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The Acts of the Apostles
Festus discerned that the question in dispute related wholly to
Jewish doctrines, and that, rightly understood, there was nothing in
the charges against Paul, could they be proved, that would render
him subject to sentence of death, or even to imprisonment. Yet he
saw clearly the storm of rage that would be created if Paul were not
condemned or delivered into their hands. And so, “willing to do the
Jews a pleasure,” Festus turned to Paul, and asked if he was willing to
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go to Jerusalem under his protection, to be tried by the Sanhedrin.
The apostle knew that he could not look for justice from the people
who by their crimes were bringing down upon themselves the wrath of
God. He knew that, like the prophet Elijah, he would be safer among
the heathen than with those who had rejected light from heaven and
hardened their hearts against the gospel. Weary of strife, his active
spirit could ill endure the repeated delays and wearing suspense of his
trial and imprisonment. He therefore decided to exercise his privilege,
as a Roman citizen, of appealing to Caesar.
In answer to the governor’s question, Paul said: “I stand at Caesar’s
judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done
no wrong, as thou very well knowest. For if I be an offender, or have
committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there
be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver
me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar.”
Festus knew nothing of the conspiracies of the Jews to murder
Paul, and he was surprised at this appeal to Caesar. However, the
words of the apostle put a stop to the proceedings of the court. “Festus,
when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed
unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.”
Thus it was that once more, because of hatred born of bigotry and
self-righteousness, a servant of God was driven to turn for protection
to the heathen. It was this same hatred that forced the prophet Elijah
to flee for succor to the widow of Sarepta; and that forced the heralds
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of the gospel to turn from the Jews to proclaim their message to the
Gentiles. And this hatred the people of God living in this age have yet
to meet. Among many of the professing followers of Christ there is the
same pride, formalism, and selfishness, the same spirit of oppression,
that held so large a place in the Jewish heart. In the future, men
claiming to be Christ’s representatives will take a course similar to
that followed by the priests and rulers in their treatment of Christ and