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The Tuesday Afternoon Bible Study - Acts 25 at the End of Acts 24, Paul Is Left Imprisoned for 2 Years in Caesarea, As a Favor to the Jews from Gov

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The Tuesday Afternoon Bible Study - Acts 25 at the End of Acts 24, Paul Is Left Imprisoned for 2 Years in Caesarea, As a Favor to the Jews from Gov The Tuesday Afternoon Bible Study - Acts 25 At the end of Acts 24, Paul is left imprisoned for 2 years in Caesarea, as a favor to the Jews from Gov. Felix. What do you suppose Paul’s life was like for these 2 years? Finally (perhaps due to his incompetence?), Felix is succeeded by Porcius Festus. These are the 2 highest ranking Roman officials in Judea, the governors of his Roman province. Their duty is to represent the Emperor himself. Paul is in front of the most powerful people in his world. This chapter serves as the interlude before Paul’s main speech in ch 26. This chapter is seen in 4 parts: Read Acts 25: 1-5 Festus meets in Jerusalem with the Jewish Leaders to discuss Paul 1. Festus arrives in Caesarea, then heads up to Jerusalem. (Remember, you always go “up” to Jerusalem.) There, Paul’s enemies are still waiting, still wanting to do him ill. We learn of yet another plot on Paul’s life - if Festus will transfer him to Jerusalem, they will ambush him along the way. (Is this still the same zealous 40 who planned to kill him in 23:21?) Here we see God working behind the scenes to have Festus disagree with the prisoner transfer, and he then heads back to Caesarea, with the accusing Jews in tow. How have you sensed God working behind the scenes in your life, either to preserve your life or direct your path? Read Acts 25: 6-12 Paul before Porcius Festus 2. Festus returns (goes down) to Caesarea, and in contrast to Felix’ year of delays, immediately begins the tribunal. Note the proceedings. Now, there is no elegant professional like Tertullus to bring charges. Instead, the charges the Jews bring against Paul are not able to be proved. Paul again serves as his own defense. 3. In v 11 we see the key phrase: “I appeal to the Emperor.” This was the right of Roman citizenship, and Paul exercises it. Why did Paul do this? I can think of at least 3 reasons - First, Paul probably realizes that the game is rigged - if he goes back to Jerusalem he will either be killed on the way, or if not, will still receive a horrible trial at the hands of the Jewish leaders there. Second, he wants to share the gospel all the way to the top - with none other than the Emperor. And third, God has already told him he was going to Rome (cf both 19:21 and 23:11). Paul must have seen this option of appealing to Caesar as his ticket to accomplish God’s desire for him to go to Rome to testify. Now the game is raised to the next level. Paul’s case will no longer be just a provincial problem. Rome will judge whether Paul will live or die. Question - Will Paul testify before Emperor Nero because God wanted him to, or because Festus wanted him to? The answer, of course, is both. And that is often how the will of God works - God works through human means to accomplish his purposes. Thus, we watch the unfolding of this Roman trial knowing that God is also using this human mechanism to accomplish his will. As unlikely as it may seem at the time, God desires that the Emperor hear the good news of Jesus. Paul plays his part in earnestly defending himself, finally appealing to be sent to Rome, as a means of accomplishing God’s will. What is the hardest you have ever worked to accomplish what you thought was God’s will? Read Acts 25: 13-22 Festus confers with King Agrippa and Bernice about Paul 4. King Agrippa was Herod Agrippa II, the son of Herod Agrippa I of Acts 12. Thus, his father was the one who had the Apostle James killed, and then put Peter in prison - who then miraculously escapes and goes to the house where Rhoda won’t let him in. Acts 12 also reports his death, that “the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.” Bernice was Agrippa I’s daughter, thus the sister of this Agrippa II. He and Bernice come to welcome Festus to his new posting. Festus informs Agrippa of the unusual case of Paul. He explains the nature of Paul’s charges, which surprised him - not the crimes he was expecting. They are both intrigued about “a certain Jesus.” So, out of curiosity, Agrippa agrees to hear Paul. Read Acts 25: 23-27 Paul before King Agrippa and Bernice 5. In front of “military tribunes and prominent men” of Caesarea, Agrippa and Bernice arrive with “great pomp” and Paul comes before them. Note the statement Festus gives before all present: “He had done nothing deserving death.” And while agreeing to send Paul on to Emperor Caesar, Festus has one predicament: he doesn’t know what to charge Paul with! This is why Paul gets to present his case before King Agrippa - Festus didn’t know what to do with him, “and it seems unreasonable to send a prisoner (to the Emperor) without indicating the charges against him.” 6. Next week, we will see Paul’s own lengthy defense, and the resulting opinion Agrippa will render to Festus. Paul’s life is in the hands of others, yet we see Paul not being passive - he is thinking on his feet, ready to stand up for himself and give a testimony to Jesus. How do you give your testimony about your faith to others? We are not on trial as Paul was, yet how does our faith seep out in what we do? Someone once asked, “If you were ever put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” What evidence from your life would prove the fact that you are a follower of Jesus? .
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