The Trial Continues

In Acts 23:11, the final leg of Paul’s mission was affirmed by the Lord,“Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.” His journey to Rome from Jerusalem began with Governor Felix in Caesarea. In the trial under Felix, no decision was made and Paul was held under arrest for two years. After two years, Felix was succeeded by Festus. I wonder what was going through Paul’s mind. We know that he continually shared his faith with Felix during the two years. Now, he would begin again with Festus. Yet, God continued to orchestrate his plan in Paul’s life.

As with other political leaders in biblical history, God demonstrated his sovereignty as he orchestrated his plan. The Jewish leaders “asked Festus as a favor to transfer Paul to Jerusalem (planning to ambush and kill him on the way).” This would have been very convenient for Festus to get it over with, “but Festus replied that Paul was at Caesarea and he himself would be returning there soon. So he said, ‘Those of you in authority can return with me. If Paul has done anything wrong, you can make your accusations.’” Festus was not a believer, but God used him to carry out his plan. God will use anyone he chooses to fulfill his purpose.

The trial under Festus led to another key step in the fulfillment of Paul’s journey to Rome. As Paul had demonstrated so many times before, he was familiar with custom and laws. When asked to go back to Jerusalem to stand trial there, he claimed his right as a Roman citizen, “I appeal to Caesar!” I find it humorous that he apparently knew more about the law than Festus for Festus had to confer “with his advisers and then replied, ‘Very well! You have appealed to Caesar, and to Caesar you will go!’”

Before sending him onto Rome, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the visiting King Agrippa in hopes of clarifying the accusations against Paul so that he would have context to provide to Caesar (the case was that bogus!). When brought before Agrippa, I find it amazing that Paul, once again, tailors his message to his audience (in this case King Agrippa). Paul chooses to give his personal testimony. What would Agrippa relate to? Looking at his heritage, he would surely relate to the persecution of followers of Jesus. Who was Agrippa: (http://www.reference.com/ – Agrippa) King Agrippa II, the son of Herod Agrippa I. He was not permitted by Rome to succeed to his father's Judaean kingdom in 44, but was given various minor territories to the N, mostly Arab. A supporter of Rome in the Jewish War (66–70), he was rewarded for it afterwards with grants of land in Judaea and public honors in Rome. Note that he was a descendant of Herod the Great who massacred the young male children in search of Jesus. And, he was the son of Herod Agrippa I who is credited with the execution of James and the imprisonment of Peter.

Paul’s testimony includes his own story of persecution:

“I used to believe that I ought to do everything I could to oppose the very name of Jesus the Nazarene. Indeed, I did just that in Jerusalem. Authorized by the leading priests, I caused many believers there to be sent to prison. And I cast my vote against them when they were condemned to death. Many times I had them punished in the synagogues to get them to curse Jesus. I was so violently opposed to them that I even chased them down in foreign cities.”

Surely, this peaked Agrippa’s curiosity. What changed this man from a persecutor to a follower of Jesus and an avid missionary for the cause of Christ? Our best witness is our personal testimony. Paul closes his with his purpose:

“But God has protected me right up to this present time so I can testify to everyone, from the least to the greatest. I teach nothing except what the
prophets and Moses said would happen—that the Messiah would suffer and be the
first to rise from the dead, and in this way announce God’s light to Jews and
Gentiles alike.”

Agrippa did not believe, but he was clearly moved. In the King James’ version of scripture, Agrippa’s response to Paul’s testimony was that he was almost persuaded. He indicated that he would release Paul except for Paul’s appeal to Caesar. Just as God had purposed, Paul was on his way to Rome.