen. Paul said it does not matter, he does not care about death, this is his Mingding Destiny. Paul was very active in prison and was the best prisoner. Because the Jews had to have Paul die, they created an apostle Paul who was one of the best known and most famous in history. So if you want to be famous, you really have to pay a price.

King Agrippa to Hear Paul's Testimony

Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him. (Acts 25:22)

The Roman Empire was a bit like our Chinese Qin Dynasty. The Qin Dynasty once summarized the history of the Zhou Dynasty, which had both enfeoffed kings and provincial governors. The administrative power was given to the governor, or the provincial governor, and there were also enfeoffed kings in the local area. This was a political system. Paul wanted to appeal to the Emperor, to have the Emperor uphold justice for him, which was actually to tell his story to the Emperor. This price was too great. However, the first case of Governor Festus after taking office was to listen to Apostle Paul give his testimony.

There was a man named Jesus who was crucified and died. The governor investigated and found that there was such a thing. Jesus suffered under Pilate. Pilate was one of the previous governors of that place. However, Paul said that Jesus was alive. I think God is quite humorous. If he appeared to Festus at night, he would be scared to death. But God did not do this. Jesus only appears to those who believe in him. He only appears after you believe after hearing the testimony. If you do not believe, he will not appear. He does not want to scare people. Governor Festus may have been promoted from a county magistrate and found this case difficult to judge. The Jewish chief priests wanted Paul to die, but Paul wanted to appeal to Caesar, that is, the Emperor.

For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go. (Acts 25:11-12)

This is easy. As long as Festus makes a phone call to King Agrippa and says: There is a person here who wants to appeal to Caesar, but I cannot find out why. As a result, when King Agrippa heard that there was even a matter of resurrection from the dead, he really wanted to hear this testimony.

Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed: But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. (Acts 25:18-19)

This matter is very interesting. Apostle Paul usually has no chance to see Festus, let alone King Agrippa. Even if he did, he could not say: King Agrippa, I am here to give you a testimony. He would definitely be beaten out of the hall. Still preaching and giving testimony? It's simply courting death. Now King Agrippa says that he wants to hear it. Paul has really not lived in vain. He has given testimony to the governor, the Jewish chief priests, King Agrippa, and even the Roman Emperor.

Paul was not only clear about his goals, but also quite strategic. He knew in his heart that a prophet could not die outside of Jerusalem, which is why he went there and was arrested. As a result, he was imprisoned and appealed to Caesar; it was almost like filing a complaint. But appealing to Caesar is not the same as filing a complaint, which can be quite disruptive. It is also interesting that King Agrippa wanted to hear Paul's testimony. King Agrippa was actually a descendant of Herod, the king during Jesus' time, but we do not know whether he was a grandson or great-grandson. Herod's family had some spiritual inclination in building the temple, which means that King Agrippa believed in ghosts and spirits. Similarly, in our generation, there are many people who believe in ghosts and spirits, but unfortunately, they believe in them instead of the true God.

Even the Emperor Must Hear Paul's Testimony

Even the emperor must hear Paul's testimony, as this was the Roman custom. Even the governor had to listen to Paul's testimony because it was his job. King Agrippa listened to Paul's testimony because it was also his job. Although Paul was a prisoner, these people still had to do their jobs. Even if the emperor had to listen to Paul's testimony, it was the emperor's duty. The Roman Empire had a system in place where cases that could not be resolved by local officials would be brought to the emperor for judgment.

The Roman Empire was vast, and the emperor of the Great Roman Empire was extremely busy, yet he still had to personally interrogate Paul. It was the emperor's job to listen to Paul's testimony, King Agrippa's job to listen to Paul's testimony, and the governor's job to listen to Paul's testimony. God has a sense of humour! That was how the Roman Empire was set up. If the governor could not resolve the case, he would write a clear account and submit it to the emperor.

The Book of Acts is said to have been written by Luke to Theophilus, who was probably a very famous lawyer in Rome at that time. The Book of Acts, which is included in the Bible, records the experiences of the Apostle Paul. In fact, Luke was writing Paul's story clearly to be handed over to a lawyer, so that the lawyer could defend the Apostle Paul before the emperor.

