When Paul was arrested on trumped-up charges, he knew it was an opportunity to share the Gospel.
After defending himself to Governor Felix, he appealed to Caesar. Felix answered:
“You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you shall go!” Acts 25:12.
God had warned Paul that traveling to Jerusalem would cause him great suffering. Paul went anyway. He was arrested in Jerusalem and TESTIFIED ABOUT HIS CONVERSION. Then he made appeals. Each time he appealed his case, he was allowed to “share his testimony” with higher-ranking judges and kings.
Paul’s Amazing Record of “Speaking Engagements” on the Way to Rome:
God used Paul to witness to the Sanhedrin, then the high priest, then Governor Felix and his wife, then Governor Festus, then King Herod Agrippa II and Queen Beatrice, then Paul APPEALED TO CAESAR, and was able to share with a Roman centurion and 276 people onboard a sinking ship, then in Rome where he spoke to the officers of the Praetorian guard over and over for TWO YEARS—and was friendly enough with Caesar’s servants that he wrote “all the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household” Philippians 4:22. Paul would eventually be released from Rome but not before writing the “Prison Epistles” of Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, and Philippians. Finally, Paul, who once signed off on the martyrdom of so many others (Acts 26:10), would be martyred by Nero about five years[1] later.
But don’t miss the amazing story: knowing the risks, Paul went to Jerusalem. His arrest allowed him to provide sworn testimony about the resurrection of Christ, and that testimony was heard by some of the most powerful men in the world. Paul was prepared, “in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2) to share the gospel with anyone, whether kings or vagabonds. He had compassion for the lowly but was not afraid to speak boldly to the emperor of the world.
Are you prepared to share your testimony “in season and out of season”? With the lowest, the youngest, the most unloved or unlovely? But also with the highest and most powerful? You never know where God may send you.
God, equip us with love for all and the courage to share the truth with everyone.
ΑΩ
[1] I found a helpful chronology here:
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/http://paultanner.org/English%20Docs/SpecialArt/Pauline%20Chronology.pdf
Household Words: 