Trial Again
Acts 25:1 Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
Festus goes up to Jerusalem, while there he visits the high priest, a man satan was using to destroy Paul and the gospel message of hope in Jesus.
Acts 25:2 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,
Acts 25:3 And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.
After two years, the Chief priest still desired to kill Paul, having his servants lay in ambush to kill him. Paul had been safe under guard. We should never leave our safety, which is trust in Jesus. For the devil has one purpose...
John 10:10 The thief (devil) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:
Our Lord would protect Paul until his ministry was completed. He will do the same for you, so stay close to Jesus, learn of him and serve him. Listen not to the liar and the thief whose purpose is to destroy you. Words that we hear, are they of God to love and encourage? If not, cast them down.
Acts 25:4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.
Historians tell us that Festus was an honest leader, worthy of respect.
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.
He would give Paul a fair trial before his accusers, again. Sometimes a new judge makes a difference. In our own country, judges are political appointees, who serve their like minded friends. You shall know them by their fruits, do they judge by the law or by popular thoughts on issues? We dare not let the world replace the principles of God's laws. The laws of man should be from the laws of God, therein is justice and truth.
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.
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.
A swift trial, with the same unproven accusations from Paul's enemies. Are Jews enemies? No, Paul was a Jew, Jesus was a Jew born of a Jewish virgin, of the lineage of King David. Who is a true Jew, the children of Abraham? John the Baptist gave a good answer to this.
Mat 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
Mat 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
Mat 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
Jesus also spoke to these unbelieving Jews.
John 8:54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:
John 8:55 Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.
John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
John 8:57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
I AM, the name God spoke to Moses, "I am that I am" Jesus a Jew, the son of Abraham, the Son of God. Abraham lives and knew that Jesus had come and rejoiced in Paradise. God is the God of the living, Jesus is the Living God, God the son. This is the true Jew, those who love God and their Messiah and who have eternal life.
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.
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, also wishes to please the Jews. Will you go to Jerusalem to be judged?
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.
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 appeals to Roman law and Justice, appealing to Ceasar. The Jews were trying to ambush and kill Paul. He would appeal to the supreme Roman court.
Paul as a Roman citizen had the right to appeal to the Supreme court, to Caesar himself. At this time Nero was Caesar. He had not yet been entered into by satan, and was not yet persecuting Christians. Satan can enter anyone who is not of God to try to destroy the work of God. If you have not given Christ your life, receive him now. Satan is like a lion seeking whom he may devour.
1 Pet 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Psa 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
Psa 37:24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
Acts 25:12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.
Acts 25:13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus.
Like a stage play, there enters into the drama two new players on the scene: King Agrippa and his sister, Bernice. Herod Agrippa II, the great grandson of the Herod who tried to kill Jesus as a baby and the grandson of the Herod who had John the Baptist beheaded. His father killed the apostle James. He was of a notorious line of evil Kings. Agrippa was of the reputation of being an expert in Jewish religious affairs. He had no authority in Ceasarea, but ruled in a city Northeast of Festus' rule.
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.
Acts 25:16 To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have license to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.
Acts 25:17 Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.
Acts 25:18 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:
Acts 25:19 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
He has risen.
Acts 25:20 And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.
Acts 25:21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar.
Acts 25:22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.
Another hearing for Paul, another chance to give an account of the death burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus. Paul would boldly tell his life giving story to all who would hear. It wasn't Paul who was on trial, it was Jesus. Was he truly resurrected from the dead? What did disciple Thomas say of this proof?
John 20:24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
John 20:25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
John 20:26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
John 20:27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
John 20:28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
There is no doubt that Jesus was God the son, his miracles prove it. Remember when Jesus was in a boat with his disciples?
Mark 4:37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
Mark 4:38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
Mark 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Mark 4:40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
Mark 4:41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
Son of man, son of God, a perfect man who shed his innocent blood for us. Who is on trial, it is the faith of those who hear that is on trial. Will you believe and be saved? What do you fear? If God is for you, who can be against you. Only believe and you shall be saved. Jesus will bring peace to the storm in your heart.
Acts 25:23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth.
They may have thought themselves important, but God was watching. King Agrippa may have forgotten how his grandfather was judged by God, as he exalted himself before God and man.
Acts 12:21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.
Acts 12:22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man.
Acts 12:23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.
Acts 25:24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.
The accusers would not here Paul's defense. They only wanted to kill him.
Acts 22:22 And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.
Acts 25:25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.
Augustus, was the title given to Roman emporers, meaning reverend a title of honor and respect.
Acts 25:26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.
Acts 25:27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.
Governor Festus witnesses that he has found no guilt upon this man, Paul. He would be sending him to Caesar for trial, but he has no charges against him. Perhaps after this hearing, Festus will be able to write a more accurate report of the accusations against Paul.
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