Acts 24
-After five days in Caesarea Maritima, the high priest
Ananias (who had struck Paul in the mouth and been rebuked by the Apostle, Acts
23:2-3), came with his attorney, Tertullus, to accuse Paul before the governor,
Felix. Tertullus smooth talks this high political figure to gain favor and a
decisive advantage in their case against the Apostle. The Jews along with him
joined in the accusations. Here we see the venom of these religious power
players (Acts 24:1-9). *Application* Religious fervency doesn’t necessarily put
one in the right. The truth is what we should all be after. These Jews were
sincere, but sincerely wrong just as Paul had been at one point in his life.
They had so hardened themselves to the truth of the gospel and its saving power
that they missed the entire point of Paul’s message, which he states in his
defense, “having a hope in God,” and “resurrection” of the soul (Acts 24:15).
Paul’s message was not for destruction, but for life change into the abundant
grace of God (2 Corinthians 5:17). We too can become so callous in our beliefs
that we make no room for truth to invade our lives and change us to what God
really wants us to be. Be an open vessel and pliable clay in the hands of the
living God (Isaiah 64:8).
-Paul makes a successful defense and questions where his
accusers from Asia were at because they should have been present for this trial,
though they were not. He also appealed to his presentation before the Council
when he was in Jerusalem, which did not incriminate him in any way as to the
accusations which were now being levied against him (Acts 24:10-21).
-Felix ends up postponing the case as a political favor to
the Jews and waits for Lysias, the commander, to come down to the coast there
in Caesarea Maritima. Felix gives Paul quite vast freedoms in his custody
allowing his friends to minister to him in whatever things he needed. He
listened to Paul often concerning faith in Christ Jesus, but never would accept
Him and sought after a bribe never getting one from the Lord’s anointed apostle
(Acts 24:22-26). *Application* It is a tragic mistake to turn God away when He
comes calling in your life. Felix was close to salvation by his hearing of the
message, but he denied the power of it and is now suffering the consequences of
that. We will too if we don’t accept the truth of Jesus Christ and let it
change our lives.
-Paul was left imprisoned for two years until Porcius Festus
succeeded Felix (Acts 24:27). This was a season in Paul’s life where he was
forced to slow down as the Lord willed it. He took this time to minister to
those who would come to see him as he had opportunity and he no doubt wrote
some of his letters to the churches that we now have as the New Testament.
*Application* Make the most of the time that the Lord gives you no matter what
the situation. As the old saying goes, “When life gives you lemons, make
lemonade!”
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