Question
I APPEAL TO CAESAR!
Acts 25:1-27
Key Verse: 25:11
“If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”
Read verses 1-3. Who replaced Felix as governor? What did he do first? What did the Jewish leaders ask him to do? Who was really leading them behind the scene?
Read verses 4-5. How did Festus respond? Read verses 6-8. Describe the trial before Festus (the accusations of the Jews and Paul’s defense).
Read verses 9-12. What option was Paul given? What was Paul’s choice? What was his real intention behind his choice? How about his readiness to grasp the opportunity that he had long cherished in a way he least likely anticipated (Romans 1:9, 10)?
Read verses 13-22. How did Festus explain the situation to King Agrippa? What was Agrippa’s reply? Read verses 23-27. What is Festus’ dilemma in sending Paul to Rome? What help does he ask of King Agrippa?
What can we learn from Paul in terms of his vision as well as his actual commitment? How does God work to fulfill his promise? (9:15; 19:21; 23:11)
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Message
I APPEAL TO CAESAR!
Acts 25:1-27
Key Verse 25:11
“If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”
In the last passage Paul set a good example as a Bible teacher before Governor Felix. Today he had to go through continuous trials before the new Governor Festus. But we can see his spirit from his defense. Let's pray that we may follow his good example.
PART I. THE TRIAL BEFORE FESTUS(1-12)
Chapter 24:27 says, “When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.” Felix clearly knew that Paul was innocent, but he did not release him because he was afraid of the Jewish leaders. So Paul ended up remaining in prison for two consecutive years. What would happen to his heart during this period? He had passion and vision to go to Rome after the successful ministry in Ephesus. But he was now stuck in prison. Humanly speaking it was a very frustrating thing.
Look at verse 1. “Three days after arriving in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem.” The governor Festus was smart. He knew his priority as a politician. Although his main office was in Caesarea, he was in a hurry to visit Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. He wanted to make friends with them so that he made his job easier and he could be a good governor and ultimately gain favor from Caesar. The Jewish leaders saw an opportunity to use him to kill Paul. Look at verse 3. “They urgently requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were planning an ambush to kill him along the way.” This verse shows us that the Jewish religious leaders had become completely evil. Though they were the servants of God, they were not doing the work of God. They abandoned their mission to lead God’s flocks. Rather they were desperate to kill Paul. However in reality they wanted to remove the gospel message from the earth. It was the very rejection of God. What was Festus’ response? Look at verses 4-5. “Festus answered, ‘Paul is being held at Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon. Let some of your leaders come with me and press charges against the man there, if he has done anything wrong.’” Interestingly the governor declined their request. It's ironical that the Jews tried to kill Paul while the Gentile governor tried to protect Paul. But in all this God's hands were working powerfully behind the scenes to protect him from their murderous intention.
According to v. 8, after a week, in Caesarea Paul had a chance to defend himself, saying, “I have done nothing wrong against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar”. Paul’s defense came up with his declaration of his innocence. He denied having committed any offense. His conscience was clear before God and man. He stood firm in his defense. How did Festus respond? Look at verse 9. “Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, ‘Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?” Just one week ago he didn't want to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem. But now he changed and was even willing to do so. Basically he was a mere politician. When his job security was on the line, he was ready to change his decision to his convenience anytime. He must have known that Paul could not get a fair trial in Jerusalem. But he was no longer concerned with justice. He wanted to please the Jews. He became a man of compromise who was ready to send an innocent man to death just like Pilate who'd sent Jesus to death. Now no one seemed to defend Paul’s case. There was no help in sight. Paul’s defense was ignored by Festus for he had finally sided with the Jews. He was hopeless and helpless. What was Paul's answer? Paul could answer, “Yes” or “No” to go to Jerusalem. Of course he should answer “No” and he could stay in Caesarea and set free eventually. But Paul did not say “yes” or “no.”
