Gospel Outreach International

Have you ever wondered how God can accomplish His purposes in ways we never imagined? In this Bible study on Acts 25, we explore Paul’s continued imprisonment and how God orchestrated circumstances to fulfill His promise that Paul would testify in Rome. Despite two years of imprisonment and ongoing persecution from Jewish leaders, Paul remains steadfast in his faith, demonstrating how God’s plans prevail even through unexpected circumstances and lengthy delays. As we examine this passage, we’ll see how Paul’s Roman citizenship and appeal to Caesar became God’s pathway to bring the gospel to the very heart of the Roman Empire.

Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.” Acts 25:8

• Paul had been imprisoned for two years under Felix before Festus took over as governor
• The Jewish leaders’ hatred for Paul remained intense even after two years
• Festus attempted to placate the Jewish leaders by suggesting Paul be tried in Jerusalem
• Paul, recognizing the danger of returning to Jerusalem, appealed to his right as a Roman citizen to be tried before Caesar
• This appeal fulfilled God’s earlier promise to Paul that he would testify in Rome
• Festus consulted with King Agrippa (the last of seven Herods mentioned in the New Testament) about Paul’s case
• Festus struggled to understand the theological dispute about the resurrection, which was at the heart of the accusations against Paul
• The conflict highlighted the fundamental difference between Sadducees (who didn’t believe in resurrection) and Pharisees/Christians (who did)

Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive. Acts 25:19

We’ve seen how Paul’s circumstances—though difficult—were being used by God to accomplish His greater purpose. Jesus remained at the center of the entire narrative, as the fundamental issue was whether He had truly risen from the dead as Paul proclaimed. As the speaker joyfully emphasized, “Jesus is alive! He’s alive forever more!” This truth not only separated early Christians from other Jewish sects but continues to be the cornerstone of our faith today. Just as God worked through Paul’s imprisonment and trials to spread the gospel to Rome, He continues to work through our challenging circumstances to fulfill His purposes in ways we might never expect. We can trust that God cannot be “put in a box”—He will accomplish His will in His way and in His time.

Bible References

• Acts 25:1-22
• Acts 25
• Luke 24
• Jon 15:18
• Phillippians 3:5-6