Note for 20250812

Acts

Twenty Four

Part 24 - Acts 24 - The Case

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The House of Bread · Note for 20250812 - Acts - Part 24 - Acts 24 - The Case

Acts 24:1-27 KJV

[1] And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. [2] And 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, [3] we accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. [4] Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. [5] For 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: [6] who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law. [7] But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, [8] commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him. [9] And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so. [10] Then 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: [11] because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. [12] And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: [13] neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. [14] But 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: [15] and have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. [16] And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. [17] Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. [18] Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. [19] Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me. [20] Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council, [21] except 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. [22] And 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. [23] And 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. [24] And 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. [25] And 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. [26] He 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. [27] But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

https://bible.com/bible/1/act.24.1-27.KJV

A great deal of the Bible consists of accounts; narratives of what happened, how people moved and by what they were moved. Today is something like that. If you think about it, it is a really long time to be kept by Felix, just for the sake to please the Jews. Felix heard the counsel by way of their lawyer and he heard Paul, publicly and privately. Pleasing the Jews might have had a bit to do with his wife being a Jewess. But, we also have this matter that he expected a bribe, which Paul did not pay.

Paul was kept limited in his movements, though it does appear that he had some liberties not often associated with being imprisoned, like that he could be visited and ministered to by his "friends."

Today, I want to take a brief look at the case against Paul. We have to consider what we have as the Old Testament as the base of the Law that was used to come against Paul, but really it is also this that stood to his defense. You see, there are many prophecies about the Messiah, even by Moses himself. There are even prophecies that the Messiah would suffer much for the sake of Salvation.

Genesis 3:15 KJV

[15] and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

https://bible.com/bible/1/gen.3.15.KJV

Deuteronomy 18:15-16 KJV

[15] The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; [16] according to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.

https://bible.com/bible/1/deu.18.15-16.KJV

Probably one of the most profound scriptures can be found in Isaiah, and is specifically beneficial in evangelism to the Jews:

Isaiah 53:1-12 KJV

[1] Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? [2] For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. [3] He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. [4] Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. [5] But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. [6] All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. [7] He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. [8] He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. [9] And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. [10] Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. [11] He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. [12] Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

https://bible.com/bible/1/isa.53.1-12.KJV

(See also: John 1:29, Romans 5:8 and 1 Peter 2:24)

David wrote of Jesus too, referencing to a descendant of his as “my Lord”

Psalm 110:1-7 KJV

[1] The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. [2] The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. [3] Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, In the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: Thou hast the dew of thy youth. [4] The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. [5] The Lord at thy right hand Shall strike through kings in the day of his wrath. [6] He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill the places with the dead bodies; He shall wound the heads over many countries. [7] He shall drink of the brook in the way: Therefore shall he lift up the head.

https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.110.1-7.KJV

Isaiah is filled with Messianic prophecies. Isaiah 40 speaks of preparing the way for the Lord, which John the Baptist fulfilled. Isaiah 42 shows the servant of the Lord, a light to the Gentiles. Isaiah 61 speaks of the Anointed One, bringing good news to the poor, fulfilled in Christ as described in Luke 4:18-19.

It is Jesus Christ they, the Jews, had "a problem" with, that they did not accept Him as the Messiah, even though He fulfilled all the prophecies about the Messiah except for that which is left that He will do at His return. Jesus fulfilled the Law, and was innocent hanging on the cross. And here, with Paul, there was nothing the Jews could raise against Paul, that the Law condemned. Apart of course, of that which he was sanctified by the counsel to do against the followers of Jesus, or the Nazarenes as it is called here, before Paul was converted to believe by the appearance of Christ to Him.

They had nothing. And whatever they brought against Paul, there would have to be an ignorance of the Law and the Prophets to make any charge stand. But, for respect of persons and by greed for bribery, Paul was kept imprisoned. So it appears.

I put it to you, that he was not kept by that, but by the grace of GOD and the mission of Jesus Christ. By the grace of GOD, for Paul to be protected against the hatred of the Jews and for the mission of Jesus, to testify of Him in Rome. Undoubtedly, much of the epistles that we now have, written to the churches and individuals, were written while Paul was imprisoned, here and also in Rome.

The case was weak, at best, but the purpose, great. Much was done for those who believed then, but also unto this very day, by what Paul has left behind in writing for us regarding the Way. In fact, if Paul was not kept in place, who knows how many letters we would not have had, that edifies the church to this day.

Now, what does this have for us today?

We might not always understand the process that we are going through in life, but GOD does. Take for instance these morning devotionals I write unto you so often. That may not have been possible, if I was not restrained at home to take care of my mom. If I did not experience what I have gone through in my life, not only might I not have been a believer today, but I may have had no testimony of Jesus Christ to share with you.

Let me give it to you by something this very same Paul wrote to the Romans,

Romans 8:28 KJV

[28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.8.28.KJV

Now, the case against us is a little different. You see, we are guilty, even by our own admission of sin before the throne of GOD. We are all sinners, friends. But, we are covered by the Blood of Christ and pardoned, for He paid our price. Paul too, just by the way. But, instead of a penalty here at Felix, this becomes more of a "protected custody." Much like, many of the matters we cannot make sense of, are protective for us too. We trust in God, don't we? GOD determines the outcome of our day, and by Christ, the outcome of our lives, even unto life eternal.

John 3:16 KJV

[16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.3.16.KJV

Our sin is forgiven, our debt is paid. It was done, there upon the cross, friends. Now we pray for forgiveness of our transgressions, which is measured against our willingness to forgive others. Sin is condemned in the flesh. The fleshed is ruled by the Holy Spirit of GOD in us, which results in self-control. The soul tied to this flesh, as Paul was kept in bonds by Felix, until we are redeemed, to be with Jesus Christ, as He is, where He is.

It really does come down to faith, to trust in GOD and in Jesus Christ, that what was promised will be fulfilled for each and all of us that believe. And while we may be imprisoned, or afflicted here, that we will get to where we must go, just as Paul made it all the way to testify of Jesus Christ in Rome.

The case is opened, the enemy accuses, but we know the outcome.

Selah, Shalom

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Verse of The Day

From the YouVersion Bible App

Matthew 5:16 KJV

[16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.5.16.KJV

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