Today for the Tattoo Church Reading Plan we are in Acts chapter 25. Here are some quick thoughts:
- This chapter in Acts is pretty straight forward.
- The Jews tried to get Festus (the guy who took over for Felix as Governor) to transfer Paul back to Jerusalem in order to ambush him and kill him.
- Festus said he would hear from Paul in Caesarea, where he has been held for over two years. During the proceedings the Jews levied the same unsupported claims against Paul. Paul said once again that he had done no wrong to the Jews or to Rome.
- Festus asked Paul if he would be willing to be transferred back to Jerusalem and Paul said no. Instead Paul appealed to Caesar. Festus replied, “To Caesar you will go!”
- Then King Agrippa came into town and Festus asked his take on the Paul situation. Agrippa said he wanted to have a hearing with Paul. So, Festus set this up the next day.
Acts 25 really is a straight forward reading. The only real interesting thing is how Paul has become this pain for the Roman officials because they will make the Jews mad if they release him but they don’t have any crime to really charge him with. In fact, Festus says “To Caesar you will go” in a fit of anger most likely because Paul challenges Festus’ ability to judge him well when he appeals to Caesar. Afterwards though Festus realizes that he is sending a prisoner to the most powerful man in the world to stand trial but there is no crime to charge him with. This is why Festus asks for Agrippa’s help.
Why do you think that Paul doesn’t speak to his accusers during these proceedings? They are saying he is guilty of things they have no proof of, so wouldn’t you think he would say, “prove it”? What would you do if you were in Paul’s position?
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