23 The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the audience room with the high-ranking military officers and the prominent men of the city. At the command of Festus, Paul was brought in. 24 Festus said: “King Agrippa, and all who are present with us, you see this man! The whole Jewish community has petitioned me about him in Jerusalem and here in Caesarea, shouting that he ought not to live any longer. 25 I found he had done nothing deserving of death, but because he made his appeal to the Emperor I decided to send him to Rome. 26 But I have nothing definite to write to His Majesty about him. Therefore I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that as a result of this investigation I may have something to write. 27 For I think it is unreasonable to send a prisoner on to Rome without specifying the charges against him.” Acts 25:23-27
Even Festus couldn’t come up with a good reason to keep Paul except that Paul appealed to go to Caesar. It’s very clear that this was all a sham fueled by the Jewish leaders.
Still, though, Paul had a speaking platform he never would have had. Based on everything I’ve read about Paul, he loved these kinds of scenarios because he was able to shine the Gospel of Jesus Christ to people who might never ever hear it again.
During the Cold War, Rev. Billy Graham was criticized greatly for going to Soviet Russia (Moscow) and speaking to the State-run churches there. People said he had sold out and compromised. Billy Graham didn’t see it like that. Those in the State-run church needed to hear the true Gospel message too. He would be closely monitored and those monitoring him and reporting what he said would hear the Gospel message. Those being briefed about Rev. Graham’s whereabouts and activities would hear the Gospel. The underground church would have been in great danger had he gone and visited them.
Sometimes people will not understand the things you do, especially as it relates to the Gospel. Many probably thought Paul should not have appealed to Caesar. Many thought Billy Graham was wrong for “propping up” the Soviet government. Act on what you believe to be God’s will for your life.