Over the years of Christian mission abroad there have been harrowing tales of missionaries who faced danger and death. However no one could have had a more difficult assignment than Paul and his companions as they faced their enemies in Jerusalem. Paul tried to make them understand his strong roots in Jewish religion.
Read More witness, conversion, challengeWhen Canadian youth travel abroad they often have a small Canadian flag stitched to their knapsack. Canada has been known as a peaceful and welcoming country. Canadians assume that wherever they go they will be warmly received.
However, Canadian citizenship is for everyone born in Canada and for those who are granted citizenship after immigration.
Read More discipleship, citizenshipWe now see a Roman commander who takes a much greater interest in the controversy. This man, whose name we learn in 23:26 is Claudius Lysias, would have been the centurion, in charge of a thousand soldiers, stationed in Jerusalem and charged with keeping order.
Read More sharp-wittedness, self-defence, opportunity, wisdomNot surprisingly the opposition to Paul has moved from rage to conspiracy. The conspirators ask that Paul be brought before the Council again for further information when in fact they have vowed not to eat or drink until Paul is dead. A nephew of Paul somehow gets wind of this, and tips him off.
Read More opposition, cheap graceIt must have been difficult for a Roman governor to understand all the complexities of a foreign people, and in particular their religious beliefs. His main task was to keep order among the populace. To be a model citizen you were expected to pay your taxes, follow the rules and stay out of trouble.
Read More injustice, status quoUnder the supervision of the governor Felix, accusations are brought against Paul by Ananias the high priest and his followers. They have an orator named Tertullus as their spokesman. He begins by heaping praise on Felix for providing a long period of prosperity and peace.
Read More trouble, integrityRead Reflect Charges against Paul have been laid and Paul has responded to each charge by proclaiming his innocence. Felix takes the easy way out by awaiting the arrival of the garrison commander. The real reason he defers his judgment is to gain favour with the religious leaders. No governor wants word to get back to […]
Read More forgiveness, righteousness, self-control, bribery, judgmentRecently the newspapers carried the story of two Canadians who had been kidnapped in the Philippines. These men had been involved in government work and were being held for ransom by terrorists. The families of the two men pressed the Canadian government to take action in order to save their lives.
Read More justice, courage, rightsHerod Agrippa and his sister Bernice arrive in order to pay their respects to the new Roman governor. Here was a man who understood the ways of the Jews which Festus could not begin to understand during these early days of his governance. He explains to Agrippa that Paul talked about a dead man named Jesus who he claimed was alive.
Read More spreading the GospelThe brilliant and bold defense of the Gospel by Paul in chapter 26 belongs to the next author. However there is nothing in that speech that we have not heard previously. Whether the audience has been the Sanhedrin Council or the officials of the Roman Empire, Paul talks about his credentials as a Pharisee.
Read More faith, witness