Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, “Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.” So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. (Acts 27:23-25, NIV.)
These chapters cover Paul’s trials, his defence of his faith, and the hardships he faces as he heads to Rome to appeal his case before Caesar.
These final chapters deal with the latter part of Paul’s ministry. Peter took the lead at Pentecost, he was told to go to the Gentiles, but it was Paul who assumed this mantle of evangelism.
Paul is now in a desperate conflict. The Jews have set a trap to kill him; the Romans rescued him. In Acts 24, the High Priest and elders came to Caesarea to bring charges against him. Paul presents his case in front of Governor Felix. A few days later Felix and his wife, who is a Jewess, visit him, but Felix is hoping for a bribe. Paul was held two years under Felix, debating with him. Felix is succeeded by Festus who hears the Jews from Jerusalem. When he suggests Paul goes to Jerusalem to answer the case, he appeals to Caesar. Festus consults King Agrippa, who asks to see Paul. Festus explains the situation and that he can’t find anything to write against Paul. Agrippa allows Paul to speak for himself.
We have here in chapter 26, an incredible testimony of Paul’s defence against the accusations of the Jews, and he begs Agrippa to listen patiently.
‘The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee. And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me. Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?
‘I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.
‘On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
‘Then I asked, “Who are you, Lord?”
‘“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” the Lord replied. “Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”
‘So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen – that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.’ (Acts 26:4-23, NIV.)
By verse 27, Paul says, ‘King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.’ Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?’ Paul replied, ‘Short time or long – I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.’ The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. After they left the room, they began saying to one another, ‘This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.’ Agrippa said to Festus, ‘This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.’
In chapter 27 Paul, under guard, is sent by ship to Rome, along with other prisoners. The voyage is difficult due to bad weather. Paul warns the crew that further travel will be dangerous, but they ignore him. A violent storm hits, and they are driven off course for days. Paul reassures everyone that God has promised his safe arrival in Rome, though the ship will be wrecked. The crew finally shipwrecks on the island of Malta, but all 276 people on board survive, as Paul had foretold.