Paul’s Trial Before Festus - Standing Up For Yourself. (Acts 25: 1-12)

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Welcome :
In today’s episode, we’ll uncover powerful lessons from Acts 25:1-12, where Paul, facing false accusations, asserts his legal rights before Festus. We’ll explore the balance between turning the other cheek, as taught by Jesus, and standing firm for justice. What can Paul’s example teach us about responding to trials with faith and wisdom?

Episode Notes:
Title: Paul's Trial Before Festus – Standing Up For Yourself
Scripture: Acts 25:1-12

Key Themes:

• Turning the Other Cheek vs. Asserting Rights: Jesus teaches radical forgiveness (Matthew 5), yet Paul’s appeal to Caesar demonstrates the wise use of legal rights.
• False Accusations: Paul’s experience parallels biblical figures like Joseph and Daniel, showing God’s faithfulness through injustice.
• Lessons for Today: Trust God’s sovereignty in trials, exercise wisdom in defending your rights, and cultivate a spirit of gracious forbearance.

Discussion Points:

• How should Christians respond to false accusations and injustice?
• What does Scripture teach about justice, mercy, and gentleness in personal conflicts?
• How do Paul’s actions align with his own teaching in 1 Corinthians 6?

Reflection:

When faced with trials, do you trust God’s higher purposes? Can you, like Paul, stand firm in truth while also demonstrating grace?

Join us next time as we continue this journey through the Acts of the Apostles, discovering God’s hand at work in the life of the early church—and in our lives today.

Transcript

Paul’s Trial Before Festus - Standing Up For Yourself.  (Acts 25 1:12)

Transcript:

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught a radical approach to personal conflict when He said, 

"You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. If someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let them have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles"

(Matthew 5:38-41).

Paul echoed a similar principle in 1 Corinthians 6. He asked.

"If any of you have a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people?" [He concluded with this strong admonition]: "The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters."

(1 Corinthians 6:1, 7-8).

From these passages, it seems clear that Scripture often calls us to turn the other cheek, suffer wrong, and maybe perhaps even accepting being cheated if necessary.

Yet many people, after reading these verses, ask a valid question: Is it not right to stand up for your rights? Are Christians meant to be passive, doormats allowing themselves to be walked all over?

Should we really always turn the other cheek, or are there times when defending ourselves is appropriate?....

So should we really turn the other cheek, or are there times when defending ourselves is appropriate? This is an important question, and it deserves careful exploration. 

There are times, it seems, when no less than the Apostle Paul himself stood up and demanded his rights. How do we reconcile this with his instruction in 1 Corinthians 6 to suffer wrong rather than seeking personal justice?

To answer this, let’s look at one of those moments in Paul’s life—an incident recorded in Acts 25—where he boldly asserted his rights as a Roman citizen. Turn with me to Acts 25, beginning at verse 1, as we examine this important example together.

1 Three days after arriving in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem, 2 where the chief priests and the Jewish leaders appeared before him and presented the charges against Paul. 3 They requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way. 4 Festus answered, “Paul is being held at Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon. 5 Let some of your leaders come with me, and if the man has done anything wrong, they can press charges against him there.”

6 After spending eight or ten days with them, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he convened the court and ordered that Paul be brought before him. 7 When Paul came in, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him. They brought many serious charges against him, but they could not prove them.

8 Then Paul made his defense: “I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar.”

9 Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favour, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?”

10 Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. 11 If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”

12 After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”

Let’s take a moment to review the events leading up to the passage we’re looking at today. Paul’s journey to this point has been packed with danger and drama.

Paul, as you’ll remember, traveled to Jerusalem despite repeated warnings from others that trouble awaited him there. 

Yet, convinced it was God’s will, he pressed on. 

As predicted, a violent mob formed, and Paul was nearly beaten to death before Roman soldiers intervened and took him into custody. From there, he faced numerous threats and attempts on his life. Eventually, he was transferred to Caesarea, the Roman provincial capital, where he made his defense before Felix, the governor.

Now, in Acts 25, Felix has been replaced by a new governor, Festus. In verse 1, we read that Festus, after assuming his new role, just three days after arrived in Caesarea.

