Appeal in Truth (11/14/23)
Acts 25
Freya
11/15/2023
Life Lesson(s)…
Acts 25 shows the lengths that Paul was involved in an appeal in truth. Acts 25 adopts the three meanings of appeal as exemplified by various persons. One was Paul's legal appeal to be judged by the emperor. The second was the appeal Paul made to his Jewish accusers and the tribunal. The third definition was Festus' request for help.
According to Merriam Webster's dictionary "to appeal" can mean "to take a lower court's decision to a higher court for review". Pretty straight-forward, verses 9-10 showed the leanings of the tribunal run by Festus and his desire to "do the Jews the favor". Yet, he offered Paul to be tried in Jerusalem or by the emperor, the "favor" could not be accomplished. Paul chose the "higher court" of the emperor as opposed to the "lower court" of Festus where the decision would not have been favorable.
Secondly, Paul's defense and argument to the tribunal exemplified the other meaning of "to appeal". In this portion of Paul's appeal, "to appeal" meant "to call upon another for corroboration, vindication, or decision". Paul provided truthful facts, declared his innocence of any violation of Judaic or Roman law and demanded witnesses for corroboration and charges of particular crimes of those accusing him.
Finally, on the Roman side of Paul's ordeal, Acts 25 had Festus appealing to the last Jewish king (Herod) Agrippa and Bernice. Here, "to appeal" takes on the definition of "to make an earnest request". Festus sought Agrippa's and Bernice's assistance in giving valid charges against Paul in order to send him to the emperor to be adjudicated because Festus found that Paul "had done nothing deserving death."
Your Thoughts…
Study, pray and/or journal answers to the following:
When you first read Acts 25, did you see the complexity of the various levels regarding the concept and definition of appeal in truth? Were you able to see the appeal in truth for Paul and the other people involved in Acts 25? Do you agree that Acts 25 is about appeal in truth? Why or why not?
Why do you believe that Paul's journey from Jerusalem to the emperor was detailed for Christians? What other life lesson can you glean from this that you can apply today?
Subscribe here:
And as [Agrippa and Bernice] stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying…But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar."
ACTS 25:14, 21(ESV)