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Sketches from the Life of Paul
that had been his deliverers. Gallio, Lysias, and even Felix, had not
hesitated to proclaim his innocence, while every Jewish tribunal had
condemned him, without proving his guilt.
Paul was weary of strife, weary of the fierce reiteration of charges,
again and again refuted, and as often renewed. His active spirit could
ill endure the repeated delays and wearing suspense of his trial and im-
prisonment. How repulsive to him had been the daily contact with the
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coarse, idle, unprincipled soldiery, the frequent sounds of contention,
and the rumors of strife and bloodshed between Jew and Gentile. He
had nothing more to hope for from Jewish priests or rulers; but as a
Roman citizen he had one special privilege, he could appeal to Caesar,
and for a time, at least, his enemies would be kept at bay.
To the governor’s question, Paul made answer, I stand at Caesar’s
tribunal. Here, and not before the Sanhedrim, I ought to be judged.
Turning to the procurator, he appealed to him directly: Even you,
Festus, are convinced that no charges have been sustained against me.
I have never in any respect wronged the Jews. If I have committed
any crime, it is not against them, but against the emperor; and if found
guilty, I do not refuse to die. But if the accusations they bring against
me cannot be proved, no one can give me into their power as a favor. 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. It was not flattering
to the pride of the Roman procurator, that the first case brought before
him should be thus referred to higher authority. However, the words
of the apostle put a stop to the proceedings of the court. Felix held a
brief consultation with his counsel, and all agreeing that the appeal
was legally admissible, he said to the prisoner: “Hast thou appealed
unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.” This was said in a tone and
manner which seemed to imply that Paul little knew what an appeal to
Caesar meant.
Once more the hatred born of Jewish bigotry and self-righteousness
had driven the servant of God to turn for protection to a heathen ruler.
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It was the same hatred that forced the prophet Elijah to flee for succor
to the widow of Sarepta; that constrained the heralds of the gospel to
proclaim their message to the Gentiles. It is the same spirit that the
people of God in this age have yet to meet. In the great crisis through
which they are soon to pass, they will become better acquainted with