Acts 24:24-25:12

Summary
In our bible reading of today, we read how Felix and his wife Drusilla attentively listened to Paul as he educated them on Faith in Christ Jesus, Righteousness, self-control and coming of the Judgment day.? Paul preached to the extent that Felix trembled and as he couldn’t take it no more, he sent Paul away.
Felix’s expectation of Paul for each time he called for him was bribery so he could free Paul from prison ? but as Paul didn’t tow that line, he left him there after he was succeeded by Festus .
?Festus resumed his responsibility as the new ruler and the leading priest and Jewish leader again laid many serious accusations against Paul to Festus, asking him to transfer his case to Jerusalem, with an intention to kill Paul on the way but Festus assured them of handling the case, which he did.
Paul denied all the charges lay against him? as he was not guilty of any crime against the Jewish law, the temple or the Roman government. Festus being sentimental in his investigations, tried to put Paul on spot with his questions and Paul appealed to Caesar.

Life Application
Being a believer doesn’t mean you won’t go through trials in life, this doesn’t mean the people who share same or different belief with you won’t go against you or even persecute you. If you are presently going through trials, Jesus said you should be of good cheer for he has overcome for you. Your victory is certain in Jesus name.

Personal Declaration
My strength is daily renewed in Christ Jesus. I will not faint nor fall in my walk with Christ in Jesus name. Amen

Reading – Acts 24:24-25:12

²⁴ Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁵ As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” ²⁶ At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.

²⁷ When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.

Paul’s Trial Before Festus

25 Three days after arriving in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem,² where the chief priests and the Jewish leaders appeared before him and presented the charges against Paul. ³ They requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way.⁴ Festus answered, “Paul is being held at Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon.⁵ Let some of your leaders come with me, and if the man has done anything wrong, they can press charges against him there.”

⁶ After spending eight or ten days with them, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he convened the court and ordered that Paul be brought before him. ⁷ When Paul came in, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him. They brought many serious charges against him, but they could not prove them.

⁸ Then Paul made his defense: “I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar.”

⁹ Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?”

¹⁰ Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. ¹¹ If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”

¹² After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”