In Acts 24–26 Paul remained in prison in Caesarea even though the Roman rulers knew he was innocent because they wanted to gain favor with the Jewish leaders. Paul appeared before Governors Festus and Felix, as well as King Herod Agrippa II who all found no legal reason to charge him. Paul was left with the choice to return to Jerusalem where he would most certainly be killed by the Jews or appeal to Caesar. He appealed to Caesar. Paul took the opportunity to share his testimony and the gospel of Jesus before these prominent leaders.

Charges

As the Jewish leaders had done with Jesus, they accused Paul falsely in hopes that the Romans would execute him. Basically, they wanted Paul gone.

We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. (24:5, 6)

They requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way. (25:3)

When Paul came in, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him. They brought many serious charges against him, but they could not prove them. (25:7)

When have you also seen injustice prevail as a favor to appease followers?

Defense

Paul defended himself before Governor Felix:

"However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man." (24:14–16)

Before Felix and Drusilla:

Paul spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. (24:24)

Then Paul made his defense before Governor Festus:

“I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar.” (25:8)

“I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!” (25:10–11)

And also before King (Herod) Agrippa:

And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me. (26:6–7)

It seems like Paul remained calm and confident in such dire circumstances because he had hope in God and a clear conscience. He also understood that the real reason behind his arrest was his faith in Jesus. Understanding God’s purpose for his life, he took every opportunity to share the message of salvation.

How might you follow Paul’s example in your suffering?

Their Response

Felix did not treat Paul as a hardened criminal and gave him some freedom (24:22–23). At the same time, “as Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you” (24:25).

Festus kept Paul in prison to gain favor with the Jews (25:9). But when Paul spoke of Jesus’s resurrection and how he would bring light to all people (26:23), the governor interrupted Paul, shouting, “You are out of your mind, Paul! Your great learning is driving you insane” (26:24).

When Paul pressed King Agrippa to admit his belief in the prophets (26:27), Agrippa replied, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” (26:28).

What is your response to the gospel? Allowance, avoidance, mocking, unmoved, or acceptance?

Festus at a loss

Even though the Roman rulers wanted to appease the Jews and not aggravate any unrest, they were at a loss as to what to do with Paul. Governor Festus expressed his confusion five times:

When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. (25:18)

I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges. (25:20)

I found he had done nothing deserving of death, but because he made his appeal to the Emperor I decided to send him to Rome. (25:25)

But I have nothing definite to write to His Majesty about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that as a result of this investigation I may have something to write. (25:26)

For I think it is unreasonable to send a prisoner on to Rome without specifying the charges against him. (25:27)

I too wonder how the Jewish leaders could not have read their scriptures and yet not understood and believed Paul’s message. I feel that same disbelief at Christians reading the same verses I do and finding a different message. And yet, I want to humbly be open to any blind spots and pride that may prevent me from seeing what is right in front of me.

What blind spot or error might the Holy Spirit be showing you?

Paul’s Testimony (again)

Paul told his conversion story immediately after his conversion in chapter 9. He told it again to Jewish leaders in chapter 22. Now, for the third time Paul gives his testimony in front of Governor Festus, King Herod Agrippa II, high ranking military officers, and prominent men of the city (25:23).

Past (26:5–11)

5 I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee. 
9 I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 
10 In Jerusalem . . . I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 
11 I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.

Conversion (26:12–15)

12 On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 
13 About noon as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. 
14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads."
15 Then I asked, "Who are you, Lord?" “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," the Lord replied.

Commission (26:16–18)

 16 "Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. 
17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 
18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me."

Present/Message (26:20–29)

20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. 
23 The Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.
29 Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.

At the time of Paul’s conversion, God had told Ananias, “This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel” (9:15). This is the fulfillment of that prediction.

What strikes you about Paul’s testimony? What can you imitate in his presentation?

Salvation

Once again, believers are called “followers of the Way” (24:14, 22). Paul spoke about “faith in Christ Jesus” (24:24). Agrippa called Paul a “Christian” (26:28). And Paul clearly outlines the points of the gospel to Agrippa:

• Repent: turn from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God (26:18); repent and turn to God and demonstrate repentance by one’s deeds.  (26:20)
• Believe: The Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles. (26:23)
• Receive: forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Jesus (26:18)

Conclusion

I leave you with this encouragement:

But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen. (26:22)

PRAYER

Thank you, Lord, for helping Paul face opposition, trial, false accusations, death threats, and a tarnished reputation. As you comforted and led him, you also will help me to fulfill the tasks you have given me. Thank you for rising from the dead and bringing light to all people, including me. Help me to always be ready to speak about my faith in Christ Jesus.

---

1. God had already told Paul that he would testify in Rome (Acts 23:11). And Festus confirmed: “But when Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.” (26:21) ↩︎
2. This phrase means it is futile to resist God’s direction. See https://www.gotquestions.org/kick-against-the-pricks.html ↩︎