Read and pray: "for which I am an ambassador in chains, that in Christ I may be bold to speak, as I ought to speak." (Ephesians 6:20)
In the previous message, we considered Paul's situation in relation to Jewish religion, Roman politics, and church life. Now we will consider various issues in Acts 25:1-27, a passage in which Luke presents another picture of Judaism, Roman government, and church life.
THE JEWISH LEADERS' REQUEST IS REJECTED
According to Acts 24:27, "two years later, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and wanting to gain the favor of the Jews, Felix kept Paul in prison." Porcius Festus was Felix's successor in the governance of Judea. In Acts 25:1-26:32, we see that Paul was left to Festus, Felix's successor.
In Acts 25:1-3 we read: "Now when Festus had come to the province, after three days he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem. Then the high priests 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."
Here we see that the Jewish leaders pleaded with Festus to bring Paul back from Caesarea to Jerusalem. Two years earlier, the Roman commander had used four hundred and seventy soldiers to take Paul from Jerusalem to Caesarea. Now these Jewish leaders asked Festus to bring Paul back so that they could lay an ambush to kill him.
In verses 4 and 5 we read: "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.'" The Greek word translated as "fault" in verse 5 can also be translated as "something out of place" or "defect."
As we have discussed in previous messages, the Acts account indicates that Roman politics were corrupt, but Roman law was very strong. Even though the politicians in Roman government were corrupt, they still respected the law. So, when they asked Festus to bring Paul back to Jerusalem, Festus considered that this was not in accordance with Roman law, and he rejected the Jewish leaders' request.
PAUL DEFENDS HIMSELF BEFORE FESTUS
As we have previously mentioned, in contrast to the Lord Jesus, Paul needed to present his defense in order to save his own life from the hands of his persecutors, so that he could complete his ministry. In Acts 25:6-8, Paul defends himself before Festus. In verses 6 and 7, we read: "And when he had remained among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea; and the next day, sitting on the judgment seat, he commanded Paul to be brought. When Paul had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood about and laid many serious complaints against him, which they could not prove." Here we see that the Jewish leaders responded to Festus' request in verse 5.
In reality, when defending himself before Festus, Paul did not say much. He simply denied having done anything against Jewish law or Roman law: "Paul answered, 'I have committed no offense either against the law of the Jews, or against the temple, or against Caesar.'" (v. 8)
Enjoy more: Hymn 416
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