ActsSample

Acts 24-25

What’s Happening?

A group of elite Jews come before Felix, governor of Judea, to bring their accusations against Paul. After the elite Jews attempt to sway Felix with flattery, Paul is accused of being a “Plague” who is stirring up riots amongst the jews, a ringleader for all the Christians, and trying to profane the temple.

When he is allowed to respond, Paul respectfully begins without flattering Felix. Paul denies the two false claims made by the Jews, and joyfully confirms his leadership amongst the Christians. Paul seizes the opportunity to share the gospel in front of Felix and his accusers, showing once again that the gospel message will go forth no matter what.

In an attempt to make his Jewish constituents happy, Felix kept Paul in captivity for two years. He conversed with him often- hoping that Paul would bribe him to let him out. Paul does not. Paul’s integrity and trust in the Lord keeps him in captivity. We see through this that Paul is confident the Lord is still in control and still has a plan, even in the midst of great hardships.

After two years, Felix is replaced as Governor by Porcius Festus. Not long after Festus arrived, the chief priests and elders of the Jews from the region argued their case to Festus asking that he call Paul to Jerusalem because they had plans to ambush and kill Paul while he was on the way. Not knowing this plan, Festus declined saying that he was going to see Paul in Caesarea. Again the Lord preserved Paul’s life, thwarting the murderous scheme.

On the way to Caesarea Festus brings some of the Jewish men of authority with him so they could once again lay out their case against Paul. The jewish speakers brought claims against Paul that were false, and Paul once again argued in his defense. Similarly to Felix though, Festus wanted to keep the favor of the Jews and asked if Paul wanted to plead his case in Jerusalem, which is what the Jewish teachers and elders wanted. Paul asserts his innocence in the most baller way ever and appeals to Caesar. He goes straight to the tippy top and wants to bring his case in front of the emperor of Rome, a right that he held as a Roman Citizen.

Later, Festus approaches Agrippa, the Jewish King, and Bernice, the king’s sister, and tells them a recap of what happened. In his retelling though, we learn that Festus didn’t think that Paul had broken any Roman laws, rather that his teaching the death and resurrection of Jesus boiled down to a difference in religion.

After hearing this, Agrippa says that he wants to hear Paul himself…here we go again. The trial begins with a lot of pomp and circumstance, the trial takes place in front of all the most important people in the city. Festus kicks off the trial by introducing the case to everybody, and saying that he thinks Paul is innocent. While the trial begins in Acts chapter 25, it continues in chapter 26.

What do we Learn?

In these two chapters Paul faces false accusations, trials, an unjust 2 year imprisonment, and uncertainty for what could happen to him. Through it all though, Paul remains steadfast in what the Lord has called him to do. He doesn’t waiver on the truth of the gospel, even though doing so keeps getting him put on trial.

While we may not be facing the same exact situation as Paul, we are guaranteed suffering in our lives. In the midst of the most unimaginable pain though, we can trust that the Lord is with us, he is for us, and he can and will work through us. Being able to have this mindset in the midst of suffering will not be easy- we can and should prepare for it.

What should we do?

How can you practice trusting in the Lord? Maybe you begin to memorize verses about the steadfastness of God that can bring you comfort. Or maybe you begin praying that the Lord would show you how much he cares and loves you. Whatever it is, take the time to ask God to show you how he is with you forever and always.