As I get a little closer to Acts 26, I have to give a little more background to how this all "went down". So...how about checkin' out...Acts 25.
In this chapter, the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem expose themselves for the "kind of dirtballs" they really were.
Festus (I'm sorry...this guy's name just doesn't have a "Roman flair" to it lol) had just become the new Governor of Caesarea, and started his tenure as a Governor by making a trip to Jerusalem. Shortly after arriving, the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem caught up with Governor Festus and made known to him how much they disliked Paul. The Jewish leaders claimed to have numerous charges against Paul, and insisted Paul be brought to Jerusalem to stand trial.
But here is the thing! These Jewish leaders had no intentions of bringing Paul to the courts in Jerusalem...for their real motive and plan was to have Paul killed on his way from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
Fortunately for Paul, Governor Festus told the Jewish leaders Caesarea was the proper jurisdiction for this case, and Festus himself would be returning to Caesarea in a few days. Gov. Festus did invite any and all Jewish leaders to accompany him back to Caesarea and be a part of this trial. The Jewish leaders could speak there and make any charges that would warrant criminal justice against St. Paul.
As it turned out, Gov. Festus remained in Jerusalem for 10 more days before returning home. Now, the day after Gov. Festus had returned to Caesarea, he took his rightful place as judge when St Paul made his appearance in court.
Paul had barely got into the court room when the Jewish leaders began shouting all sorts of accusations against him, even the Death Penalty...yet none of which offered any supportive evidence.
Paul was then finally able to speak and said: " I have not done any wrong...against the Law of Moses, against Temple worship and customs, nor have I said anything wrong concerning Caesar!"
Governor Festus began to realize the power and zeal these Jewish leaders seemed to have, and decided to try and get more on their "good side." So, Governor Festus asked Paul a rather arrogant question by saying: "Ok Paul, how about making a trip to Jerusalem and have to stand trial before the Sanhedrin and myself? How does that sound?"
Paul then replies: " What? Is this not a legal Roman court? Are you not sitting in a seat that has judgments according to the laws and approvals of Caesar himself? Or is this some sort of scare tactic, because you know very well I have not done anything wrong? You know I am completely innocent! If I deserved the Death Penalty, I would not try and "wiggle" my way out of it. Yet the truth is: I am totally innocent! As far as the charges brought here by these Jewish leaders from Jerusalem...am I not innocent until proven guilty? Nevertheless, if you think this is not an adequate place of justice, and I certainly don't think going to Jerusalem would be fair....I therefore exercise my rights as a Roman citizen and request my case be taken to the courts in Rome...to Caesar himself!"
Gov. Festus, perhaps not realizing Paul himself was a Roman citizen, called over his advisers immediately to discuss the request Paul has now made. After the consultation, Gov. Festus acknowledged Paul's request, and the trial was concluded for that day.
{NOTE: Paul's apparent announcement as a Roman citizen could have easily stirred some fear in the hearts of his accusers. As a Roman citizen, Paul enjoyed the status of those rights including "Jus Migratonis", which basically declared regardless where a Roman citizen lives, in a province or even another country that was now under Roman rule, a Roman citizen retains all the rights that Roman law dictates. This included the right of immunity from some taxes and legal obligations, particularly those of certain local rules and regulations. A Roman citizen could not be tortured, whipped, or receive the Death Penalty...unless found to be in direct treason of Rome herself.}
After this court appearance by Paul, King Agrippa ll arrives in Caesarea with his sister/girlfriend Bernice, to give support and respect to the new governor...Festus.
During their time in Caesarea, Festus brought the issue with Paul before King Agrippa...particularly with Paul being a Roman citizen. Governor Festus relayed to King Agrippa that the real problem with Paul was not the fact he had actually broken any Roman law, rather, it was because he believed in some "dead guy" named Jesus....who Paul now insists is very much alive! Now, to add to this peculiar case, which by the way was left by the former governor Felix, Paul has exercised his rights as a Roman citizen and demands his case be brought before the courts in Rome...before Caesar himself!
King Agrippa, now attentive to the fact Paul was a Roman citizen, replied to Gov. Festus: "I would like the opportunity to hear this case myself." Without a moment's waste, Governor Festus replied: " Done! You will hear this case tomorrow!"
