Acts 25 starting in verse 13 we see the new governor Festus consulting with King Agrippa regarding Paul’s case. To assure there is no confusion, it is important to note that Governor Festus is in authority over the king. Most westerners understand king’s to have absolute authority, but in the Roman Empire this was not the case. King Agrippa was king over Israel, but fell under Roman authority. Caesar was the highest authority, with Governors over provinces being fairly autonomous in the day to day running of their region. Under governors were local kings, who did not have the authority of capital punishment. For this reason, Jesus and now Paul had to be brought before a Roman authority to be tried in a capital punishment case.

King Agrippa and Beatrice were much more educated in Judaism and the Way and were valuable to Festus in evaluating the case. While a prisoner may appeal to Caesar, this right was rarely granted as most appeals would not be overturned anyway. Paul’s appeal was different for two reasons, first he was a Roman citizen being accused of breaking non-Roman laws, and second no one had made an accusation that warranted execution. The later reason Festus hoped to overcome with the help of King Agrippa.

After summarizing the case Agrippa agreed to hear Paul on the matter and Paul makes his defense in chapter 26. He begins by testifying to his own background in Judaism. He was born and raised in a Jewish city, and studied in Jerusalem. He had participated in the Jewish persecution of Christians, even to the point of arresting them and bringing them to temple authorities to be tried. He does not ever indicate that what the Jewish authorities did was outside of their authority or second guess their intentions. He relates “just the facts” about the case.

His testimony takes a surprising turn from a legal testimony to a faith testimony, a turn that is not lost on Agrippa who asks Paul if he intends to convert him. Paul answers in a way that is both powerful and respectful, “I pray to God that whether in a long time or short not only you but also all who hear me today could become such as I am, except for these chains.” Paul indicated clearly that he responded to his heavenly calling and followed it, and that everyone’s life would be in better hands if they would consent to follow God.

A man who had roamed freely across the Roman Empire in complete freedom to speak and testify about his God, had been locked away for several years. Even so, he has no regrets. His conscience is clear. His hope in God had not been dashed, nor had his boldness in proclaiming the gospel been diminished.

Few followers of Jesus have been as dedicated, as threatened or as abused as Paul. Few Christians also have the strength and boldness of Paul in talking openly about their faith. Perhaps there is a correlation that the more one is open about their faith the stronger they become; the more they are persecuted and abused the more they hope in Jesus. The more they are hunted and imprisoned the more they trust God with their life. If that’s true, who among us is willing to step up to the challenge? Have we become so comfortable with our lives and with our faith that we are unwilling to take risks for Jesus? Is it better to live with the world and our savior at arm’s length so we are never too greatly challenged or punished? If that’s how we live, then we do not love God or others as much as we need to.

Perhaps it is time to take advice from Frosted Flakes the cereal and “share what you love with who you love.”