Acts - Week 78

Week 78 Acts 25 

Day 1 

READ 

Acts 25:15-16 

15 “When I was in Jerusalem, the leading priests and Jewish elders pressed charges against him and asked me to condemn him. 16 I pointed out to them that Roman law does not convict people without a trial. They must be given an opportunity to confront their accusers and defend themselves. 

Governor Festus continues to explain to King Agrippa his concern about what to do with Paul. He acknowledges that Roman law cannot convict someone without a trial and the opportunity to confront their accusers. This gives insight into the Roman law that some countries, including the United States of America, have used as a model for their legal system. 

REFLECT 

Do you live in a country that follows the customs of the Roman law mentioned by Governor Festus? If so, be thankful. 

RESPOND 

With your disciple, talk about the legal customs of your country. Is there opportunity for a trial, and for a person to confront his accusers and defend himself? 

Day 2 

READ 

Acts 25:17-19 

17 “When his accusers came here for the trial, I didn’t delay. I called the case the very next day and ordered Paul brought in. 18 But the accusations made against him weren’t any of the crimes I expected. 19 Instead, it was something about their religion and a dead man named Jesus, who Paul insists is alive. 

When Paul’s accusers arrived, they could present no evidence that caused Governor Festus to think he had committed a crime against the Roman government. Instead, their accusations had to do with “something about their religion and a dead man named Jesus, who Paul insists is alive.” This reveals the key issue was about Jesus’ resurrection.  

REFLECT 

The Jews were willing to listen to Paul talk about the life and death of Jesus, but they were outraged when he spoke of His resurrection. Notice the disrespect of the governor who spoke of Jesus as “a dead man named Jesus.”  

RESPOND 

People need to be reminded that either they will bow to Jesus in this life by trusting Him as Savior or they will bow before Him in death. Read Philippians 2:9-11 that tells what the Father will eventually do for the Son and those who will bow to Him. 

Day 3 

READ 

Acts 25:20-22 

20 “I was at a loss to know how to investigate these things, so I asked him whether he would be willing to stand trial on these charges in Jerusalem. 21 But Paul appealed to have his case decided by the emperor. So I ordered that he be held in custody until I could arrange to send him to Caesar.” 22 “I’d like to hear the man myself,” Agrippa said. And Festus replied, “You will—tomorrow!” 

Governor Festus admitted he did not know what to do with Paul. If he would send Paul to the emperor he would have to know what charges to present against him. King Agrippa said he would like to hear Paul. Festus was surely relieved to have some help in solving his problem and agreed to make it occur the next day. What do you think Paul will say? What do you think King Agrippa will say after he hears Paul?  

REFLECT 

Have you faced uncertainty about a decision and was pleased to have someone help? Have you sometimes stepped in to help someone else? 

RESPOND 

When you have been put on the spot to give a defense of yourself, what have you said? Prepared speeches may be found inadequate at such a time. Read Proverbs 16:1 to be reminded of how the Lord can help in times of need.  

Day 4 

READ 

Acts 25:23-25 

23 So the next day Agrippa and Bernice arrived at the auditorium with great pomp, accompanied by military officers and prominent men of the city. Festus ordered that Paul be brought in. 24 Then Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are here, this is the man whose death is demanded by all the Jews, both here and in Jerusalem. 25 But in my opinion he has done nothing deserving death. However, since he appealed his case to the emperor, I have decided to send him to Rome. 

King Agrippa and his sister Bernice were accompanied by “military officers and prominent men of the city.” Surely they wanted to make Paul feel overwhelmed by their importance and presence. Would he? Governor Festus repeats he thinks Paul has done nothing deserving of death and has agree to send him to Rome. If Festus does this, what charges against Paul will he send to the emperor? 

REFLECT 

Imagine the important-looking crowd waiting as Paul stepped into the room. Have you had an occasion of being overwhelmed by an impressive group before whom you needed to speak? 

RESPOND 

Talk with your disciple about the need to fear God rather than man. Pray for believers who may have their lives threatened even now and who need to be encouraged. Realize there may come a day when you will need others’ prayers and encouragement. 

Day 5 

READ 

Acts 25:26-27 

26 “But what shall I write the emperor? For there is no clear charge against him. So I have brought him before all of you, and especially you, King Agrippa, so that after we examine him, I might have something to write. 27 For it makes no sense to send a prisoner to the emperor without specifying the charges against him!” 

This passage reveals how much Governor Festus is wrestling with the fact he has no charges to present against Paul when he sends him to the emperor. The governor is hoping King Agrippa will tell him of a charge that could be used against Paul. Will he? What if no charge can be agreed on? Acts 25 ends without giving answers. Those who added chapter and verse divisions later left the reader hanging at this point. 

REFLECT 

Have you found it disappointing to come to the end of a chapter and wonder how the story finishes? Keep reading. 

RESPOND 

It is helpful to know that when originally written there were no chapter and verse divisions. They were added to make for easier reference. Those used today were developed by Stephen Langton about A.D. 1227. Sometimes it helps to keep reading through the chapter break to see the topic continued as now seen with Acts 25 and 26. Do this with various chapters.