Acts Chapter 25 verses 1 to 27
Festus therefore, having come into the province, after three days went
up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.
Then the high priest and the principal men of the Jews informed him
against Paul, and they begged him,
asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem;
plotting to kill him on the way.
However Festus answered that Paul should be kept in custody at
Caesarea, and that he himself was about to depart shortly.
"Let them therefore," said he, "that are in power among
you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong in the man, let them accuse
him."
When he had stayed among them more than ten days, he went down to
Caesarea, and on the next day he sat on the judgment seat, and commanded Paul
to be brought.
When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood
around him, bringing against him many and grievous charges which they could not
prove, while he said in his defense, "Neither against the law of the Jews,
nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all."
But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and
said, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and be judged by me there
concerning these things?"
But Paul said, "I am standing before Caesar's judgment seat,
where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also know
very well.
For if I have done wrong, and have committed anything worthy of death,
I don't refuse to die; but if none of those things is true that they accuse me
of, no one can give me up 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."
Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the King and Bernice arrived at
Caesarea, and greeted Festus.
As he stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king,
saying, "There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix; about whom, when
I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me,
asking for a sentence against him.
To whom I answered that it is not the custom of the Romans to give up
any man to destruction, before the accused has met the accusers face to face,
and has had opportunity to make his defense concerning the matter laid against
him.
When therefore they had come together here, I didn't delay, but on the
next day sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought.
Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of
such things as I supposed;
but had certain questions against him about their own religion, and
about one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
Being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, I asked
whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these
matters.
But when Paul had appealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor,
I commanded him to be kept until I could send him to Caesar."
Agrippa said to Festus, "I also would like to hear the man
myself." "Tomorrow," he said, "you shall hear him."
So on the next day, when Agrippa and Bernice had come with great pomp,
and they had entered into the place of hearing with the commanding officers and
principal men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.
Festus said, "King Agrippa, and all men who are here present with
us, you see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews petitioned me,
both at Jerusalem and here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.
But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and as
he himself appealed to the emperor I determined to send him.
Of whom I have no certain thing to write to my lord. Therefore I have
brought him forth before you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, that,
after examination, I may have something to write.
For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to also
specify the charges against him."
Those were verses 1 to 27 from Acts Chapter 25
Insight- The chief priests and the elders of the Jews wanted to kill
Paul and asked Festus to send him back from Caesarea to Jerusalem, but Festus
did not agree to that. When questioned by Festus in Caesarea, Paul spoke about
himself being innocent and Festus also did not find any wrong doing concerning
Paul worthy of punishment. Festus asked Paul whether he was willing to go to
Jerusalem to be judged, but he declined and asked for his case to be decided by
Caesar and Festus agreed to that. Later on Paul was brought before King
Agrippa, because Festus was not able to write any accusation about Paul to
Caesar; he asked for King Agrippa to review Paul’s case.
Question- Do you believe God was in control of all things regarding
Paul’s life, considering the way he was being harassed by his enemies? Think
about it.
Prayer- Dear Father in Heaven, help me to believe that you are in
control of all things concerning my life at all times. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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