Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "appealed" often refers to the act of making a formal request or plea, particularly in legal or judicial settings. This concept is most prominently illustrated in the New Testament, specifically in the life and ministry of the Apostle Paul.
Paul's Appeal to CaesarThe most notable instance of an appeal in the Bible is found in the Book of Acts, where the Apostle Paul, facing charges from Jewish leaders, exercises his right as a Roman citizen to appeal to Caesar. This appeal is a pivotal moment in Paul's ministry and the spread of the Gospel.
In
Acts 25:11-12 , Paul declares, "If, then, I am guilty of doing anything deserving of death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!" Festus, the Roman governor, responds, "You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!"
This appeal was significant for several reasons:
1.
Legal Rights of Roman Citizens: As a Roman citizen, Paul had the legal right to appeal to the emperor, which was a privilege not afforded to non-citizens. This right protected him from unjust local trials and ensured that his case would be heard at the highest level of the Roman judicial system.
2.
Divine Providence: Paul's appeal to Caesar was not merely a legal maneuver but also a fulfillment of God's plan for him to testify in Rome. In
Acts 23:11 , the Lord had assured Paul, "Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome."
3.
Spread of the Gospel: By appealing to Caesar, Paul was able to bring the message of Christ to the heart of the Roman Empire. His journey to Rome, though fraught with challenges, ultimately served to advance the Gospel and establish the early Christian church in a key location.
Other Biblical AppealsWhile Paul's appeal to Caesar is the most explicit legal appeal in the Bible, the concept of appealing to a higher authority is present throughout Scripture. For example, the Psalms are replete with appeals to God for justice, mercy, and deliverance.
Psalm 86:6 states, "Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer, and attend to my plea for mercy."
In the Old Testament, figures such as Moses and the prophets often appealed to God on behalf of the people of Israel, seeking divine intervention and guidance. These appeals highlight the biblical principle of turning to God as the ultimate judge and source of justice.
Theological ImplicationsThe act of appealing, whether in a legal or spiritual sense, underscores the biblical themes of justice, righteousness, and divine sovereignty. It reflects the belief that God is the ultimate authority to whom all are accountable and from whom true justice flows. The right to appeal, as exercised by Paul, also illustrates the intersection of divine providence and human agency in the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
imp. & p. p.) of Appeal.
2. (imp. & p. p.) of Appease.
Greek
1793. entugchano -- to chance upon, by impl. confer with, by ext....... confer with, by ext. entreat NASB Word Usage
appealed (1), intercedes (2), make
intercession (1), pleads (1). plead with, make intercession.
...3870. parakaleo -- to call to or for, to exhort, to encourage
... Word Origin from para and kaleo Definition to call to or for, to exhort, to encourage
NASB Word Usage appeal (4),appealed (1), appealing (2), beg (1), begging...
1941. epikaleo -- to call upon
... Word Origin from epi and kaleo Definition to call upon NASB Word Usage address
(1), appeal (2),appealed (4), call (7), called (14), calling (1), calls (1)....
3513. ne -- by (a particle of affirmation employed in oaths)
... Probably an intensive form of nai; a particle of attestation (accompanied by the
object invoked orappealed to in confirmation); as sure as -- I protest by....
Strong's Hebrew
6817. tsaaq -- to cry, cry out, call... root Definition to cry, cry out, call NASB Word Usage appeal (1),
appealed (1),
called the together (1), cried (27), cries (1), cry (14), cry aloud (1), crying
...Library
The Early FathersAppealed To, and Observed to Bear Favourable...
... THE LAST TWELVE VERSES OF THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO S. MARK. CHAPTER III, THE EARLY
FATHERSAPPEALED TO, AND OBSERVED TO BEAR FAVOURABLE WITNESS....
The Early FathersAppealed To, and Observed to Bear Favourable...
... CHAPTER III. THE EARLY FATHERSAPPEALED TO, AND OBSERVED TO BEAR FAVOURABLE
WITNESS. Patristic evidence sometimes the most important...
