Acts 25

https://www.biblestudytools.com/acts/passage/?q=acts+25:1-12

Paul’s Trial Before Festus

1 Three days after arriving in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem, 2 where the chief priests and the Jewish leaders appeared before him and presented the charges against Paul. 3 They requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way. 4 Festus answered, “Paul is being held at Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon. 5 Let some of your leaders come with me, and if the man has done anything wrong, they can press charges against him there.” 6 After spending eight or ten days with them, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he convened the court and ordered that Paul be brought before him. 7 When Paul came in, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him. They brought many serious charges against him, but they could not prove them. 8 Then Paul made his defense: “I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar.” 9 Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?” 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. 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!” 12 After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”

Study Notes: These will be added as I am able.

25:1-9 Although two years had passed, the Jewish leaders still were looking for a way to kill Paul. They told Festus about Paul and tried to convince him to hold the trial in Jerusalem (so they could prepare an ambush). But God and Paul thwarted their schemes again.

25:10, 11 Every Roman citizen had the right to appeal to Caesar. This didn't mean that Caesar himself would hear the case, but that the citizen's case would be tried by the highest courts in the empire. Festus saw Paul's appeal as a way to send him out of the country and thus pacify the Jews. Paul wanted to go to Rome to preach the gospel (Romans 1:10), and he knew that his appeal would give him the opportunity. To go to Rome as a prisoner was better than not to go there at all.

25:11 Paul knew that he was innocent of the charges against him and could appeal to Caesar's judgment. He knew his rights as a Roman citizen and as an innocent person. Paul had met his responsibilities as a Roman, and so he had the opportunity to claim Rome's protection. The good reputation and clear conscience that result from our walk with God can help us remain guiltless before God and blameless before the world.

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If one has a clear conscience and a relationship with Almighty God and knowledge of The Truth and the gospel, how could one not relentlessly pursue true justice? Think about it. Criminals know whether they have committed crimes. They have firsthand knowledge of the crimes committed. Personal knowledge. Can they make legitimate claim to clear conscience? God is Allknowing and the ultimate judge (none better). We should confess our sins daily to God and ask for restoration of our clear conscience through the grace of Jesus. Then we should continue to pursue righteousness in our courts of law, and in every venue that has anything to do with the law (lawmaking, law enforcement, interpretation of law, learning the laws, and following the laws). Paul was blessed with many gifts from God that were very useful in his defense. He used them wisely. We are blessed with gifts from God, too. How will we use them?

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Father God, You sent the Law to Moses, You sent Your Son, Jesus, to fulfill the Law, and You sent the Holy Spirit (of Truth) to be with us today, to guide us in our daily lives. Help us recognize this today--all day long. Help us have the confidence in Your everlasting justice that prevails so that we don't take shortcuts just because we are weary or compromised. Your gifts of patience and perseverence and discernment of truth are really helpful to us, Lord. We thank You for all the gifts You provide (which is everything). Let us glorify You today in our conduct and attitudes. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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A Song: https://youtu.be/cfLGfuINnG4

Have a blessed day.