Paul Appeals to Caesar
Introduction:
After Paul spoke to Felix and Drusilla concerning righteousness,
self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified. He
talked with Paul many times during the next two years as Paul was
kept in bonds. During this time, history records that Felix went
from bad to worse and was finally dismissed from office. Porcius
Festus took his place. (Acts
24:27)
“But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix,
wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.”
NKJV
Text:
Acts 25:1-27
Body:
I.
Festus Visits Jerusalem
Acts 25:1-6a
“Now when Festus had come to the province, after three days he went
up from Caesarea to Jerusalem. Then the high priest and the chief
men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they petitioned him,
asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem –
while they lay in ambush along the road to kill him. But Festus
answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself
was going there shortly. ‘Therefore,’ he said, ‘let those who have
authority among you go down with me and accuse this man, to see if
there is any fault in him.’ And when he had remained among them
more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea.”
NKJV
·
Festus was a crafty politician. Soon after his appointment as
governor, he went to Jerusalem to “scope out” how things were with
the Jews.
·
He told the Jews that they needed to accompany him back to Caesarea
to stand in a Roman court.
II.
Paul Declares His Innocence
Acts 25:6b-12
“And the next day, sitting on the judgment seat, he commanded Paul
to be brought. When he had come, the Jews who had come down from
Jerusalem stood about and laid many serious complaints against Paul,
which they could not prove. While he answered for himself, ‘Neither
against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against
Caesar have I offended in anything at all.’ But Festus, wanting to
do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, ‘Are you willing
to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these
things?’ So Paul said, ‘I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I
ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very
well know. For if I am an offender, or have committed anything
deserving of death, I do not object to dying, but if there is
nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can
deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.’ Then Festus, when he had
conferred with the council, answered, ‘You have appealed to Caesar?
To Caesar you shall go!’”
NKJV
·
This is at least the fifth time Paul has made a defense in the last
two years.
·
He was accused of sinning against the law, against the Jews, against
the temple, and against Caesar. There was not any proof at all!
·
Paul, as a Roman citizen, appealed to Caesar.
III.
Festus Lays Paul’s Case Before Agrippa
Acts 25:13-21
“And after some days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to
greet Festus. When they had been there many days, Festus laid
Paul’s case before the king, saying ‘There is a certain man left a
prisoner by Felix, about whom the chief priests and the elders of
the Jews informed me, when I was in Jerusalem, asking for a judgment
against him.’ To them I answered, ‘It is not the custom of the
Romans to deliver any man to destruction before the accused meets
the accusers face to face, and has opportunity to answer for himself
concerning the charge against him.’ Therefore when they had come
together, without any delay, the next day I sat on the judgment seat
and commanded the man to be brought in. When the accusers stood up,
they brought no accusation against him of such things as I supposed,
but had some questions against him about their own religion and
about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be
alive. And because I was uncertain of such questions, I asked
whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged
concerning these matters. But when Paul appealed to be reserved for
the decision of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I could
send him to Caesar.’ ”
NKJV
·
Festus describes the case leftover from Felix’s rule. He tells King
Agrippa it was about their own religion and about Jesus.
·
Festus puts an entirely different light on his actions than what
actually occurred.
IV.
Paul Appears Before Agrippa
Acts 25:22-27
“Then Agrippa said to Festus, ‘I also would like to hear the man
myself.’ ‘Tomorrow,’ he said, ‘you shall hear him.’ So the next
day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp, and had
entered the auditorium with the commanders and the prominent men of
the city; at Festus’ command Paul was brought in. And Festus
said: ‘King Agrippa and all the men who are here present with us,
you see this man about whom the whole assembly of the Jews
petitioned me, both at Jerusalem and here, crying out that he was
not fit to live any longer. But when I found that he had committed
nothing deserving of death, and that he himself had appealed to
Augustus, I decided to send him. I have nothing certain to write to
my lord concerning him. Therefore I have brought him out before
you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the
examination has taken place I may have some thing to write. For it
seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner and not to specify the
charges against him.’ ”
NKJV
·
Agrippa and Bernice enter the auditorium with great pomp and
pageantry. Paul enters from prison.
·
Festus makes a formal speech introducing Paul and describing his
case as well as his appeal to Caesar.
V.
Lessons to Be Learned
(I
Peter 5:8-9)
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about
like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him,
steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are
experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”
NKJV
·
Satan opposes the efforts of God’s people. He used the hostile Jews
as well as Festus the governor. (II
Corinthians 11:13-15)
“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming
themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan
himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is
no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into
ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their
works.”
NKJV
When men refuse to obey God’s Word, they will try diligently to
destroy it. They don’t want the light of the Scripture to expose
their evil deeds. If you are trying to serve the Lord, expect that
Satan will oppose you one way or another.
·
God works behind the scenes through His providential power to bring
about His will. God apparently used the Jerusalem leaders, the Jews
from Asia, the commander Lysias, Paul’s nephew, Felix and Festus, as
well as King Agrippa and Bernice to get Paul to Rome to preach the
gospel. All these worked together for good so God would be
glorified through the gospel.
·
God has instituted human government to protect those who do right
and to punish those who do wrong.
(I
Peter 2:13-17) “Therefore submit yourselves in every ordinance of
man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to
governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of
evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the
will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance
of foolish men – as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice,
but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the
brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.”
NKJV
God can use human governments for His purposes. Paul’s example here
shows that it is proper for us to use the government to protect us
and to uphold our rights as citizens.
·
Paul’s example shows us that it is not wrong for a Christian to
defend himself against false charges. Paul was not silent against
his accusers. Evil men may slander us. Remember the words of
Romans 8:31-34.
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can
be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him
up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all
things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God
who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and
furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who
also makes intercession for us.”
NKJV
Conclusion:
One of the most comforting thoughts in all of Scripture is that God
is with the faithful Christian and that nothing can separate us from
the love of God.
Bobby Stafford
November 13, 2016
Acts: Lesson 52
Acts 25:1-27
