Author: remnantinthepass

Good Thursday May twenty eighth as we again come to study from God’s holy word.

A royal visit-

Festus has listened to Paul and listened to Paul’s Jewish accusers and asked Paul if he would go to Jerusalem to allow the Sanhedrin to make a stronger case against him. Of course Festus says I will be there to oversee that your rights are protected. Paul instead throws a flag and says, that’s the way you protect me, well then I appeal to Caesar in Rome. Festus upon hearing this Roman citizen ask for his right legally, Festus says ok to Caesar you will then go. Let’s read together from Acts 25:13-21 “And after some days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet Festus. When they had been there many days, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying: “There is a certain man left a prisoner by Felix, about whom the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, when I was in Jerusalem, asking for a judgment against him. To them I answered, ‘It is not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man to destruction before the accused meets the accusers face to face, and has opportunity to answer for himself concerning the charge against him.’ Therefore when they had come together, without any delay, the next day I sat on the judgment seat and commanded the man to be brought in. When the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation against him of such things as I supposed, but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. And because I was uncertain of such questions, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters. But when Paul appealed to be reserved for the decision of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I could send him to Caesar.” Festus is visited by King Agrippa II, now normally a visit by a higher ranking official to a new positioned governor would boost ones position but in this case Agrippa needs Festus to boost his position. Agrippa was seventeen when his father died and being too young, Rome placed governors in place which had more power and authority than this king by title. Agrippa also was Jewish so because he was by title a king he was given an area to rule near Galilee and Samaria as well had the authority to choose the high priest in Jerusalem. He comes with Bernice who is actually a sister to Drusilla and Agrippa’s half sister, who history says was a very beautiful woman whom Agrippa was having an affair with. They listen as Festus explain; Felix left this man in prison so I heard his accusers and him but do not see more than a religious difference about a living or dead man named Jesus. Remember what Felix shared with Festus, Acts 23:29 “I found out that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but had nothing charged against him deserving of death or chains.” Paul has appealed to Caesar but there is not much to send him on, maybe you can help, Agrippa. Festus is worried that Caesar would see him weak for sending him a request with no merit; help Agrippa help make a case to send Paul. Festus owes the Jews, Agrippa has placed the high priest in his position, and it seems Paul is on the losing end but he has strong faith in God’s word. Faith is believed not seen. Are you seeing in faith? Remnant

Good Wednesday May twenty seventh as we return to God’s word to learn His truths.

Paul appeals to Caesar-

The new governor after hearing the Jewfish men who came to Caesarea and testified to crimes made by Paul against Rome and the temple after hearing Paul’s defense asks Paul “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?”  The commander in Jerusalem brought Paul to Caesarea to protect Paul from a plot to have Paul killed before he would enter the temple. The hatred against Paul by these religious zealots has not in any way reduced. Now Luke did give us some information that might help us understand Fetus’ asking of Paul. Vs.6 “And when he had remained among them more than ten days.” We saw Tertullus buttering up Felix before but can you imagine the high priest and the Sanhedrin working on Festus for ten days? Festus a seventy year old declining Roman official probably likes the attention then in Vs 9a Luke says this, “But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor” He probably felt after their buttering up that he needed to do something for them. Romans 13:8”Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.” When we take gifts from those just wanting our favor we get ourselves in the situation that we then owe them for their gifts. Genesis 14:23-24a “that I will not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is yours, for fear you would say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ I will take nothing.” Let’s read together from Acts 25:10-12 “So Paul said, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know. For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.” Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!” So Festus asks Paul how would you like to be tried by me in Jerusalem before the Jewish council? If I were Paul I might have said ‘what, you did not hear a word I said already’? For what reason?  Festus liking the attention given by the Leaders from Jerusalem feels he owes them something for their favor, why not give them Paul. Paul recognizes Festus’ weakness and knows the hatred against him is real and knows the Sanhedrin have agreed with men who would come and kill him before he got to the temple in Jerusalem. Every Roman citizen has the right to appeal before Caesar, Paul knowing it would be a kangaroo court in Jerusalem says “I appeal to Caesar.” Paul had said, “If I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying.” Then says “there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them.” Festus, because there is no truth nor witness to these charges by these Jews, in no way would I justify going before them again, so if you are too weak to hear and understand the truth then send me to Caesar. Caesar is the title of the head of the Roman Empire. Paul was told he go to Rome where he would preach the gospel, well it appears his ticket to get there has come, Festus says, “To Caesar you shall go!” Are you ready as Paul is? Remnant

Good Tuesday May twenty sixth as we come to build our faith by studying God’s word.

