The Story of Paul in the Bible

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The Story of Paul in the Bible

Acts 25:1-26:32

As a Roman citizen, Paul wassupposed to get a fair trial. Instead hehad to spend two years in prison.

The Roman governor was calledFestus. He said, "I think you shouldcome to Caesarea." So for the fourthtime, Paul was put on trial. This time,his enemies were there with him. Theyaccused him of one crime afteranother. But no one had any proof.Festus did not want to get into troublewith the religious leaders.

Paul told Festus, "You're thegovernor. If you can't judge me, thendon't hand me over to my enemies.They tell nothing but lies about me. Iappeal to Caesar."

Paul was claiming his right as a Roman to be tried by Emperor Nerohimself. It meant that, no matter what,he would not be turned over to thereligious leaders. But he also wouldnot be let free until Nero had seenhim.

Festus did not know what to dowith Paul. He had no choice but tomake sure he went to Rome. There hewould be tried by the emperor. Butbefore he let Paul go, Festus askedKing Agrippa what he thought of thecase.

Once again, Paul told whathappened. This time he stood in frontof the son of King Herod and manyother very important people. When hehad finished, Agrippa said to him, "Do you think you can talk me intobecoming a Christian so easily?" Thenhe turned to Felix. "This man hasdone nothing wrong. In some ways it'stoo bad he asked to see Caesar. Now can't let him go free. He must go toRome."

Paul was finally on his way to Rome.It was not in the way he had thoughthe would go. He was not traveling as afree man, on his way to visit friends.Paul was under heavy Roman guard, aprisoner. He was on his way to seeEmperor Nero.

One of the soldiers in charge of Paulwas an officer named Julius. He couldsee that Paul was not dangerous. Hetreated him kindly. When Paul wasput on board the ship to go to Rome,Julius said Luke and some of Paul'sother friends could travel with him.They changed ships, going from portto port. Over and over again they raninto bad weather. Finally the stormsmade sailing almost impossible. Thelittle ship carrying Paul had found a harbor on an island. He told them, "If we don't stop here forthe winter, we'll not only lose thecargo, but our lives as well." Theowner of the boat was in a hurry todeliver his cargo of grain to Rome. Hedid not listen to Paul and they sailedon.

Before long, a very strong windcaught the ship! There was nothingthe crew could do. For more than aday, the storm tossed the ship. Wavesswamped its decks. The crew threwthe cargo overboard.

The sky was dark for many days . The captain could not see the moon or stars. They were lost at sea! All the crew were terribly seasick. Noo one had eaten for a long time. Paul told them, "Men, be brave,. None of you will die. Last night an angel of God told me I would stand before the emperor. None of you will die, we will land on an island."

All of a sudden there was a terrible grating sound. The boat ripped open on the rocks! It started breaking up. "Jump ship!"

The waves crashed all around them. Each man made it to the beach safely. That was all that mattered. Once on shore, they found ot the island was Malta,. They were close to Italy, afer all, The people who lived there were very kind. Paul was safe and he would go to Rome after all.

Paul finally did arrive in Rome.Believers from all over the area cameto meet him and Luke and the others.When Paul saw them, he thankedGod. He felt brave again.

The Romans did not put Paul intoprison this time. They let him gowhere he wanted. This was all right, aslong as a soldier went with him. Paulwent to the religious leaders in Rome.He told them what had happened.They said, "We haven't heard anythingabout you from the Jews in Jerusalem.Come and tell us more."

Once again Paul told how Jesushad met him on the road to

Damascus. He told how he hadtraveled all over, telling people aboutJesus. He told them how he met Jesusand how Jesus changes lives. He toldhow God had sent His Son for Jewsand non-Jews. "I haven't doneanything wrong," he finished.

The Jews didn't know what tothink. Some believed Paul. Otherswere not so sure. For the next twoyears, they would fight about Paul. Inthe meantime, Paul waited until theemperor would see him. The Romanslet him go where he wanted, as long ashis guard stayed close by. Paul usedthis time to preach and teach. Hewelcomed everyone. No one tried tostop him.

Those two years would be the lastchance Paul ever had to preach freely.Some people think he spent part ofthat time going to Spain and thenGreece. Later he was arrested againand put back into prison. There, hewrote letters to many of the friends hehad met while preaching. Paul wasfinally killed by Emperor Nero inRome.

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