Acts 24 – 26

Acts 24 – Paul Before Felix

In chapter 23 the Jews plotted to kill Paul.  The commander sent Paul to Governor Felix who ordered that he be kept under guard at Herod’s palace until his case could be heard.  Five days later Paul was brought before him.  Paul was charged with making trouble, stirring up riots and desecration of the temple.  Felix didn’t question Paul.  He let Paul speak about himself.  This was Paul’s third time to defend himself.  He presented Jesus as the Messiah.  He spoke of faith in Jesus, talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come. 

As most politicians Felix wanted to please everyone.  He knew about the Way and about Christian beliefs because he had a Jewish wife.  Felix knew Paul was right and not guilty, but he didn’t want to offend the Jews.  He made no decision and kept Paul in prison for two years hoping Paul would try to bribe him.  While Paul was imprisoned, Felix visited him many times which allowed him to speak the gospel to Felix for those two years.  This shows that God uses wicked leaders to fulfill His purposes.

This world is made up of sinners who love darkness rather than light.  A life of integrity exposes the evil deeds of sinners so they will often slander someone who has integrity just like they slandered Paul.  Even King David was often slandered and of course we know that Jesus was constantly slandered.  The more godly you are the more you will be slandered.  So we should expect it.

How can you respond with gentleness and reverence to those who slander you or treat you unjustly?

Principles:  A life of integrity doesn’t shield us from being falsely accused.

Acts 25 – Paul Before Festus

Festus succeeded Felix, but kept Paul in prison.  The Jews wanted Festus to send Paul to Jerusalem so they could ambush and kill him along the way.  Festus said he wanted to see Paul for himself.  Then Paul was put before Festus for yet another trial.  He calmly defended himself again.  He didn’t grow frustrated or impatient.  He said he had done nothing wrong and had obeyed the laws of the Jews, the temple and Caesar.  He said if he had done anything wrong, he deserved death and would not refuse to die.  If he had not, then no one had the right to hand him over to the Jews.   

Festus consulted King Agrippa as to what to do with Paul.  Festus told the king that he had found nothing Paul had done wrong.  The king was interested and wanted to hear what Paul had to say. 

Principle:  God will protect His servants from evil and use them according to His sovereign purpose.

Acts 26 – Paul Before Agrippa

Paul was brought before King Agrippa and allowed again to plead his case again.  He was probably happy for the opportunity to speak before Agrippa because it allowed him to preach the gospel to kings and rulers.  This was a fulfillment of what God promised at Paul’s conversion.  “Go!  This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.” – Acts 9:15. 

In that day it was a custom for a person waved his hand to show honor and to praise the ruler.  As Paul began to speak, he waved his hand and gave praises to the king before he told his story.  Then Paul told his story again.  This time he emphasized different parts of the story.  He didn’t say he became blind or mention Ananias.  Instead he emphasized what Jesus said to him.  He said was he was a faithful Jew and believed he must persecute the followers of Jesus and that he had been compelled to do it.  Then he told how Jesus revealed Himself to him while on the road to Damasus.  Paul gave a full account of his experience.  He saw a great light.  Jesus called him by name and asked him why he was persecuting Him.  This changed Paul’s life and he understood that Jesus was alive.  Paul said he now preaches they all should repent and turn to God. 

Paul’s message before the king was that his aim was to give the gospel to the Gentiles.  He wanted to “… open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” – Acts 26:16-18. 

The Gentiles weren’t blind in a physical way, but in a spiritual way.  Satan was ruling over them making them in spiritual darkness.  Paul wanted them to turn away from spiritual darkness to light.  Satan rules over everyone who doesn’t accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Jesus called Satan the prince of this world in John 12:31; 14:30.  When you become a Christian, Satan doesn’t rule over you any longer.  God forgives your sins and the Holy Spirit comes to live in you.  You come into God’s light.  

Paul said after his conversion, he began to preach that people should repent and stop sinning.  They should ask God for help and start obeying Him.  Then he told them to prove they had repented by their deeds.  The Gentiles are important to God and belong to His family, too.  This is the reason the Jews seized him and tried to kill him.

