The Acts of the Apostles, the history of the early church, by Luke the physician - Acts 25:1-12 comments: Paul appeals to Caesar

 

Acts 25:1 ¶  Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem. 2  Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him, 3  And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him. 4  But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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? 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. 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. 12  Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.

 

Governor Antonius Felix is replaced by Governor Porcius Festus, whom historians tell us with one breath ruled from 59-62 and in another breath say the dates of his rule are not certain. I told you previously to be wary of the dating of the ancient world by moderns.

 

Paul, as a Roman citizen, has a right to appeal to Caesar. This will result in his execution as tradition tells us but that is not revealed in the text. Paul’s rights bind Governor Festus to allow Paul’s appeal and be sent to Rome.

 

Caesar has a judgment seat and Christ has a judgment seat (Romans 14:10; 2Corinthians 5:10). Commentators like Matthew Henry, who were not dispensational-minded or believed in a pretribulational rapture considered this synonymous with the great white throne judgment of Revelation 20:11. Regardless, remember Christ’s statement about His authority.

 

Matthew 28:18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.