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Their purposes defeated； the Jewish leaders at once prepared to witness
against Paul at the court of the procurator。 Upon returning to Caesarea；
after a few days' sojourn at Jerusalem； Festus 〃the next day sitting on the
judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought。〃 〃The Jews which came down from
Jerusalem stood round about； and laid many and grievous complaints against
Paul； which they could not prove。〃 Being on this occasion without a lawyer；
the Jews preferred their charges themselves。 As the trial proceeded； the
accused with calmness and candor clearly showed the falsity of their
statements。
Festus discerned that the question in dispute related wholly to Jewish
doctrines； and that； rightly understood； there was nothing in the charges
against Paul； could they be proved； that would render him subject to
sentence of death； or even to imprisonment。 Yet he saw clearly the storm of
rage that would be created if Paul were not condemned or delivered into
their hands。 And so； 〃willing to do the Jews a pleasure；〃 Festus turned to
Paul； and asked if he
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was willing to go to Jerusalem under his protection； to be tried by the
Sanhedrin。
The apostle knew that he could not look for justice from the people who by
their crimes were bringing down upon themselves the wrath of God。 He knew
that； like the prophet Elijah； he would be safer among the heathen than with
those who had rejected light from heaven and hardened their hearts against
the gospel。 Weary of strife； his active spirit could ill endure the repeated
delays and wearing suspense of his trial and imprisonment。 He therefore
decided to exercise his privilege； as a Roman citizen； of appealing to
Caesar。
In answer to the governor's question； Paul said： 〃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。 For if I be an offender； or have committed
anything 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。〃
Festus knew nothing of the conspiracies of the Jews to murder Paul； and he
was surprised at this appeal to Caesar。 However； the words of the apostle
put a stop to the proceedings of the court。 〃Festus； when he had conferred
with the council； answered； Hast thou appealed unto Caesar？ unto Caesar
shalt thou go。〃
Thus it was that once more； because of hatred born of bigotry and
self…righteousness； a servant of God was driven to turn for protection to
the heathen。 It was this same hatred that forced the prophet Elijah to flee
for succor to the widow
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of Sarepta； and that forced the heralds of the gospel to turn from the Jews
to proclaim their message to the Gentiles。 And this hatred the people of God
living in this age have yet to meet。 Among many of the professing followers
of Christ there is the same pride； formalism； and selfishness； the same
spirit of oppression； that held so large a place in the Jewish heart。 In the
future； men claiming to be Christ's representatives will take a course
similar to that followed by the priests and rulers in their treatment of
Christ and the apostles。 In the great crisis through which they are soon to
pass； the faithful servants of God will encounter the same hardness of
heart； the same cruel determination； the same unyielding hatred。
All who in that evil day would fearlessly serve God according to the
dictates of conscience； will need courage； firmness； and a knowledge of God
and His word； for those who are true to God will be persecuted； their
motives will be impugned； their best efforts misinterpreted； and their names
cast out as evil。 Satan will work with all his deceptive power to influence
the heart and becloud the understanding； to make evil appear good； and good
evil。 The stronger and purer the faith of God's people； and the firmer their
determination to obey Him； the more fiercely will Satan strive to stir up
against them the rage of those who； while claiming to be righteous； trample
upon the law of God。 It will require the firmest trust； the most heroic
purpose； to hold fast the faith once delivered to the saints。
God desires His people to prepare for the soon…coming
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crisis。 Prepared or unprepared； they must all meet it； and those only who
have brought their lives into conformity to the divine standard； will stand
firm at that time of test and trial。 When secular rulers unite with
ministers of religion to dictate in matters of conscience； then it will be
seen who really fear and serve God。 When the darkness is deepest； the light
of a godlike character will shine the brightest。 When every other trust
fails； then it will be seen who have an abiding trust in Jehovah。 And while
the enemies of truth are on every side； watching the Lord's servants for
evil； God will watch over them for good。 He will be to them as the shadow of
a great rock in a weary land。
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Chapter 41
〃Almost Thou Persuadest Me〃
Paul had appealed to Caesar； and Festus could not do otherwise than send him
to Rome。 But some time passed before a suitable ship could be found； and as
other prisoners were to be sent with Paul； the consideration of their cases
also occasioned delay。 This gave Paul opportunity to present the reasons of
his faith before the principal men of Caesarea； and also before King Agrippa
II； the last of the Herods。
〃After certain days King Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute
Festus。 And when they had been there many days； Festus declared Paul's cause
unto the king； saying； There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix： about
whom； when I was at Jerusalem； the chief priests and the elders of the Jews
informed me； desiring to have judgment against him。〃 He outlined the
circumstances that led to the prisoner's appeal to Caesar； telling of Paul's
recent trial before him； and saying that the Jews had brought against
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Paul no accusation such as he had supposed they would bring； but 〃certain
questions 。 。 。 of their own superstition； and of one Jesus； which was dead；
whom Paul affirmed to be alive。〃
As Festus told his story； Agrippa became interested and said； 〃I would also
hear the man myself。〃 In harmony with his wish； a meeting was arranged for
the following day。 〃And on the morrow； when Agrippa was come； and Bernice；
with great pomp； and was entered into the place of hearing； with the chief
captains； and principal men of the city； at Festus' commandment Paul was
brought forth。〃
In honor of his visitors； Festus had sought to make this an occasion of
imposing display。 The rich robes of the procurator and his guests； the
swords of the soldiers； and the gleaming armor of their commanders； lent
brilliancy to the scene。
And now Paul； still manacled； stood before the assembled company。 What a
contrast was here presented！ Agrippa and Bernice possessed power and
position； and because of this they were favored by the world