Study Desk

Festus had been in the country for three days and headed to Jerusalem.

With silver tongues, they graciously asked that Paul be returned to them for a trial. Of course, they were still going to ambush him and kill him before any trial took place.

About a week and a half later, Festus arrived in Caesarea. The next day, he took his seat in the courtroom and ordered for Paul to be brought in.

There was quite a commotion and Festus hunkered behind closed doors to talk to his advisors. Finally, he came out and said, "Then it's settled. You asked for Caesar? You'll get Caesar."

Agrippa sat silent for a moment and then said, "Do you think I could hear Paul's story for myself?"Festus said, "You bet. I'll send for him tomorrow."

The next day, Agrippa and Bernice strolled into the auditorium followed by military leaders and other prominent citizens. After they were seated, Festus sent for Paul.

But the question is this, what am I supposed to tell the emperor? What charge am I supposed to bring that will be both the truth and one that won't make me look like an idiot for sending him all the way to Rome? So I let you hear his story, King Agrippa. Maybe after you hear it, you can tell me how to proceed.

And I am standing here today for one simple fact, I believe God will keep his promise he made to our ancestors.

That was my job in Jerusalem. With authority given to me by the church, I arrested every believer I could find and threw them in prison. When it came time to sentence them to death for their belief, I cast my vote to have them killed.

Get up! I'm making you switch sides. You're gonna ride for me now. You will tell people about me and tell them the truths I will reveal to you in the future.

You will help them see with open eyes so they will no longer walk in darkness, but the light. You will help them turn from Satan and ride for God. Then they will be forgiven for their sorry ways and have a spot on God's outfit. And the only way you get there is through me.'

I preached first to those in the Damascus area. Then I preached in Jerusalem and all of Judea. Then I went to the mavericks, or Gentiles, so all would turn from their sorry ways and ride for God. And the proof of this change was the good things they did.

All these problems we are gathered here for is a result of me telling this story to everyone. Some Jews arrested me in the main church for telling my tale. And they did all they could to kill me,

King Agrippa is familiar with everything I've said. Why would I be so bold as to risk my life for a fable? These things didn't take place in a dark alley, but right out in the open for everyone to see.

Paul shrugged his shoulders and said, "I care not if it is today or tomorrow. I just pray to God you and everyone else here might become like me . . . except for the chains that lay heavy upon me."

We got on a boat at Adramyttium and readied to sail for ports along the coast and in the Asia province. Then we were off. Aristarchus of Macedonia accompanied us.

But the officer in charge of Paul turned a deaf ear to him, and the ship's captain and the owner decided to head for Phoenix.

They dropped all four anchors to keep themselves from being dashed on the rocks below and everyone prayed for the day to come.

The anchors were cut loose and the rudder was untied. They raised the mainsail and made out like a bandit for the safety of the beach.

but the centurion kept them from killing Paul. The centurion ordered everyone to abandon ship and swim for the shore.