Study Desk

Then Paul said, "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and I was brought up and educated here in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. As his student, I was carefully trained in our Jewish laws and customs. I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did, just like all of you today.

"Then he told me, ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and hear him speak.

For you are to be his witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heard.

The commander brought Paul inside and ordered him lashed with whips to make him confess his crime. He wanted to find out why the crowd had become so furious.

As the conflict grew more violent, the commander was afraid they would tear Paul apart. So he ordered his soldiers to go and rescue him by force and take him back to the fortress.

So you and the high council should ask the commander to bring Paul back to the council again. Pretend you want to examine his case more fully. We will kill him on the way."

But Paul's nephew—his sister's son—heard of their plan and went to the fortress and told Paul.

The commander took his hand, led him aside, and asked, "What is it you want to tell me?"

Then the commander called two of his officers and ordered, "Get 200 soldiers ready to leave for Caesarea at nine o'clock tonight. Also take 200 spearmen and 70 mounted troops.

"From Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings!

But when I was informed of a plot to kill him, I immediately sent him on to you. I have told his accusers to bring their charges before you."

He ordered an officer to keep Paul in custody but to give him some freedom and allow his friends to visit him and take care of his needs.

A few days later Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus.

Three days after Festus arrived in Caesarea to take over his new responsibilities, he left for Jerusalem,

About eight or ten days later Festus returned to Caesarea, and on the following day he took his seat in court and ordered that Paul be brought in.

Festus conferred with his advisers and then replied, "Very well! You have appealed to Caesar, and to Caesar you will go!"

A few days later King Agrippa arrived with his sister, Bernice, to pay their respects to Festus.

"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.

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."

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.