This
Bible Study is written by Roger Christopherson, and it's
transcription/ location The Acts of the Apostles Chapter 25 "Paul and Festus."
Acts 25:1 "Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem." Felix is out of the picture, and Paul's judgment is in the hands of Festus. Acts 25:2 "Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him," This high priest again brought a story to Festus on how they wanted to try and kill Paul. Paul's death is the only point to their stories. They want Paul's blood. Acts 25:3 "And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him." What a religious bunch, they promised Festus that if he would send Paul over to Jerusalem to be tried, Paul would never make it to Jerusalem, because they would kill him on the way. This lets you know that brother Judah did not have anything to do with this, it was the Kenites that had slipped in, and were calling themselves "of Judah". They are murderers just like their father Cain. Acts 25:4 "But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither." Acts 25:5 "Let them therefore," said he, "which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him." Festus is promising these Kenite Jews that he will give them a whole new trial, if they would have the accusers come to Caesarea. Paul is there, if you want him, come down to the court there. Festus will have no part in any man's murder. Acts 25:6 "And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought." Though there is a controversy over whether it is eight or ten days, however I believe it was ten days. Remember in Revelation 2:9, concerning the church at Smyrna, the church that Jesus christ had no problem with. "I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty (but thou art rich), and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan." They are Kenites, the sons of Cain. Revelation 2:10 "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Ten days in the prison is the reason for coming here. This is a prophetic action that will take place, and Paul's imprisonment and trial is a type of what we shall expect in the end generation. Paul is delivered up again by the same Kenites that shall deliver up the elect in the end generation. In as much as Paul referred to them as foreign Asians, this should be a clue to exactly who they are. To understand who the Kenites are, Go to # 7014 in Strong's Hebrew dictionary, "Qayin, Kajin,, the name of the first child, and from an Oriental tribe:-Cain, Kenite." We are told also to see # 7017 "Kiyniy, (I Chronicles 2:55) Patron from # 7014, a Kenite or member of the tribe of Kajin: Kenite." Acts 25:7 "And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove." Poor Paul is tried again, but every time Paul is able to testify the gospel goes forth again, even to the government and the Kings of the area. Remember way back in Acts 9:15 what Jesus told Ananias to tell Paul? "But the Lord said unto him, "Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel;" Paul is about to bear witness again to another king, and many Gentiles. Here again the Kenites are firing charges against Paul of all sorts, and not one of them could be proven. They are hoping to cause a shadow of a doubt which would cause Paul to be returned to Jerusalem, and they will kill him along the way. Remember they already told Festus their plan in verse three. Acts 25:8 "While he answered for himself, "Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all." Paul is still representing himself, and that is why it is important for you to remember that there will be no one representing you as you stand before Satan's court, however what you will say will come from the Holy Spirit. You alone will stand there. Mark 13:11 "But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought before hand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Spirit." Those trials also shall be publicized before the world and kings. Paul is not talking bad about anybody, but only the Gospel of Christ. Paul never spoke against the traditions of men, or of the Kenites, because he only used the Scriptures to document what he said. The traditions of men and of these Kenites go against the Scriptures, and the law of Moses. Paul has not spoken against the temple of God, for he was there under his vow, and he certainly had not said anything against Caesar. Paul is telling Festus that he is innocent. Acts 25:9 "But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, "Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?" It seems like old Porky [Festus] wants to be the chief pig in the Kenites barnyard. Porky wanted to please everybody, and all he wants is someone to tell him something good about himself. Festus is just the opposite of Felix, for Felix was wise in the law, and could see through those rascals from Jerusalem. Festus is telling Paul that he will even go with him, if he will go to Jerusalem. This would make Festus part of the murder plot. Acts 25:10 "Then said Paul, "I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest." Don't forget that Paul is a Roman citizen, and he has every right to be judged before the Roman court. The Jews have no right to judge Paul for anything, and Paul is holding his ground. If Festus follows through on his thoughts of forcing Paul to Jerusalem he is in for a lot of trouble by Roman law. Acts 25:11 "For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar." Paul is saying that if he has done anything worthy of death, he would be ready to die for those crimes. Because there are no true accusations against me under Roman Law, you seek to deliver me to Jerusalem, therefore "I appeal unto Caesar". That is Paul's right as a citizen. If this governor Festus would not have allowed that, he would be in danger of death himself. Once again, it is important that you know who you are, and what your rights are. This calls our attention to God's instructions to Satan before he is cast out of heaven, to come to earth in the role of the Antichrist. Revelation 9:4 "And it was commanded them that they shold not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads." Friend, the only men and women that will be protected from Satan's deceptions will be those that know the truth of God's Word in their minds [in their foreheads]. All the