OPEN BOOK – HINTS FROM THE SPIRIT OF HOLINESS: ATTEMPTED RETRIAL

In his commentary on Acts, BRUCE C WEARNE looks at what chapter 25 says about attempts to have Paul returned to Jerusalem so he could be killed along the way…

Three days after Festus came into his province, he journeyed up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. And yhat was when the chief priests and the leading Jews presented him with their case against Paul. They were insistent and requested that, as a special favour, the man be summoned to Jerusalem. They planned to have him killed in an ambush on the way up. Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea, where he planned to go shortly. “So,” replied he, “let those with the authority among you [to bring a case] come down with me, and if there be anything amiss with this man, he can be accused there.” – Acts 25:1-5/transliteration by Bruce C Wearne

WARNING! Paul was faced another plot against his life. PICTURE: Bob Smith/www.freeimages.com

IN A NUTSHELL
After two years, Paul’s execution was still a high priority for the Sanhedrin. But Festus required due process. 

Festus was in a difficult position. Most newly appointed chief executive officers have difficulties when they first take up their post. Felix was recalled and Festus was appointed. And riots continued between Jews and Gentiles in Caesarea. We have no information that this had anything to do with Paul’s imprisonment. It does not seem to have been related.

Festus’ initial action, after taking up his post, was to visit Jerusalem and begin negotiations for a more peaceful, less turbulent administration. In this regard there would have been many matters to discuss with the Jewish leaders with a priority list drawn up. We can imagine Festus coming with his list and the Jewish leaders coming with theirs. Paul was not on the list of issues Festus wanted discussed. But he was on the list brought by the chief priests and the Jewish leadership.

Two years had passed since Paul had been sent from Lysius to Felix in Caesarea. Though Paul was safe in the governor’s fort in Caesarea, the Jewish leaders were still bent on getting rid of him, and by murder if need be. So now Luke tells us of another plot. They were desperate. They would ambush the armed party taking Paul up to Jerusalem. The chief priests and the leading Jews were playing a double game. Luke leaves us in no doubt about this.

Many decades later, Christians would be blamed for the civil strife within the tottering structures of the Roman administration. But Luke here tells us how the earliest Christians had to face up to corrupt administrations on all sides. They faced great difficulties. Paul is pictured at an intersection point of Roman and Jewish judicial corruption. Luke describes the dangerous circumstances in which followers of Jesus found themselves. The subversion that comes from following Jesus subverts the idolatry that has captured a person’s heart, a nation’s heart, even an empire’s heart. There is simply no hint whatsoever of the Holy Spirit inspiring Jesus’ followers to wage war against their fellow Jews or form guerrilla bands to overthrow the Romans. Luke has emphasised Paul’s friendship and respect with community leaders like the Asiarchs – see Acts 19:31.

Festus did not agree to Paul being brought up to Jerusalem. The Jewish leaders asked for a Jewish court authorised by the Roman Governor. Festus took one step at a time. First Paul would have to be formally accused in Caesarea. Luke knew that those who had waited two years were willing to go down to Caesarea with Festus if it meant that Paul could later be brought up to Jerusalem for trial.