Acts

After Paul's opponents had tried to kill him in Jerusalem, the military took him into protective custody. Threats against his life continued and so he was moved north during the night, with a large military escort, to the fortress in Caeserea. That was where Governor Felix ruled the northern territories of Syria, including Tarsus in Cilicia - Paul's home town. Tarsus was a special Roman city; everyone born there was automatically a Roman citizen, giving Paul privileges including the protection of a fair trial.

While Paul was held in the Roman fortress at Caesarea, Felix the Governor allowed Paul to have some liberty and for his friends to bring him what he needed. It was a safe place; Paul's accusers could not attack him there. It was God's provision to preserve Paul's life; also it was an opportunity for Felix to understand and respond to the gospel.

overnor Felix had played with the truth. He had kept Paul in prison at Caesarea for two years, often asking him about Jesus and the gospel, but with no intention of repenting or trusting Jesus (Acts 24:24-26). Meanwhile, the religious leaders in Jerusalem were still intent on killing Paul. Two years had not decreased their hatred. So when the time came for Felix to be replaced by Festus, it provided a fresh opportunity to assassinate Paul.

Festus, the new Governor of Syria wanted to make a good impression on the religious leaders (Acts 25:1-5). Although he had Caesar's authority, he needed the support of Israel's leaders if he was to maintain peace in the country. His job and possibly life depended on being able to manipulate the religious leaders to keep their people in order.

Paul had been imprisoned, although with the freedom to welcome personal visitors, for over two years. He was first tried by Governor Felix and then Governor Festus with the same outcome: they did not know what to do with Paul. He had committed no crime and should have been set free (Acts 26:32). However, if they had released him, the religious leaders would have killed him proving that Roman military power was weak – and the governors may have lost their jobs.

Paul was a problem for the new Roman Governor, Festus. What should he do with the Christian? Paul's accusers had produced no evidence to support any criminal charge. But the apostle was deeply hated by the religious establishment: releasing him would probably lose the cooperation of the national leaders. Also, Paul had appealed to be tried before Caesar, but how could he be sent without a criminal charge?

Naturally, human beings are proud in their hearts. Most of us have many reasons for being humbled and not daring to display our pride too much, but the trappings of high office can bring it to the surface. The new governor of Northern Israel and Syria, Festus, was being visited by King Herod Agrippa II. It was a diplomatic visit but also an opportunity to show Festus that he was under Herod's jurisdiction. Both men were trying to impress each other.

Paul stood in the middle of a great hall in the fortress of Caesarea, surrounded by top military and civic dignitaries (Acts 25:23-24). King Herod Agrippa II had come to impress the new governor, Festus; and Festus wanted to impress his new boss.

King Herod Agrippa II invited Paul to defend himself against his accusers: that was Paul's right under Roman law. Instead, Paul took the opportunity to give his testimony. He explained how he lived before he met Jesus, how he met Jesus and how that encounter changed his life. Today's verses start that narrative with his strict religious upbringing as a Pharisee.

Paul was not proud of his past, before meeting Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:9). In his persecution of the church, many believers suffered. Some lost their lives (Acts 22:4). Although it was a refining period for the church, a lot of grief came to many godly people. Looking back, Paul could see how blindly arrogant he was, more obsessed with his own power than the righteousness of his cause.