Topical Encyclopedia The Apostle Paul's journey to Caesarea is a significant event in the New Testament, highlighting his unwavering commitment to spreading the Gospel and his encounters with both Jewish and Roman authorities. This episode is primarily documented in the Acts of the Apostles, particularly in Acts 21-23.Background and Context Caesarea Maritima, often referred to simply as Caesarea, was a major port city on the Mediterranean coast of Judea. It served as the Roman administrative capital of the province and was a hub of political and military activity. The city was named in honor of Caesar Augustus and was known for its grand architecture, including a large harbor, aqueducts, and an amphitheater. Paul's journey to Caesarea occurs during his third missionary journey. After spending time in Ephesus and other regions, Paul felt compelled by the Holy Spirit to return to Jerusalem, despite being warned of the dangers that awaited him there (Acts 20:22-23). His determination to fulfill his mission, regardless of personal risk, underscores his dedication to the calling he received from Christ. Paul's Arrival in Caesarea Paul's arrival in Caesarea is recorded in Acts 21:8-14. Upon reaching the city, Paul and his companions stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the seven deacons appointed in the early church (Acts 6:5). During his stay, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea and delivered a prophetic message, symbolically binding his own hands and feet with Paul's belt. Agabus declared, "The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles’" (Acts 21:11). Despite the pleas of his companions to avoid Jerusalem, Paul remained resolute, expressing his readiness to face imprisonment and even death for the sake of the Lord Jesus (Acts 21:13). Paul's Imprisonment and Trials After his arrest in Jerusalem, Paul was brought to Caesarea under Roman protection due to a plot against his life (Acts 23:12-24). In Caesarea, Paul was held in Herod's Praetorium, where he faced a series of trials before Roman governors and Jewish leaders. 1. Trial Before Felix: The first trial took place before the Roman governor Felix. The Jewish high priest Ananias and other leaders presented their accusations against Paul, claiming he was a troublemaker and a ringleader of the Nazarene sect (Acts 24:5). Paul defended himself, asserting his faithfulness to the Jewish law and the prophets, and emphasizing the resurrection of the dead as the core of his hope (Acts 24:14-15). Felix, familiar with "the Way," postponed the verdict, hoping for a bribe from Paul (Acts 24:22-26). 2. Trial Before Festus: After two years, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. The Jewish leaders renewed their charges against Paul, seeking to have him transferred to Jerusalem for trial, intending to ambush him on the way (Acts 25:3). Festus, however, invited them to present their case in Caesarea. Paul, recognizing the danger, appealed to Caesar, asserting his right as a Roman citizen (Acts 25:11). 3. Hearing Before Agrippa: Before being sent to Rome, Paul had an opportunity to present his case before King Agrippa II and his sister Bernice. In a compelling speech, Paul recounted his conversion experience and his mission to the Gentiles, emphasizing the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies through Jesus Christ (Acts 26:1-23). Agrippa, moved by Paul's testimony, remarked, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to become a Christian?" (Acts 26:28). Significance Paul's time in Caesarea is marked by his steadfast witness to the Gospel in the face of adversity. His legal defenses not only highlight his rhetorical skill and deep understanding of Jewish and Roman law but also his unwavering faith in Christ. These events in Caesarea set the stage for Paul's eventual journey to Rome, where he would continue to proclaim the Gospel, fulfilling his mission to bear witness "before kings and the children of Israel" (Acts 9:15). Nave's Topical Index Acts 9:30Which when the brothers knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. Nave's Topical Index Acts 18:22 Library Tempest and Trust From Antioch to the Destruction of Jerusalem. The Rise of the Hierarchy Connected with the Spread of Heresies. 