Acts 25: Distance of our Witness

Now three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. 2 And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him, 3 asking as a favor against Paul that he summon him to Jerusalem—because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way. 4 Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly. 5 “So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.” 
 
6 After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. 7 When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove. 8 Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.” 9 But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” 10 But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. 11 If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.” 
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Paul Before Agrippa and Bernice
13 Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. 14 And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a man left prisoner by Felix, 15 and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him. 16 I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him. 17 So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought. 18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed. 19 Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. 20 Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding them. 21 But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.” 22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear him.” 
 
23 So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. 24 And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. 25 But I found that he had done nothing deserving death. And as he himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him. 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. 27 For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.” 
 
Meditation
God will work His purpose through our witness. Our role is readiness to give a defense for the hope we profess (1 Peter 3:15). God will do the rest, taking our testimony the distance He desires.
 
Paul was God’s “chosen instrument” to carry His name before gentiles and kings (9:19) and his boldness brings God’s sovereign purposes to pass. Paul’s continued court proceedings set up his final defense (Acts 26) and set the trajectory of his appeal. Paul, beaten by crowds for his witness to Christ (Acts 22), now appeals to the most powerful person in the world. Paul’s appeal to Caesar is emphasized with the repetition of Caesar’s title (five times in 8-12), all the while Paul claiming innocence (8) and welcoming penalty if the tribunal finds guilt (10). Unseen is the hand of God’s providence driving the story to work all these things for His purposes.
 
The political maneuvering of this historical moment takes us back to the kangaroo court cases of Jesus (Luke 23) while emphasizing the power of God’s purpose for the proclamation of His people. Paul’s resolve was to maintain the integrity of the gospel during trial, not compromising the identity and work of Jesus. God demonstrates His sovereignty by using Paul’s integrity to carry the gospel before the most powerful people in the world. 
 
A ready defense for the hope we profess comes from a heart transformed by grace, not compromising the person and work of Jesus. God will use our testimony as He sees fit, accomplishing His purposes and furthering His glory.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s reading, especially God’s sovereignty to work His purposes through Paul’s witness?
 
-Where do you struggle to trust God’s sovereignty to use your witness or testimony about Jesus and His work, either fear to share or lack of temptation to manipulate the scope of impact yourself?
 
-How does the reality of God’s sovereignty both give you security to share and peace to know He will use it as He desires? Now ask Holy Spirit to give you an opportunity to give witness to God’s word and work in you.
 
Key Verse
11 If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.”