Felix sent for Paul to appear before him again as Felix was accompanied by his wife Drusilla (a Jewess). Paul used this opportunity to speak about faith in Jesus Christ. Paul’s reasoning on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment alarmed Felix, to the extent that he sent Paul away. Throughout his encounters with Paul, he was hoping Paul would give him money to be released from prison (which Paul refused to do). And so, Paul stayed in prison for 2 more years under Felix. Felix was then replaced as procurator by Festus, and Felix left Paul to languish in prison.
When Festus assumed his role, he first went to Jerusalem. The Jewish religious leaders presented their case against Paul and asked Festus to have Paul brought to Jerusalem. Their plan was to have Paul killed along the way via an ambush. But Festus rejected their request and told them they could join him back in Caesarea to present their case formally. This they did; and as Festus sat in judgment, the Jews brought many, serious charges against Paul (although they could not prove these charges). Paul rejected every single one of their charges, claiming innocence of breaking the Jewish law, defiling the temple, or sedition against Caesar.
Festus attempted to placate the Jews by asking Paul if he would like to go to Jerusalem to be tried there instead. Knowing the grave danger that such a proposal would bring and knowing the certainty of being wrongfully convicted in Jerusalem, Paul responded that he had not wronged the Jews in any way; and that as a Roman citizen, he deserved to be tried only in a Roman court. Recognizing that he had very few options at this point, Paul appealed directly to Caesar, as was his right as a Roman citizen: “I appeal to Caesar!” Festus conferred with his council and agreed to send Paul to Caesar.
- Why did Paul’s words alarm Felix so much?
- Why did Felix and Festus both try to do favors for the Jews?
- Why was Felix removed from office?
- Did Festus (or even Paul) know about the plan to ambush Paul and kill him?
- Where was Luke this whole time?
- Ultimately, why does Paul appeal to Caesar?
You can listen to this teaching on Acts 24:24-25:12 by clicking on the following link: An Appeal To Caesar