The Jewish leaders wasted no time in approaching him. They petitioned Festus to transfer Paul back to Jerusalem for trial, but their real intention was far more sinister because the text revealed that they really planned to ambush and kill Paul along the way.

Festus, however, declined their request. Perhaps it was simple convenience—he didn’t want to travel to Jerusalem when his base of operations was in Caesarea. So, he told them instead to, “Let some of your leaders come with me, and if there is anything wrong with the man, they can press charges against him there”.

At this point, let me pause and highlight an important truth:

Paul was innocent of any crime. His enemies had no legitimate charges against him. He was being falsely accused. 

And this story of false accusations being made against God’s people is a pattern we see throughout Scripture.

Joseph, betrayed by his brothers and was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, and because of this he spent years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.

Daniel was thrown into a den of lions—not for wrongdoing, but for faithfully praying to God.

This pattern of false accusations continues even in modern times.

Consider the case of Steven Linscott, a student at Emmaus Bible College in 1980. After a young nursing student was brutally murdered in Oak Park, Illinois, Linscott shared with police a dream he had on the night of the crime, hoping it might help the investigation. Shockingly, authorities interpreted his account as a confession from a deranged killer. He was convicted and sentenced to 40 years in prison.

The truth? Linscott was innocent. It took 12 years, countless appeals, and much suffering before he was finally totally exonerated based on what later was proved to be false statements by the prosecutors’ to the jury and later scientific evidence that proved he was not the culprit. During those painful years, he endured separation from his wife and child, violent prison life, and deep spiritual struggles as he questioned why God had allowed such injustice.

His story mirrors Paul’s, and others in scripture, both men acted with good intentions, Paul, by participating in temple rituals to demonstrate his respect for Jewish law, and Linscott, by trying to help investigators—and both were falsely accused.

False accusations are painful and unjust. But God’s people have faced them throughout history, and Paul’s example teaches us how to respond with courage and faith.

Festus is now in Caesarea and convened court the very next day after he arrived. Seated on the judgment seat, he ordered Paul to be brought before him.

The Jewish leaders from Jerusalem arrived and laid out their case against Paul. Luke describes these accusations as “serious charges.

Notice two things here:

1.   The charges were serious.

2.   The accusations were entirely unfounded, they had no proof.

Despite the weight of these allegations, Paul stood calmly and confidently stated his defense: "I have done nothing wrong against the law of the Jews, or against the temple, or against Caesar.”

This simple but comprehensive response addresses every accusation:

·        First, he had not violated Jewish law.

·        Second, he had done nothing to defile the temple—this was the core issue that had sparked the riot in Jerusalem.

·        Third, he had committed no crime against the Roman government.

Paul’s defense was clear: I am innocent of all charges. He was a faithful follower of both the law of Moses and the law of the land.

So, what was Festus to do? On one side were these influential Jewish leaders demanding Paul’s punishment; On the other was a man with no evidence against him. Probably, in an attempt to curry favor with the Jews, Festus offered a compromise. He asked Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there?”

Why would Festus suggest this? He may have claimed it was more practical—Jerusalem, after all, was where the supposed events took place, and witnesses would be easier to gather. But Luke reveals the real motive: Festus wanted to gain favor with the Jews. His decision was politically driven, not justice driven.

Paul, of course, understood the danger. He knew that returning to Jerusalem would mean certain death.

Now let’s pause and reflect for a moment. Have you ever been falsely accused? If so, how did it make you feel? Likely angry, frustrated, and desperate for vindication. The natural human reaction to false accusations is to seek justice—sometimes even, revenge.

But the Bible teaches a different response. Consider Joseph. Falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, he was thrown into prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Despite years of suffering, he didn’t let bitterness take root. When he finally faced his brothers—the very ones who sold him into slavery—he said, “What you intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” (Genesis 50:20).

Think of Daniel, too. He was thrown into the lions’ den for the supposed “crime" of praying to God. And yet, Daniel didn’t rage against his accusers. He trusted in the Lord, and Scripture records that “no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God” (Daniel 6:23).