Another trial-

Festus is the new governor replacing Felix who left Paul in prison to please the Jews. Felix had the authority to set him free as he found no civil charges against Rome. Lysias found Paul innocent and Felix finds Paul innocent but Paul remains in custody, a prisoner of Rome. Now the governor is Festus who is in his seventies, if you look him up, you’ll learn he only held this position for two years as he died in office. But again his job is to keep the Jews at peace and Rome from having to come and deal with riots, so Festus visits the Jews in Jerusalem and says if you have anything to say against this Paul person come to Caesarea and I will hear what you have to say. Paul spent two years in this Caesarean jail having the freedom to have visitors and fellowship with those who came. Was Paul bitter, if he was you’d never know from the letters he wrote while being jailed. Philippians 1:3-6 “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” In good times or not so good times Paul the apostle kept writing teaching and preaching what he found on that road to Damascus. Let’s read together from Acts 25:6-9 “And when he had remained among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day, sitting on the judgment seat, he commanded Paul to be brought. When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood about and laid many serious complaints against Paul, which they could not prove, while he answered for himself, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in anything at all.” But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?”  Luke tells us Festus spent ten additional days in Jerusalem before going to Caesarea. The Jews traveled the sixty plus miles to have another chance to have Paul found guilty of crimes against Rome and the temple and be given the death sentence. The charges made by the Jews before Festus are the same charges Tertullus made before Felix, Paul is an enemy to Rome and the temple. Each charge again made by the Jews Paul defended, notice the words again by Luke, “which they could not prove”. Deuteronomy 17:6 “On the evidence of two witnesses or three witnesses, he who is to die shall be put to death; he shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness.” Two or three eyewitnesses is what the Law of Moses said was needed for one to be given a death sentence. Paul stands as the Jews lay out their charges but missing as before are two or three witnesses that saw and heard what they are accusing him for. Festus in the middle proposes a compromise over this situation and asks Paul “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?” Remember on the road waits a mob to kill him. Paul was promised Rome, we are promised heaven. Do you believe the promise? Remnant

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

Good Sunday May twenty fourth as we come to learn God’s word to grow in our faith.

Paul reasons with Felix and Drusilla –

The governor over the region a man who has witnessed the customs and nature of the group The Way, after hearing Paul ‘s defense and Tertullus charges against Paul, Felix says I want Lysias to come down so I may hear his testimony. Although the Jewish leaders had a political agreement with the Roman government they really did not like each other. For an authority of Rome they were asked to keep the peace and not let the Jews get out of control, so in order to do this many compromises were made to keep them happy and here placing Paul in custody was that compromise. But Felix who Luke says is familiar with the Christians in Judea after hearing the charges has questions as the charges just do not line up with the character witness of believers. Romans 14:19 “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” The believers in Judea had witnessed before Felix this character and he questions the charges against Paul. Let’s read together from Acts 24:24-27 “And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.”  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. But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.” Felix asks Paul again to come and share his faith but this time he also brings with him his wife Drusilla. Drusilla is Felix’s third wife being a Jewess, the daughter of Herod Agrippa. Drusilla was around eighteen and married but divorced to be with Felix,. Now Drusilla’s heritage was as follows, her father was the Agrippa who was eaten by worms. Acts 12:22-23 “They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.” Her great grandfather was Herod the great who wanted the baby Jesus killed. Matthew 2:16 “ When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.” Her uncle was the Herod that had John the Baptist killed. Matthew 14:9-10“The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted and had John beheaded in the prison.” She now with her husband wants to hear Paul teach about his faith. Luke says something here that is really important, Felix wants Paul to bribe him for his release. Why not make money and please the Jews at the same time. Felix over a two year period had called Paul to share but Luke says he never changed his heart or mind and was replaced. Have you heard have you listened? Remnant

Good Saturday May Twenty third as we come before the altar of grace to grow in faith.

