Paul, a Political Football

 By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text:  Acts 25:13-27

 

Acts 25:26-27

“But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore, I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write. ²⁷ For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.”

(ESV)

 

In the game of American football, the objective is taking the ball across the goal line for a touchdown, or kicking it through the goalposts for a field goal. To accomplish this, the players pass the ball around beginning with the center snapping the ball, usually to the quarterback. The quarterback then has the option of carrying the ball himself, handing it off to another player, or passing the ball either laterally or through a forward pass. In Acts 25:13-27, Paul may have felt like a football as he goes from arrest by Felix, continued confinement by Festus, and not appearing before king Agrippa.

 

The passage begins with king Agrippa and Bernice arriving in Caesarea (Acts 25:13). Why King Agrippa has come to Caesarea is unclear but after he is there many days, Festus lays Paul’s case out before the king (Acts 25:14). Festus tells the king how the Jewish leaders laid out their case in Jerusalem asking for a sentence of condemnation but would not pass sentence until Paul had a chance to face his accusers as was the Roman custom (Acts 25:15-16). Festus tells the king he did not delay but took his seat in the tribunal as soon as Paul and the Jewish leaders came together in Caesarea. However, the case was not as Festus thought with no charges deserving death levied against Paul but rather a religious dispute regarding Jesus (Acts 25:17-19).  Festus offers Paul the opportunity for trial in Jerusalem since the issues are religious but Paul refuses and instead opts to remain in Caesarea under protective custody until he could go to Caesar (Acts 25:20-21).  Upon hearing this king Agrippa asks to hear from Paul himself (Acts 25:22)

 

The next day the king and Bernice enter the audience hall with great pomp with Paul brought in at the order of Festus (Acts 25:23). Festus now states his current dilemma and why he needs help from King Agrippa. With no formal charges worthy of death as the people asked, Festus has no charges providing a reason for Paul to appear before Caesar (Acts 25:24-25). Rather than do the unreasonable thing of sending a non-condemned man to Caesar, Festus hopes King Agrippa can provide something for Paul to write when sending Paul to Caesar (Acts 25:26-27). 

 

The charges against Paul have no basis in truth and are a continuation of the rejection of Jesus, and anyone following Him, by the Jewish religious leaders. With two previous plots to kill Paul foiled (Acts 23:12-22; 25:1-5), the chief priests and elders resort to employing the same tactic used on Jesus, having the Romans perform the execution.  Festus wants to rid himself of a problem left to him by Felix by sending Paul off to Caesar but must have some charge to levy against Paul before sending him to Caesar. Paul has become a political football passed on from Felix, to Festus, to King Agrippa, and then to Caesar.

 

The first amendment of the U.S. Constitution grants the Church religious liberty with the government not allowed to prevent the practice of Christianity. This can place the Church in the position of a political football as it takes a biblical stand against ungodly cultural practices like abortion, gay marriage, and transgenderism supported by some in government. Those holding political office supporting these practices would like to tell the Church to cease and desist but to do so would violate the Constitution. However, the Church cannot simply rest on its constitutional protection for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but spiritual forces in high places (Ephesians 6:12). These forces have one purpose, separating people from a relationship with God and have no regard for earthly laws like the Constitution. This is why we must put on the whole armor of God and never take it off (Ephesians 6:13-18). May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.