Trial Before Festus and Appeal to Caesar (Acts 25:6-12)

Scripture: Acts 25:6-12

Today’s Word

⁶ After spending eight or ten days with them, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he convened the court and ordered that Paul be brought before him.

⁷ When Paul came in, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him. They brought many serious charges against him, but they could not prove them.

⁸ Then Paul made his defense: “I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar.”

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?”

¹⁰ 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.

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!”

¹² After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”

Background

Key Terms Made Simple

• Governor: The highest authority ruling a region under Roman control, responsible for trials and administration
• Do a favor: To try to please someone or make a good impression on them
• Appeal: To request a higher court to retry a case when you believe a lower court’s decision was wrong. Roman citizens had the right to appeal directly to Caesar
• Council: People who assist in trials by listening to cases and offering their opinions
• Court: An official place where trials are conducted

Key Expressions to Notice

1. “They could not prove them” (verse 7)
2. “I am now standing before Caesar’s court” (verse 10)
3. “I do not refuse to die” (verse 11)
4. “I appeal to Caesar” (verse 11)

Main Points of the Text

1. Two Years of Waiting Comes to an End (verses 6-7)
2. An Offer of Political Compromise (verses 8-9)
3. Using What God Has Given Wisely (verses 10-12)

Applying to My Life

1. Knowing What God Has Given Me
2. The Difference Between “My Way” and “Using What God Has Given Wisely”
3. Preparing While Waiting

Think About It

1. What has God given me? (Abilities, position, relationships, resources, experiences, etc.) How can I use them for God’s kingdom?
2. When I try to fulfill God’s will, how can I distinguish between using “my way” versus “using what God has given wisely”? Share if you’ve had recent experiences wrestling with this question.
3. Is there a time in my life right now that seems “stuck”? Pray and think about what God might be preparing in me during this time.