Originally, giving a testimony would have been enough, but it was a complicated process. It was not easy for the emperor to hear Paul's testimony; he had to judge so many cases before it was Paul's turn! That is why Paul waited in line in Rome for two years, because the Roman emperor could not spend every day just hearing cases. He also had to deal with many national affairs, take care of his imperial harem, and possibly go hunting. The whole Olympic Games and a host of other things had to be personally arranged by him.

So, it took some twists and turns for the emperor to hear Paul's testimony, but God did not care, and Paul did not care either. No matter how long it took to wait, as long as he had the opportunity to give his testimony to the emperor, he was willing to do it, even if it meant sitting in jail for two years without complaint. If a person has a mission and a Mingding Destiny, their entire life is surrounded by a halo; they are people the world is not worthy of. Paul was not like some people who question God as soon as they are imprisoned, as if they were not on the same channel as God's program.

The Chief Priests and Jews Would Not Allow Paul to Live

They were all Jews, and Paul was a Pharisee, so why would they not allow Paul to live? Later, I figured it out: this kind of thing does happen, and in foreign countries, it is usually Chinese people who scam other Chinese people. The chief priests would not allow Paul to live, not even to give a testimony. So why were they so afraid of Paul's testimony about Jesus' resurrection? Because it was manipulated by a religious spirit in the background.

Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they besought him, desiring favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him. But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither. Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse him, if there be any wickedness in him. (Acts 25:2-5)

Here is a very clear statement: Festus asked those in Jerusalem who had authority to go with him to Caesarea to question Paul, to jointly confront the plaintiff and the defendant. This matter was originally unrelated to the Romans, and they did not want to get involved. We must be careful when dealing with religious spirits, as they are particularly powerful, and their primary goal is to confuse the true doctrine. Because they also have a set of gospel, but it is a false gospel, the spirit of religion.

The Roman Empire did not consider Paul to be important, but the Jewish chief priests did, because there was a religious spirit and a spirit of authority behind it. Therefore, when Paul wrote these letters, he wrote that those in authority and positions of power could not truly know the wisdom of Jesus Christ. These people firmly believed that the Apostle Paul was preaching a false gospel, and all the accusations they made against Paul could not be substantiated.

This is the spirit of lies! Once people are deceived by lies, they will believe in a mass of things that they themselves cannot prove. There is another set of things in the spirit of religion, which is to believe stubbornly. Later, I found that the most vehement opposition to this kind of Mingding Destiny comes from Christians, a group of people who are controlled by the spirit of religion, which is very evil! This is why the chief priests and those in authority among the Jews would not allow Paul to live.

Paul Did Not Care About Death

Paul really did not care about death. Those who wanted to get rid of him were mistaken, because they always feel that living is so good. But Paul thought it was very good to die. If they wanted to kill him, they could just come at him. However, what prevented the Jews from plotting to kill Paul was not anything else, but the law of the Gentiles. The Roman Empire had a set of norms, and it was not easy to kill a Roman citizen. They really had a bit of the rule of law. Without interrogation, they would not let these people mess around blindly. However, Paul did not care about this, he was born a Roman citizen. Where can you argue with against this? At that time, Roman citizens had great rights. If they were to be judged, they could appeal to the emperor. If he was just a Jew, it would have been useless.

A person who is afraid of death cannot be protected even if God wants to protect them. But a person who is not afraid of death naturally has God's protection. The Apostle Paul had a Mingding Destiny and knew why he was alive. I would like to ask everyone: what are you living for? If you live in a muddle, and you do not want to die after suffering, how uncomfortable you must be! The Apostle Paul lived for his Mingding Destiny. In fact, living is meaningless; in the blink of an eye, you will be old.

Back then, we were spirited and passionate young people, but in the blink of an eye, we have reached middle age. Looking at the photos, it's all a group of old men. One old man even looks like an old woman. Someone looked at the photo and asked whose mother it was! It is truly a sigh that the years are like a butcher's knife. As people grow, they all end up looking like that. Actually, they were also handsome young men back then. Now, they are completely different. Some people have a beard that sticks out, and their eyebrows are long, like an old man. Their foreheads are shiny. It is just a matter of moments. Ten years ago, we were not like this when we were together. Twenty years ago, we were all high-spirited when we were together, but now that energy is all gone.

