Tag: Acts 24
Mixed motives, opportunity missed!
Scripture reading for June 6: Acts 24
“After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. And as he reasoned about righteousness and self control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. . “ Acts 24:24-27
Paul was kept in the jail at Caesarea under Roman governors. Felix, the current governor, had a good understanding of the “Way”, or the early church. God had been working on him through other witnesses and now would send him Paul to more accurately share the Gospel message. As Felix and his wife sent for Paul, they received a strong Gospel message and a reasoned message about righteousness and self-control and God’s coming judgment of all men. This message brought alarm to Felix and he sent Paul away, limiting the conviction of his own sinful life view.
But Felix was captivated with a fleshly world view. He loved money and looked at Paul as a source of possible bribes. He possibly thought the Jews might also bring him money to keep Paul in custody. He sent for him and conversed with him for about two full years. God’s patience was on display and Felix and his wife were given great grace. But time passes and so does opportunity to hear the Good News and be saved. Another leader replaced them and another mission field was opened.
Did God give you a season or special opportunity through someone he sent to minister the Gospel to you? Did you respond to the opportunity or did you have mixed motives and miss the opportunity? Do you seize every opportunity to share about righteousness, self control and coming judgment?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending several persons to offer me the Gospel message and receive salvation. Thank You for granting me repentance leading to eternal life. Use me in whatever circumstances You desire to give others the opportunity to find salvation through Jesus Christ. Amen.
A follower of the Way!
Scripture reading for June 7th: Acts 24
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Acts 24:14-16 “However, I admit that I worship the God of our Fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. So I strive to keep my conscience clear before God and men.”
Paul stood before Felix, the Roman governor in Caesarea and answered charges brought by the lawyer named Tertullus who represented the Sanhedrin. Paul stated that he worshiped the God of the Jews and believed the Law and the Prophets. He admitted to serve God by following the “Way”, a name used at that time for disciples of Jesus Christ. Followers of Jesus walked in the “Way” of their Master and lived by faith in His resurrection from the dead and the promise from the Old Testament Scriptures of a resurrection of the righteous and the wicked as taught by Jesus. Paul was even here, following the “Way” of faith in Jesus and testifying before whoever would listen!
Observations for over-comers: Believers don’t keep a set of religious rules, but follow a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ! This walk of faith will often be branded by those outside the “Way” as a cult or sect! “As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and defeating them, until the Ancient of days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.”. . . “But the court will sit, and his power(the Anti-Christ) will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom. . .” (Daniel 7:21-22; 26-27)
On trial to preach to high officials!
Scripture reading for June 8th: Acts 24
God knows how to open doors for His people to share the Gospel! As we read of the life of Paul, we see that the doors that are opened in the high places of government come to the minister as he is a prisoner, falsely accused by his own brothers! Sounds like Jesus, doesn’t it!
Following a plot to kill Paul by the Jews, the Roman commander has Paul transferred to Caesarea. This Roman province is governed by Felix. A letter of explanation accompanied the prisoner, explaining the Jew’s charges and the fact that Paul was a citizen of Rome. Felix agreed to hold Paul and conduct a trial where his accusers would present their case.
Tertullus, a lawyer for the Sanhedrin, came to detail the charges against Paul and spoke first. “We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riot among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges. . .” (Acts 24:5-8)
Paul was allowed to speak and went through his actions and shared that he was a follower of ‘the Way’. The only charge Paul stated he was guilty of was that he was a believer in the resurrection from the dead. At this, Felix, who was fully aware of ‘the Way’ dismissed the meeting saying that he would decide later.
“Several 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.” (Acts 24:24) Paul again had opportunity to share with a high government official. Felix and his wife listened, but no record is given of their faith. God’s mercy is extended to all freely!