• Confinement in Caesarea•
Background @ Acts 23:12-22 (the plan to kill Paul)
@ Acts 23:23-25
Then the commander called two of his officers and ordered, “Get 200 soldiers ready to leave for Caesarea at nine o’clock tonight. Also take 200 spearman and 70 mounted troops. Provide horses for Paul to ride, and get him safely to Governor Felix. Then he wrote this letter to the governor:
Note – Paul’s transfer began a two year imprisonment in the official residence of the Roman governor.
Story @ Acts 23:23-35

•Paul Appears Before Felix•
Background @ Acts 23:23-35 (Paul’s confinement in Caesarea)
@ Acts 24:1
Five days later, Ananias, the high priest, arrived with some of the Jewish elders and the lawyers tertulias, to present their case against Paul to the governor.
Note: Under Felix, the Jews had NOT enjoyed a long period of peace.
Story @ Acts 24:1-27
Painting – Portrait of  Antonio Mancini, a Roman born artist, as Felix, the Roman governor of Judea | John Singer Sargent

•Paul Appears Before Festus •
Background @ Acts 23:23-35 (Paul’s confinement in Caesarea)
@ Acts 24:1-27 (Paul appears before Felix)
@ Acts 25:1-2
After 2 years went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison. Three days after Festus arrived in Caesarea to take over his new responsibilities, he left for Jerusalem, where the leading priest and the other Jewish leaders met with him in make their accusations against Paul.
Story @ Acts 25:1-22
Painting – Portrait of the Artist at His Easel as Festus, the Roman governor of Judea | Rembrandt

•Paul’s Autobiographical Report to King Agrippa•
Background @ Acts 23:23-35 (Paul’s confinement in Caesarea)
@ Acts 24:1-27 (Paul appears before Felix)
@ Acts 25:1-22 (Paul appears before Festus)
@ Acts 25:23
“I’d like to hear the man myself,” Agrippa said. And Festus replied, “You will – tomorrow!” So the next day Agrippa and Bernice arrived at the auditorium with great pomp, accompanied by military officers and prominent men of the city. Festus ordered that Paul be brought in.
Story @ Acts 25:23-27 and 26:1-32
Agrippa II:“Are you so quickly persuading me to become a Christian?” (Acts 26:28)
Paul:“Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that not only you but also all who are listening to me today might become such as I am – except for these chains.”(Acts 26:29)
Painting – Self Portrait of Velazquez as King Agrippa | Diego Rodriguez de Silva Velazquez
~ §tacy §weeney