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
