Lesson 41
What To Do With Paul?
Acts 25
I am sure that I have caused others to ask, “What are we going to do with you?” For people who do not want to fit into a box the world just does not know how to handle them. Ever since I was much younger I have been one who wants to know why something has to be done in a certain way. If I do not see the logic in the answer I keep asking until it becomes clear to me what is going on. I call this attitude one of Aggressive/Patience. This has sometimes gotten me into hot water. It also has put me at odds with others at times. For years at the International Mission Board I struggled with the concept of what a Purchasing Department should be like. In my mind the organization never did appreciate or utilize that office the way it should. Some of the ideas that I presented a number of years ago have come to fruition. Even though I am no longer there, I am glad that management finally saw some value in the things for which I fought for so many years.
Sometimes in the church we do not do a good job in dealing with people with whom we may not totally agree. No matter how many members are in a church, a few or many, church there many differences of opinion based on age, likes, dislikes, level of spiritual maturity etc. Quite often we have not done a good job of assimilating all of those various components into a body who live and work in one accord. I am afraid that there are times when we are unwilling to listen to those who ask the question, why are we doing it this way? Rather than looking at the possibilities that that question may present our answer all too often is we have always done it that way.
Paul and the early church presented a dilemma to a group who did not want to change. Rather than saying maybe this new group has something to say the Jewish leaders rejected the Church and set up the conflict that continues into today’s lesson.
Acts 25:1-3
Festus the new governor wasted no time in going up and meeting with the Jewish officials. Knowing the history of Jews he would want to build a working relationship with them. By doing so, he would hope that he could maintain peace. He had only been in the Caesarea about three days before making the 80 mile trip up to Jerusalem.
There is little known about Festus. He only remained governor for two years before passing away. What little is known would indicate that he was well respected and a just man.
Of course the Jews used this opportunity to bring charges against Paul. They sought to have him returned to Jerusalem where they could arrange to set up an ambush and have him killed.
- Why would the governor make the trip to Jerusalem?
- In what ways was their treatment of the new governor unfair?
- In what ways will we show fairness in working with the new leadership at Bethany Place?
- Why did the Jewish leaders bring up the charges against Paul with Festus?
- What were their plans if the governor had agreed to do what they requested?
Acts 25:4-5
Their request was not granted. Instead Festus offered them the opportunity to go with them back to Caesarea. There he would hear allow them a fair hearing. At that time Paul would most likely be given an opportunity to speak.
- Why did Festus deny their request?
- Why was the opportunity given them to go with him a wise decision?
- Why was it important for Festus to hear Paul’s side of the story?
- Why did the Jews not want this to happen?
- How is time sometimes the best ally before having to make a decision?
Acts 25:6-7
True to his word Festus returned to Caesarea after 8 to 10 days in Jerusalem. Upon arriving he called the official court, the tribunal, into session to allow both the Jews and Paul to state their case. Paul was brought before the tribunal and the Jews immediately began as Luke writes, “to bring many and serious charges against him.” He further writes that they had no proof of any of them.
- Why did Festus call into session a formal inquiry?
- Why did he make sure that Paul was present to hear the charges?
- What was the problem with what the Jews were saying?
- In what ways do we sometimes act the manner of the Jews?
Acts 25:8
From Paul’s response we are able to glean what the charges against him were. As William Barclay the Jews were accusing him of:
- Heresy – Committing acts against the Law
- Sacrilege – Committing offenses against the Temple
- Sedition – Committing offenses against Caesar.
In his defense Paul indicated his innocence of all three charges.
- Which of these had the Jews accused him before?
- Which one was a new one?
- Why did the Jews take a different tact this time?
- What do you think of Paul’s defense? How effective was it?
Acts 25:9-11
Festus tried to reach a compromise between the two parties. On the one hand he did not want to offend the Jews after being a governor for a few days. On the other hand he wanted to make sure that justice was served. It appears that he believed the only way to settle the matter was to have a full blown trial in Jerusalem, which would more than satisfy the Jews and play into their hands. This would give them the opportunity to carry out their plot against Paul.
Paul understood the situation and knew that he could never receive a fair trial under those circumstances. His only recourse was to appeal to Caesar, which was his right as a Roman citizen. His last claim of innocence may have been more for the Jews than for Festus. Paul was so sure that when given a fair trial that he would be proved not guilty. He was even willing to stake his life on it.