Look at verses 10-11. Let's read these verses all together. “Paul answered, ‘I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!’” Caesar Augustus, the first emperor, established a good judicial system to rule the vast empire. One merit of the Roman law was the appeal process. All Roman citizens were entitled to appeal to Caesar’s court when they disagreed with the local court. Paul focused on Caesar's court. He said with the conclusion, “I appeal to Caesar!” Why? Paul figured it out at this critical moment about how to say. The Holy Spirit was with him and gave him wisdom about how to answer. Actually Paul had three choices; go to Jerusalem for another trial, or stay in Caesarea until he set free, or appeal to Caesar and go to Rome. If I were him, I would choose the second by staying in Caesarea and set free. And another time and another way I would go to Rome. In fact no body suggested the third choice. But Apostle Paul came up with the third and he appealed to Caesar. On the surface he was insane because he was asking for further trouble. What was the reason? If you were Paul, what would you do in this case? Here we learn four things from him.
First, we can learn His deep spiritual desire. The Roman Emperor at this specific time was Nero, who later became crazy for his notorious behavior of persecuting the Christians. Nero ruled the world from A.D. 54-68. He was a good and humble learner during the first five years of his reign because he had excellent mentors like Seneca. Later however he fired him and killed his mother and wife and became a violent and mad emperor who indulged excessive drinking and unlimited pleasures. He intentionally burned the slum sections of Rome and blamed Christians for the fire and persecuted Christians. Therefore, in reality Paul’s appeal to Caesar around AD60 meant a greater risk. It was uncertain for his future. Humanly speaking his choice was not an intelligent one. There might be an alternative way. It was much like committing suicide. Did he become an extremist just as he had done before meeting Jesus? It was not. According to the flow of this book of Acts, he made a vow before God to serve the Lord with a single focus. God was leading him into the best way accordingly. Can you remember the previous chapter verses14 &15? He personally accepted his imprisonment as the worship of God. Paul understood the fundamental reason of his sufferings. Because he had been chosen, he was now suffering. His suffering was in the foreknowledge of God. His suffering resulted in the sanctifying work of the Spirit in him. In the trials from Chap. 24 through 26, the words “hope” or “resurrection” were repeated several times. It indicates that Paul was holding the hope of resurrection. What then is the hope of resurrection? His rationale was that without knowing the resurrection he could not say that he knew Jesus really. Without death, no resurrection. No suffering, no death. From this time Paul wrote several epistles such as Philippians. Compared with his earlier books that were mainly dealing with problems with the pioneered churches to help them, but his prison letters demonstrated his deep personal desire about Jesus himself. For example in Philippians 3:10-11 says, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his suffering, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection of the dead.” So his real hope was not freedom itself. It was to know who Jesus is. In fact it was his long cherished prayer topic in his life. Because he did not know Jesus personally he used to be a violent persecutor. But thanks to risen Jesus who appeared to him in person gradually he came to know Jesus. His journey continued to procure complete knowledge about him. In his super human effort or success as a missionary still he couldn't stop his journey to know him deeper. For the last two years for Paul, Christ appeared more clearly when Paul was accused and imprisoned with no hope humanly or no miracles. Christ appeared to him more intimately when he worshiped God and testified himself as a prisoner for Jesus' name sake. He learned Jesus' unfathomable love to sacrifice himself to enrich others. So now he was filled with spirit and burning desire and said clearly, “I appeal to Caesar!” It was not a mere strategic claim as a missionary. But it was his shout from the bottom of his heart. Through participating in Jesus' remained suffering, he wanted to glorify Jesus.
