Tag: Acts 24-26
Almost converted!
Scripture reading for November 15th: Acts 24-26
Are you ready to share your testimony and share the Gospel? Today’s reading causes us to stand up straighter and proclaim our testimony more vigorously! We are to bring close encounters with Jesus to a lost world!
The Apostle Paul visited Jerusalem and ended up in jail as he had been warned prophetically. (Acts 21:10-14) Nothing takes God by surprise and He prepares His people for the troubles ahead. Angry Jews falsely accused Paul and he was put in jail in Caesarea under the Roman governor Felix. Jews from Jerusalem came there to present their case against Paul with a lawyer named Tertullus. The charges that they made had no proof and Paul, with the help of the Holy Spirit, spoke convincingly. Felix was well acquainted with those of the “Way”. Later, he and his wife asked to have Paul brought before him for a private audience. Paul preached the Gospel and sought to convince Felix that Jesus was the “Way” for him as well. (Acts 24:24-26) Scripture records that Felix became afraid and cut Paul off. His real motive was a bribe! Money blinded Felix and his wife from finding the true treasure of eternal life in Jesus Christ!
Two years passed and a new governor, Porcius Festus, was appointed. The Jews came before him to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem for trial. They planned to kill him as he was being transferred. (Acts 25:3) Paul speaks by the Holy Spirit and appealed to Caesar. (Acts 25:10-12)
Royal visitors, King Herod Agrippa and his wife Bernice, arrived to pay respects to Porcius Festus. They stayed a few days and Festus told Agrippa about Paul’s case that he had inherited from Felix. Agrippa asked to hear from Paul. The leading men of the city, high-ranking officers, and King Agrippa and his wife held a meeting and had Paul brought in chained as a prisoner. Paul again shared his testimony of his encounter with Jesus! He passionately appealed to the King, preaching Jesus as the Christ! The King listened carefully, but stopped the discussion with a question to Paul: “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” (Acts 26:28) May we keep our focus this day on bringing people close encounters with Jesus!
Close encounters with conversion
Scripture reading for November 14th: Acts 24-26
Are you focused on your mission of taking Jesus Christ with you today wherever you go? Are you ready to share your testimony and share the Gospel? We are to bring close encounters with Jesus to others in a lost world!
The Apostle Paul visited Jerusalem even though he had been warned prophetically about ending up in jail. (Acts 21:10-14) Angry Jews falsely accused Paul and he was imprisoned in Caesarea under the Roman governor Felix. Jews from Jerusalem came there to present their case against Paul with a lawyer named Tertullus. The charges had no proof and Paul, with the help of the Holy Spirit, spoke convincingly to Felix. Later, Felix and his wife asked to have Paul brought before him for a private audience. Paul preached the Gospel and sought to convince Felix that Jesus was the “Way” for him as well. (Acts 24:24-26) Scripture records that Felix became afraid and cut Paul off. His real motive was a bribe! Money blinded Felix and his wife from finding the true treasure of eternal life in Jesus Christ!
Two years passed and a new governor, Porcius Festus, was appointed. The Jews came before him to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem for trial. They planned to kill him as he was being transferred. (Acts 25:3) Again, Paul spoke by the Holy Spirit and appealed to Caesar. (Acts 25:10-12)
Royal visitors, King Herod Agrippa and his wife Bernice, arrived to pay respects to Porcius Festus. They stayed a few days and Festus told Agrippa about Paul’s case that he had inherited from Felix. Agrippa asked to hear from Paul. The leading men of the city, high-ranking officers, and King Agrippa and his wife had Paul brought in chained as a prisoner. Paul was invited to speak to the King in front of all these! He passionately appealed to the King, preaching Jesus as the Christ! The King listened carefully, but in the end stopped the discussion with: “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” (Acts 26:28)
The heart is deceptive and often has satanic blinders to receiving the Gospel. Many are like King Agrippa and his wife. God granted them the privilege of hearing the Gospel but the close encounter did not bring conversion or life eternal! We must go all the way and embrace Jesus Christ as Lord!
Felix:The Love of Money!
