Unstoppable! 'Paul Declared Innocent' — Acts 26:30-31

None of the prominent guests at Agrippa and Festus' hearing with Paul were willing to declare his innocence publicly, but they did declare it off the record: "This man hasn't done anything to deserve death or imprisonment." For Theophilus* - a God-loving Gentile seeker - and others like him, this declaration from the authorities was huge. It was one of multiple indications that Christianity was not a threat to Rome, her power, judiciary, and peace. This declaration from the authorities can be heard alongside Pilate's declaration at Jesus' trial and the centurion's declaration at Jesus' crucifixion: Concerning Jesus, Pilate said, "He is not guilty of any crime" (John 18:38). Then, at the crucifixion, "when the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, 'Surely this man was innocent'" (Luke 23:47). Jesus and his people were pronounced trustworthy and innocent. "The Way" - as Jesus' followers were first called** - should be considered the way to life, peace, and hope.

* See our first set of Related Scripture Readings.
** See our second set of Related Scripture Readings.