Upon Paul's arrest, he requests to speak to the Jews in a public speech. While he was still tied up, Paul makes an address that points out to the crowd: 1) Who he is; 2) What he did as a Pharisee, 3) Where he was born; 4) How he was converted to Jesus; 5) Jesus sent Paul to preach to the Gentiles. At this remark, the Jews caused an even greater uproar. The guard then were to take Paul to punish him; however, Paul made it known that he was a Roman citizen as well. It is Roman law that if you are a citizen then you must receive a proper trial before being punished for breaking the law.
Paul is taken before the Jewish High Council which was composed of Jewish religious leaders. As they learned of a plot to kill Paul, Paul was moved to the Roman governor's headquarters in Caesarea (north of Jerusalem). There, the governor of the Judean province heard Paul's defense. He could find no wrong in his story (anything worthy of death anyway) but in response to the Jewish acqcuasations, he kept Paul in prison for two years.
At the end of the two years, a new governor is placed in office replacing Felix. His name was Festus. As Festus hears Paul's defense, he too believes there is no need for punishment and agrees to send Paul to stand trial back in Jerusalem; however, Paul is indignant to go back. He makes a Roman citizen request to see Caesar, the Roman Emperor.
Before being able to speak to Caesar, Festus calls on another governor named Agrippa II. And Paul gives his defense to him.
Proverbs 13:1-12
Again the chapter opens with the urge of the child to listen to the discipline of the parent. Listen to the words of the wise man and heed them yourself!
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