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Paul Appeals to Caesar and Then Witnesses to King Herod Agrippa (How would…
Paul Appeals to Caesar and Then Witnesses to King Herod Agrippa
How would the Roman authorities have viewed the beliefs that Paul preached?
The Roman military commander took Paul into custody.
That led to his being taken to Caesarea, from where the Romans administered Judea.
That likely introduced Christianity more fully to people who might not know much about it.
There he would have unusual opportunities to give a bold witness before the authorities.
Paul’s opposers tried in various ways to turn the common people and the authorities against the apostle.
To answer that, it is useful to note how the Romans considered religions in general.
(...) except when it seemed that there was a danger to the State or to morality.
Rome granted the Jews broad rights in the empire.
They did not force the different ethnic groups of their empire to give up their religions (...)
Paul would use the protection that Roman law gave to the Jewish faith as he defended Christianity before Roman authorities.
At the temple, the Jews rioted and wanted to kill Paul.
When Paul was being prepared to be whipped, he revealed that he was a Roman citizen.
Acts describes Paul’s trial before Felix, the Roman governor of Judea, who had already heard something about what Christians believed.
He stayed calm and respectful.
Paul referred to the Law and the Prophets, and he claimed the right to worship ‘the God of his forefathers.’
It is of interest to Christians today to consider how Paul dealt with the charges.
The Jews charged Paul with breaking Roman law in at least three ways.
that he led a dangerous sect;
and that he was trying to profane the temple, which was then under Roman protection.
hey said that he promoted sedition among the Jews throughout the empire;
Those charges could lead to his being sentenced to death.
Finally, so that he could get a fair hearing, Paul said:
“I appeal to Caesar!”
.
Acts 25:11
The most powerful ruler of that time!
Jesus told his disciples: “You will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a witness to them and the nations.”
Our efforts to defend the good news may result in legal victories.
(BUT) Only God’s Kingdom will bring permanent relief from oppression and injustice.
It is a privilege to represent Jesus in this way.
Yet, even today Jehovah’s name can be glorified when Christians make a defense of their faith.
ACTS 26:1-3
for he would give them words and wisdom that all their opposers together would not be able to resist or dispute.’
Jesus told his followers that they would not have to ‘rehearse beforehand how to make their defense,
As Paul was, we should try to be calm, sincere, and convincing
ACTS 26:28
(...) they can give a witness to people whom it might otherwise have been difficult to reach with the Christian message.
Some favorable court decisions have refined legal codes, thus protecting freedom of speech and of worship.
When Christians defend their faith before kings, governors, or other officials, (...)
But whatever the outcome of such cases, (...)
(...) the courage God’s servants display under trial makes God rejoice!
