So our Lord visits Paul in chapter 23, assures him that he will preach the gospel in Rome, and then delivers him in a way that reveals His sovereign control over the affairs of men. What I am referring to is the plot that is formed to kill Paul. Paul’s nephew ‘just happens’ to overhear [...]
We are getting close to the end of another chapter . . . but if you are like me, you are tempted to find the conclusion of Acts 24 disappointing. I am not sure how you feel about this, but I wanted Felix to take a stand for truth and justice, to ignore the political [...]
“After two years had passed, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix, and because he wanted to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison” —Acts 24:27 Felix never did “get enough information.” Felix never did pronounce a verdict. In the end, we could say the God removed him from his office. I can’t help but [...]
“Some days later, when Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. While Paul was discussing righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, ‘Go away for now, and when I have an opportunity, I will send for [...]
ENJOY THE PROCESS – Holy Scripture: Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such [...]
“Then Felix, who understood the facts concerning the Way more accurately, adjourned their hearing, saying, ‘When Lysias the commanding officer comes down, I will decide your case.’ He ordered the centurion to guard Paul, but to let him have some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from meeting his needs —Acts 24:22-23 [...]
.Now, Paul concludes his defense. With the backdrop of his introductory words, he tells Felix what really happened at the temple a few days earlier. He didn’t come to Jerusalem to start a riot; he didn’t even come to debate with the religious leaders; no, he came to worship in the temple and to be [...]
It would seem as though Paul’s adversaries hoped that he would lose his temper and say something really incriminating, but he didn’t. Now, as I read Paul’s words concerning the resurrection of the dead, it appears as though Paul is tempting his Jewish adversaries to “blow up” as they had done when he had identified [...]
“When the governor gestured for him to speak, Paul replied, ‘Because I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I confidently make my defense. As you can verify for yourself, not more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. They did not find me arguing [...]
The Book of Acts: Chapter 24 (pt 19 of 21)
Believers tend to miss God’s work in their lives because we equate the goodness of God with material prosperity, physical health, and emotional well-being. But Asaph learned that the “nearness to God” was discovered by adversity (Psalm 73:28); that nearness is often realized in the darkest moments of our life. Our Lord was closer to [...]
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Acts, Bible Commentaries, Bible Study