Acts 25

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Paul’s Defense Before Governor Festus

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. There is a time to appeal to Caesar.

  2. There is a time to appear before Agrippa.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Always try to get the divine perspective.

QUESTIONS

  1. Review the historical context of Acts 25.

  2. Under what conditions was Paul imprisoned in Caesarea?

  3. What were Paul’s fellow workers doing while Paul was imprisoned?

  4. What happened when Festus arrived in Jerusalem?

  5. Did Paul go to trial in Jerusalem?

  6. Who is King Agrippa?

ANSWERS

  1. After Paul had been imprisoned for two years, governor Felix was replaced with a new governor named Porcius Festus. This would have been around 58 A.D.

  2. Paul was kept in Herod’s Praetorium, which has been excavated in Caesarea today. He was free to have friends come who would provide for him and visit him.

  3. Luke, the author of Acts, interviewed the disciples and probably made several trips up to Jerusalem collecting material for the gospel of Luke.

  4. The Jewish leaders and chief priests requested that Paul be brought to Jerusalem to trial. They wanted to set up an ambush and kill Paul before he got to Jerusalem.

  5. No, after Paul relayed his case to Festus, he refused to go to Jerusalem, but instead appealed to Caesar.

  6. This was Herod Agrippa II, the great-grandson of Herod the Great.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. There is a time to appeal to Caesar. How is this principle applicable to believers today?

  2. Do you think Paul got tired of relaying his case to various Roman rulers? He always used the hearings as an opportunity to witness for Christ. Paul was always ready to share his faith. Are you?

CHALLENGE

  1. The author Luke did not sit around doing nothing while Paul was imprisoned. He kept busy doing his own work for the Lord. Do you feel like you are in a holding pattern in your life? You can still use this time to minister!

KEY VERSES

  • “Let those who have authority among you go down with me and accuse this man, to see if there is any fault in him.” Acts 25:5

  • “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in anything at all.” Acts 25:8

  • “You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!” Acts 25:12



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