Paul on Trial - Before Festus
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Rev (Rtd). Osei Kwabena Nkrahene | April 8 2026 | Acts 25:1-5
KEY VERSE: “So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.” (Acts 25:5, ESV)
MESSAGE:
With the arrival of Festus as the new governor, Paul’s case came up again. The Jewish leaders quickly reopened their case against him and looked for another opportunity to destroy him. Yet beneath the pressure of politics, accusation, and legal process, the sovereign hand of God was still at work. This passage helps us see that even when opposition is active and circumstances are changing, God's purpose remains steady.
First, while we may frown on the lack of scruples on the part of the principal men of the Jews, we cannot miss their persistence. Their hatred of Paul had not cooled. Their opposition remained active, and they were ready to press their case again.
Secondly, in Acts 23:11, God had already made it clear that Paul would testify in Rome. That word still stood. No scheme, no pressure, and no human hostility was going to derail what God had spoken.
Thirdly, we may observe that in His sovereignty, God removed Felix and brought in Festus. At least at this stage, Festus was not ready to act by mere favour. He required that the matter be handled according to proper judicial process, with the accused met openly and the charges stated clearly.
So, in the face of determined opposition, the purpose of God for Paul remained intact. The sovereign God was still ordering events in fulfilment of His word.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
The goals and purposes of the sovereign God cannot be thwarted, even by determined evil people and unprincipled leaders. Trust Him to watch over His word and bring His purpose to pass.
PRAYER:
Lord God, help us live in the assurance that You do not abandon us and that You watch over Your word to fulfil it. Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING
DAILY word study: CHARGES Charges comes from the Greek word katēgoreō, which means to accuse, bring a charge against, or speak publicly against someone in a legal sense.
In Acts 25:5, the word belongs to the language of the courtroom. It points to a formal accusation, where claims are brought into the open and examined. That matters here because the gospel messenger was not only facing private hatred. He was being drawn into a public legal process. Yet even there, God remained sovereign. Human accusations may gain a platform, but they do not overturn God's purpose. The court may hear the charges, but Heaven still governs the outcome.
Reflect on this:
When opposition rises against what God is doing in your life, do you remember that no accusation can overrule His purpose?
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