“Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. For this reason, the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.” -Acts 26:19-23 (ESV).
In the passage from Acts given above, Paul the Apostle is in Caesarea about 65 miles northwest of Jerusalem. The city is on the Mediterranean Sea. Because Paul was a Roman citizen, he had asked for an appearance before Caesar, the Emperor, in Rome. He had been taken out of the Roman barracks in Jerusalem, heavily guarded by 200 Roman soldiers, until his entourage arrived in Antiparis, about half-way to Caesarea. Having out-run the angry Jews who were also on their way to Caesarea hoping to kill Paul before he could go on to Rome for trial,, the 200 Roman soldiers returned to Jerusalem. A contingent of the cavalry continued on toget Paul safely to Caesarea. Paul would be retained in Caesarea for two years. There he would testify before three Roman leaders in high positions, governors or procurators, Felix, whose term was from 52 A. D. to 60 A. D., followed by Festus, governor from 60 A. D. until his death in 62 A. D. King Agrippa II,the “Herod,” or major ruler of the Jewish people under Roman Rule, and his wife, Bernice, wife, arrived in Caesarea for a visit. King Agrippa and many heard the testimony of Paul as given in Acts 26:2-23. At this point Festus had already given permission for Paul, a Roman citizen, to be sent on to Rome to appear before Caesar. When Paul had given his testimony before King Agrippa, Paul asked him: King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe (the prophets,understood, for Agrippa had studied avidly the law and the prophets. King Agrippa replied, “In a short time, wouldy ou persuade me to be a Christian?” (See Acts 26:27-29). Even before rulers, Paul sought to bring them to a belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, proving that he was truly called of the Lord to be an apostle to the Gentiles.
Following Paul’s testimony before King Agrippa II and Festus, the governor (procurator)at Caesarea, and the King, agreed that Paul had done nothing to deserve death, and that if he had not already been granted a hearing before Caesar in Rome, hecould be set free. Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe says of the Apostle: “Paul did not look for the easy way but for the way that would most honor the Lord and win the lost. He was even willing to become a prisoner if that would further the work of the gospel.[i] God amazingly cared for Paul, his servant, and allowed him to speak and preach in many places following his amazing conversion on the road to Damascus. We are reminded of these words from Psalm 34:7: “The angel of the Lorden camps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.” (Psalm 34:7). After giving his testimony, Paul pressed fora decision to follow the Christ. Let us not forget in our witnessing that we, too, should seek to persuade those to whom we witness to have faith in the Lord to save us so that we, too, may be apart of His kingdom and look forward to our own resurrection from death, as Christ promised.
Thank you, Lord, that by faith we are saved for abundant life here, and everlasting life with You. -Ethelene Dyer Jones. 02.18.2018.
[i]Warren W. Wiersbe, The Wiersbe BibleCommentary. NT. Colorado Springs: David C. Cook. 2007. P. 397.
Ethelene Dyer Jones
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