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Paul's trial before Festus and Agrippa

Paul on trial at Caesarea.
Contributed by Sweet Publishing
Story also available on our translated websites: Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Romanian, Hindi, Arabic, Simplified Chinese
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When Porcius Festus took over as Governor from Felix, the Jewish authorities asked for Paul to be put on trial in Jerusalem (hoping to ambush and kill him on the way). Festus instead agreed to a fresh trial in Caesarea. Paul denied the charges saying, ‘I am not guilty of any crime against the Jewish laws or the Temple or the Roman government.’ – Slide 1
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Then Festus, wanting to please the Jews, asked him, ‘Are you willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there?’ – Slide 2
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‘No!’ Paul replied. ‘This is the official Roman court, so I ought to be tried here. You know I am not guilty. If I have done something worthy of death, I should die. But if I am innocent, no one has a right to turn me over to these men to kill me. I appeal to Caesar!’ – Slide 3
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Festus conferred with his advisers and then replied, ‘Very well! You have appealed to Caesar, and to Caesar you will go!’ – Slide 4
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A few days later King Agrippa arrived with his sister, Bernice, to pay their respects to Festus. They discussed Paul’s case together. ‘I’d like to hear the man myself,’ Agrippa said.Festus replied, ‘You will, tomorrow!’ – Slide 5
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The next day Agrippa and Bernice arrived at the auditorium, accompanied by military officers and prominent men of the city. Paul was brought in. Festus announced, ‘This is the man whose death is demanded by all the Jews, but in my opinion he has done nothing deserving death. However, since he appealed his case to the emperor, I have decided to send him to Rome. But what charge shall I make against him?’ – Slide 6
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Paul stood up and told them how he had encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus and become a Christian. Acts 26:1-23 – Slide 7
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Suddenly, Festus shouted, ‘Paul, you are insane. Too much study has made you crazy!’ – Slide 8
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Paul replied, ‘I am not insane, Most Excellent Festus. What I am saying is the truth. King Agrippa knows about these things. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.’ – Slide 9
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Agrippa interrupted him. ‘Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?’ – Slide 10
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Paul replied, ‘Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.’ – Slide 11
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Then the king, the governor, Bernice, and all the others stood and left. As they went out, they agreed, ‘This man hasn’t done anything to deserve death or imprisonment.’Agrippa said to Festus, ‘He could have been set free if he hadn’t appealed to Caesar.’ – Slide 12
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Slide 13