Overview of Chapters 24-28• 24 – Paul stands trial before Felix, a terrible
ruler • 25 – Paul stands trial before Festus, an
excellent ruler• 26 – Paul presents his defense before the
guests of Festus, Agrippa II and Bernice• 27 – Paul’s ship wrecks on the way to Rome• 28 – Paul arrives in Rome where he spends 2
years waiting for his trial
Governor Felix Governor Felix and Pauland Paul
• Left Paul in prison for 2 years as a favor to the Jews
Nero Replaces Felix with FestusNero Replaces Felix with Festus
• Felix was a terrible ruler who hated the Jews
• Festus was much stronger and fairer
• Died after only 3 years in office
Nero Replaces Felix with FestusNero Replaces Felix with Festus
• Felix was a terrible ruler who hated the Jews
• Festus was much stronger and fairer
• Died after only 3 years in office
FestusFestusA.D. 56A.D. 56
Justice Delayed is Justice DeniedJustice Delayed is Justice Denied
• Three days after arriving – 25:1• The next day – 25:6 • I did not delay – 25:17• Contrast with the
2 years Felix left Paul in prison!
Trial in Trial in CaesareaCaesarea
Paul’s DefensePaul’s Defense• I have done
nothing wrong against the Jews
• Or against the Temple
• Or against CaesarActs 25:8
Paul – I appeal to Caesar!
Festus – To Caesar you will go!
Acts 25:11 Acts 25:12
The Caesar before whom Paul would
have stood was
Nero!A.D. 54 - 68
Paul offered a defense of
himself before Governor
Festus, King Agrippa, and
Agrippa’s sister Bernice
King Agrippa IIKing Agrippa II& Bernice& Bernice
• Brother and Sister• Siblings of Drusilla (Wife of Felix)
• Children of Agrippa I• Great-grandchildren of Herod the
Great
King Agrippa King Agrippa
• 17 when his father died (Acts 12)
• Given a small kingdom• Territory grew – Became
Curator of Jerusalem Temple• Power to appoint High Priest
Bernice Bernice
• Could be her own soap opera• Married an uncle at 13 (he died)• Moved in with her brother• Rumors of incest (Josephus Jewish
Antiquities 20.145-46)
• Later remarried/divorced/returned to Herod Agrippa II
Conclusions of FestusConclusions of Festus• Dispute with him about their own
religion (19)• A dead man named Jesus who
Paul claimed was alive (19)• Nothing deserving of death (25)• I (need) something to write (26)
Paul’s DefensePaul’s Defenseto Agrippato Agrippa
• I lived as a Pharisee (4-8)
• I opposed the name of Jesus (9-11)
• I saw a light from heaven (12-18)
33rdrd Account of Account of Paul’s ConversionPaul’s Conversion• Shortest of the 3• No mention of
Ananias• Focus on the calling
from God to go to the Gentiles
Festus Interrupts PaulFestus Interrupts Paul• You are out of your mind, Paul!
(24)• Your great learning is driving you
insane (24)• He interrupted when Paul began
talking about RESURRECTION
2 Explosive Words (23)2 Explosive Words (23)
King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets?
I know you do.
Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you
think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be
a Christian?”
The VerdictThe Verdict• Paul was innocent• He could have
been set free• Must send him to
Rome
The Centurion The Centurion (27:1)
• Julius• Centurions were
professionals• Was impressed
with Paul from the start
Paul said to the men on the ship, “Men, I
can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss of ship and
cargo, and to our own lives also.”
(27:10)
• Typhoon hit them at Crete
• “Sandbars of Syrtis” (17) are in N. Africa
• “We…gave up hope” (20)
• You must stand trial before Caesar
• 18:9 – Corinth• 23:11 – Jerusalem
An angel of An angel of God says to God says to
Paul, “Paul, “Do Not Do Not Fear!”Fear!”
• Complete dark (20)
• 14 nights (27)• 276 people• Struck sandbar• Saved by the
Centurion
• Island of Malta, off the coast of Sicily
ShipwreckedShipwrecked
Shipwreck on Malta (28:1)
Winter on MaltaWinter on Malta• Healed all the
sick people on the island (9)
• Stayed 3 winter months (11)
So we came to Rome (14)
• Brethren met him• Forum of Appius
(40 miles south of Rome)
• Three Taverns (30 miles south of Rome)
Paul in RomePaul in Rome• Lived by himself in
his own rented apartment (16, 30)
• A soldier to guard him (16)
• Probably chained in 4-hour shifts
For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who
came to see him. Boldly and without
hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Acts 28:30-31)
?Luke does not tell us the result of
Paul’s trial before Caesar.
During the 2 years in Rome Paul wrote the 4 Prison Epistles
During the 2 years in Rome Paul wrote the 4 Prison Epistles
• Ephesians• Philippians• Colossians• Philemon
• Perhaps a circular letter, sent to churches throughout Asia
• The “whole armor of God” is the response to the “spiritual forces of evil” (6:10-18).
• Sent to a church Paul hadn’t visited – started during his ministry in Ephesus
• Response to spiritual confusion – lift up Christ (1:15-20)
• A church that had a special 10-year relationship with Paul
• Financially supported Paul• Letter deals with how to unite in
the face of conflict (4:2)
• Name of a Christian slave owner in the Colossian church
• Written on behalf of Philemon’s slave, Onesimus
• Very public, private letter