rest are fair game for satan, the Kenites, and Satan's fallen angels that are coming with him. Friend, are you relying on fairy tales like the rapture doctrine, or are you sealed with the truth of God's Word to know the times, seasons, and events that mark our end times. If you know this law that God has placed upon them and are wise enough to place that seal in your mind then you can command them to keep their "hand's off" of you. Paul's demand to see Caesar and is a type of what we shall face to seek the higher court. It is there that the instruction or command God gave to Satan will enforced, even by Satan. Paul said, "I appeal unto Caesar", because Caesar was the head of the one world government and he would witness there. Acts 25:12 "Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, "Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go." Festus conferred with those around him on the matter, then asked Paul again, "Hast thou appealed unto Caesar?" and Paul nodded yes, then Festus said, unto Caesar shalt thou go. Acts 25:13 "And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus." King Agrippa was the second son of Herod, of Acts 12, and was too young to be appointed at king at his father's death. When he become of age, in 50 A.D., Claudius gave him the kingdom of Chalcis his uncle, who was the husband of Bernice who occupied that throne for the past two years. King Agrippa was well versed in Jewish laws and customs, and the two of them came to be entertained by Paul. Acts 25:14 "And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, "There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:" Acts 25:15 "About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him." Judgment? They wanted to kill Paul. Acts 25:16 "To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.' " This is good basic law and it is just as we are suppose to have in America today. The law requires that a man may not suffer the punishment until after his trial in which he has faced his accusers face to face, and has had his time to defend himself. Acts 25:17 "Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth." This is Festus telling Bernice and Agrippa about Paul's first trial before him, how it was quick and to the point. Acts 25:18 "Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:" Festus is telling Agrippa that at first he thought that Paul had done something really bad, but after hearing the accusers, there was no charges that could be brought. Festus is spreading it on thick, because Festus was trying to please the religious leaders from Jerusalem standing this that court, without breaking Roman law. Acts 25:19 "But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, Which was dead, Whom Paul affired to be alive." "Superstition" is what the Romans called "Religion", and there is no religious ideas that were worthy of death under Roman law. Festus is telling them that all it turned out to be was that the Jews claimed this one Jesus to be dead, while Paul claimed Jesus to be alive. To Festus those thoughts are not worthy of death. What Festus is getting around to saying here is, I have this man left over from Felix and I have nothing to charge him with when I send him to Rome. It's embarrassing to have a man in jail, and not have a reason for keeping him there. Acts 25:20 "And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would do to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters." Old Porky knew that Paul would never make it to Jerusalem, because the Kenite religious leaders had already let him in on their plan to kill Paul on the road, as we read in verse three. Some say that Festus was a good ruler, however by what is written here, he is a man that just can't be trusted and would take part in a murder if given the chance. He was a man pleaser without principles. Acts 25:21 "But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar." Acts 25:22 "Then Agripppa said unto Festus, "I would also hear the man myself." "To morrow, " said he, "thou shalt hear him." Festus' hopes are that is going to get a little help in getting information to hang Paul with. Acts 25:23 "And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principle men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth." Festus is putting on a big show for the king and his wife, and all the important military leaders from Rome are present. Festus is getting a lot of attention out of this, however Paul is also getting the chance to witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is alright though, because Paul can take care of himself as he allows the Holy Spirit to witness through him. Acts 25:24 "And Festus said, "King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer." Paul is standing before the court as Festus is speaking to King Agrippa and Bernice, this crowd of important people from Jerusalem, Caesarea, and military officers. Acts 25:25 "But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him." Festus is making the anouncement to the Jews that they lost in their bid to try Paul but Festus has no choice, he has to send Paul to Rome to be tried. However there is just one little problem, I have no charges to put against him. Acts 25:26 "Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write." Can't you just see what Caesar would say when Paul shows up in court in Rome some two thousand miles away, and there is no charge to try Paul on. Just what do you think Caesar is going to think Festus? Festus wants King Agrippa to tell him what charge he can write to Caesar to send with Paul, when he goes to Rome. Acts 25:27 "For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him." Porky is saying that he thinks that Caesar is going to think that I am stupid. Do we need to say any more on the subject. Do you understand what is going on here? Jesus Christ has ordered Paul to Rome, and God is in control. God is manouvering these kings and mighty men through the hand of Almighty God. Paul will bear witness in Rome for Jesus Christ in the world capital and stand before Caesar himself. This is a type of what will also happen to certain of God's elect very shortly when the Antichrist is on the earth, ruling over his one world religious system.
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