Good Thursday May twenty first as we seek God’s will from studying God’s word.
Paul defends himself-
Felix, the governor and the overseer of Paul’s trial, listens to Tertullus accuse Paul of being an enemy of Rome and the Jewish religion. Tertullus the lawyer representing the Sanhedrin, has stated three crimes two crimes against Rome and one against the temple in Jerusalem by Paul. We live in a day when many hear things and believe what they hear without actually checking things out themselves. Sides get formed like at the temple, the mob scene where people who like to just argue get angry and rebel. But as they seemed to be agreeing in their actions they were divided by their actual beliefs, the Pharisees finding no problem with Paul’s behavior but the Sadducees, wanting him dead. The Sadducees were the more religious practicing of the two who really did not agree on a lot but did enjoy their titles and the little power they had with Rome. Before Felix we find the Sadducees were louder and angrier and came to accuse Paul. Because Paul is a Roman citizen Felix must make sure that Paul gets a fair trial as a citizen of Rome. Let’s read together from Acts 24:10-16 “Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: “Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself, because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship. And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.” Paul has listened as Tertullus has laid out the accusations against him, then Felix when Tertullus finished Luke says gestures or nods for Paul to begin his deference. Although Tertullus used flattery words to get Felix’s attention, Paul simply acknowledges the authority of Felix and does thank him for giving him this opportunity to speak before him. Paul quickly sets the record straight, first in organizing a riot, Paul says “I went up to Jerusalem to worship. And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. Nor can they prove the things.” Then Paul gives his credentials to be able to enter the temple. “I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept.” Paul says I have only acted as these who are accusing me here today, no different, except I do follow this sect as they say of Nazarenes who love the Lord God as they say they do also. Mathew 10”19 “But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak.” Paul is cool and content, having a good conscience. You do not have to worry if you speak the truth. Are you? Remnant