Both men endured grave injustices with remarkable faith. What was their secret? They trusted God—not just His power to deliver them, but His greater purposes in allowing their trials to serve a purpose.

Charles Spurgeon offers wise counsel on this point:

"The less we say to our foes and the more we say to our Best Friend, the better it will fare with us.”

The “Best Friend” here, of course, is God Himself.

Spurgeon also reminds us that when facing groundless accusations, we need not fear those on the wrong side of truth:

"Since God is not with them, their wisdom is folly, their strength is weakness, and their glory is their shame."

Paul understood this well. He didn’t lash out or demand vengeance. He calmly declared the truth and entrusted his life to God, the ultimate Judge.

False accusations, as painful as they are, present us with a choice: to react in anger or to trust in God’s sovereignty. Trials—whether deserved or not—are always opportunities for spiritual growth. God uses them to teach us to trust Him more deeply.

Let me share one more reflection from Steven Linscott, the man I mentioned earlier who spent 12 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Looking back on those years, he wrote:

"Those were tough years, but they were years of growth and an increasing awareness of the goodness of God. I’ve come to realize that we cannot judge God’s purposes, nor where He places us, nor why He chooses one path over another."

Isn’t that a powerful testimony? Trials, even those we don’t understand, are meant to deepen our trust in God. Whether we’re suffering because of our own choices or enduring injustice at the hands of others, the lesson remains the same: trust the Lord.

The Bible is filled with accounts of God’s justice that, at first glance, may seem harsh or difficult to understand. Think of the massacre of thousands of Egyptian children while the infant Moses was spared.

From a human perspective, it doesn’t always seem fair. The ultimate example of divine paradox is the crucifixion of Jesus—God’s perfect Son dying for the sins of mankind. But God’s plan is perfect, even when it defies human logic.

This brings us back to Paul’s situation.

He trusted in God’s sovereignty and boldly declared his innocence before Festus. However, Paul had one more option—an appeal to Caesar. As a Roman citizen, he could invoke his right to have his case heard before the emperor himself, effectively halting the current proceedings.

This raises an important question: Should Paul have appealed to Caesar? How do we reconcile his action with teachings like those found in the Sermon on the Mount—where Jesus commands us to turn the other cheek, to give more than is asked of us, and to endure wrong rather than demand justice? 

Even Paul himself wrote to the Corinthians, encouraging believers to rather be wronged than to sue one another (1 Corinthians 6:7). These are important matters so how do we make sense of Paul’s legal maneuver in light of these principles?

Paul’s response in Acts 25:10-11 was revealing:

So, Paul said, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know. 11 For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.

Paul’s appeal to Caesar wasn’t about avoiding justice—it was about ensuring a fair trial. He knew that justice was unlikely in a Jerusalem court influenced by his enemies. His choice to exercise his legal rights demonstrates wisdom and a trust in God’s providence, not a contradiction of Jesus’ teaching.

Paul exercised his legal right to appeal to Caesar. A brief aside here: Do you know who Caesar was at this time? It was Nero. He became emperor in 54 AD at just 17 years old. During his early reign, his advisors largely governed for him. This appeal likely happened around 57 AD. 

Fast-forward and Paul would eventually face Nero again years later and would be executed under his rule. It's deeply ironic: the very man Paul appealed to for justice ultimately became the one to order his execution.

Returning to Acts, Paul appealed to Caesar, and Festus had to decide. Verse 12 says.

"Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!”!'"

Festus consulted his advisors, but his choice was straightforward—there was no alternative. Paul’s appeal bound them to send him to Rome.

So, this passage teaches we all have rights.

Scripture recognizes individual rights. One example is found in the Ten Commandments: "You shall not steal." This command assumes a person’s right to private property, affirming that others have no right to take what belongs to you unlawfully. The Bible acknowledges rights as part of a just society.

Exercising your rights within a legal framework is not contrary to biblical principles. Paul did exactly this by appealing to Caesar, using every legal option available to him. There are situations when defending yourself or seeking legal advice is the right course of action. Standing up for your rights can be both sensible and necessary.

However, sometimes as Christians we are called to relinquish our rights when appropriate.

