Paul is under arrest in Caesarea in Herod's Praetorium. He is accused by his co-religionists of being unfaithful to his Jewish heritage. Luke uses these chapters to sum up Paul's mission and Luke's agenda--to bring light to the Gentiles. In Paul's apologia, his defense speeches, the Lukan hero reminds the listeners of Acts what the whole purpose of Acts is about. The people of the Way are an authentic expression of Jewish life who are not charlatans or fomenters of unrest. Rather they, through the example and witness of Paul in these chapters, are innocent of any accusations leveled against them.  In his defense, Paul appeals to be tried by Caesar in Rome. Luke prepares us for the final two chapters of Acts and the dramatic voyage that Paul will undertake as he sails to Rome.

Notes (from the Catholic Parish of Lockleys in South Australia--www.lockleysparish.com) that accompanies this presentation can be found here.