Acts 25

Although some time had passed the Jewish leaders were still determined to get Paul, so when the new governor, Festus, arrived, they presented him with charges against Paul. They wanted to have the opportunity to ambush and kill Paul as he was sent back to Jerusalem. So again we see the upper hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders. Instead, Festus invited them to send some leaders along with him to Caesarea.

Eventually Festus was ready to see Paul, and the Jews brought charges against him. Festus seemed willing to send Paul to Jerusalem, so Paul made use of his rights as a Roman citizen and appealed to Caesar, this meant he would be sent to Rome. So Paul's request was granted.

King Argippa viisted Festus and they discussed Paul's case, and Agrippa wanted to meet Paul.

What is the point of all this? The purpose is so that Paul can proclaim the gospel to various rulers. The whole purpose of his life was to declare the gospel, and God worked through all these circumstances to enable him to reach various people.

Acts 24

The Jewish authorities were relentless in their pursuit of Paul. Ananias going to Ceasarea with a lawyer in tow. The lawyer made a flattering speech to introduce his case, buttering up the Governor. He accused Paul of being a troublemaker. The one thing the Romans did not like was anyone who might stir up a riot, so this was the one thing that might get the Romans to side with the Jews.

Paul made his defence, being respectful of the Governor, but without crawling. He refuted the charges, and pointed to the evidence. He drew attention to the resurrection of the dead.

Felix was acquainted with "the Way". The activities of the church had become known throughout Judea and Samaria, and further afield. He kept Paul under a kind of house arrest for sometime, and frequently spoke with him about Christ. He wanted to hear more, but was also afraid. He was also hoping for a bribe. So like Pilate before him, we have a man here who is a whole mixture of motives. This carried on for two years.

Acts 23:12-35

The Jews had not given up, and vowed to kill Paul. We see here the hypocrisy that religion can so easily engender. The Jews thought they were doing God's will, and made vows and fasted, but what they were doing was plotting to commit murder. All of us need to be aware of the hypocrisy that religious attitudes can lead us into (even if our "religion" is "spirit filled"). We need to guard our hearts above all things.

A careful plot was hatched, but not careful enough, for word of it got out, and the Roman soldiers were warned of what was planned, and arrangements were made to get Paul safely to Felix's palace. So Paul was safely delivered to Felix's palace.

In life men may have all sorts of schemes and plans, sometimes directly against us, sometimes schemes that will adversely affect us in some way. We should not fear, for the Lord knows everything and He is perfectly able to change things and take care of us. At the same time we need to know that there are times when God's plan will involve suffering, but this will only happen at the time of His choosing. We should always look to the Lord above all else.

Acts 23:1-11

Paul spoke to the Sanhedrin, but was almost immediately stopped by the high priest Ananias. This is not the same Ananias who was involved in Jesus' trial. This one was noted for being violent, and during a revolt against Rome was assassinated by his own people. The priests seem to have been prone to violence. To add to the parallels with Jesus, Paul accused Ananias of being a whitewashed wall. The priest was of course violating the Law himself in striking Paul.

Next Paul starts an argument amongst the Sanhedrin itself. The Pharisees believed in the concept of resurrection, the Saducees did not. Knowing this, Paul spoke about the resurrection. The Sanhedrin members seem to have a remarkable lack of self-control, and a fierce argument immediately broke out between the Saducees and Pharisees. The Pharisees even sided with Paul.

The debate was hardly reasoned and orderly, and the Romans took Paul away in order to stop further violence breaking out.

That night the Lord appears to Paul to encourage him. He also tells him that he will testify about Christ in Rome, so whatever happens in Jerusalem, Paul would not be killed.

Acts 22:22-30

Paul's address to the crowd did not exactly calm things down, they were just all the more vehement in their hatred of him. The commander was only interested in keeping order. So he wanted to find out why Paul was creating such an uproar, he was also about to have Paul flogged, presumably to appease the crowd. Remember that Jesus was treated in a similar manner. Paul then told the centurion that he was a Roman citizen.

Now Roman citizenship was a prized possession and gave various privileges to its holders. The commander immediately changed his tune and knew the situation had to be treated differently. He inquired of Paul how he had gained his citizenship. Citizenship could be obtained either by birth, by buying it, or by receiving it as a reward for something. Paul had his by birth, meaning his parents must have been citizens.

So Paul was released and a meeting with the Sanhedrin was called.

Acts 22:1-21

Paul spoke to them in Aramaic, demonstrating his Jewishness. Paul knew how to deal with people, he spoke in Greek to the Romans to get their attention, and then Aramaic to the Jews to get theirs. We need to speak to people in a language and form that they will listen to.

Paul starts off by telling them of his Jewish ancestry and schooling under Gamaliel, one of the top Jewish scholars of the Law. He was also zealous for the Law and for God. He had even gone as far as persecuting Christians to the point of death.

Next Paul recounts his conversion experience, even though this was now many years ago. How we first got saved can still be relevant today, the problem only arises if nothing else has happened in between!

The Lord confronted Paul on the Damascus road, and tells Paul that it is Jesus Himself who he is persecuting. Now it was probably not a surprise to Paul that he was persecuting Christ, but it would be a surprise that Jesus was alive. Paul seemed to realise at this point that Christ was Lord and repented at once. Note that there is no long reminder of his sins from God, or big to-do at all. Paul just turns right away to Christ.

Ananias, a devout Jew, was used by God to give Paul a message and to restore his sight. God had chosen Paul to be His messenger to the Gentiles, so Paul was baptized.

Acts 21:27-40

Some Jews had arrived from Asia, and when they saw Paul they stirred up trouble. Clearly Paul's reputation has widespread, and also some Jews had a vehement dislike of him. Even though Paul was in the midst of observing a Jewish ritual, they accused him of being against the Law. They also assumed (without any evidence) of defiling the temple by allowing a Greek in. People will use all sorts of unfounded charges against Christians when it suits them.

The people quickly succumbed to the provocation and tried to kill Paul. Paul was saved only by the Roman soldiers intervening. Paul was arrested and placed in chains. Paul tried to explain, but the crowd was not the least bit interested.

The soldiers did not know who Paul was, assuming him to be an Egyptian, but were just trying to avoid trouble. Paul spoke to them and was given the right to speak to the crowd.