As Paul was speaking, Festus interrupted and said “You are out of your mind …. your great learning is driving you insane” (Acts 26:25).  It is reasonable that Paul looked crazy.  Here a prisoner seemed to be happy; he insisted that God could raise the dead; he experienced a heavenly vision that changed his life; he was more concerned about proclaiming Jesus than his personal freedom; he had hope and believed in redemption for all people, even Gentiles.

Paul replied that he was not insane, but true and reasonable.  He knew the gospel was true.  He based this truth on historical events – his conversion, the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.  He knew that God may sometimes act as if He is above reason, but our ways are not His ways. 

Paul asked the king if he believed the prophets, knowing that he knew of them.  It’s just as people today who know of Jesus and who He is, but it makes no difference to them in the way they live.  The king asked Paul if he thought he could persuade him to be a Christian in such a short time.  I think the king was close to becoming a believer, but close doesn’t count.  He threw away his opportunity to receive God’s forgiveness and the gift of eternal life.  Paul said he would pray that he and others would listen to him.  The king decided Paul did not do anything that deserved death or imprisonment.  The king said Paul would have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.  Now he would have to go to Rome and stand before the Roman Emperor Nero for yet another trial.

Agrippa was the king, rich and famous, successful and had everything anyone could ever want.  He was probably embarrassed in front of all these people and worried about what they might think if he took Paul seriously.  Peer pressure is a powerful force to draw people away from God and keep them in this world.  People laugh at dirty jokes, go to drinking parties, cut corners at work, fudge on taxes and tell little white lies.  Agrippa knew about the Old Testament prophets, but he needed to repent of his sins and trust in Jesus as Savior.  Paul offered him saving faith which includes repentance.  It was his choice and he chose not to believe.

Have you committed yourself to Jesus when the choice was given to you?

If you were almost persuaded, what is keeping you from surrendering?

Principle:  To truly know Jesus as Savior should make a difference in the way you live.

If you are a believer, when was the last time you told someone your story of salvation?

Have you ever written out your testimony?  Here are three parts to remember when giving your testimony:

1.       Tell what you were like prior to salvation.  This identifies with those listening.

2.      Tell you were saved with emphasis on who Jesus is and what He did to save you.  This gives the opportunity to explain the gospel.

3.      Tell about the changes that have happened in your life since your salvation.  If you have a chance, make a personal invitation to your listeners.

Interesting note:  King Agrippa’s great-grandfather had tried to kill Jesus as a baby; his grandfather had John the Baptist beheaded; his father had martyred the first apostle, James.

Join me here next week for our next study of the book of Acts.  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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Acts 21:16 – 23:1-35

Acts 21:16 – 22:1-29 – Testifying while in Trouble

Paul arrived in Jerusalem and found James and other elders.  Many Jews were believers now, but still were zealous for the law.  They believed in circumcision.  They had heard that Paul taught to turn away from Moses’ Law and that Jewish Christians should not do circumcision, but this was not true.  Paul taught that it did not matter to God, if they were circumcised or not.  James and the others were going to go through seven days of purification rites by having their heads shaved and invited Paul to join them.  Paul was free from Jewish law, but agreed to take part in the purification rites in the temple.  Paul’s actions showed loyalty for the Jewish vows and was supporting James and the others.  As we learned earlier in 1 Corinthians, Paul believed in becoming all things to all people.  “To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.  To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.” – 1 Cor. 9:20

Obeying customs is doing it for the sake of tradition and because it’s always the way things have been done.  But obeying the Word of God is obeying God because it’s the right thing to do and He requires it of us.

Is there some custom you are obeying just because of tradition, but need to obey God instead?

As a result of Paul being in the temple at Jerusalem, word spread that he had brought a Gentile into the temple, which he had not.  This offended the legalistic Jews and they stirred up the crowd against him.  They seized and dragged him from the temple trying to kill him, but Roman troops stopped them and took him to prison.  Roman law didn’t allow people to be killed without a trial. 

Why did God allow these accusations and physical harm come to Paul?  Maybe He wanted his faith to be strengthen and show His glory not only to Paul but to others.  Maybe He wanted this to be a witness for others.  We don't really know all the reasons why God allows things to happen, but God always has a plan and nothing can stop Him.  He is an Unstoppable God!