'Full of the Holy Ghost' The Acts of the Apostles and the Acknowledged Epistles. Introductory Philip the Evangelist The Acts of the Apostles. Peter's Apologia Antioch Resources Are the writings of the Apostle Paul inspired (see 1 Corinthians 7:12)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from what the Bible says about Paul and Timothy? | GotQuestions.org What should we learn from the account of Paul and Barnabas? | GotQuestions.org Paul: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Paul Escapes to Derbe, where he Preaches the Gospel, and Returns to Lystra Paul is Bitten by a Viper and Miraculously Unharmed Paul is Brought Before the Sanhedrin; his Defense Paul is Confined in Herod's Judgment Hall in Caesarea Paul is Confined in the Fortress Paul is Delayed in Melita for Three Months Paul is Encouraged by a Vision from God, Promising Him That he Will Give Testimony in Rome Paul is Escorted to Caesarea by a Military Guard Paul is Persecuted by Certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, and is Stoned Paul is Persecuted by the Jews Paul is Received by the Brethren Gladly Paul is Released by the Civil Authorities on the Grounds of his Being a Roman Citizen Paul is Returned to the Fortress Paul is Taken to Rome in the Custody of Julius, a Centurion, and a Detachment of Soldiers Paul is Welcomed at the Household of Lydia Paul: Appeals to be Heard by Caesar Paul: Born in the City of Tarsus Paul: Caught up to the Third Heaven Paul: Chooses Silas As his Companion Paul: Contends With Elymas (Bar-Jesus) the Sorcerer Paul: Contends With the Judaizers Against Their Circumcision "Theology" Paul: Conveys the Contributions of the Christians in Antioch to the Christians in Jerusalem Paul: Debates on Mars' Hill (At the Meeting of the Areopagus Council) With Greeks Paul: Declares he Was Going Bound in Spirit to Jerusalem Paul: Educated at Jerusalem in the School of Gamaliel Paul: Enters the Temple Courtyard Paul: Escapes by Being Let Down from the Wall in a Basket; Goes to Jerusalem Paul: Escapes to Berea by Night Paul: from the Tribe of Benjamin, Paul: Goes Through Phrygia and Galatia Paul: Goes to Troas, where he Has a Vision of a Man Saying, "Come Over Into Macedonia Paul: Has "A Thorn in the Flesh" Paul: Has Barnabas As his Companion Paul: Heals the Ruler's Father and Others Paul: His Examination Before Herod Agrippa Ii Paul: His Independence of Character Paul: His Message Received Gladly by the Gentiles Paul: His Resolute Determination to Go to Jerusalem Despite Repeated Warnings Paul: His Trial Before Governor Felix Paul: His Trial Before Governor Festus Paul: His Vision and Conversion Paul: Jewish Leaders Conspire Against his Life Paul: John (Mark), a Companion of, Departs for Jerusalem Paul: Kind Treatment by the Inhabitants of the Island Paul: Lives in his own Rented House for Two Years, Preaching and Teaching Paul: Makes his Second Tour of the Congregations Paul: Meets some Brethren Who Accompany Him to Rome from Appii Forum Paul: Persecuted by Jews, Drawn Before the Deputy, Charged With Wicked Lewdness Paul: Persecuted by the Jews Who Come from Thessalonica Paul: Persecuted, Beaten, and Cast Into Prison With Silas Paul: Persecutes the Christians; Present At, and Gives Consent To, the Stoning of Stephen Paul: Preaches in Damascus for the First Time Paul: Predicts Misfortune to the Ship; his Counsel not Heeded, and the Voyage Resumes Paul: Proceeds to Macedonia After Strengthening the Congregations in That Region Paul: Reasons in the Synagogue Every Sabbath Paul: Received by the Disciples in Jerusalem Paul: Refers the Question of Circumcision to the Apostles and Elders at Jerusalem Paul: Remains in Custody for Two Years Paul: Returns to Antioch, Accompanied by Barnabas, Judas, and Silas, With Letters to the Gentiles Paul: Returns With the Apostle John to Antioch (Of Syria) Paul: Re-Visits Pisidia, Pamphylia, Perga, Attalia, and Antioch, in Syria, where he Lived Paul: Sends for the Elders of the Congregation of Ephesus Paul: Sends Timothy and Erastus Into Macedonia, But he Himself Remains in Asia for a Period of Time Paul: Sent to Damascus With Letters for the Arrest and Return to Jerusalem of Christians Paul: Sergius Paulus, Governor of the Country, is a Convert of Paul: Summons the Local Jewish Leadership Paul: Teaches at Antioch (In Syria) for One Year Paul: The People Attempt to Worship Him Paul: The Ship Encounters a Storm Paul: The Ship is Wrecked, and all on Board Take Refuge on the Island of Melita (Malta) Paul: The Spread of the Gospel Through his Preaching Interferes With the Makers of Idols Paul: This Plan is Thwarted by his Nephew Paul: Transferred to a Ship of Alexandria Paul: Visits Amphipolis, Apollonia, and Thessalonica; Preaches in the Synagogue Paul: Visits Antioch (In Pisidia), and Preaches in the Synagogue Paul: Visits Assos, Mitylene, Chios, Samos, Trogyllium Paul: Visits Coos, Rhodes, and Patara; Boards a Ship Bound for Tyre Paul: Visits Ephesus, where he Leaves Aquila and Priscilla Paul: Visits Iconium, and Preaches to the Jews and Non-Jews Paul: Visits Lystra; Circumcises Timothy Paul: Visits Much of the Island of Cyprus Paul: Visits Perga in Pamphylia Paul: Visits Samothracia and Neapolis Paul: Waits at Tyre for Seven Days Select Readings: Paul and Silas in Prison Select Readings: Paul in Front of Agrippa Select Readings: Paul in Front of Governor Felix Select Readings: Paul on Mars' Hill Related Terms |
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