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Acts 24     English Standard Version (ESV)

Paul Before Felix at Caesarea

¹ And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul. ² And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying:

“Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, ³ in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude. ⁴ But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. ⁵ For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. ⁶ He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him. ⁸ By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.”

⁹ The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so.

¹⁰ And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied:

“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. ¹¹ You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, ¹² and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city. ¹³ Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. ¹⁴ But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, ¹⁵ having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. ¹⁶ So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. ¹⁷ Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings. ¹⁸ While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia— ¹⁹ they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. ²⁰ Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, ²¹ other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’”

REFLECTION:

• The high priest Ananias brought some elders and a spokesman before the Roman governor Felix. Paul made a compelling defense and showed how weak the chief priest’s case against him was.  But Felix waffled, and refused to decide the case.  Paul was put under house arrest, and kept there for two years. Later Felix and his third wife heard Paul’s discourse on “righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment” (v25).  Felix was frightened and sent Paul away.  Only his hope that Paul would offer him a bribe moved Felix to talk with Paul from time to time.
• It seems this is a defeat for Paul. But in fact it was a success!  For Paul, and the Gospel, had a hearing.  We shouldn’t expect to be popular, or that the majority of folks will experience instant conversion.  But we must have a chance to be heard.
• Have you had an opportunity to share your story with someone? Did you have a hearing?  How was it received?  What did you learn from this experience? Pray on.
  • Lord, I pray that You draw ___________ to Yourself.
  • I ask you, Lord, to prevent Satan from blinding ___________ to the truth.
  • Holy Spirit, I ask you to convict ___________ of sin and the need for Christ’s redemption.
  • I ask that You send someone who will share the gospel with ___________.
  • Lord, I pray that ___________ will confess Jesus as Lord, grow in faith, and bear fruit for Your glory. Amen.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, You are the light of the world, shining in the darkness, but the darkness does not comprehend You. Foxes have dens, and birds have nests, but when You were in the world, You had nowhere to lay Your head. I look out into the world and see the righteous sighing and toiling in labor, yet suffering adversity, while the wicked enjoy wealth, comfort, and long life. Precious pearls are often cast in dark places, lilies grow amidst weeds, roses wither with thorns, and cypress trees decay alongside undergrowth. My Lord, I know that Your kingdom is not of this world, but in heaven; Your glory does not belong to the world, but to eternity. You have risen from the dead, conquered the enemy, ascended to the highest heaven, and now sit at the right hand of the everlasting God, as the Lord who will judge all the living and the dead. When we depart from this world, though our bodies may decay like those of the wicked, the time will come when we will be resurrected and transformed, and we will meet You with smiles in the glory of Your kingdom. My Lord, I desire to be like a lily in a secluded valley or a rose in a desert, growing amidst the weeds and thorns, proclaiming the good news of Your redemption! Even if the world turns away, I will rejoice, for I have Your presence with me. Even if I journey through muddy and dirty paths, I will soar like a bird in the splendid clouds, for You are with me. Amen!

HYMN:

Your Will Be Done – youtu.be/fgXE9Di1CUA