Advancing in the Kingdom

ACTS 25:12 - LESSON 177

The accusing Jews have made their claims against Paul before Roman Governor Festus. Verse seven told us none of the things they accused him of they were able to prove. And even in their sadistic minds they were in plotting if they could get Paul transferred back to Jerusalem, they would hide and kill him in the way.

When Paul spoke on his own behalf, he did not speak against the law or the temple (as were their claims) but he spoke with a continued Godly integrity. Paul even claims that in all of the trials and legal proceedings (as unlawful as most had been on Paul’s behalf) Paul had not spoken against Caesar in any form or fashion.

Paul was standing firm on the merit of his Godly integrity, meaning he had nothing to hide and no real reason of any legal guilt.

(There is certainly a strong message here of the importance of a child of God, and especially someone in public ministry to maintain an upright above board honest at all cost life.) Everything said against Paul was a lie, he had no reason to hang his head in shame.

Stayin in the will of God:

In verse 10, and 11, Paul makes a very bold statement, …I stand at Caesar’s judgement seat, where I ought to be judged… I appeal unto Caesar.

The Jews had lied and fabricated their accusations and it had become clear. Paul was making it clear that he should be delivered of their judicial claims and stand only before the courts of Caesar. While Paul is speaking for the saving of his life, he also understands the other platforms of ministry that he has yet to stand upon and desires to share Christ, even in the form of trial.

It is important to understand the weight of that statement, “I appeal unto Caesar”. Paul could have been freed by the words of Festus if Festus had chosen to do so. Paul could have been freed by King Agrippa if the king had chosen to do so. However, since Paul requested to continue before the courts of Caesar, He will now have to remain a prisoner until a much longer period of time.

Acts 26:32 then said Agrippa unto Festus, this man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.

This is not Paul trying to make himself a martyr, this is not Paul so attached to his chains that he can’t live without them; this is Paul knowing that the very chains that bind him is the platform of ministry that God has given him. When Festus asked in verse 12, hast thou appealed unto Caesar? This question was for the Roman courts not the Jewish courts. Festus moved this to a higher court freeing himself from the matter, thus now he refers it to King Agrippa.

King Agrippa abd Bernice:

This would have been Herod Agrippa II and Bernice his Sister/Aunt (there is some debate). At this time, he is only about 17 years of age. He was the king of Chalcis. His uncle was the husband of Bernice. It was strongly believed there were incestuous relations between him and Bernice. I bring this out because a big reason people will reject the gospel of salvation is because of the weight of sin they will have to confess and give up. However, the pleasures of sin are for a season, but the punishment is for eternity, the reward for surrender is freedom and it is also for eternity.

Another platform of ministry is being built: Governor Festus begins to tell King Agrippa all about Paul. He told of his accusers that could show proof to the accusations they made. He told how that Paul had appealed before Caesar.

In verse 22, king Agrippa says, I would also hear the man myself… God is opening another door of ministry. It is to stand before a king that is living in the sins of incest. Some might turn up their nose in disgust at such a thought, but Jesus died for king Agrippa, and for every whosoever living in every whatsoever kind of life.