Gathering the facts-

Paul is standing in a Roman court overseen by Felix. Paul is answering the three main accusations made against him by Tertullus, the temple lawyer. Although Tertullus has made these claims that Paul is an enemy to Rome and the Jewish temple Paul says to Felix, I was in the temple with men who I do not see here testifying of these charges claimed by Tertullus, if I had done something wrong or inappropriate should not my accusers be before you and I? And where are those who saw me lead a riot and desecrate the temple, why are they not here before you and I? Ok there is one accusation made that is really not an accusation against me rather it correctly states that I am a follower of the most high, I am a follower of the Way. Then Paul says this to Felix, “If they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council, unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.” Paul says it has nothing to do with being a rebel against neither Rome nor a blasphemer of the teachings of the Fathers; it has to do with what happens when we who believe die. So where are my accusers? Let’s read together from Acts 24:22-23 “But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case.” So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.” Luke says here that Felix is very familiar with the teachings of the sect The Way. Being he is the governor that includes the Judean region for some seven years, he had witnessed the movement and knows that Christians, followers of The Way, have always been non violent in their practices, and peace loving kind people. Tertullus and the high priest make the claim that Paul is a leader of a violent mob wanting to overthrow Rome and desecrate the temple, not knowing that Felix has witnessed the opposite of what they claim followers of The Way to be. Felix then makes this decision, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case.” Felix asks that Lysias the commander who brought Paul to Felix to return so he may hear his testimony as to what happened in Jerusalem. Luke says Felix delayed his decision, what was Felix doing here? Two things, first by keeping Paul in Caesarea under house arrest the Jews could claim a victory, second by not sentencing Paul of the high crimes Felix determined Paul was innocent of committing crimes concerning civil wrong doings and determines if any crime was committed it was only religious crimes. Reminds us what Pilate claimed about Jesus, Matthew 23:4 “So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find no fault in this Man.” Felix, as was Pilate is being asked by the high priest to sentence an innocent man in his eyes and the laws to high crimes deserving of death, but he finds Paul innocent. So Paul is given the same treatment as many high profile non dangerous Roman prisoners, house arrest. He is gathering the facts. Are you gathering the facts about Jesus? Remnant

Good Friday May Twenty second as we come before the throne of grace by the word.

Who is missing?

Paul is testifying before Felix the governor against the charges made against him by Tertullus the Jewish lawyer brought from Jerusalem to represent the high priest. The main charges were, Paul was a threat to Rome he being a ringleader of a mob wanting to overthrow Rome and that he desecrated the Jewish temple. When Paul begins his testimony he acknowledges Felix for his position then testifies that nobody in the temple where he was had not objected to him being there nor did anyone see him with gentiles as he was with four men who were taking their vows. Paul says if any charge makes sense, then the charge that I am a follower of the way is true. Understand how the enemy works even today, Paul is one who reasons and he reasons with God’s word John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Paul is saying all of us, looking at the high priest, are wanting to be right before the Father and obey the laws of Moses, we all do and so do I and I do, so Felix I may be a part of the followers of the Nazarene but we obey and follow the same God and Father. Let’s continue to listen to Paul testify and read together from Acts 24:17-21 “Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation, in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult. They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me. Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council,  unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ ” Paul continues and says Felix you may want to know how I came to Jerusalem well I came bringing offerings collected from churches in Asia to the Jerusalem church, now look who is missing, James and the leaders of the Christian movement from Jerusalem, they are hiding. 1Kings 19:14c &18“I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.” Just like the prophet Elijah who God says Elijah you are not alone there are thousands as you, Paul understands how Elijah must have felt standing alone before the Roman authorities and the Jewish following. Who else is missing anyone who witnessed the crimes Paul is being accused of? Deuteronomy19:15 “One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.” Anyone who saw firsthand the crimes made against Paul, are missing. So Paul standing alone being accused of crimes against Rome and the temple ask Felix, where are my accusers? Then Paul says, “Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day”.  This is where the Sanhedrin were divided, now Paul says these here are ones who disagree with me that there is no resurrection, but there is. Paul is an eyewitness as the apostles before, do you believe in the resurrection? Remnant

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

Good Wednesday May twentieth as we open God’s word to learn His love and truths.

