AUDIENCE FOR THE GOSPEL
Play Audio
If you prefer listening to today’s Bible guide reading, play this audio file.
If the audio bar is not appearing, click here to play the audio.
Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, you stood before princes and paupers, offering the same love, never grasping for fame, never seeking a name. Help me to reflect your love and humility, no matter where you lead me.
Read ACTS 25:13–27
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Festus Consults King Agrippa
13 A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus. 14 Since they were spending many days there, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. He said: “There is a man here whom Felix left as a prisoner. 15 When I went to Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him and asked that he be condemned.
16 “I told them that it is not the Roman custom to hand over anyone before they have faced their accusers and have had an opportunity to defend themselves against the charges. 17 When they came here with me, I did not delay the case, but convened the court the next day and ordered the man to be brought in. 18 When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. 19 Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. 20 I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges. 21 But when Paul made his appeal to be held over for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him held until I could send him to Caesar.”
22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.”
He replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.”
Paul Before Agrippa
23 The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high-ranking military officers and the prominent men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. 24 Festus said: “King Agrippa, and all who are present with us, you see this man! The whole Jewish community has petitioned me about him in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. 25 I found he had done nothing deserving of death, but because he made his appeal to the Emperor I decided to send him to Rome. 26 But I have nothing definite to write to His Majesty about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that as a result of this investigation I may have something to write. 27 For I think it is unreasonable to send a prisoner on to Rome without specifying the charges against him.”
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Who are those presenting Christ in the world’s hard places you can pray for today?
Throughout the church’s history, there have been Christian thinkers and philosophers who have captured a public audience—people I admire, like CS Lewis. Paul has captured the imagination of three Roman leaders by now. Their motivation is not, however, to respond to the gospel. They are curious about Paul, who has caused such a stir and appealed to the highest authority in the world—Caesar. Festus is also concerned with showing the justice and power of the Roman world to King Agrippa; the cause of the gospel is of little interest to him compared to his own reputation.
Paul is aware of his ability to capture an audience. We see through his epistles, however, that he is not swayed by popularity—he is, in fact, wary of it. He is only willing to boast about Christ Jesus, no matter how many audiences he gains with powerful people: ‘May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.’¹ He knows that whatever novelty factor he may have now, the road to Rome is as dangerous to him as the road to Jerusalem was for Jesus. His head is not turned by the possibility of impressing Festus, Agrippa, or Bernice.
Our world is as paradoxical as Paul’s—we have famous megachurches, well-watched debate shows with respected Christian thinkers, Christian sports stars, or movie stars followed by millions on social media. Yet people all over the world still face opposition for Jesus’ sake. We cannot be put off by the fickleness of the world, which doesn’t know Christ! We need wisdom to persevere in sharing the gospel with humility and faith, whether we are in favor or rejected.
Apply
Consider new ways to stand for the truth of the gospel despite criticism or even hostility.
Closing prayer
Lord, build in me greater conviction and more courage to share the gospel’s truth. Help me trust that your Spirit is at work in and through me to accomplish your purposes.
1 Gal 6:14.
Book and Author Intros
Extras
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2025 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Encounter with God is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.