So, the next day King Agrippa ll and Bernice made their court appearance to hear of Paul and the case against him. It was a pompous affair, with flags, military officers, music, and prominent leaders all gathered in attendance. Basically...it was "Showtime"!
Then, Governor Festus explained to King Agrippa and Bernice how the Jewish leaders had basically brought "bogus charges" against Paul, and they even demanded the Death Penalty. Festus relates: "The truth be told, there is no evidence to support the fact Paul has done anything that would be of a criminal intent. And here again is a problem, what am I going to send to the courts of Rome herself?...there really is no case. Being a newly installed governor, I do not want to appear "stupid" sending a prisoner to the Emperor...with no specific charges...and the fact he is a Roman citizen!"
In this chapter, the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem expose themselves for the "kind of dirtballs" they really were.
Festus (I'm sorry...this guy's name just doesn't have a "Roman flair" to it lol) had just become the new Governor of Caesarea, and started his tenure as a Governor by making a trip to Jerusalem. Shortly after arriving, the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem caught up with Governor Festus and made known to him how much they disliked Paul. The Jewish leaders claimed to have numerous charges against Paul, and insisted Paul be brought to Jerusalem to stand trial.
But here is the thing! These Jewish leaders had no intentions of bringing Paul to the courts in Jerusalem...for their real motive and plan was to have Paul killed on his way from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
Fortunately for Paul, Governor Festus told the Jewish leaders Caesarea was the proper jurisdiction for this case, and Festus himself would be returning to Caesarea in a few days. Gov. Festus did invite any and all Jewish leaders to accompany him back to Caesarea and be a part of this trial. The Jewish leaders could speak there and make any charges that would warrant criminal justice against St. Paul.
As it turned out, Gov. Festus remained in Jerusalem for 10 more days before returning home. Now, the day after Gov. Festus had returned to Caesarea, he took his rightful place as judge when St Paul made his appearance in court.
Paul had barely got into the court room when the Jewish leaders began shouting all sorts of accusations against him, even the Death Penalty...yet none of which offered any supportive evidence.
Paul was then finally able to speak and said: " I have not done any wrong...against the Law of Moses, against Temple worship and customs, nor have I said anything wrong concerning Caesar!"
Paul then replies: " What? Is this not a legal Roman court? Are you not sitting in a seat that has judgments according to the laws and approvals of Caesar himself? Or is this some sort of scare tactic, because you know very well I have not done anything wrong? You know I am completely innocent! If I deserved the Death Penalty, I would not try and "wiggle" my way out of it. Yet the truth is: I am totally innocent! As far as the charges brought here by these Jewish leaders from Jerusalem...am I not innocent until proven guilty? Nevertheless, if you think this is not an adequate place of justice, and I certainly don't think going to Jerusalem would be fair....I therefore exercise my rights as a Roman citizen and request my case be taken to the courts in Rome...to Caesar himself!"
Gov. Festus, perhaps not realizing Paul himself was a Roman citizen, called over his advisers immediately to discuss the request Paul has now made. After the consultation, Gov. Festus acknowledged Paul's request, and the trial was concluded for that day.
After this court appearance by Paul, King Agrippa ll arrives in Caesarea with his sister/girlfriend Bernice, to give support and respect to the new governor...Festus.
During their time in Caesarea, Festus brought the issue with Paul before King Agrippa...particularly with Paul being a Roman citizen. Governor Festus relayed to King Agrippa that the real problem with Paul was not the fact he had actually broken any Roman law, rather, it was because he believed in some "dead guy" named Jesus....who Paul now insists is very much alive! Now, to add to this peculiar case, which by the way was left by the former governor Felix, Paul has exercised his rights as a Roman citizen and demands his case be brought before the courts in Rome...before Caesar himself!
King Agrippa, now attentive to the fact Paul was a Roman citizen, replied to Gov. Festus: "I would like the opportunity to hear this case myself." Without a moment's waste, Governor Festus replied: " Done! You will hear this case tomorrow!"
So, the next day King Agrippa ll and Bernice made their court appearance to hear of Paul and the case against him. It was a pompous affair, with flags, military officers, music, and prominent leaders all gathered in attendance. Basically...it was "Showtime"!
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