Thank God! I have a Mingding Destiny, because I know why I live, and I really want to be a blessing to those I know, but it is really not easy to achieve. It is too tiring to travel a long distance to give someone a testimony and then come back. But Paul did just that. He has eternal hope, so why would he care about death? You know what, it was this fearlessness of death that saved me. When I was forty years old, I had all the symptoms of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. When I searched online and compared it with my symptoms, it all matched.

At that time, I was so tired after driving for ten minutes that I couldn't open my eyes. It was very hard! But I didn't take a single sick day from work; I was simply working myself to death. Many people advised me to get some rest and see a doctor. I said, It's okay, I'll just die! I thought about it carefully maybe dying would be okay. Should I prepare some insurance? But before buying insurance, if I really go to the hospital for an examination, I won't be able to buy insurance. So, I won't go for an examination, and I don't want to know. Who knew that I wouldn't die after half a year. After another nine months, I was actually healed! This fearlessness of death is quite amazing. Those who are not afraid of death have long lives!

I had suspected nasopharyngeal carcinoma during the SARS period. I was not caught in the SARS wave, but I was caught in the novel coronavirus recently. I was lying in bed watching the light bulb on the ceiling getting bigger and smaller, as big as a basketball when it was bigger. I certainly know how big this light bulb is, how could it be as big as a basketball? I suddenly realized that I was having a hallucination. Since I am not afraid of death, then let’s pray! I didn't need a ventilator or anything, so I pulled through. Those who were still alive were scared.

Later, I summarized that so many people died in the hospital, but no one knows for sure whether they died of the disease or the treatment. Half of those people were poisoned to death by the medicine, and the other half were scared to death by the disease. All drugs are poisonous to some extent. If you trust the hospital, go see a doctor. I'm talking about myself, don't mess around! If you don't have my ability, don't pretend to be capable and go see a doctor.

It's great not to be afraid of death! Are there any among us who are afraid of death? If a person is not afraid of death, they live in eternal life; they have a Mingding Destiny, they know that God is with us, and they often see the power of Jesus Christ's resurrection manifested in us. Are you still afraid of death? No! Experience God well! Paul was not afraid of death at all, even if he was in jail. Whether he had a cold, a cold, or arthritis was not mentioned. People with God are really great!

Because the power of Jesus Christ's resurrection often covers us, Paul said that he often experiences death and often experiences the power of Jesus Christ's resurrection. I hope that everyone has this kind of Mingding Destiny. You must know what you are here to do. Like Tang Sanzang and Sun Wukong, they have a Mingding Destiny. They went through eighty-one difficulties to obtain the scriptures from the West. Crossing the Flaming Mountains, the Spider Cave, and fighting the White Bone Spirit three times was really a lot of trouble.

They are also models of faith and Mingding Destiny. As for going to the West to obtain scriptures, or going to Jerusalem for pilgrimage, or going to Mecca, they all have a goal in their hearts! The God we believe in is resurrected from the dead, and His resurrection power is always on us. If you are greedy for life and afraid of death, you cannot be a Christian, and you cannot give testimony.

Conclusion

Paul was going to testify before the emperor, and he did. The Roman emperor was a sensible man, so he released Paul, and the Jewish chief priests could not accuse him even if they wanted to. However, after Paul was interrogated in Rome, it seems that fewer of his letters were collected to establish churches. I think that this work is what God wants to leave to us to do? Paul completed his greatest mission in that stage, and now we must shoulder the Mingding Destiny that God has upon us in this generation, and we must build a complete pastoral system.

Although it is a bit difficult, I am still constantly working hard for this. I really want to organize a pastoral system that is in accordance with the Bible. Jesus cares most about pastoring, but has God revealed these pastoral lessons to Paul? It seems not, or not much. What if we all thirst to seek and obtain God's revelation? I have such a feeling that it is in this generation that God will reveal the complete pastoral system to us, to build God's glorious church, to pastor God's flock, and to joyfully welcome the return of Jesus Christ. Amen!