Paul has been in prison for two years now. That's 2 years he could have been out spreading the gospel and winning souls, but he disobeyed God and went to Jerusalem after being told not to go there.
Sadly, we do the same thing. We know we shouldn't do certain things, or act a certain way, and yet we do it. And, like Paul, we suffer the consequences of our actions.
Acts 25:1-3- Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem. Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him, And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.
It wasn't long after this new man began his term in the Roman government that the Jewish religious leaders tried to kill Paul again. This time, they hoped the new ruler would send Paul to Jerusalem for a trial. But, their plan was to kill Paul while enroute.
Acts 25:4-6- 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 this man, if there be any wickedness in him. 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.
Once Festus got to where Paul was being held, he wasted no time. The very next day he started the judicial hearing.
Acts 25:7-8- 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.
The Jews had plenty of accusations, but no proof.
Paul was adamant in his innocence.
Festus thought he saw an opportunity to get in good with the higher ups in the area.
Acts 25:9-11- But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me? Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. 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.
Festus was hoping that Paul would consent to go to Jerusalem to be judged. He knew the Jewish leaders would appreciate that, and maybe he could make his time there a lot easier with their favor.
But, Paul saw what was happening. He knew this was all a political move on Festus' part, and an assassination attempt on the Jews part. So, he did the only thing he could think of- he appealed to Caesar.
When a Roman appealed to Caesar, that meant that his case had to be brought before the King of the Roman Empire- the man bearing the title of Caesar. Paul knew that meant he would be sent to Rome, but he had been told over two years ago by an angel that God was going to use him to spread the gospel in Rome.
There was nothing the Jews could do now!
Acts 25:12- Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.
I'm certain that Festus wasn't happy about losing his chance of gaining favor. And, the Jews were very angry about losing their chance to take out Paul once and for all!
Paul was sent back to his prison cell.
Acts 25:13-21- And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus. And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix: About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him. To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him. Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth. 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. And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters. But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.
While Paul was in his cell awaiting transport to Rome, Festus' had just gotten a visitor- King Agrippa and his wife, Bernice.
Agrippa had been in the area for such a long time that he was very knowledgeable in the ways of the Jews. When Festus told Agrippa of Paul's situation, it was agreed on that they would all convene to hear Paul's case.
Acts 25:22-23- Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him. 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.
I can't image what Paul thought about all of this. He was called to take the gospel to the Gentiles. And during his time of captivity, he had preached to so many Gentile rulers! And, again, he was going to get another chance to tell a king about the King of Kings!
Acts 25:24-27- And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him. Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write. For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.
Paul stood before these men patiently. He knew the way things in Roman court went by now. The rulers would talk to each other about what charges were brought against him. Then, they would tell each other whether there was any proof. If there were accusers or witnesses, they'd be called to give their side. And, then, Paul would be allowed to speak his piece.
So, Paul waited for his turn.
Acts 26:1-3- Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
Paul knew who Agrippa was. He knew that Agippa understood the Jewish customs, laws, and traditions. He, also, knew that Agrippa knew of Jesus and what had occurred.
Acts 26:4-7- My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
Paul started out telling Agrippa of how he was raised. He wanted them to know that he had lived up to the strictest standards that the religious leaders of the Jews abided by.
Then he began talking about God's promise of the Messiah to the Jewish people.
He told about the Christians and his anger towards them. He let them know exactly what he did- hunting them down, torturing them, and killing them all for the sake of the Jewish religious leaders.
Then he told of his encounter with God on the road to Damascus. And, God's calling on his life.
Acts 26:19-21- Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.
Paul told them that what he had done to those Christians before his conversion was the same thing that the Jewish leaders were trying to do to him.
Next, Paul was going to tell Agrippa the gospel.
Acts 26:8, 22-23 - Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
Some listening though Paul was crazy! Festus interrupted Paul to let him know exactly what he thought of Paul's mental state.
Acts 26:24-26- And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.
But, Paul didn't take offense to this. He knew that Festus was new to the area. But, Agrippa wasn't. King Agrippa had heard, and may have even witnessed what had happened back then.
Acts 26:27-29- King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
King Agrippa was so close to accepting Christ as his Savior! He even told Paul so.
We don't know if Agrippa ever did ask the Lord to save him. One day, we will find out.
Acts 26:30-32- And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them: And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds. Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.
Agrippa, his wife, and Festus talked amongst themselves over what they had heard. Paul was innocent, and that was clear. But, Paul couldn't be set free. Once a man appealed to Caesar, he couldn't be justified or condemned until he stood before Caesar's Judgement Seat.
Paul was going to Rome as a prisoner. It wasn't going to be an easy journey. It wouldn't be a comfortable journey. But, it would be a safe journey because God had promised Paul that he would make it to Rome.