ChristAppealed to the Miracles as Testimonies; John, xv. , 24...
... CHAPTER V. THE MIRACLES OF CHRIST. Section 95. Christappealed to the Miracles
as Testimonies; John, xv., 24."Three different Stages of Faith....
Gen. I. 26Appealed to by Simon.
... Homily XVI. Chapter XI."Gen. I. 26Appealed to by Simon. And Simon said:
"Since I see that you frequently speak of the God who...
Truth Rather to beAppealed to than Custom, and Truth Progressive...
... Chapter I."Truth Rather to BeAppealed to Than Custom, and Truth Progressive
in Its Developments. [274] Having already undergone...
That the Christian Miracles are not Recited, orAppealed To, by...
... OF THE AUXILIARY EVIDENCES OF CHRISTIANITY CHAPTER V. THAT THE CHRISTIAN MIRACLES
ARE NOT RECITED, ORAPPEALED TO, BY EARLY CHRISTIAN WRITERS THEMSELVES SO...
Epistle vi. To John, Bishop.
... Adrianappealed against this decision to the Emperor, who thereupon deputed certain
persons (not bishops) to enquire and report, and, on receiving their report...
Object of Christ in the Last Supper.
... Little use can be made of the ancient disputes about the Passover; from such mere
fragments we cannot decide how far the Evangelical accounts wereappealed to....
It is the Final Court of Appeal.
... When vindicating before the Jews His claim of Deity (John 5) Heappealed to the
testimony of John the Baptist (vs.32), to His own works (vs.36), to the...
Again, on the Words of the Gospel, Luke x. 38, Etc. , About Martha...
... Yet Martha, all busy as she was in that occupation and toil of serving,appealed
to the Lord, and complained of her sister, that she did not help her in her...
Thesaurus
Appealed (19 Occurrences)...Appealed (19 Occurrences). Matthew 27:17 So when they were now assembled Pilate
appealed to them.
... (WEY). Luke 12:13 Just then a man in the crowd
appealed to Him.
...Caesar (25 Occurrences)
... The "Caesar" to whom Paulappealed (Acts 25:11, 12, 21) was Nero. The form is
perpetuated in "Kaiser" and "Czar.". Multi-Version Concordance...
Cesar (20 Occurrences)
... I appeal to Cesar. (WBS). Acts 25:12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the
council, answered, Hast thouappealed to Cesar? to Cesar thou shalt go. (WBS)....
Appeal (30 Occurrences)
... injustice or illegality in the trial below. We say, the cause wasappealed
from an inferior court. 2. (vt) To charge with a crime...
Festus (14 Occurrences)
... and his sister Bernice, and not finding in him anything worthy of death or of bonds,
would have set him free had he notappealed unto Caesar (Acts 25:11, 12)....
Emperor (5 Occurrences)
... Acts 25:21 But when Paul hadappealed to be kept for the decision of the emperor,
I commanded him to be kept until I could send him to Caesar." (WEB WEY ASV...
Committed (201 Occurrences)
... (KJV DBY WBS NAS). Luke 23:22 A third time heappealed to them: "Why, what crime
has the man committed? I have discovered in him nothing that deserves death....
Ahaz (42 Occurrences)
... Notwithstanding the remonstrances and warnings of Isaiah, Hosea, and Micah, heappealed
for help against Rezin, king of Damascus, and Pekah, king of Israel...
Sebastus (3 Occurrences)
... Acts 25:21 but Paul havingappealed to be kept to the hearing of Sebastus, I did
command him to be kept till I might send him unto Caesar.' (YLT)....
Augustus (4 Occurrences)
... Acts 25:21 But when Paul hadappealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus,
I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Caesar. (KJV DBY WBS)....
Resources
What is the significance of the Roman Empire in biblical history? | GotQuestions.orgShould we read other books, or just the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Porcius Festus? | GotQuestions.orgAppealed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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