Falsely Accussed

Acts 24:22 NIV

Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.”

After arriving in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem, the Chief priests and Jewish leaders appeared before him and presented charges against Paul. They requested Festus to have Paul transferred to jerusalem, They were preparing an ambush to kill him.

4-5

Festus replied, Paul is being held at Caesarea, I my self is going there soon.Let some of your leaders come with me, and if he has done anything wrong they can press charges against him there.

6-8

Festus went to Caesarea, convened the court and ordered Paul to be brought in. Paul came in the Jews stood around him and brought many charges against him they could not prove. Paul made his defense: I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish laws , the temple, or against Caesar.

9-12

Festus asked: are you willing to stand trial before me in Jerusalem on these charges? Paul replied , I am now standing before Caesar”s court, as you know , I have done nothing wrong. If I am guilty of anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. If the charges brought against me are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar! After conferring with his court, Festus declared, to Caesar you will go.

13-21

King Agrippa and Bernice arrived At Caesarea, spending many days there. Festus discussed Paul’s case: There is a man left in prison by Felix, the chief priests and elders brought charges against him and asked he be condemned. it is not Roman custom to hand over anyone before they face their accusers. I did not delay the case, i convened court, ordered the man brought in. His accusers did not charge him with any crimes I expected. Their dispute about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus, who he claimed was alive. at a loss in how to investigate, I asked , would he be willing to stand trial in Jerusalem on the charges. He appealed to be held over for the Emperor’s decision. I ordered he be held until He could be sent to Caesar.

22-27

Agrippa request to hear Paul, the next day Agrippa and Bernice , high ranking military offices, and prominent men of the city enter room. Paul brought in, ! the whole Jewish community petitioned me he should not live . I have found he has done nothing wrong. Because he appealed to the emperor, i decided to send him to Rome. having nothing to write i brought him before you so as a result I may have something to write. It is unreasonable to send a prisoner to Rome without specifying charges against him.