Daily Bread 2010 - Acts 24
Daily Bread 2010 - Acts 24
17"After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings. 18I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance. 19But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me. 20Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin— 21unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: 'It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.' "
22Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. "When Lysias the commander comes," he said, "I will decide your case." 23He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.
24Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you." 26At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.
27When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.
As Paul was on trial before Felix, the Jews tried to make a case that Paul was stirring up unrest and upsetting the peace, that they had for so long enjoyed under Felix’s rule.
But being that Paul was a Roman citizen, Felix granted him permission to speak. When he was given the chance, Paul spoke convincingly that there was nothing he did wrong when he came back to Jerusalem to present an offering to the church in need there.
In fact, Paul had even taken the Nazerite vow, and shaved himself according to the letter of the Law. The only thing Paul admitted unashamedly was that he did boldly proclaim the resurrection of Jesus and that there would be a judgment of the righteous and unrighteous according to this resurrection. For this he would not recant.
Felix, who knew Christianity (called “The Way”), adjourned the proceedings. He obviously didn’t know what to do since he saw that Paul had done nothing wrong. As Felix deliberated, he became increasingly curious about Paul’s faith. He and his wife listened to Paul, and as Paul preached on righteousness and self control, Felix began to be convicted of his need of a Savior. In fear he said, “That’s enough for now”. Felix was hoping for Paul to bribe him, so he wouldn’t have to render a verdict, since he knew in his heart he was being confronted with the truth and there was no guile in Paul.
When we are convicted with the truth, there is no argument against it. The bible says the “Word of God is living and active sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all of creation is hidden from the God of all Creation. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:12-13 - This is a good verse to put to memory. It reminds us that it is God’s Word that judges not US!
Is God calling you to a deeper relationship with him and to give up the things that don’t honor him? Why wait? Do it now, you will be much happier and have a whole lot more peace.
Jesus, thank you for Your Word and the Holy Spirit who convicts us when we need to repent of a behavior or attitude in our life that is not of God. Lead us to repentance so that times of refreshing will come upon our soul, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
17"After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings. 18I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance. 19But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me. 20Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin— 21unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: 'It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.' "
22Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. "When Lysias the commander comes," he said, "I will decide your case." 23He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.
24Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you." 26At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.
27When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.
As Paul was on trial before Felix, the Jews tried to make a case that Paul was stirring up unrest and upsetting the peace, that they had for so long enjoyed under Felix’s rule.
But being that Paul was a Roman citizen, Felix granted him permission to speak. When he was given the chance, Paul spoke convincingly that there was nothing he did wrong when he came back to Jerusalem to present an offering to the church in need there.
In fact, Paul had even taken the Nazerite vow, and shaved himself according to the letter of the Law. The only thing Paul admitted unashamedly was that he did boldly proclaim the resurrection of Jesus and that there would be a judgment of the righteous and unrighteous according to this resurrection. For this he would not recant.
Felix, who knew Christianity (called “The Way”), adjourned the proceedings. He obviously didn’t know what to do since he saw that Paul had done nothing wrong. As Felix deliberated, he became increasingly curious about Paul’s faith. He and his wife listened to Paul, and as Paul preached on righteousness and self control, Felix began to be convicted of his need of a Savior. In fear he said, “That’s enough for now”. Felix was hoping for Paul to bribe him, so he wouldn’t have to render a verdict, since he knew in his heart he was being confronted with the truth and there was no guile in Paul.
When we are convicted with the truth, there is no argument against it. The bible says the “Word of God is living and active sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all of creation is hidden from the God of all Creation. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:12-13 - This is a good verse to put to memory. It reminds us that it is God’s Word that judges not US!
Is God calling you to a deeper relationship with him and to give up the things that don’t honor him? Why wait? Do it now, you will be much happier and have a whole lot more peace.
Jesus, thank you for Your Word and the Holy Spirit who convicts us when we need to repent of a behavior or attitude in our life that is not of God. Lead us to repentance so that times of refreshing will come upon our soul, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Comments
Post a Comment