Acts 25
Festus came to Caesarea by way of Jerusalem to meet with the Jews there and discuss the case of Paul. Once again the Jews tried to get Festus to bring Paul to them. Festus declined saying that he was heading there right then. The accusations continue again in Caesarea.
The question that keeps coming up for me is why the writer by inspiration of the Holy Spirit included all of these details about Paul’s legal troubles with the Jews trying to murder him? How does this information have relevance to our Christian lives today?
When Festus asks Paul if he is willing to go back to Jerusalem to face the Sanhedrin again, he appealed his case to Caesar’s investigation. Festus conferred with King Agrippa about this case since Festus was really not familiar with Paul or his faith. Festus found that he was in a bit of a pickle because he would have to write a review of the case of Paul and the case against him. Festus was finding quickly that there really weren’t any charges to be reported to His Majesty.
King Agrippa expresses interest in meeting Paul and examining if there are any charges he can find for Festus to send to Caesar. They both agree that it would not be good to send Paul for further examination without sending any charges leveled against him.
The scene in King Agrippa’s court would have been an impressive mix of the most influential people in the area from the Jewish and Roman world. In the midst of this, little Paul the tent maker is lead in by the tall Roman legionnaires guarding him into the midst of the purple-robed powerful court of King Agrippa. From the moment he was given permission to speak, he had the attention of the court with the confidence of the spirit.
Next, Paul will deliver an impressive sermon to the court.
