Note for 20250813 - Acts - Part 25 - Acts 25

Acts

Note for 20250813 - Acts - Part 25 - Acts 25 - Re-evaluation

1. Opening

This morning, as I entered into prayer, the Lord gave me the title for today's note, being “Re-evaluation,” before I started to read. So, I want you to know that this direction did not come from me personally. Today you will also see a new format in the presentation of the daily devotionals and even the method of preparation has significantly adapted for a more prepared style.

The personal question that will have to be answered today by each of us is whether we are still following Jesus Christ, or have we taken back control from Him at some point? Are we even still on the right road?

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The House of Bread · Note for 20250813 - Acts - Part 25 - Acts 25 - Re-evaluation

We are to receive the Word of GOD by the Spirit, so I strongly urge you to pray before you receive the Devotional. Let Christ take the lead in your Spiritual Development.

2. Scripture Text

Acts 25:1-27 KJV

[1] Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Cæsarea to Jerusalem. [2] Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him, [3] and desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him. [4] But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Cæsarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither. [5] Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him. [6] And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Cæsarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought. [7] And 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. [8] While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cæsar, have I offended any thing at all. [9] But 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? [10] Then said Paul, I stand at Cæsar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest. [11] For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Cæsar. [12] Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Cæsar? unto Cæsar shalt thou go. [13] And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Cæsarea to salute Festus. [14] And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix: [15] about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him. [16] To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him. [17] Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth. [18] Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed: [19] but had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. [20] And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters. [21] But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Cæsar. [22] Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him. [23] And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth. [24] And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer. [25] But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him. [26] Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write. [27] For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.

https://bible.com/bible/1/act.25.1-27.KJV

3. Devotional Reflection

Friends, I would hope to give you some new information, but the truth is, that Paul is still being kept by the Romans, because of a dispute between the Jews and Paul (or more accurately, his testimony of the risen Jesus Christ.) Festus, seeking to show favour to the Jews, even willing to send Paul to Jerusalem, while the Jews still have the plan to kill him on the way. The Governor might have changed, but the conditions have not changed much. And that, after two years. Another thing that did not change, is that there were no charges brought against Paul that are worthy of him being in bounds.

This is a Re-evaluation of Paul by the New governor, and somewhat of a Re-evaluation by Paul regarding his circumstances, appealing to Caesar. (Remember, Paul was a Roman Citizen)

This left Festus in a bit of a pickle, since he had no charges against Paul, to write about in an epistle to Caesar, to accompany Paul to Rome. It is not by chance that King Agrippa (Herod Agrippa II, son of Herod Agrippa I, trained in Jewish Customs in Rome) and his sister Bernice, were visiting at the time. Agrippa, was a "Roman Client King" who ruled over the territories of that region, and had authority over the Temple in Jerusalem and Jewish religious affairs. (There were some rumors and speculations regarding the nature of the King and his sister's relationship, and she lived with him at the time)

Festus, thus were somewhat fortunate that the King showed interest to "hear" Paul, that he would have cause to write to Caesar, when Paul was evaluated by King Agrippa and Bernice, who were so influential.

Now, today is only a "positioning" for this that would play out before Agrippa in our reading next time, but still significant, learning about Paul's appeal to Caesar. And, of course, this would take Paul to Rome, on point with the revelation by the vision of Jesus, that Paul would have to testify for Him at Rome.

Felix left Festus somewhat of a "hot potato" and he is taking the time to evaluate the situation, but how does this speak to us, here in 2025, apart from learning about this process Paul went through? I find it interesting that the Jews have not left off on their intention to kill Paul. Now, for a Christian that has become practiced in forgiveness, this lingering hatred of Paul and evil intention might seem very foreign. But, we must remember that we live in a godless world, where mankind holds grudges for a long time. Look how long the grudges between Israel and Palestine remain. In a world without Christ, long term plans are made to deal with one another's enemies.

The words, "Come out of her" surfaces in me, or, more aptly, come out of these ways, do not be partakers of these iniquities. We ourselves should reevaluate our own lives to see if we have somehow become conditioned and influenced by a world that cannot forgive. Maybe, we have set long term plans that are not quite in alignment with our Christian calling.

Look at Paul, he is still heading to Rome, just as the Lord told him he would, and he is active in that purpose, by his appeal to Caesar. Are we actively involved with our purpose and destination, which is to be with Christ and to endure unto the end? Or, do we shy away from it, when the "going gets tough?"

This calls for somewhat of a Re-evaluation of our own, doesn't it? Where am I supposed to go, what is my destination, and on which road am I currently? I suppose, a more secure way to look at it, is to see if our will aligns with God's will? Or, have we become a little lost again on the way, finding ourselves on some kind of by way at the moment? In other words, are we on some auto-pilot setting, without reliable navigation practices? Has our journey reverted into a "my will be done" mentality along the way? How much compromise leads to heading into the complete opposite direction of where we should be heading? Is the Word of GOD still our direction, or has Google or ChatGPT taken over at some point?

Please remember, it is not I that selected the title for today, it was given before I even started reading. So it is not me calling you to reevaluate matters, though I do stand in agreement with the Spirit, and will be doing the same today. I suppose, a more frightening thing to consider would be for those who do not know where they are going, because they still have a worldly destination setting. But, everybody is capable of reevaluating their circumstances, at any point and changing direction if you are not in agreement with where you are heading.

4. Verse of the Day

From the YouVersion Bible App

Nahum 1:7 KJV

[7] The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

https://bible.com/bible/1/nam.1.7.KJV

5. Optional Reading / Study Expansion

New Identity in Christ

So often, accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, is not followed by the transformation that should come. So I have attached a few scriptures from a short Bible Reading Plan I am taking part in with some YouVersion friends. Where once we were orphans in this world, being separated from our Father in Heaven, now we are no longer lost anymore, but found, in Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:19-22 KJV

[19] Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; [20] and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; [21] in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: [22] in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

https://bible.com/bible/1/eph.2.19-22.KJV

Ephesians 3:1-6 KJV

[1] For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, [2] if ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: [3] how that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, [4] whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) [5] which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; [6] that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

https://bible.com/bible/1/eph.3.1-6.KJV

Ephesians 1:3-11 KJV

[3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: [4] according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: [5] having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, [6] to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. [7] In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; [8] wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; [9] having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: [10] that in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: [11] in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

https://bible.com/bible/1/eph.1.3-11.KJV

How does this connect to the overall devotional for today? We have to reevaluate where we stand before the Throne of GOD, don’t we? Are we truly on The Way of Jesus Christ towards our Father, in the Kingdom of GOD?

On our own, we can’t achieve this, but with GOD, nothing is impossible. No mountain is too high, no error outside His power to forgive and no problem too big for GOD to solve.

6. Closing Paragraph

In closing: Can you change direction without any change? For some, it will require a full repentance. For others it might be as little as a "service interval" for the vehicle of the soul. So, take a "pit-stop" and reassess your life and your direction. Find out if you are still on the narrow way Jesus spoke of.

Selah, Shalom.