Acts 25 - Lessons of Paul

“ ¹⁰Paul 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. ¹¹If, 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!"

If I am understanding this scripture correctly, Paul is standing before Festus, being falsely accused by the Jewish leaders, simply because his preaching of Jesus was contrary to what they believed. So they did what they could to have him tried and put to death and have the Roman courts turn him (Paul) over to them (the Jews). In these verses, Paul, clearly states that the Jews are on a “witch hunt” by saying that he has done nothing wrong, and everyone knows it. But he also says he will die if they can find him guilty, he is willing to die for Jesus. But he is also appealing to the court of the land that it is completely absurd to hand him over to death for false charges, clearly showing that the Jewish leaders, though they can not prove any charges, simply want him dead and quiet. Therefore, Festus agrees and agrees to have a trial in the Roman courts.

It is important to note these 4 key things. Paul was in trouble for his outward, feverous teaching of Jesus Christ. If he was quiet and stayed in his own comfort zone, there would have been no trouble, but there also would have been no saved souls.

Next, there were many who opposed him, especially religious leaders. The truth is the truth, regardless who agrees or not. Jesus Christ is Lord and the ONLY WAY to the God, period, but there will be those, even other religious leaders who would say differently, you must know and hold fast to the truth.

Then, Paul new his persecutors had nothing on him, so he called them on it. Many believe Christians to be weak and cowl easily to opposition, quite the contrary, we are very strong for it is God who empowers us. When you are doing God’s will, don’t be afraid to stand strong and fight for what is right.

Finally, God used the government to protect Paul from religious persecution. This is essentially what we fought for in America from the birth of our country, where we have the freedom to worship our God, the one true God, without being persecuted by those who disagree. We are allowed, for now, to openly worship God without fear of retribution; however, it will not always be so.

The Bible foretells of a time when we will no longer have such freedom, and it is already happening throughout the world. This is why it is so important for us to exercise this right of freedom, openly worship and praise our God, show others of His greatness, and share with them the truth of Jesus Christ, stand strong and not back down, as Paul did, all while we still can freely. Amen?!