 

Paul was allowed to speak to the crowd.  He told them his story.  He told of his life before Christ, his conversion and God’s plan for him to spread the message to the Gentiles.  He told them he was a Jew and was not against the Jewish religion.  In the past he had been very eager to obey God thinking it was ok to arrest and persecute Christians.  Then he told them of his conversion on the road to Damascus.  Paul told them that God wanted the Gentiles to know Him, too and they didn’t have to be a Jew.  This made the crowd very angry again and again they tried to kill him.  Paul told them he was a Roman citizen.  It was illegal to flog a Roman citizen so he was brought before the Sanhedrin for trial. 

Who do you need to tell your story of salvation?

Principle:  God calls His people to witness to what they have seen and heard.

Acts 22:30 – 23:11 – The Questions

Paul was brought before the Sanhedrin.   He said, “My brothers, I have filled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” – Acts 23:1.  Paul’s quality of Paul’s life was with God.  He lived a godly life and obeyed God in all things.  He never made excuses for the truth.  When the priest told one standing near to him to strike Paul on the mouth, Paul didn’t let that go.  He called him a “whitewashed wall” which means hypocrite.  The priest was sitting in judgment but he himself violated the law.  Paul was submissive to man under God when he was told that Ananias was a high priest.  Paul backed down and submitted to his authority.  Paul was submissive to man under God.  He quoted Ex. 22:28 – “Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.”  They couldn’t find any reason to kill Paul, but still kept him in prison. 

 Can you say you have fulfilled your duty to God?

Paul was alone in chains, but a believer is never really alone.  God was with Paul and comforted him.  God is always with us.  God told him, “Take courage!  As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify in Rome.” – Acts 23:11.  Paul’s work was not done yet.

How are you being persecuted?

Can you admit you are sorry for something you’ve said?

How has God been a comfort to you?

Where do you need God’s comfort in your witness?

When trouble comes, where do you turn?

Will you testify in trouble?

Principle:  God has a purpose for the trials of believers.

Acts 23:12-35 –The Plot

The Jews were so angry with Paul because he was preaching to the Gentiles.  Maybe they felt superior - after all they were God’s chosen and he had called them hypocrites.  They thought he wasn’t obeying the law and taught others the same.  So they formed a conspiracy to kill Paul.  More than 40 men vowed to not eat until they had killed Paul.  God allowed Paul’s nephew to hear of the murderous plot.  He then warned Paul and the Roman commander.  Since the commander had a low opinion of Paul’s enemies, he believed the story and removed Paul from Jerusalem to Caesarea.  The commander sent a letter to Governor Felix who kept Paul under guard in Herod’s palace so no harm would come to him until the truth was known.  He said he would her Paul’s case.  In our next study we will see the response of Felix.

God allowed all this to happen.  Paul never wavered.  He was bound, beaten, and despised by his countrymen.  Still with all his difficulties he had not failed or disobeyed God’s Word.  He was prepared for suffering.  He knew God’s purpose for his life and nothing was going to stop him.  He used every situation as an opportunity to serve God.

How are you using your trials to serve God?

Principle:  God protects His people so they can do His work.

Join me here next week for our study of the book of Acts.  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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1 Corinthians 15-16

 Chapter 15 – Resurrection

Paul taught about the resurrection of Christ.  He wanted Corinthian believers to remember the gospel by which they were saved.  He wanted them to remember the importance of it.  “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scripture, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.” – 1 Corin. 15:3

The gospel means “good news”.  That “good news” is that we can be saved from the punishment we deserve from God because of what Jesus did for us.

Jesus appeared several different times after His resurrection: 

to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18)

to Mary mother of James (Matt. 28:1; Mark 16:1; Luke 24:10)

to Peter (Luke 24:34; 1 Corin. 15:5)

to disciples on road the Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)

to the disciples without Thomas, (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-25)

to the disciples with Thomas (John 20:26-29)

to seven disciples at the Sea of Tibernas (John 21:1-23)

to eleven disciples at mountain in Galilee (Matt. 28:16-17; 1 Corin. 15:6)

to His brother James and the apostles, to over five hundred (1 Corin. 15:7)

to the disciples before the ascension (Luke 24:49-53; Acts 3-11)

to Saul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-4)

There are 3 basic beliefs of a Christian found in 1 Corin. 15:3-4:

Christ died for our sins according to scriptures.

