Page 121 - Acts Student Textbook

heard of these men were it not for this story about Paul. This shows the folly of trusting in earthly
fame and power.

Festus explained the purpose of the hearing (25:24-27)

Festus introduced Paul as the man that all the Jews wanted to have executed. He said that Paul had
done nothing worthy of death, yet he had appealed to Caesar. Note once again the admission of
Paul’s innocence (see v18). In fact, so sure was Festus that the charges made against Paul were
unproved that he did not even know what charges to state against Paul when he sent him to Caesar!

Is there any significance to how Festus uses the terms to describe Caesar?

Here Festus used the term "the Emperor" (25:25). Jeffers says, “This term is sebastos, which was the
Greek equivalent of the Latin term Augustus. Its basic etymology is "revere, "adore," "venerate," or
"worship." It was first used of Octavian in 27 b.c. by the Senate. Here, it is used of Nero (A.D. 54-68).
Nero seems to have expanded the worship of the Emperor cult. Another word Festus used was
"lord"(25:26). This is the Greek word kurios, which means owner, master, ruler. This is the first
documented use of kurios as a stand-alone title for Nero. This title was rejected by the Emperors
Octavian/Augustus and Tiberias because they felt it was too close to the Latin rex (king), which
caused the Roman populace and Senate discomfort. However, it appears often during and after
Nero's day. Vespasian and Titus used the term "savior" and Domitian used "god" to describe
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themselves.” The term kurios became the focus of the persecution against Christians, who could
use only this term for Jesus Christ. They refused to use it in the incense offering and pledge of
allegiance to Rome.

Anyhow, Festus wanted advice from Agrippa and the other men present to tell him what he should
write when he sent Paul to Caesar. Festus put himself in this complication because he failed to act on
principle and justice. However, something positive can be drawn from Festus’ failure to administer
justice, Paul gained the opportunity to present the gospel to this great gathering including Agrippa.
This leads us to chapter 26 where Paul sermon to Agrippa is offered.

Chapter 26

How did Paul make his introduction? (26:1-3)

When Paul had arrived before this great assembly, Agrippa asked no specific questions but allowed
Paul to simply speak for himself as he chose. Paul motioned with his hand and gave his statement. He
began by stating his willingness to openly answer the accusations made against him by the Jews. He
was especially happy to speak before Agrippa because he knew Agrippa was well informed regarding
Jewish customs and issues. The Romans, before whom Paul had been defending himself, were unable
to appreciate the religious motivations of the Jews who had opposed Paul’s work. The fact he was
speaking to one who knew Jewish thinking doubtless also affected Paul’s approach. When addressing
the Jews in Jerusalem, he tried to persuade them by telling them about his conversion. But when
talking before the Roman governors, he had raised no such issues but had stayed on legal issues
knowing that was all that concerned them. Now speaking to one of Jewish background, Paul again
returned to his conversion and the consequences for a Jew such as he had been. Such an approach
ought to show Agrippa that the issues between Paul and the Jews were entirely religious in nature.
And it would also enable Paul to attempt to teach Agrippa the truth.

79 James S. Jeffers, The Greco-Roman World, (p. 101).
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