Weekly Devotional 01-02-17 The Book of Acts – Excerpt
The following is an excerpt from my book “The Book of Acts; The Record of God, The Holy Spirit, in Regeneration.” It is a revision of the original issue written in 2007. I am hopeful that it will be available in late February or early March, 2017.
Paul Before Felix and Festus
Acts 24:1-9 (KJV); “1And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. 2And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, 3We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4Notwith-standing, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. 5For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: 6Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law. 7But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, 8Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him. 9And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.”
The high priest, Ananias, was determined to stop Paul from preaching and teaching the Gospel – the Gospel that could save even himself. What blindness! It is hard to fathom how this could be, and yet is it not the same today? We have many who sit in high places of religious authority who subvert the truth because of spiritual blindness.
The truth that Ananias was spiritually blind does not negate the fact that he was politically wise. We find that to bolster his case before Felix concerning Paul, he hires the services of Tertullus who was of Italian origin. Tertullus was a Roman. The high priest and the Sanhedrin, realizing their own inadequacies concerning the Latin language and the ordinary procedures of the Roman courts, sought an advantage with Felix. Most of us today have witnessed or at least watched many attorneys with a glib tongue as they, because of excellence of speech, try to persuade the courts to their clients’ advantage. That’s what is being done here against Paul.
The high priest and the Sanhedrin must have thought they were about to bring an end to Paul and this Nazarene sect called Christianity. To bolster what their spokesman had laid out before Felix, the Jews also assented by saying that these things were so. Paul, however, having knowledge of Roman law recognized right away that no charge had been brought against him that was in defiance of that law and it only belonged to the Jews’ own religion. We read; “10Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself: 11Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. 12And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: 13Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. 14But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: 15And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 16And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
17Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. 18Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. 19Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me. 20Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council, 21Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.” (Acts 24:10-21).
In his own defense, Paul went to the heart of the matter explaining to Felix that the charge laid against him had nothing to do with Roman law or the subversion of it. Rather, it had to do with the Jews’ own religion and customs. So that Felix could better understand what he was referring to, Paul offered a specific of that religion; namely resurrection. Paul probably had at least two reasons for inserting this into his defense. First, it set the Jews who were accusing him at odds with one another since the Sanhedrin, the religious political body, was formed of both the Pharisees and the Sadducees. As we recall from an earlier chapter, the Pharisees believed in resurrection while the Sadducees did not. Secondly, it gave Paul an opportunity to present to Felix, a worshipper of idols, the case of true God and the God of the Hebrews. As Paul intended, this had a great impact not only upon Felix, but also on his wife Drusilla.
We read from 24:22-27; “22And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. 23And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him. 24And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. 26He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. 27But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.”
According to verse 27, Paul had been granted at least another two years. A two year period in which he was able to testify time and time again before Felix and his wife. Most likely others also were hearing Paul. Only when we get to heaven will we know of the full impact this had on all who heard the message of the Gospel during these two years.
Acts 25:1-27; Paul Before Festus. “1Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem. 2Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him, 3And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him. 4But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither. 5Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him. 6And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought. 7And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove. 8While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all. 9But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?”
Two years had passed since Paul had been arraigned and brought before Felix. Two years of opportunity to declare the Gospel to Felix, his wife, and no doubt many of their household, certain friends, and other governmental officials. As mentioned above, only when we get to heaven will we know of the full impact this had on all who heard the message of the Gospel during these two years. However, the high priest and the Jewish leaders were determined to scheme to have Paul removed from Caesarea to Jerusalem, to be tried in the courts there, and to ultimately end his life. They did not intend for him to reach Jerusalem, but thought to ambush him along the way and kill him. It seems that Festus saw through their scheme and decided that it would be safer for Paul, and more responsible to the Roman judicial system, to keep Paul at Caesarea. Remember, Paul was a Roman citizen. Festus determined that he would travel to Caesarea and hear the matter. About ten days later he, along with Paul’s accusers, traveled to that city and indeed heard the matter.
According to verse 7, his accusers brought many charges against Paul. None of which they could prove. After hearing Paul’s defense (verse 8), Festus hoping to appease the high priest and the Jewish leadership, asked Paul if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem under guard and be tried there. The matter should have ended when the Jews were unable to prove anything against Paul. Festus, while trying to keep peace and not have an uprising of the Jews on his hands, he of course was responsible for keeping the peace, sought to afford Paul protection and also attempted to satisfy the Jews.
Hopefully this excerpt will create in you a desire for the book, or at least encourage you to read and study the Book of Acts on your own.
stevelampman@comcast.net stevelampman.com
Transforming Power; The Work of God on Behalf of Man
Christian National Church