Acts: Go & Be Chapters 19-28Sample

What is this passage saying?

At the beginning of chapter 25, Paul is in prison in Caesarea, preparing to appear before Festus. Jewish leaders and priests met with Festus in Jerusalem and asked for Paul to be sent on trial there in Jerusalem, but Festus decided to head back to Caesarea to hear Paul’s trial there instead. Paul has appealed his trial with Felix and is now ready to go before Festus. The Jewish leaders are out to get Paul. They have been making false accusations about him, trying to get him killed. None of the Jews have been able to prove any of their accusations against Paul, so he keeps appealing the trial. Festus agrees to continue sending Paul’s case to Caesar.

What is this passage teaching?

Paul remains steadfast in the Lord amidst his trial. Everyone is coming against him. The Jews are angry and ready for him to be dead. Paul keeps appealing because there is nothing that he has done wrong, and he is trying to make it before Caesar in Rome. His perseverance in standing on the truth inspires the reader to remain confident in the hope of Jesus Christ. Even though the Roman Officials are leaning more favorably toward the Jewish Leaders, God is still protecting Paul because, ultimately, this is God’s purpose for Paul as he lives a life worthy of the call of Jesus Christ while spreading the hope he has in Jesus on his way to Rome getting ready to meet Caesar.

How do I respond?

God is always faithful! When He calls you, He will equip you to get you through any circumstance you find yourself in. Paul is showing his faithfulness to God by enduring the obstacles of these trials. In this chapter, Paul stands firm on his beliefs and is unwilling to back down. No matter what people think, Paul still proclaims the Gospel. Sometimes, our circumstances in life can be hard to understand what is going on. People and even leaders will begin to spread false accusations about you. What are you going to do? Paul stood on the truth of God’s Word.