- Why did Festus suggest a trial in Jerusalem before the Sanhedrin and himself?
- What is the likelihood that this trial would have ever taken place?
- What had the Jews planned from the very beginning?
- Why did Paul appeal to Caesar?
- How much of a gamble was this for Paul?
- Which of the charges would be dropped in a Roman hearing at this point?
Acts 25: 12
In a way Paul’s request relieved the pressure off of Festus. He met with his own council and decided that Paul would go before Caesar with his appeal. It also presented him with a dilemma which will be seen in the next section of verses.
- What did Festus gain by granting Paul’s request?
- In what position did this now put the Jews?
- In all likelihood who would be present at the trial in Rome?
Acts 25:13-21
King Agrippa who was king of Galilee and Peraea came to Caesarea along with his sister, Bernice to pay a courtesy call to Festus. Since Agrippa was in power at the discretion of the Roman government it was expedient for him to welcome the new governor. Knowing that he was familiar with the Jewish religion Festus began to recount the events concerning Paul. By his conversation it was clear that he had no real reason to send Paul to Rome except the fact that Paul had made the request. If anyone could help him understand the situation it would be someone like the king.
It was obvious that Paul had broken no Roman law because Festus even said that his accusers, “were bringing charges not of such crimes as I was expecting but they simply had some points of disagreement with him about their own religion and about a dead man, Jesus whom Paul asserted to be alive.”
It was at that point that the decision was made for Paul to go to Rome. He had refused to return to Jerusalem even though the trial would be before the Roman governor.
- Why did King Agrippa travel to Caesarea to see Festus?
- Why did Festus begin sharing the situation he faced with the king?
- What about his conversation would indicate that Festus did truly believe that Paul needed to go to Rome?
- What does this conversation show about the character of Festus?
Acts 25:22
Agrippa shared with Festus that he too would like to hear what Paul had to say. Festus was in agreement with him meeting Paul face to face.
- Why would Agrippa want to hear what Paul had to say?
- What could that meeting add to what Festus had already shared?
- Why was Festus so willing to make arrangements for Agrippa to meet Paul?
You-
- Be considerate of the feelings and ideas of others.
- Pray that God will help you appreciate the diversity of people He has brought into the Church.
- Search the Scriptures to see all the different types of personalities God used to carry out His purpose for the world.
- Pray that you will be in a position to counteract any falsehoods you hear being presented.
- Meditate and Study God’s word so that you will know the difference between truth and falsehood.
- Know when in the course of events when you need to appeal to a higher authority for answers.
We in the Church are involved in an ongoing balancing act of living in the world but not being a part of it. Constantly we face issues that seem to be the truth. Our responsibility is to always view these in light of what the Scripture has to say. Even in the decisions made within the Church there is a way that seems right to man and may be good in the sight of the world but is not the best for the church.
There are those who like the Sanhedrin who will cloud the issues with half-truths or outright lies. If we are not careful we will find ourselves in the position of the commander, Felix and then Festus who do not know what should be the next course of action. Let us be like Paul who, although seen as a troublemaker, was steadfast in believing that he had done no wrong. He was so sure that he would be vindicated if only given a fair hearing.
Let us be willing to put our prejudices and agendas aside in order to listen to the opinions. There may be among us some who are constantly calling us to take a new direction. Unless we are open to hearing diverse ideas we may not realize that he or she could be sharing God’s purpose for our church in order to be only mission with Him.
Additional Notes:
C-After Festus became governor the Jews made one more attempt to have Paul condemned by bringing the same old accusations before Festus as they had with Felix. Not knowing all of the circumstances he agreed to give them a hearing once he went back to Caesarea. (Acts 25:1-5)
C-Upon his return to Caesarea Festus set up a hearing for Paul. During the trial the Jews presented their charges which could not be proven. A new twist entered into the drama when Festus asked Paul if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem. He refused and made an appeal to Caesar. Festus had no choice but to grant Paul’s request. (Acts 25:6-12)
DM-Whenever a person with an ulterior motive like Herod, Pilate and in this case Festus seek to please a group such as the Jews someone else will suffer the consequences, Paul had to appeal to Caesar to keep from returning to Jerusalem. (Acts 25:9-12)