Felix just listen to us-

A Jewish corporate lawyer who was experienced in the Roman courts, Tertullus stands before the governor Felix and butters him up, calling him the most noble. Now truth being told, the Jews despised the Romans believing their Messiah would come armed to release them from this captivity and put the Romans in their place, but Tertullus says oh most noble, then says thank you for allowing us to come before you, standing there with Ananias the eighty year old high priest from Jerusalem. But then Tertullus opens the offensive strategy, he says, “I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us.” He butters Felix up with flattery words then looks at him with the eighty year old Ananias sitting behind him and says this is an easy case oh most high, won’t take much of your time, as we are the ones who have the truth, we are Jews and we are honest Godly men, and after we share with you, you can quickly be released from this case and get back to important things. Let’s read together from Acts 24:5-9 “For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law. But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands, commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.”  And the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so.”

Let’s look into the words from this lawyer representing the Sanhedrin in Caesarea.

“For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension” stop Acts 23:7b “a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided.” Acts 23:9b “And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, “We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.” Now no ways were they in agreement as there was dissention between them as to what they believed about Paul. But Tertullus who is speaking for Ananias himself wants Paul dead, proved this by him coming to Caesarea at his age. Tertullus who has told Felix, we are the lawful honest ones just listen to us, opens with lies against Paul. He accuses Paul of three main crimes, stirring up riots throughout the empire, being the main person the ringleader of a Nazarene sect, and attempting to desecrate the Jewish temple in Jerusalem. The way Tertullus lays out Paul’s crimes all three are formidable and illegal under Roman laws. First stirring others up is a political offense against Rome, then a religious crime against the temple placed in the middle, finally leading a group, a sect which was an act directly against Rome, which was a death sentence. Then Tertulllus says that Lysias the commander “came by and with great violence took him out of our hands”  as Lysias wanted to pronounce judgment as he found Paul guilty, even more lies, Lysias saved Paul from being killed by these Jews. Felix, closed case right? The accusations are built on lies, he says just listen to us we are believable. We surely need to know the truth. Do you look to truths first? Remnant

Good Tuesday May nineteenth as we grow in our faith from studying God’s word.

Five Days gone-                                                                                      

Paul has been brought to Caesarea to stand before the governor Felix. Paul being a Roman citizen has rights, and the Jews cannot judge a Roman citizen so Paul is brought to Felix by Lysias from Jerusalem for Paul to receive a fair Roman trial. What Felix does not know is Paul’s rights have all ready been violated when Lysias had Paul tied and flogged to appeal to the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem. Only when Paul made it known to the soldiers in charge, was Paul then given his Roman rights. So what is the big problem? Bottom line, just different religious beliefs and practices. Still this day, religious battles continue, and some actually do kill others for not believing as they do. The problem is everyone wants to clone others to be just like them, can you imagine what this robot community would look like, like a zombie movie no one having free choice. The promise was simple; God said to Abraham I will make you a great nation by just believing in Me. Genesis 12:2-3 “And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and pin you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” When one has the blessings from God then one should want to bless others and not judge others even if they are different. Romans 14:13a “Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another.” So Paul waits as Lysias has instructed the Jewish leaders from Jerusalem if they want to press charges against Paul then they needed to go to Caesarea. Let’s read together from Acts 24:1-4“Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul. And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: “Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight, we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us.”Did you hear that, this mob and Sanhedrin had Paul in their hands ready to kill him before Lysias intervened, but now we learn they were no longer in a rush, waiting Luke says after five days gone they finally show up to present their case against Paul. Ananias the high Priest who is in his eighties travels the sixty miles to be present as well as the number one lawyer from Jerusalem a man named Tertullus. Let it be known the Jewish leadership despised all the Roman authorities for their treatment and over taxing on them. Most likely one would never hear a Jewish leader saying anything good about one, but here Tertullus butters them up, a tactic used to get favor. He says under you Felix we have peace, really was there not just a mob riot in Jerusalem. This is all false flattery and Felix who himself is at the low end of the totem board, eats it all up. Tertullus then says most high and honorable Felix we do not want to waste your time with this meaningless matter, so just hear us. Like being tried in the media today just hear us we have the facts we are honest. Really! Where do you get truth? Remnant