Yesterday we left Paul in a trial before Felix in which Paul is accused of starting riots just by showing up. That trial doesn’t resolve anything, and Felix keeps Paul around for conversation for two years:

But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs. After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison. (Acts 24.22 – 27, ESV)

A simple lesson is that not even the accomplished evangelist Paul wins them all. We have no record that Felix ever became a believer despite all his knowledge and even fear.

Chapters 25 and 26 record Paul’s dealing with Festus, including Paul’s strategic appeal to Caesar:

But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.” (Acts 25.9 – 12, ESV)

Thus Paul ensures that God’s order to him will be fulfilled:

But the Lord said to [Ananais], “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.” (Acts 9.15, ESV)

But Festus has a problem – no charges!

But I found that he had done nothing deserving death. And as he himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him. But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write. For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.” (Acts 25.25 – 27, ESV)

So we have Paul’s trial – read, “sales presentation” – before a very select group:

So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. (Acts 25.23, ESV)

I’ve been to that site, Herod’s summer palace in Caesarea. It’s one of those places that when you visit, you say, “I wonder what that was?” None of the great buildings are there, but some of the marble floor exists, including a spot where it is believed Paul actually stood. It’s ironic that of all the “great” people that were there, including perhaps, our friend Claudius Lysias, the tribune, the only reason we know about any of it is because of Paul, the prisoner. Tomorrow we’ll look at some of what he said. In the meantime, we remember that appearances can be deceiving: who is really in charge here?

Pilate…entered his headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. So Pilate said to him, “You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?” Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above.” (John 19.8 – 11, ESV)

This is the purpose that is purposed concerning the whole earth, and this is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations. For the LORD of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back? (Isaiah 14.26, 27, ESV)