Acts 23
Before the Sanhedrin
Paul was brought before the Sanhedrin (The highest court of justice and the supreme council in ancient Jerusalem.) because of the offenses that he brought upon the jews when he shared that Jesus is the Messiah, and that He resurrected from the dead.
During the trial, he shared his own story on how he himself was born a Pharisee (1. A member of an ancient Jewish sect, distinguished by strict observance of the traditional and written law, and commonly held to have pretensions to superior sanctity) He declared that he is standing on trial because of his hope in the resurrection of Jesus. At that, there was a dispute that broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees.
Some background information is that the Sadducees do not believe in angels, spirits, resurrection. But the Pharisees acknowledges all of them.
So the dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces. So he ordered troops to take him away and bring him to the barracks.
The next night, God stood near to Paul and told him that even as he testified about Him in Jerusalem, he will also do so in Rome.
The plot to kill Paul
There were some Jews (about 40 of them) who came together and plotted to kill Paul. Son of Paul's sister heard and ran to the barracks to inform Paul.
Paul transferred to Caesarea
The commander sent for 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen and 200 spearmen to escort Paul to Governor Felix.
Can you imagine the no, of people that is escorting Paul so that he can reach Caesarea safely?
The commander also wrote a letter to Governor Felix. Paul was placed under guard in Herod's palace.
Acts 24
The trail before Felix
The high priest Ananias came down to Caesarea before Felix. Governor Felix listened to both Ananias and Paul. And then said that he will take some time to decide the case. But before that, he ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to allow him some freedom and he also permitted Paul's friends to come and take care of his needs.
Wow. God's favour is upon Paul even as he sit in jail. Amazing huh. No matter where we are (in the high or low) God will always take care of us as long as we stay close to Him.
A few days later, Felix and his wife sent for Paul and listened to him as he shared about his faith in Jesus. However, Felix was afraid and sent him back. Said that when it is convenient, he will send for Paul. (Was just wondering, what is Felix so afraid about?) At the same time, he was actually hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe so because of that he sent for Paul frequently and talked to him.
After 2 years, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus but because Felix wanted to do a favour to the jews, he left Paul in prison.
Even though Paul didn't get out of prison, I feel that during the 2 years, he was really well taken care of.
Acts 25
The trail before Festus
3 days before arriving in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalme where the priests and Jewish leaders appeared before him and presented their charges against Paul. They urged Festus to transfer Paul to Jerusalem so that they can kill him along the way. (They have planned an ambush)
Festus did not allow that. Instead, he insisted that Paul will be trialed in Caesarea and the Jews should send their leaders there. (Wise man!)
On the day of the trial, the Jews who had come from Jerusalem brought down many serious charges against Paul, many by which they could not prove. Paul made his defenses. Festus proposed to Paul whether he is willing to be brought to trial in Jerusalem. Paul insisted that he should be tried in Caesars court. He appealed to Caesar.
Festus consults King Agrippa
King Agrippa arrived at Caesarea. Festus consulted him and asked how he should go about to try Paul. Cos he don't really see that Paul has done anything wrong. King Agrippa said that he want to hear Paul for himself.
Paul before Agrippa
Festus announced to everyone that he did not find that Paul did anything which deserved death. But because of Paul's appeal to Caesar, he will be sent to Rome. However, he does not know what to write to Caesar because there are no specific charges against Paul.
END OF CHAPT 25
(to be continued)
