Chapter 24 & 25: Highlights & Discussion
Highlights:
Acts 24:1-9: Paul is accused of sedition by Ananias, the high priest, along with the elders and Tertullus, a professional orator and attorney.
Acts 24:10-21: Paul in his defense speaks before Felix.
Acts 24:22-27: Felix decided to keep Paul and did not give his final judgment on the accusations against Paul, instead he kept Paul for two years and Porcius Festus succeeded Felix.
Acts 25:1-12: Paul appeals to Caesar. Festus went to Jerusalem and the high priest and chief men of the Jews inquired and spoke against Paul, asking for Paul to go to Jerusalem. The Jews had a plan to kill Paul along the road. But, Festus kept Paul at Caesarea. Festus asked Paul if he was willing to go to Jerusalem to be judged, Paul then appealed to Caesar.
Acts 25:13-27: Paul before King Agrippa. King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus and Festus laid Paul's case before the king. So, King Agrippa asked to hear Paul and with great pomp, the king and Bernice entered the auditorium to hear Paul's case.
Discussion:
I don't know about you, but if I was held captive (even though in Acts 24:23, Felix did let him have some "liberty") for at least two years with stagnant news about what is my judgment, I would be so discouraged. Mentally, physically, it would've drained so many of us. Yet, we see in Acts 24 that Paul spoke well in his own defense and we will also see how well he spoke in front of King Agrippa and Bernice in Acts 26. Though, his appearance would be so different before the King and Bernice, he still stood up and shared his personal encounter with Christ, his testimony, his faith, and defended himself. Of this, Mrs. White wrote in Acts of the Apostle:
As Festus told his story, Agrippa became interested and said, "I would also hear the man myself." In harmony with his wish, a meeting was arranged for the following day. "And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth."
In honor of his visitors, Festus had sought to make this an occasion of imposing display. The rich robes of the procurator and his guests, the swords of the soldiers, and the gleaming armor of their commanders, lent brilliancy to the scene.
And now Paul, still manacled, stood before the assembled company. What a contrast was here presented! Agrippa and Bernice possessed power and position, and because of this they were favored by the world. But they were destitute of the traits of character that God esteems. They were transgressors of His law, corrupt in heart and life. Their course of action was abhorred by heaven.
The aged prisoner, chained to his soldier guard, had in his appearance nothing that would lead the world to pay him homage. Yet in this man, apparently without friends or wealth or position, and held a prisoner for his faith in the Son of God, all heaven was interested. Angels were his attendants. Had the glory of one of those shining messengers flashed forth, the pomp and pride of royalty would have paled; king and courtiers would have been stricken to the earth, as were the Roman guards at the sepulcher of Christ. (AA 434, 435)
What an example of perserverance, trust, and strength on the part of the apostle Paul! Great is God's faithfulness to supply Paul with all that he needed during that time to speak before kings and governors.
