Acts 25:1-27

Big Ideas

1. Foiled again
Numerous times, the Jews sought to kill Paul. Whether it was stoning him and leaving him for dead outside the city gates (Acts 14:19) or devising a plan to ambush him in transit, Paul was constantly in danger (2 Corinthians 11:24-29). In this text, Paul once again escapes a murder plot. This highlights not only the fierce opposition Paul dealt with on a regular basis, but also the incredible resolve he had to witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The closer he gets to fulfilling his mission, the harder it gets.

2. Salvation and suffering
If we step back and look at Paul’s life, we see both high and low points. He witnessed incredible works of God, even being used by God to miraculously heal people. And yet, Paul also suffered and walked through drawn-out, difficult seasons. How many times would he be falsely accused? How many times would he narrowly escape a plot to take his life? How many times would he have to stand before a ruler or judge to plead his case yet again? Salvation and grace do not mean that everything goes our way. It means that when nothing goes our way, our God is still with us and still loves us.

3. Testifying to kings
After Paul encountered the resurrected Christ on the road to Damascus, Jesus revealed that he would testify before kings (Acts 9:15). What Paul did not know at that time was that the relentless accusations from the Jews, both of a religious and political nature, would be the mechanism by which God would use Paul to testify to the Gospel before kings. With each accusation, a hearing would take place, and at every hearing, Paul would testify about Jesus.

Study Questions

1. Sometimes it feels like you just can’t catch a break. How do you respond in seasons like that? How do you feel about God?

2. Our salvation in Jesus does not make us immune to suffering in the world. How have you experienced suffering and how has God used that experience to grow and sanctify you?

3. In many ways, Paul’s Christian life and ministry was a series of divinely placed disasters, each moving him closer to God’s ultimate goal. How has God used divine disasters in your life? Looking back on your life, how do you see God continually moving you toward his ultimate goal?