Paul’s Trials

Title ideas:Paul was tried in court. Paul speaks with kings about Jesus.

When some men plotted to kill Paul, a Roman army commander [soldier boss] sent Paul to the Roman governor in the city where he lived [Caesarea city]. The governor’s name was Felix. Five days later, some Jewish religious leaders came to see the governor, and to accuse Paul of doing wrong action.

A lawyer [man who knows about laws] said to Felix, “This man Paul makes trouble. He had caused [incited] riots in many cities. He even tried to dishonor [defile / desecrate] our Temple!”

Other Jewish leaders said, “It is true! Paul has done those actions!”

Paul [defending himself] replied, “These men have never seen [witnessed] me do such actions, because I have never done such actions!

“It is true that I worship and serve our ancestors’ God. And it is true that I obey Jesus in a way that these men think is wrong!

“I have come to Jerusalem to give money to help poor people. I went to the temple to offer a gift. That is where these men saw me and seized me.

“There was no crowd there, and no riot. But some men from Asia Province, saw me at the temple, and they incited a riot against me. Where are those men? They are not here today!

“Please, ask the men who are here today what I did wrongly when I said in Jerusalem, I am a prisoner [on trial] here today, because I hope that dead people will, someday, rise [return] from death [back] to life!”

After listening to everyone, Governor Felix said, “When the Roman commander [soldier boss] comes here, I shall tell my decision [judgment].” He said to his soldiers, “Put Paul in jail, but allow his friends to bring to him food and clothes!”

Some days later, Governor Felix came with his wife and ordered some soldiers, “Bring Paul here!” When Paul came, they listened to him tell them about how to have faith in Jesus.

Paul said to them, “Everyone must do right actions and must not do wrong actions, because God will one day judge everyone because of their actions.” These words so frightened Felix, that he said, “Stop! I will ask you to come talk with me again another day!”

[Governor] Felix sent for Paul many times. He hoped that Paul would bribe him [give him money] so that he would let Paul out of jail. But he left Paul in jail, because he wanted to please the Jewish leaders.

Paul stayed in jail [in Caesarea] for two years, until a new governor came from Rome. His name was Festus.

When Festus went to Jerusalem, Jewish leaders repeated their accusations [lies] against Paul, saying, “Please send Paul here for us to judge him!” because they wanted to kill him.

But Festus replied, “No! You men must come to Caesarea to accuse [speak against] Paul!”

So the Jewish leaders went to Caesarea and accused [spoke against] Paul, saying that he had done wrong actions, but they could not prove [show] those actions to be true.

When it was Paul’s turn to speak, he said, “I have done no wrong action against the Jewish laws, no wrong action against Temple laws, and no wrong action against Roman laws!”

But Festus wanted to please the Jewish leaders, so he asked Paul, “Will you let me lead you to Jerusalem, and let [have] me judge you there?”

Paul replied, “No! I am a citizen belonging to Rome, so you may not send me to Jerusalem, because I have done nothing wrong. So, I formally [officially] ask you to send me to Rome city, where the Roman King [Emperor] will judge me!”

So, Festus talked with his advisers [council], and then he replied to Paul, “Because you have asked to go [appealed] to the Roman King [called Caesar], you will go to him [Caesar] in Rome!”

Later, Agrippa, the king over the Jew’s country [Judea] came, with his wife and with some officials, to see Festus. Agrippa said to him, “I want [would like] to hear Paul speak!”

Next day, Festus ordered some soldiers, “Go and bring [lead] Paul to us here!” Then Festus said to Agrippa, “I do not have accusations [anything to say] against Paul. So, King Agrippa, you may ask him anything you wish [to ask]!”

So Agrippa said to Paul, “I give you permission to say anything you wish to say to defend yourself!”

Paul began to speak, “In past times, God’s prophets predicted [foretold / said] that a Jewish king would one day suffer and die, then rise from death to life. After that, he would tell both Jews’ [tribe] and Gentiles [other tribes] that God will give to them everlasting life.”

Festus spoke up and said, “Paul! You are crazy [mad / insane]! You have read too many books!”

Paul replied, “Honorable Festus! I am not crazy [mad / insane]! I am telling you true words!” Then Paul said to king Agrippa, “You, sir, you know these things, because you believe God’s prophets!”

Agrippa replied, “Paul! Do you think that you can persuade [convince] me to become a Christian?”

Paul replied, “Yes! I pray to God that you and all these people here will become Christians, as I am, [though without these chains that bind me]!”

As the people were leaving that place, Agrippa said to Festus, “Paul has done nothing wrong! He should not go to prison, and no one should kill him! If he had not asked to go to the Roman King [Caesar], then you could have let him go free!”