I APPEAL TO CAESAR!

Acts 25:1-27
Key Verse: 25:11

“If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”

(Introduction)

The third journey ends at Jerusalem in 58 AD. Paul is beaten by Jews, preaches to them (Acts 22:1-21), and is brought before Sanhedrin. Jesus Christ tells Paul that he will go to bear him witness in Rome(Acts 23:11). Many Jews vow to kill Paul (Acts 23:12). 

In 58 AD, Paul is taken to Governor Felix (reigned 53-60) at Caesarea. Paul then spends 2 years in prison in Caesarea in Judea(Acts 24:26). In 60 AD, Governor Portius Festus reign begins. God is the history maker. He used human authority to fulfill his plan!

Read verses 1-3. Who replaced Felix as governor? What did he do first? What did the Jewish leaders ask him to do? Who was really leading them behind the scene?

Portius Festus became a governor.

“Three days after arriving in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem.” Festus knew his priority well. He wanted to make friends with the Jewish leaders to make his job easier. 

The Jewish leaders made the most of it and tried to kill Paul through ambush attack. Though they were the servants of God, they were doing the work of the devil. 

Festus tried to avoid any tension with the Jewish leaders. He wanted to show the Jews a favor. It seemed that Paul became a victim of their political jungle where ferocious animals are ready to devour him anytime. 

But God was using them as his instrument to fulfill his world salvation plan. God was behind the scene. God was going to send his very chosen servant to Rome.

Read verses 4-5. How did Festus respond? Read verses 6-8. Describe the trial before Festus (the accusations of the Jews and Paul’s defense).

 >“Festus answered, ‘Paul is being held at Caesarea, and I myself am going there        soon. Let some of your leaders come with me and press charges against the man there, if he has done anything wrong.’” 

 >Maybe he was educated from Felix about who they were. But God was working      powerfully behind the scenes to protect him from the evil intention of the Jewish religious leaders. 

 >“I have done nothing wrong against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar” (8). His conscience was clear before God and man. 

Read verses 9-12. What option was Paul given? What was Paul’s choice? What was his real intention behind his choice? How about his readiness to grasp the opportunity that he had long cherished in a way he least likely anticipated (Romans 1:9, 10)?

>“Paul answered, ‘I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!’” 

>Three Paul's options; Go to Jerusalem, Stay at Caesarea, or Go to Rome. Although the governor asked him about his desire to go to Jerusalem(verse 9). But Paul chose to appeal to Caesar(go to Rome). 

>Caesar Augustus, the first emperor, established a good judicial system to rule the vast empire. One merit of the Roman law was the appeal process. All Roman citizens were entitled to appeal to Caesar’s court when they disagreed with the local court. 

>Paul had clear prayer topic to go to Rome, resurrection faith, and absolute obedience to the Holy Spirit by denying himself anytime, anyplace. 

>The opportunity comes surely to those who are waiting the opportune time.

>It had been long cherished prayer topic. But it was a least likely anticipated way. But he did not despair. He put trust in the Lord in every step of guidance. Already Paul sensed that the Holy Spirit was working powerfully through Felix and Festus who were God's mere instruments to assist him for God's work.  

>People have propensity to blame the situation. But what really counts is our determination/commitment(John 12:24). 

>Nothing is more important than our readiness to deny ourselves and obey the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 

Read verses 13-22. How did Festus explain the situation to King Agrippa? What was Agrippa’s reply? Read verses 23-27. What is Festus’ dilemma in sending Paul to Rome? What help does he ask of King Agrippa? 

>A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay respects to the new governor, Festus. King Agrippa was familiar with the Jewish customs and laws. Festus hoped that Agrippa could help him out. Actually, Festus had a big problem. He had to send Paul to Rome to appear before Caesar’s court, but there was no charge against him. The only charge that Festus could find is stated in verses 19-20a. They say, “Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. I was at a loss how to investigate such matters....” They were mere instruments of fulfilling God's plan to send apostle Paul to Rome. 

What can we learn from Paul in terms of his vision as well as his actual commitment? How does God work to fulfill his promise? (9:15; 19:21; 23:11)

 >9:15 “But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.”

19:21 “After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. "After I have been there," he said, "I must visit Rome also."'

23:11 “The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome."'

It is Jesus who designed, processed, and fulfilled his promise through Paul. 

>It reminds me of 'Romans 1:5'.

“Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.”

He set a good example in terms of his obedience to the Lord and lived a life of obedience. As a result he was able to encourage others to follow his example.

Having a vision is one thing. But committing himself is another. But Paul did both. 

He cherished what God desired him to do. Thin or thick he carried out his mission. 

>He also saw God’s good purpose and powerful hands of protection and provision. He boldly committed himself to God’s mission, saying, “I appeal to Caesar!” He was confident that he was in the mainstream of God's history. So he was not overwhelmed by political or religious leaders who seemed to have power. He served and obeyed the Lord. May God help us to do the same. Then God will give us great victory to carry out his mission successfully for his glory. The end.

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