Acts 24 - The Way


22 Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.” 23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guardbut to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs. 24 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 As Paul talked about 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.” 26 At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.
Paul is testifying on behalf of himself, as he recounts what he was doing when he came to Jerusalem to bring offerings for the poor and teach in the synagogue.  He defended himself by saying he not only purified himself before the priests, but his teaching came from both the Law and Prophets.  The only thing he says he is on trial for is for preaching "the resurrection of the dead".
Felix was well acquainted with the "Way".  This was a nickname for the early Christian church.  When I was in high school at a Christian camp I was given a bible called, "The Way".  And, of course, the Way is the Way of Jesus.  Remember Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life."  John 14:6  Jesus is the only way to God as he died on the cross for our sins, and was raised from the dead proving He was the only Son of God.  If there is another way, Jesus would not have had to die on the cross for us.
Felix was intrigued.  The Holy Spirit was calling him to faith in Jesus.  So he invited Paul privately to talk with he and his wife, who was Jewish.  When Paul talked about righteousness, self control and judgment, Felix got fearful.  Most likely this was because of his lifestyle and realizing what he would have to give up to follow Jesus.  Secretly he wanted to let Paul go, so he had hoped Paul might bribe him.  We don' t hear too much more about Felix.  It would be interesting to see if he came to faith at some point.  But we can see God is using Paul to reach all people inspite of his circumstances. 
What I like about the term, "the Way" is Jesus the Way to God, but Jesus calls us to a new way of life.  Jesus' way is not always the easy way, but the most fulfilling way.  If you are a Christ follower, you are called to walk in Jesus' way not your own.  This is what Jesus said when he said, "If anyone would come after me, he must pick up his cross and follow me.  Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it." Matthew 16:25  
Are you walking in the way of Jesus?  Or have you gotten off the path?  Jesus' way is the best way and leads to life.    



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Acts 22 - Paul Sees the Light

Image
6  “About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me.   7  I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me,  ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’  8  “‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked.  “  ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth,  whom you are persecuting,’  he replied.   9  My companions saw the light,  but they did not understand the voice  of him who was speaking to me.  10  “‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked. “  ‘Get up,’  the Lord said,  ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do. This is the famous story of the apostle Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus.  Paul was going there to persecute Jewish Christians and throw them into prison and he meets Jesus is a spectacular way.  Not only is he blinded by a briliant light, but he hears the Lord's voice audibly.  And the Lord asks him, "Lord, Lord why are you persecuting me!"  Paul thought he was serving the Lord, but he was persecuting him b
Read more

2 Timothy 4 - Fight the Good Fight! Finish the Race!

Click Here to Read or Listen to 2 Timothy 4 4 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. Paul gives a closing charge to Timothy. First of all, he is to preach the word. God's Word speaks to all situations and seasons. The Word of God will sometimes correct us. Our lives can get of out alignment with God's will as outlined in
Read more

Hebrews 6 - Have You Graduated From Elementary School of Faith Yet?

Click Here to Read or Listen to Hebrews 6 6 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so. The author once again picks up with the theme of moving on to Christian maturity.  He teaches them to move on from the "elementary" teachings about Christ. What does he mean by that?  He gives clues by citing repentance, faith, cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, and teaching on the judgment and resurrection from the dead. We might call these the basics of the Christian faith. If you read through the Apostle's Creed, which our church confesses in our 8am service, it contains many of these core doctrines.  Click here to see the Apostle's Creed Written Around “When we consider the
Read more