He was buried according to scriptures.

He was raised on the 3rd day according to scriptures.

Why are these facts important to your Christian faith?

How are you encouraged by these facts?

Resurrection isn’t merely life after death.  It is victory over death!  It is the continuation of life after death in glorified bodies.  Do you believe in the bodily resurrection of Jesus?  If not, there is no hope.  You cannot be a Christian and deny the resurrection of Jesus.  If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.  If Christ has not been raised, preaching is useless and so is your faith.  If there is no resurrection of the dead, we have been found as false witnesses about God.  If the dead are not raised, then neither was Jesus.  “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” – 1 Corin. 15:13-18

We are secure in that one day that we shall rise from the dead just like Jesus.  We are eternally secure because Jesus saves.   We will be resurrected just like He was.  We are secure until we see Him face to face.

The End Time Events will take place in the right order:   Christ was the first to rise from the dead.  He will come again.  Then God will raise all those who belong to Christ.  Then the end will come when Christ hands over the kingdom to God the Father after He has destroys all dominion, authority and power.  He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.  The last enemy to be destroyed is death.  Satan will be made subject to Christ.  God put everything under Christ, so that God may be all in all. – (1 Corin. 15:23-28)

When the Lord Jesus Christ returns, the believer’s body will be raised imperishable, raised in glory and power, and raised in a spiritual body.  It will bear the likeness of Jesus and will be changed in a flash, in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.  For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality. – (1 Corin. 15:42-54)

Christ’s last words on the cross were “It is finished” (John 19:30).  He had destroyed the power of death.  God raised Him from the dead.  So He will also raise those who belong to Christ.

How can you show you believe in the power of Resurrection?  You could stand firm, let nothing move you, always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, be on guard, standing firm in faith, be men and women of courage, be strong and do everything in love.

Principle:  Jesus’ resurrection guarantees the resurrection of all believers.

Are you gratefully surrendering to Him as Lord?

What is going on in your life today that you need to call upon God?

How does the body of Christ look different than the world?

Does your life look different from the world?

Who in your life needs to hear about the resurrection?

Chapter 16 - Collections

Paul asked for a collection to be taken for the poor Christians in Jerusalem.  It should be done on the first day of the week according with their income.  This should be the business of all Christians to relieve the poor members of the church.  This is the Christian moral duty. (1 Phil 4:18). 

Paul had promised the church in Jerusalem that he would remember the poor people (Gal. 2:9-10).  The church supported a large number of widows (Acts 6:1-6).  They were also in the middle of a famine (Acts 11:27-30).   In 1 Tim. 5 Paul spoke of the responsibility of the church to honor widows. 

How do you help those in need?

Do you tithe and give offerings each week?

Does your giving reflect God’s love?

Paul planned to visit Corinth when he comes through Macedonia.  For now God had given him an opportunity in Ephesus.  Paul didn’t rely on his desires, but on God’s leading.  God had opened a great door for him in Ephesus.  He said he would be sending Timothy and asked that they respect him when he comes.   Paul also urged Apollos to go to Corinth who will go when he had the opportunity.

Do you rely on God’s leading?

Do you recognize when God opens door for you?

Paul gave final instructions for them to stand fast in the faith, be watchful, be brave, to love and to be strong.  This is a good lesson for us all.  We should be watchful, faithfully and eagerly for Jesus’ return.  Always be ready, because we don’t know when He will return.  He told them to love the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Paul means to watch out for the enemy of Christ.  The devil is like a lion looking for someone to destroy (1 Peter 5:8).  Don’t allow people with wrong ideas and beliefs make your faith weak (Acts 20:30-31). 

How can you grow in your love for the Lord Jesus?  You can make it a habit to pray, study His Word, claim His promises, love as He loved, serve as He served and wait patiently and eagerly for His return.

How do you stand firm and remain strong in your faith?

Principle: Believers have the privilege of loving like Jesus through giving.

Join me here next week as we go back to our study of Acts -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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