ACTS LESSON 53

    We will begin this lesson in Acts 25:1 "Now when Festus was come
into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to
Jerusalem."

    We saw in the last lesson that Paul had been imprisoned two years
in Caesarea by Felix. Now Festus has come to power. In verse 1 above,
we see Festus going up to Jerusalem. Festus had something to prove,
being newly in office.

    Acts 25:2 "Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed
him against Paul, and besought him,"

    We see that the Jew's hatred for Paul had not diminished at all
these two years. The Jews (God's chosen people) who actually had been
given the law and knowledge of God, seemed to know less about the Lord
than the unlearned. They lost no time in going to Festus and asking
for Paul.

    Acts 25:3 "And desired favour against him, that he would send for
him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him."

   These Jews were trying to trick Festus into sending for Paul.  They
would lay wait for him and murder him.

    Acts 25:4 "But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at
Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly [thither]."

    Festus was probably wise enough to see through their plot to kill
Paul. Perhaps, Felix had filled him in on some of the details. We are
not told one way or the other. We were not told what happened to the
forty Jews who made the vow not to eat or drink, until they killed
Paul either. There was a way to get out of such a vow, but there were
severe consequences. The Lord had said not to make vows. We are sure
they were not fasting after two years.

    Acts 25:5 "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."

    We see, here, that Festus invites them all who have any accusation
to place against Paul to come to Caesarea and file their complaint.
Festus says, if there be any wickedness in him. Thanks to the fact,
that Festus has not already made his mind up as to Paul's guilt or
innocence.

    Acts 25:6 "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."

    It seems, even here, that Festus would not be rushed into anything
by these Jews. When he (Festus) did get back to Caesarea after ten
days in Jerusalem, he had Paul brought to him.

    Acts 25:7 "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."

    Here, again, we see that these Jews really did not have anything
against Paul that they could prove. Even the accusations had nothing
to do with civil law.

    Acts 25:8 "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."

    Paul gives an all encompassing defense of himself here.  He truly
had not gone against the law of the Jews. He had kept their feasts and
their customs when he was at the temple. He had not really broken any
religious law, or any civil laws. He had not even spoken out against
Caesar.

    Acts 25:9 "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?"

    Festus was playing politics here. He knew that it was wrong to
turn Paul over to these Jews. His wanting to be in good standing with
the people of his area, is the only reason he made such a suggestion.

    Acts 25:10 "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."

    As a Roman citizen, Paul has every right to be judged by a Roman
court. Paul reminds Festus of that in the verse above. I believe he,
also, is saying to Festus, you know how difficult these Jews can be,
and you, also, know that I am innocent of all they have charged me
with. I believe the expression as thou very well knowest shows us
that.

    Acts 25:11 "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."

    Paul gets really bold here in telling Festus that no man
(including Festus) has a right to turn him over to these Jews. As a
Roman, he has the right to appeal to Caesar, and that is just what he
does. Paul has no fear of death. He says, if a fair court judges him
guilty, he is willing to die for what he has done, but he is not
willing to be turned over to the Jews.

    Acts 25:12 "Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council,
answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go."

    Paul's request to be tried by a higher court cannot be denied.
Festus will get this whole mess out of his hands and let Caesar decide
this impossible case.

    Acts 25:13 "And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came
unto Caesarea to salute Festus."

    Festus was a governor and Agrippa a king. Agrippa was, perhaps,
seeing how well Festus was doing with his new job. This Agrippa was
Herod Agrippa II, actually, and he was king over about a third of
Palestine. Agrippa was a descendent of the Edomites and was a Jew. It
seems he was not a really faithful Jew, but was nevertheless a Jew.
This Bernice was probably his sister. She was known as a princess.

    Acts 25:14 "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:"  Acts 25:15 "About whom, when I was at
Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed [me],
desiring [to have] judgment against him."

    We see, that Festus is telling Agrippa (an expert on Jewish law)
about the problem with Paul and the Jews at Jerusalem. Festus is quick
to tell Agrippa that this is a problem he inherited from Felix.  It
was a custom of the king to come and show respect for the new
governor, but Agrippa had stayed longer than the normal visit of
state, perhaps to help with any pending problems.

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                           Acts 53 Questions


1.  After Festus was in Caesarea (as ruler) three days, where did he
    go?
2.  Who looked him up and brought charges to him against Paul?
3.  What did they ask Festus to do to Paul?
4.  What would they have done to Paul, if Festus had granted their
    wish?
5.  What answer did Festus give them?
6.  What did Festus invite Paul's accusers to do?
7.  How long did Festus stay in Jerusalem?
8.  Soon after he returned to Caesarea, what did he do about Paul?
9.  Who laid many grievous complaints against Paul?
10. What three things did Paul deny offending?
11. Why did Festus ask Paul to go to Jerusalem to be judged before
    him?
12. Where did Paul say he stood?
13. What right did Paul have as a Roman citizen?
14. Who did Paul say was the one who had a right to make him be judged
    in Jerusalem?
15. Who did Paul appeal to?
16. After Festus conferred with his council, what did he decide to do?
17. What king and queen came to see Festus?
18. Why had the king come?
19. What was Bernice to Agrippa?
20. Who was Agrippa descended from?
21. Who was an expert on Jewish law?
22. Whose problem does Festus say Paul was?
23. Why had Agrippa stayed so long.?


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