Overview of Chapters 24-28• 24 – Paul stands trial before Felix, a terrible

ruler • 25 – Paul stands trial before Festus, an

excellent ruler• 26 – Paul presents his defense before the

guests of Festus, Agrippa II and Bernice• 27 – Paul’s ship wrecks on the way to Rome• 28 – Paul arrives in Rome where he spends 2

years waiting for his trial

Governor Felix Governor Felix and Pauland Paul

• Left Paul in prison for 2 years as a favor to the Jews

Nero Replaces Felix with FestusNero Replaces Felix with Festus

• Felix was a terrible ruler who hated the Jews

• Festus was much stronger and fairer

• Died after only 3 years in office

Nero Replaces Felix with FestusNero Replaces Felix with Festus

• Felix was a terrible ruler who hated the Jews

• Festus was much stronger and fairer

• Died after only 3 years in office

FestusFestusA.D. 56A.D. 56

Justice Delayed is Justice DeniedJustice Delayed is Justice Denied

• Three days after arriving – 25:1• The next day – 25:6 • I did not delay – 25:17• Contrast with the

2 years Felix left Paul in prison!

Trial in Trial in CaesareaCaesarea

Paul’s DefensePaul’s Defense• I have done

nothing wrong against the Jews

• Or against the Temple

• Or against CaesarActs 25:8

Paul – I appeal to Caesar!

Festus – To Caesar you will go!

Acts 25:11 Acts 25:12

The Caesar before whom Paul would

have stood was

Nero!A.D. 54 - 68

Paul offered a defense of

himself before Governor

Festus, King Agrippa, and

Agrippa’s sister Bernice

King Agrippa IIKing Agrippa II& Bernice& Bernice

• Brother and Sister• Siblings of Drusilla (Wife of Felix)

• Children of Agrippa I• Great-grandchildren of Herod the

Great

King Agrippa King Agrippa

• 17 when his father died (Acts 12)

• Given a small kingdom• Territory grew – Became

Curator of Jerusalem Temple• Power to appoint High Priest

Bernice Bernice

• Could be her own soap opera• Married an uncle at 13 (he died)• Moved in with her brother• Rumors of incest (Josephus Jewish

Antiquities 20.145-46)

• Later remarried/divorced/returned to Herod Agrippa II

Conclusions of FestusConclusions of Festus• Dispute with him about their own

religion (19)• A dead man named Jesus who

Paul claimed was alive (19)• Nothing deserving of death (25)• I (need) something to write (26)

Paul’s DefensePaul’s Defenseto Agrippato Agrippa

• I lived as a Pharisee (4-8)

• I opposed the name of Jesus (9-11)

• I saw a light from heaven (12-18)

33rdrd Account of Account of Paul’s ConversionPaul’s Conversion• Shortest of the 3• No mention of

Ananias• Focus on the calling

from God to go to the Gentiles

Festus Interrupts PaulFestus Interrupts Paul• You are out of your mind, Paul!

(24)• Your great learning is driving you

insane (24)• He interrupted when Paul began

talking about RESURRECTION

2 Explosive Words (23)2 Explosive Words (23)

King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets?

I know you do.

Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you

think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be

a Christian?”

The VerdictThe Verdict• Paul was innocent• He could have

been set free• Must send him to

Rome

The Centurion The Centurion (27:1)

• Julius• Centurions were

professionals• Was impressed

with Paul from the start

Paul said to the men on the ship, “Men, I

can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss of ship and

cargo, and to our own lives also.”

(27:10)

• Typhoon hit them at Crete

• “Sandbars of Syrtis” (17) are in N. Africa

• “We…gave up hope” (20)

• You must stand trial before Caesar

• 18:9 – Corinth• 23:11 – Jerusalem

An angel of An angel of God says to God says to

Paul, “Paul, “Do Not Do Not Fear!”Fear!”

• Complete dark (20)

• 14 nights (27)• 276 people• Struck sandbar• Saved by the

Centurion

• Island of Malta, off the coast of Sicily

ShipwreckedShipwrecked

Shipwreck on Malta (28:1)

Winter on MaltaWinter on Malta• Healed all the

sick people on the island (9)

• Stayed 3 winter months (11)

So we came to Rome (14)

• Brethren met him• Forum of Appius

(40 miles south of Rome)

• Three Taverns (30 miles south of Rome)

Paul in RomePaul in Rome• Lived by himself in

his own rented apartment (16, 30)

• A soldier to guard him (16)

• Probably chained in 4-hour shifts

For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who

came to see him. Boldly and without

hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

(Acts 28:30-31)

?Luke does not tell us the result of

Paul’s trial before Caesar.

During the 2 years in Rome Paul wrote the 4 Prison Epistles

During the 2 years in Rome Paul wrote the 4 Prison Epistles

• Ephesians• Philippians• Colossians• Philemon

• Perhaps a circular letter, sent to churches throughout Asia

• The “whole armor of God” is the response to the “spiritual forces of evil” (6:10-18).

• Sent to a church Paul hadn’t visited – started during his ministry in Ephesus

• Response to spiritual confusion – lift up Christ (1:15-20)

• A church that had a special 10-year relationship with Paul

• Financially supported Paul• Letter deals with how to unite in

the face of conflict (4:2)

• Name of a Christian slave owner in the Colossian church

• Written on behalf of Philemon’s slave, Onesimus

• Very public, private letter