Title Acts-72
Contents
Acts 72 Festus and Paul 07.7.19 (Wednesday Prayer Meeting)
Acts 25:1-12 ((13-27)
The new governor Festus visited Jerusalem. At that time, the Jews requested that Paul be sent back to Jerusalem, but this was not fulfilled. They went down again to Caesarea and brought charges against Paul, but there was no evidence. At this time, Festus asked if he would go to Jerusalem to be tried in order to win the hearts of the Jews, and Paul said that he would be tried by Caesar immediately. So it was decided that Paul would go to Rome.
I. The Jews again planned to kill Paul, but failed.
“At the favor of Festus, he asked Paul to be taken to Jerusalem, so that he might be killed by ambush on the road” (verse 3).
1. The Jews asked to move Paul to Jerusalem, but Festus refused.
“Festus answered and told that Paul was being held in Caesarea, and that he himself would depart soon” (verse 4).
The reasons for the refusal of Governor Festus are as follows.
1). Paul is already detained in Caesarea.
He said that moving prisoners is not simple.
2).Because Fest himself cannot afford to stay in Jerusalem all the time.
3). Festus did a favor for the Jews to go with him when they went to Caesarea.
2. The Jews plotted to prevent Festus from noticing it, but the governor unwittingly blocked the Jewish conspiracy.
Ⅱ. The Jews accused Paul of a serious matter, but could not prove it.
“When he came out, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem surrounded him and accused him of many serious incidents, but they were unable to provide evidence”
1. A lie is useless no matter how many people say it.
Rather, lies are more likely to be heard because many people say different things.
2. A lie cannot be proved by exaggerating the facts.
1) The Jews accused Paul of heresy, blasphemy, and riot.
2). Heresy had nothing to do with Roman law, but was a serious sin for the Jews.
3).The blasphemy and riot were a lie they made up.
Ⅲ.Paul petitioned Caesar to be tried.
“Paul said, “I am standing before the judgment seat of Caesar, where I ought to be tried. As you well know, I have done no injustice to the Jews” (verse 10).
A Roman citizen can appeal directly to the Roman emperor when he considers that he is not getting a fair trial in a local court. However, this appeal has no effect if he is an active criminal arrested for murder or as a pirate or bandit.
The reasons for Paul's petition are as follows.
1. The direct reason is that Festus suggested to Paul what it would be like to go to Jerusalem and be tried.
“In order to win the hearts of the Jews, Festus asked Paul, “Are you going to go up to Jerusalem to be tried before me in this matter?” (verse 9).
But Paul rejected this proposal. Because he knew well that he could not receive a fair trial in Jerusalem.
2. Because it was the only way to escape from the constant threat of the Jews.
Because Roman officials colluded with the Jews and you never know when the situation will suddenly change.
3. It was not his will, but he made a decision momentarily under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
4. His usual desire to go to Rome must have made Paul decide to go to Rome.
The above reasons were combined and the Holy Spirit led Paul to petition Caesar's trial.
Ⅳ. Festus' judgments and plans for Paul are given.
These were shown while Festus was talking about Paul to King Agrippa, who was visiting the new governor to greet him.