Children STS Lesson 12 Vol 5 – Paul’s Defence Before the Roman Rulers (Acts 24-26)

Memory Verse: “Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19).

Text: Acts 24:1-27; 25:1-27; 26:1-32

Age Group: Children (Ages 6-12)

Lesson: No matter what a Christian is passing through, Jesus will always stand by him.

Thought: I will trust and stand for Christ no matter what may come my way.

Introduction: Paul and the Roman Rulers

During the time of the early church, the children of Israel were living under Roman government. When the apostles began preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, the religious rulers grew angry. They persecuted the apostles and tried to stop the spread of the gospel by any means they could find.

In our last lesson, we saw how Apostle Paul was brought before the Sanhedrin after his arrest — you can read that in Children STS Lesson 11 – Paul’s Trial Before the Sanhedrin. He defended himself and proved he was innocent. But the religious rulers were not satisfied. They wanted Paul dead. Their plot was discovered, and the Roman soldiers moved Paul from Jerusalem to Caesarea for his safety.

In Caesarea, Paul stood before Governor Felix and preached Christ without fear. Paul’s trial before Governor Felix, Governor Festus, and King Agrippa was not just a legal event. It was a divine arrangement to get the gospel preached to the most powerful people in the land.

Point 1: The Trial of Paul Before the Roman Rulers (Acts 24-26)

There were three main stages to Paul’s trial. At each stage, Paul was guided by the Holy Spirit in his defence.

Stage 1: Trial Before Governor Felix (Acts 24:1-27)

Five days after Paul arrived in Caesarea, the high priest, the elders of Israel, and an important lawyer came from Jerusalem. They brought false accusations against Paul, hoping to have him put to death. Governor Felix sat on the judgment seat with his wife to hear both sides.

In his defence, Paul preached boldly about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come. Felix trembled when he heard the message. He knew Paul had not committed any offence. But instead of releasing Paul, Felix waited, hoping Paul would pay him money for his freedom. Paul knew what Felix wanted — but he refused to pay a bribe. Felix left Paul in prison for two years until a new governor named Festus was appointed.

What can we learn? Paul refused to do wrong even to get out of trouble. Even when doing the right thing meant staying in prison longer, Paul chose integrity. As a friend of Jesus, you must never let pressure push you into doing what is wrong.

Stage 2: Trial Before Governor Festus (Acts 25:1-12)

When Festus became the new governor, the high priest and the Jewish leaders quickly brought their accusations against Paul again. They wanted Paul brought back to Jerusalem so they could kill him on the way. But God protected Paul. Festus refused to move Paul to Jerusalem, saying the trial should stay in Caesarea.

God will always protect His friends when they face dangerous situations. When Festus brought Paul before him, the Jews came with many accusations — but none of them could be proved. Paul replied clearly that he had done nothing against the Jewish law, nothing against the temple, and nothing against Caesar.

Stage 3: Trial Before King Agrippa (Acts 25:13-27; 26:1-32)

King Agrippa came to Caesarea to visit the new governor. Festus saw this as an opportunity to get the king’s advice about Paul. King Agrippa offered to hear Paul himself.

Before the king, Paul gave exactly the same message he had given everywhere else — the gospel of Jesus Christ. He told the king that he had only one mission in life: to preach the gospel. He declared: “I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19). Paul never changed his message depending on his audience. Whether before ordinary people or powerful kings, the message was always the same.

Paul made his appeal to Caesar — the highest ruler in Rome — as a Roman citizen. But more importantly, going to Rome would give Paul the chance to preach the gospel there too. Paul was never angry. He was never afraid. He gladly went through suffering for the sake of Jesus.

Friends of Jesus who face persecution because of their love for Christ must endure, pray, and commit their lives into the hands of God. You can read about what happened next — Paul’s amazing voyage and arrival in Rome — in Children STS Lesson 13 Vol 5 – The Journey to Rome.

Point 2: The Testimony of Paul Before the Roman Rulers (Acts 26:1-23)

Paul always made the best use of every opportunity he had to witness for Christ. From the Sanhedrin, to Felix, to Festus, to King Agrippa — everywhere he went, his message was the same: salvation through Jesus Christ.

Before King Agrippa, Paul shared his story. He told them about his former life as a Pharisee who persecuted Christians, and about his dramatic encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. He spoke so clearly and convincingly that King Agrippa admitted: “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian” (Acts 26:28).

Paul was confident because he knew God was with him. Whatever you are going through as a young Christian, Jesus knows about it. If you trust Him the way Paul did, He will deliver you and take care of you.

Point 3: The Triumph of the Gospel Over Earthly Rulers (Acts 26:1-32; Matthew 16:18)

The gospel of Christ is the greatest story ever told. It is the only power that can change a sinner into a saint. This gospel has outlived every king and ruler who ever tried to stop it. God does not want any sinner to die without hearing about Jesus. Be a wise child. Accept God’s call. Repent of your sins and give your life to Jesus today. Then, like Paul, commit your life to telling others about Jesus.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God” (Romans 8:28). All of Paul’s trials gave him the opportunity to preach the gospel to kings and rulers he would never have met otherwise. God turned every bad situation into a gospel opportunity. Whatever you are going through, seek God’s face. Something good is always coming for the child of God who remains faithful.

Activity: Unscramble the Verse!

The letters of this verse are written backward. Rewrite them correctly to find out what it says:

“roF I ma htiw eeht, dna on nam llahs tes no eeht ot truh eeht” (Acts 18:10a).

Bible Word Search

Use your dictionary to find the meaning of these words from today’s lesson:

1. Tremble
2. Gospel
3. Persecution
4. Temperance
5. Appeal

Homework

Search the Scriptures and write five Bible passages where God assures us of His presence when we do His will.

Questions for Review

1. Who was Paul?
2. Why did the Jews arrest Paul?
3. What message did Paul preach that made Felix tremble?
4. How long was Paul left in prison before Festus was appointed as the new governor?
5. Who did Paul appeal to and why?
6. What must friends of Jesus do when they are passing through persecution?

Memory Verse

“Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19).

Congregational Song

GHS 16 — “IF GOD BE FOR US”

Choruses

1. Keep me through, Lord Jesus keep me through.
2. Until I reach my home.
3. When I remember what the Lord has done.

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