Acts 25 · Grade 4
Before Caesar's Judgment Seat
Read and Think
Three days after arriving, Festus went up to Jerusalem. The chief priests asked him to send Paul there, planning an ambush on the way. Festus said Paul would be kept at Caesarea, and the leaders could come and accuse him there.
At Caesarea they brought many serious charges they could not prove. Paul said in his defense, "Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar, have I sinned at all."
Festus, wanting to please the leaders, asked Paul if he would be judged in Jerusalem. Paul said he stood before Caesar's judgment seat, where he ought to be tried, and had done no wrong. He said, "I appeal to Caesar!" After talking with the council, Festus said, "You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you shall go."
King Agrippa and Bernice arrived to greet Festus. Festus said the accusers had only questions about their own religion and about one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul said was alive. The next day, with great pomp, Agrippa and Bernice entered the hall, and Paul was brought in.
Show What You Know
Why did the chief priests want Paul sent to Jerusalem?
Where did Paul say he ought to be tried?
What did Festus say after talking with the council?
What did Paul say about Jesus, according to Festus?
Word Bank Fill-In
Use the word bank to fill in each blank.
- Three days after arriving, went up to Jerusalem.
- The chief priests asked him to send there, planning an ambush on the way.
- Festus said Paul would be kept at , and the leaders could come and accuse him there.
- At Caesarea they many serious charges they could not prove.
- Festus, wanting to please the leaders, asked Paul if he would be judged in .
Think About It
Paul used a lawful right to keep moving toward Rome, where God said he must testify. How can God use ordinary rules and choices in his plans?
Festus summed up the whole case as being about one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul said was alive. Why is that the center of the gospel?
Memory Verse
“But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also know very well.”
Acts 25:10 (WEB)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for the lesson of Paul Appeals to Caesar. Help me . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- How was God leading Paul toward Rome?
- How can you trust God when people plan against you?
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