Second, Paul understood God's unique way of working and sought His guidance. Paul was known for a man of passion. Before meeting Jesus he was passionate to persecute Jesus' disciples. After meeting Jesus, he became passionate for the mission. For instance he was eager to pioneer the Asia Minor. But God showed him a different way through a clear vision of a Macedonian man. And then he learned how to deny himself and obey the new direction of the Holy Spirit. On his third missionary journey, he carefully followed the direction of the Holy Spirit and focused on Ephesus. As a result he experienced the great victory. He decided to go to Rome to raise up powerful disciples. But now in a couple of years later, he ended up being stuck in prison and in continuous trials. He was like a dead dog being tossed here and there among wild animals. He might have been discouraged a lot because he was a human being like us. Also he was a man of action. He was like a Jaguar having a mighty 12 cylinder engine with over 650 horse power. Just like him he had to keep moving as a missionary. But in prison Paul was very limited. Maybe he didn't like the situation at all. But gradually he started to think about God's clear guidance. Especially he had had quality personal time with the Lord. He used to be a full time speaker but now he became a full time listener. He came back to the basic and fundamental questions such as “Who is my Lord?” “What does he really want?” “Who am I?” He must have wrestled with God newly through writing his personal life testimony. He must have struggled to remind of Jesus' words of promise. Ch. 9:15b says, “This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.” Ch. 23:11b says, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” The more he meditated Jesus' words of promise the more he convinced by overcoming himself despite hardship. He was able to give his heart fully to Jesus according to Jesus' promise, not his own way(his passion, his action). So it was the truly blessed time and best guidance to find himself newly in the Lord and humbled himself and accepted the way of the Lord. He was filled with the Spirit not only in the successful time but also at this seemingly depressed time. After two year prison, he gained God's glory because he knew the God of history and he knew himself as God's mere instrument. Most importantly he was being led into the vision of the grand scale work of God which has been from eternity to eternity especially when he fully surrendered himself to Jesus. He had full confidence. Although he was now standing in the extended Caesar's court, but in reality he fully subjected to Jesus' jurisdiction. His thought, his action, his plan, and his life goal were exclusively under Jesus' Lordship. So he poured out himself as a drink offering willingly any situation. That’s why he appealed to Caesar although nobody asked him to do so.
Third, Paul was wholeheartedly obedient to Jesus’ command. He wanted to obey Jesus’ command by any means. Prison, hardship, persecutions, or trials did not deter his commitment to obey Jesus. He said in Acts 26:19, “I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.” Obedience is a key in our mission life. World mission is not a mere idea but it requires our act of obedience. Why is it so important to obey? It is because God is the sovereign Lord of history. God could have done his salvation work all by himself. But he is looking for those whose heart is obedient to him. May the Lord bless our ministry to raise up many obedient servants to serve his will in this rugged individualistic society. One time he confessed(Acts 20:24), “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to me-the task of testifying the gospel of God’s grace.” Now was a testing ground for him to stick to his faith at this difficult time. It is easier said than done. But now he considered his task more important than his very own life and proved his loyalty to his Lord Jesus. Rev. 2:10b says, “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Paul was able to be faithful to Jesus even to the point of death. Personally I received much grace from our senior missionaries. When they had chance to come back Korea to resume their original professions and careers, they stayed at their mission field despite suffering and obeyed to the Lord to the end. Even some of them were volunteer to go as silver missionaries to third world countries although nobody asked them to do so. In Uganda, missionary Joseph Jung set a good example in his old age, the ministry became double up by God's blessing. Likewise they left their spiritual legacy and examples for us to follow. Among us, I was also encouraged by Sh. Nathan for his willing obedience to world mission. I never saw such a case from a new sheep to be a permanent missionary less than two years. I wish that there were a Guinness world record book in a kingdom of God. Otherwise it will be boring. God will richly bless his obedience to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and be fruitful and increase in number spiritually and physically. When I was brought up in a christian family, I did not know Jesus personally and had no idea about how to serve the Lord. But thanks to personal Genesis Bible study, I came to know Jesus. Through Genesis 12:2, God called me to be a source of blessing among campus students. God also blessed me to be a missionary in America. I was filled with great vision. But contrary to my expectation, the situation was not favorable all the time. I was tempted to go back Korea. To be honest, at this economic downturn, I was tempted again. But through this passage I learned apostle Paul's good example and had chance to renew my heart. I learned how to value this seemingly depressed time to gain God's glory. How miserable could have been for me if I had not been able to know him personally after becoming a shepherd, and even leaving my career to become a missionary? But thank God for blessing me and granting me the same desire to know him better and obey the world mission command and serve him in his way to the end. If I were only successful according to my wish and calculation, I wouldn't know my Lord at all. Like apostle Paul, I may know Him better and deeper. May the Lord help me to obey to Jesus wholeheartedly. Amen.