This is where Christian teaching becomes distinct. One of the great virtues of the Christian faith is gentleness, often translated as forbearance or graciousness. Philippians 4:5 says, "Let your gentleness be evident to all." The Greek term has within it an implication of yielding your rights—being reasonable and willing to forgo what is justly yours for the sake of others.

Consider Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount about turning the other cheek. He contrasts this with the Pharisees’ misuse of the Old Testament law of retaliation.

The "eye for an eye" principle in the Mosaic Law was meant to limit retribution to proportional justice. However, the Pharisees twisted it to justify personal vengeance. Jesus corrects this by calling His followers to a higher standard—not strict justice, but justice tempered with graciousness and mercy.

It’s important to note that Jesus’ teaching was not an absolute prohibition of self-defense or justice. When He was struck during His trial (John 18:23), He didn’t literally turn the other cheek—He challenged His accuser instead and asked why did he do it.

Jesus’ message is about cultivating a spirit that refuses to retaliate out of personal offense. Genuine righteousness shows itself in graciousness, even when wrongly accused.

Similarly, Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 6 encourages believers to sometimes forgo legal action within the church rather than cause division. This does not forbid all defense of rights but promotes a spirit of humility and peace among the faith community.

In summary, while we have rights and we can defend them, the gospel calls us to balance justice with graciousness, sometimes surrendering our rights when it demonstrates Christlike character.

Paul’s actions in Acts illustrate both a prudent defense of rights and the willingness to suffer for the sake of the gospel.

Let me close with one final question:

How do you know when to stand up for your rights and when to let them go? That’s the heart of the matter, isn’t it?

In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul argues that believers should avoid taking their disputes before secular courts, especially when a resolution could be found within the church. His reasoning is simple: if the saints will one day judge the world, surely someone among them is capable of handling these disputes. He even says, “Can’t you find one person wise enough to judge between believers?”

Paul’s point is clear—don’t tarnish the name of Christ over worldly matters. If preserving the Lord’s reputation requires suffering loss, take the loss. God’s justice will make things right in the end.

This leads us to a guiding principle: what is the Christlike response in any given situation?

Some years ago I spoke to someone who had written a sharp, emotional letter in response to a personal offense, an offence that had most definitely experienced. They read it to me, seeking advice on whether to send it. My advise was simple: tear it up and throw it out.

Just because you have the right to express your anger doesn’t mean you should.

I reminded them of 1 Peter 2:23, where it says that when Jesus was reviled, He did not retaliate.

He had every right to respond—but He chose not to. Why? Because righteousness is not about demanding justice for every offense; it’s about showing grace.

So how do you make these decisions of when to act and when to show forbearance? 

Wekll, consider three questions:

1.   What is the Christlike thing to do?

2.   What is the most loving course of action?

3.   What is wise in this situation?

Proverbs tells us that there is safety in a group of counselors, so don’t be afraid to seek godly advice. Sometimes, the right choice will be to defend yourself and stand firm. Other times, wisdom and love will lead you to let go of your rights for the sake of others.

In the early church, a major debate arose about whether Christians could eat meat sacrificed to idols. Some believers argued, “It’s just meat! An idol is nothing but wood or stone.” Others felt strongly that eating such meat was participating in idolatry.

Paul’s response in 1 Corinthians 8 and 10 is both practical and profound. He acknowledges that eating the meat is not inherently wrong—it’s just food. But he adds this: if your freedom to eat causes a weaker brother to stumble, then refrain from eating.

Paul isn’t advocating for a rigid new rule. He’s teaching us to prioritize love over our right to choose. The issue isn’t whether someone might criticize you for eating; the concern is whether your actions might embolden a fellow believer to act against their own conscience, leading them into sin.

The principle is simple: you may have the right to do something, but love sometimes calls us to relinquish that right for the good of others.

In the end, we have rights, and it’s not wrong to exercise them. But love—and a desire to be like Christ—should always guide our choices. 

Sometimes, standing firm is necessary. Other times, surrendering our rights is the higher path. 

Being like Christ matters more than protecting our pride, reputation, or financial gain. So, ask yourself: what would love do? What would Christ do? 

Let the answer to those questions shape your response—and trust that God’s justice will always prevail.