Scripture reading for November 16th: Acts 24-26
Politicians today have similar problems to those found in today’s reading from Acts. Some in Paul’s day and time found that political office was a good place to make some easy money by extortion and bribes. Felix, governor of Caesarea, was Rome’s chief official and responsible to deal with cases involving Roman citizens. Felix was aware of the politics of the religion of the Jews and played that in hopes of receiving some financial rewards!
Paul was being held in Caesarea in jail until his case could be decided. Jews from Jerusalem and a lawyer named Tertullus came to accuse Paul of sedition and stirring up riots all over the world, as well as in Jerusalem. They made their charges, and Paul was invited by Felix to make his defense. Paul’s final statement was that these Jews had no charges but rather disagreed with Paul’s belief and statement concerning the resurrection of the dead. (Acts 24:20-21) This statement ended the hearing abruptly and Paul was taken away but given some freedom to have his friends minister to him. Felix was acquainted with the “Way” that Paul believed!
Some days later, Felix and his wife sent for Paul and asked him to share his beliefs with them again. Paul shared with them about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment. (Acts 24:25) Felix fell under conviction and cut Paul off, promising to hear him again at another time. “At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.” This went on for two years!
It is interesting to note that Felix was under conviction at first and was drawn to hear Paul. When the word got strong, he would cut it off, hardening his heart. This man listened to the truth preached to him for over two years! He had preaching on demand, but this powerful preacher with the Gospel message could not break through his hardened heart. The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to those who will humbly receive it. (Romans 1:16-17)
It appears that the love of money was a stronghold that Felix allowed into his life. Remember that Jesus said that you cannot serve God and money! (Matthew 6:24) Many try; none will succeed! Check your heart today for this stronghold! Check your checkbook too–are you giving God His share?
Close Encounters With Conversion!
Scripture reading for November 16th: Acts 24-26
Are you focused on your mission of taking Jesus Christ with you today wherever you go? Are you ready to share your testimony and share the Gospel? Today’s reading causes us to stand up straighter and proclaim our testimony more vigorously! We are to bring close encounters with Jesus to a lost world!
The Apostle Paul visited Jerusalem and ended up in jail as he had been warned prophetically. (Acts 21:10-14) Nothing takes God by surprise and He prepares His people for the troubles ahead. Angry Jews falsely accused Paul and he was put in jail in Caesarea under the Roman governor Felix. Jews from Jerusalem came there to present their case against Paul with a lawyer named Tertullus. The charges that they made had no proof and Paul, with the help of the Holy Spirit, spoke convincingly. Felix was well acquainted with those of the “Way”. Later, he and his wife asked to have Paul brought before him for a private audience. Paul preached the Gospel and sought to convince Felix that Jesus was the “Way” for him as well. (Acts 24:24-26) Scripture records that Felix became afraid and cut Paul off. His real motive was a bribe! Money blinded Felix and his wife from finding the true treasure of eternal life in Jesus Christ!
Two years passed and a new governor, Porcius Festus, was appointed. The Jews came before him to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem for trial. They planned to kill him as he was being transferred. (Acts 25:3) Again, Paul speaks by the Holy Spirit and appeals to Caesar. He is granted his request! (Acts 25:10-12)
Royal visitors, King Herod Agrippa and his wife Bernice, arrived to pay respects to Porcius Festus. They stayed a few days and Festus told Agrippa about Paul’s case that he had inherited from Felix. Agrippa asked to hear from Paul. The leading men of the city, high-ranking officers, and King Agrippa and his wife held a meeting and had Paul brought in chained as a prisoner. Paul was invited to speak to the King in front of all these! Paul again shared his testimony of his encounter with Jesus! He passionately appealed to the King, preaching Jesus as the Christ! The King listened carefully, but in the end stopped the discussion with a question to Paul: “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” (Acts 26:28) Paul’s reply was that he wanted all present to become Christians, no matter how long it took!
What a heart to share the Gospel! What patience and courage Paul presented before those with authority! He did not bribe or seek to escape but continued his appointed mission of reaching the Gentiles! May we keep our focus this day on bringing people close encounters with Jesus!