Appeal to Caesar

This post concerns Paul’s appeal to Caesar as he appeared before Festus.

Appeal to Caesar discusses how Paul obtained a trial in Rome before Caesar.

When Festus became governor, Felix left Paul in prison in order to gain favor with the Jews. So, the chief men and principal Jews laid out their case before Festus in Jerusalem. But Festus told them to bring their case to Caesarea.

When in Caesarea, they again accused Paul, Acts 25:7. “…the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove.”

  Paul defended himself, Acts 25:8. ““Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.”

Then, Festus asked if Paul would agree to go to Jerusalem for trial.

Paul responded negatively Acts 25:10-11. “…I…standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to… tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. If…a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there…nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.”

Festus agreed, Acts 25:12. “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”

However, when King Agrippa and his sister, Bernice, came for a visit, Festus mentioned that he had a problem with Paul. So, Agrippa asked to hear Paul. Then, on the next day, Paul came before them and Festus explained his dilemma to Agrippa, Acts 25:26. “But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore, I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write. For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.”

So, what did we learn?

1.The charges of the Jews against Paul did not impress Festus.

2.Festus offered to send Paul to Jerusalem for trial.

3.Paul appealed to Caesar.

4.Paul appeared before Festus and Agrippa.

5.Festus did not know with what crime to charge Paul before sending him to Caesar.

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