APPEAL. In ordinary speech this might be any resort to another party for an opinion or judgment in one’s favor. A man, for example, appealed to Jesus to persuade his brother to divide an inheritance with him (Luke 12:13). The OT provided no legal process of law for such a situation. There was only a division of jurisdiction in the hearing of easy and difficult cases (Exod 18:26; Deut 17:8-13).

In the NT attention is centered on the formal and legal appeal to Caesar by the Apostle Paul. After Paul’s arrest in Jerusalem, he was transported to Caesarea where he was held by Felix the governor until Festus succeeded him. The Jews pressed charges against Paul, implying that he had acted against Caesar’s interests. Unconvinced, Festus asked Paul if he would go to Jerusalem for trial. Paul, knowing that this hostile environment might be prejudicial to his interests, appealed to Caesar (Acts 25:11). Older Rom. law had provided for appeal from one magistrate to another, or to a tribune of the people. This form of appeal had later been transferred to the emperor. Paul, as a Rom. citizen, was entitled to appeal (cf. Acts 22:25 ff.). The procedure of Pliny, governor of Bithynia, is cited. In a letter to Emperor Trajan (Letters X. 96), he wrote of sending Christian citizens to Rome for a hearing in a time of persecution. According to Suetonius (Galba VII), however, when Galba was governor in Africa, he did not honor the appeal of even a Rom. citizen, but crucified him on the spot.

In the case of Paul, Festus was embarrassed. Paul had not been tried or convicted. He appeared innocent. What charges should he record for the appeal (Acts 25:25-27)? Festus laid the problem before King Agrippa who visited him at this time, and another hearing was arranged for the king. After Paul had pled his case at length, King Agrippa was so profoundly impressed that he declared Paul undeserving of sentence and said that he “could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar” (Acts 26:32). But Paul’s appeal had removed the right of decision from Festus’ jurisdiction, and Paul was sent to Rome. Once made, the appeal evidently could not be revoked.

Bibliography F. F. Bruce, The Book of the Acts (1954), 476-497, gives Paul’s case.