Imprisonment in Caesarea (58-60AD)

25 And he wrote a letter having this form: 26 “Claudius Lysias, to the most excellent governor Felix, greetings. 27 “When this man was arrested by the Jews and was about to be slain by them, I came up to them with the troops and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman. 28 “And wanting to ascertain the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their Council; 29 and I found him to be accused over questions about their Law, but under no accusation deserving death or imprisonment. 30 “When I was informed that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, also instructing his accusers to bring charges against him before you.” 31 So the soldiers, in accordance with their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 But the next day, leaving the horsemen to go on with him, they returned to the barracks. 33 When these had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him.

Felix reads letter, will have hearing with Paul when his accusers come (Act23:34-35)

Acts 23:34–35 NASB95

34 When he had read it, he asked from what province he was, and when he learned that he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will give you a hearing after your accusers arrive also,” giving orders for him to be kept in Herod’s Praetorium.

(transition)- From persecutor to persecuted, to prisoner. Paul fulfilled prophesy (ref: Act9:15) by opportunity to preach Jesus before two Roman governors and a Jewish King.

Before Roman Governor Felix

The accusations (Act24:1-6)

Acts 24:1–6 NKJV

1 Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul. 2 And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: “Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight, 3 we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us. 5 For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law.

Tertullus introduces, compliments Felix, and lays out list of charges

He is a plague

Creator of dissension among Jews

Ringleader of of the sect of Nazarenes

Tried to profane the temple

His desire, his request was for him to be judged by Jewish law. And for Felix to examine him himself, and hear testimony of others (ref: Act24:8-9)

Paul’s defence (Act24:10-16)

Acts 24:10–16 NASB95

10 When the governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul responded: “Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense, 11 since you can take note of the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 “Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing a riot. 13 “Nor can they prove to you the charges of which they now accuse me. 14 “But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; 15 having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16 “In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.

How can this be, I was only in Jerusalem for 12 days to worship. No disputes, no incited crowds

They cannot prove their claim.

Yes it is true I worship God according to the way, that is what they call believers in Jesus. Yet, I still believe all the things written in the Law and the profits and have a blameless (clear) conscience.

More of Paul’s defense (Act24:17-27)

Acts 24:17–27 NASB95

17 “Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings; 18 in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been purified, without any crowd or uproar. But there were some Jews from Asia— 19 who ought to have been present before you and to make accusation, if they should have anything against me. 20 “Or else let these men themselves tell what misdeed they found when I stood before the Council, 21 other than for this one statement which I shouted out while standing among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.’ ” 22 But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be kept in custody and yet have some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him. 24 But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you.” 26 At the same time too, he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and converse with him. 27 But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.

Came to bring alms to my people

Was purified to enter the temple

The Jews there, the division with the Sanhedrin was over the resurrection from the dead, of which part do not believe in that.

Felix delays judgment (summarize Act24:22-26)

He holds off judgment until Lysias (Roman commander) could come.

Paul is allowed limited freedom

Paul is asked to have audience with Felix and Drusilla (youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa I, sister to Bernice (ref: Act25:13)

Paul reasoned about righteousness, self-control and even spoke out against Bernice marriage which was adulterous.

Yet Felix was hoping Paul would pay him off and just buy his freedom and go away (Ref: Act24:26)

(Transition) - two years later Felix is replaced by Festus, in wanting to please the Jews, Paul was kept there and he leaves Paul for Festus to deal with (ref: Act24:27)

Paul Before Porcius Festus

Setting the stage for the trial and appeal (summarize: Act25:1-6)

On the way to Caesarea, Festus stops in Jerusalem, while there he is petitioned to send Paul back to Jerusalem to stand trial (plan was to kill him on the way there).

Festus sets for the trial to be in Caesarea. He invites Paul’s accusers to come and present charges and Paul to be brought before the judgment seat.

The Trial and the appeal (Act25:7-12)

Acts 25:7–12 NASB95

7 After Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him which they could not prove, 8 while Paul said in his own defense, “I have committed no offense either against the Law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.” 9 But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me on these charges?” 10 But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also very well know. 11 “If, then, I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die; but if none of those things is true of which these men accuse me, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar.” 12 Then when Festus had conferred with his council, he answered, “You have appealed to Caesar, to Caesar you shall go.”

The unsubstantiated, unproven charges are made

Paul denied any offence against Law, Temple or Caesar

In motion of appeasement to the Jews, Paul is asked if willing to go to Jerusalem to be judged.

Paul appeals to Caesar, and to Caesar he shall go.

Before King Agrippa II

Before Paul meets the king; he and Bernice meet with Festus and gets a lay out of the case against Paul (summarize Act25:13-22)

Paul was left a prisoner by Felix

Jews in Jerusalem wanted judgment against him

Roman law requires must be able to face accusers

When tried it was found the charges were really under Jewish law and was appealed to send him back to Jerusalem to be tried there.

Paul appeals to Caesar, now with these facts Agrippa is ready to hear from Paul.

Paul’s defence

Starts with Festus not finding anything worthy of death or to write to Caesar about, and with that said invites Agrippa to examine him (that is summary of Act25:23-27)

Paul’s defence can be read in (Act26:1-23)

He expresses gratitude to be heard

He gives history (youth, convictions, conversion, hope in resurrection, persecution (Act26:12-18)

Acts 26:12–18 NASB95

12 “While so engaged as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, 13 at midday, O King, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining all around me and those who were journeying with me. 14 “And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew dialect, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ 15 “And I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. 16 ‘But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; 17 rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, 18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’

Reactions to Paul’s defense (summarize Act26:24-29)

Festus believes all of Paul’s education has made him mad

Paul claims speaks of truth and reason, of which Agrippa knows well

Paul challenges Agrippa, believe the prophets, become a Christian!

Agrippa’s conclusion (Act26:30-32)

Acts 26:30–32 NASB95

30 The king stood up and the governor and Bernice, and those who were sitting with them, 31 and when they had gone aside, they began talking to one another, saying, “This man is not doing anything worthy of death or imprisonment.” 32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

Whats next, the conclusion

After three trials, 2 years imprisonment there in Caesarea, Paul’s next stop is Rome, or is it.

Paul needed to fulfill the prophesy of going to Rome, a place he wanted to go for sometime (Act23:11)

Acts 23:11 NASB95

11 But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, “Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.”

Paul’s circumstances were used for the good to make an opportunity to preach to governors, king, and now on his way to bear witness before Caesar of Rome.

Paul, like Joseph, his life is a great illustration of God’s providence. Could you hear Paul repeating what Joseph did to his Brothers? (Gen50:20)

Genesis 50:20 NASB95

20 “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.

God has brought you to this place, this day, for this purpose

To know God works all things for the good

That as Christian we are not immune to difficulties

God wants to use you, right where you are for His will and purpose.

Invitation, call on the name of the Lord

Paul appealed to Caesar, knowing that he belonged to Christ and Christ was faithful to complete the good work in him.

Paul knew where his salvation laid and cried out to the Lord and You too can have that salvation, it is available to you today by calling out to Him (expand)

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