Fourth, He also wanted to use his Roman citizenship for the world mission. When Paul remembered God’s purpose for world mission, he knew he must go to Rome. Paul was not a victim in an evil scheme. He saw God’s mighty hands and his good purpose beyond all the evil of the world. He knew that God was in ultimate control of his life and future. Paul wrote in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” When Paul decided to obey God’s will, of course he was enable to pull together all his resources for the glory of God. God gave him sparkling wisdom. He remembered his Roman citizenship. He remembered Roman law. Every Roman citizen had the right to appeal to Caesar from anywhere in the Roman Empire. Based on this appeal, the Roman citizen would be brought to Rome for trial. Paul saw God’s opportunity in this situation to go to Rome because he had been mindful of God and God's core desire with the Holy Spirit. Paul must have said to himself, “Yes! That’s it!” “Just do it!” Then he pronounced clearly in Roman, “I appeal to Caesar!” In doing so he committed his life and future into the hand of God. Look at verse 12. “After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: ‘You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!’” From Paul we learn that the time of adversity is the time to deepen our relationship and commitment to God. God honored his decision to appeal to Caesar. In this way God sent Paul to Rome amazingly under the protection of the best Roman army and with the provision of Roman empire. So far God blessed our mission life abundantly. Many missionaries got the U.S. citizenship and bought houses and have good jobs. How can we use all our blessings? They are God given resources for the advancement of gospel as the citizens of the kingdom of God. God may use us in such a way to glorify God's name. Also in our growing children, may the Lord raise up mighty shepherds and missionaries instead of mere successful Americans. Amen.
PART II. FESTUS CONSULTS KING AGRIPPA(13-27).
A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay respects to the new governor, Festus. King Agrippa was familiar with the Jewish customs and laws. Festus hoped that Agrippa could help him out. Actually, Festus had a big problem. He had to send Paul to Rome to appear before Caesar’s court, but there was no charge against him. The only charge that Festus could find is stated in verses 19-20a. They say, “Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. I was at a loss how to investigate such matters....” In fact, Paul was on trial because he believed in the resurrection of Christ. But it could not be a serious crime. To send him to Caesar in this way was political suicide for the new governor Festus. It was comical that the governor was sending his prisoner without any charge. Look at verse 27. We see his deep agony. He tried to manufacture charges against Paul with the help of king Agrippa. The author historian Luke recorded the conversation between Festus and Agrippa in detail to show that God was working in their fabricated charges. God used Festus to send Paul to Rome safely. Once again God’s sovereign will was behind this event. Throughout this passage God shows his clear intention to pioneer Rome. Because Rome was the capital city of the Gentile world, Rome was vital in the mission strategy to spread the gospel message to the end. In fact God raised the Rome as the superpower nation. The Roman empire is reaching its height in power at the time of Apostle Paul. Behind the scene God was planning on evangelizing the whole world in three ways. First, a unifying Roman language and culture. Second, Pax Romana, so called Roman peace. In this way missionaries could travel safely. Third, Jewish diaspora, scattered Jewish Christians throughout the vast world of Roman empire to spread the gospel. So Rome must be pioneered and conquered with the power of the gospel. Paul had burning desire to teach the Bible with vision. It is Rome that needed him most to lay deeper gospel foundation. Now he was willing to go there as the ambassador of Christ in chains. In less than 300 years Rome became the world mission center and played a pivotal role to carry the gospel to the West and later to America. We live in modern day Rome. The gospel must be preached here and must go out to the end of the earth. It is the focus of our Lord Jesus Christ at the present time. May the Lord bless America to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. In conclusion, despite hardship Paul chose to go to Rome. He boldly said, “I appeal to Caesar!” May God help us to follow his good example. Then God will give us great victory to carry out his world mission successfully. May the Lord help us to stand in the mainstream of God's salvation work with a clear sense of history.
One word; I appeal to Caesar!