God’s Justice Through Paul’s Testimony

Acts 25:23–27 (NASB95) 

23So, on the next day when Agrippa came together with Bernice amid great pomp, and entered the auditorium accompanied by the commanders and the prominent men of the city, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. 24Festus said, “King Agrippa, and all you gentlemen here present with us, you see this man about whom all the people of the Jews appealed to me, both at Jerusalem and here, loudly declaring that he ought not to live any longer. 25“But I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death; and since he himself appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him. 26“Yet I have nothing definite about him to write to my lord. Therefore I have brought him before you all and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the investigation has taken place, I may have something to write. 27“For it seems absurd to me in sending a prisoner, not to indicate also the charges against him.” 

 

Paul’s hearing before King Agrippa and the prominent leaders of Caesarea is a remarkable example of how God uses human circumstances to bring about His justice and advance His kingdom. Festus, unsure of how to frame the charges against Paul, seeks Agrippa’s counsel, acknowledging that the accusations are theological rather than criminal. This hearing, though not a formal trial, provides Paul with an extraordinary platform to proclaim the Gospel to an influential audience. What began as an attempt to resolve a legal dilemma becomes an opportunity for many to hear about Jesus and the hope of the resurrection. God’s providence is evident as He uses Paul’s imprisonment and the political complexities of the situation to ensure that the message of salvation reaches both Jewish and Gentile leaders. 

Paul’s hearing reminds us that God’s justice is not limited to human courts but is ultimately about bringing people to the truth of the Gospel. Even in difficult or unjust circumstances, God can use our lives and testimonies to reveal His truth to others. As the modern church, we are called to trust in God’s sovereignty and remain faithful in sharing the message of Jesus, knowing that He can use every situation—no matter how challenging—to bring others to salvation. Let us be bold in proclaiming the hope of the resurrection, confident that God’s justice will prevail and His purposes will be accomplished.