Good Monday May twenty fifth as we study God’s word to learn His truths.
Another governor another trial-
Felix had sat before Paul as Paul shared the gospel and the person of Jesus Christ. For some two years many times they met together and Paul reasoned with Felix but to no avail. Behind the visits Luke informs us that Felix had his own motives to sit before Paul.
Acts 24:26 “Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him.” These governors were in a tough situation wanting to be honored but in Jewish towns they really were despised, so their positions were just to keep things peaceful not much of a great position but they found ways to make money, over taxing the people which Rome allowed and to take bribes for early releases from prisoners. When Felix and Paul would meet Felix waited for Paul to bribe him for his release but after two years Luke tells us that Felix is replaced by Porcius Festus. As Felix was leaving he had the right to set Paul free as he himself after hearing Paul and the accusers found no civil criminal laws broken, but Luke says, Acts 24:27b “wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.” Let’s read together from Acts 25:1-5 “Now when Festus had come to the province, after three days he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem. Then the high priest and the chief men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they petitioned him, asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem while they lay in ambush along the road to kill him. But Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was going there shortly. “Therefore,” he said, “let those who have authority among you go down with me and accuse this man, to see if there is any fault in him.” History records that Festus is in his seventies when he is given the region including Judea to govern. One of his first moves is that he travels from Caesarea to Jerusalem to introduce himself to the Jewish community. It has been over two years since the trial in Caesarea before Felix and look what Luke records here, “Then the high priest and the chief men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they petitioned him, asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem.” After two years Paul has not left the angered mind of the high priest. He asks that Paul be brought before the Sanhedrin to answer charges knowing that men would kill Paul on the way. What men? Well over forty vowed to kill Paul remember. I often wondered about these men, remember they vowed not to eat or drink water until Paul was dead. Two years they’d be dead, right? But that is what religion does, people making vows, promises just saying things, just words but not meaning what they say. But the anger in this high priest was evil to the core. Festus though wisely chooses to give them their trial but the trial is to be held in Caesarea instead of Jerusalem. Why did Festus do this, he wanted peace with the Jews. In Jerusalem Festus would not have full control over the Jews so he wisely says in Caesarea. “Let those who have authority among you go down with me and accuse this man, to see if there is any fault in him.” Paul is on his way to Rome, Jesus said. God has promised us heaven are you going? Remnant
