August 12, 2015 (Wednesday)
Tonight at Bethel Baptist Church, Ingleside, we will study Acts. At the end of his third missionary journey, Paul returned to Jerusalem only to find himself under suspicion of subverting Judaism, beaten by a crowd and under Roman arrest. The Roman Commander, Claudius Lysias, arranged a trial for Paul by the Sanhedrin, but it immediately got out of hand and he found himself rescuing Paul instead. He realized that Paul could not get a fair trial in Jerusalem, so he made arrangements for Paul to be tried before the Roman governor in Caesarea. 
He then learned that 40 men had pledged to kill Paul en route. He therefore ordered a detachment of 470 soldiers, including cavalry, to conduct the prisoner to Caesarea during the night. Paul arrived safely in Caesarea, and was greeted by Felix, the Roman Procurator, and placed in custody until the Jewish representatives arrived to make formal charges.
When the Jewish leaders arrived, they brought a lawyer with them to represent them and file their charges. Felix heard them out, but made no decision about Paul’s guilt or innocence. Instead he placed Paul in custody, giving him the privilege of having guests. Felix left office two years later without making a decision concerning Paul’s fate. A new governor, Festus, took his place.
Back in Jerusalem, before the trip to Caesarea, a vision from the Lord assured Paul he would be the Lord’s witness in Rome. With that certainty in view, Paul confidently faced his accusers. He didn’t know what circumstances would develop to make possible a trip to Rome, but he was sure it would happen. And it did. More next week.
(Edited and republished from July 3, 2009)