Paul’s Trial Before Felix Part Two

 Meditations on The Acts of the Apostles

April 30, 2021

Paul’s Trial Before Felix

Part Two

“It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.”

Acts 24:21b

Read: Acts 24: 10-21      

Is there something in Paul’s witness that is relevant to our lives? Everything written by Paul was lived out by Paul. Whether he was in jail or speaking in his own defense, Paul affirms his faith and his calling. He is not bitter. He is trusting that God was at work in him and in his circumstances. Paul was not focused on his difficulties; rather, he was focused on how he could live the life in Christ and proclaim the Good News in the midst of his circumstances. As I read Paul’s defense, I thought of these words he wrote to the Corinthians:

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. (2 Corinthians 4:7-11)

My Takeaway: Father, forgive me for all the time and energy I put into trying to get you to change my circumstances. By your grace, may Jesus be made visible in my mortal flesh, regardless of my circumstances. Amen

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Paul’s Trial Before Felix Part One

Meditations on The Acts of the Apostles

April 29, 2021

Paul’s Trial Before Felix

Part One

“We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.”

Acts 24:5-6

Read: Acts 24:1-9 

As it was in Jerusalem when the charges were made against Paul, in Caesarea, they contained intentional misstatements of fact as well as outright lies. How are we tempted to respond in similar circumstances? This is not a theoretical question. We are living in very partisan times. Issues for which we have very strong opinions are the subject of intentional misstatements of fact as well as outright lies. How do we respond?

I noted yesterday in my takeaway that Paul modeled having the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5-11) whether he was with friends from church or in the public arena. We will see Paul model his life in Christ as we read Part Two of his Trial Before Felix tomorrow.

My Takeaway: The intentional misstatements of fact as well as outright lies that characterized Paul’s trial are just as prevalent today, both in the public sector, and, sadly, in disputes within the church today. Joshua’s charge is one I need to hear, and answer, everyday: “. . . choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. . .  But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

On to Caesarea

 Meditations on The Acts of the Apostles

 April 28, 2021

On to Caesarea

 I found that the accusation had to do with questions about their law, but there was no charge against him that deserved death or imprisonment.

Acts 23:29

Read: Acts 23:23-35       

Luke identified “most excellent Theophilus” as the intended recipient of his “orderly account” of the life and ministry of Jesus: the Gospel of Luke. Luke also identifies Theophilus as the intended recipient of Acts. Who was Theophilus? There is much speculation on this question, but no certainty. There is some speculation that he was a Roman official, based on the title Paul used in his Gospel, “most excellent,” although that title is not used in Acts. Based on the verse quoted above, I think he may well have been a Roman official.

Claudius Lysias’ conclusion that Paul was not guilty of violating any Roman law is very similar to conclusions reached by other Roman officials in Corinth, Philippi, Thessalonica and Ephesus. Perhaps Luke wants Theophilus to reach the same conclusion.

At the end of the day, God’s providence has Paul safe and secure, for the time being, in Herod’s palace.

My Takeaway: Paul’s deportment serves as a good model for me in today’s culture. Paul never backed away from living, moving and having his being in Christ. (Acts 17:28) He had the mind of Christ whether he was in the community of the church or before civil authorities.

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Plot to Kill Paul

 Meditations on The Acts of the Apostles

April 27, 2021

The Plot to Kill Paul

But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul.

Acts 23:16

Read: Acts 23:12-22       

Today’s reading raises the issue of God’s providence. By that, I mean God’s purposeful, intentional action in His creation. How do we understand God’s providence? Was it a coincidence that Paul’s nephew overheard the plot to kill Paul? Or was that Divine providence? If it was God’s providence, then why was James (the brother of John) not rescued? (We read about his execution in Chapter 12) Or what about James, the brother of Jesus, who was executed three years after Paul’s arrest? Understanding God’s actions, and what seems like his inactions, can be one of the greatest struggles of faith. I resolve this struggle by resting my faith on the person of Jesus. My faith is not on what I hope the outcome will be; my faith is in the person for whom “God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell.” (Colossians 1:19, actually read 15-20 – this is the person who is the object of our faith.)

I have found that when I pray, I experience more of God’s providence in my life. But it is not just any prayer. It has to be special prayer. I believe when you pray the prayer that God NEVER fails to answer, you can count on experiencing God’s providence in your life. That prayer is the Lord’s Prayer. (Matthew 6: 9-13) In March, Andy Stanley had an excellent four-part series on the Lord’s Prayer: Grown-Up Prayers. Here is a link to part one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyAC26OxOqQ

My Takeaway: “My past, O Lord, to Your mercy; my present, to Your love; my future to Your providence.” (St. Padre Pio)

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Take Courage

 Meditations on The Acts of the Apostles

April 26, 2021

Take Courage

The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

Acts 23:11

Read: Acts 23:1-11

Things got a bit testy when Paul was before the Sanhedrin. In all the commotion, three things caught my attention. First, I recalled the Parable of the Shrewd Manager (Luke 16) where “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly.” (v.8) I think the master may have commended Paul as well as he acted shrewdly to turn the Sanhedrin in on itself.

Secondly, once again God works all things together for His good as the Roman commander intervened and used his troop to secure Paul’s safety.

The third thing was the appearance of the Lord to Paul. When I was serving as a pastor, the verse quoted above was an inspiration for me to open every church meeting by giving those gathered together an opportunity to share how they were experiencing the Lord in their lives. Our faith teaches us that the Lord still appears to his followers, he still encourages, he still speaks to, and he still leads his followers. The leadership of the Lord is not just for those participating in clergy or lay leadership roles in the local church. If you are a follower of Jesus, then God is working in you.

“. . . for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13)

 

“. . . 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.” (Philippians 1:6)

My Takeaway: I believe we will experience the Lord in our life if we are intentionally and purposefully seeking to fulfill God’s purpose for us. Thus, I need often to ask myself, “When was the last time I heard God speaking to me? Am I listening for His voice? Am I open to His appearance?” How about you?

Sē’lah

<><  <><  <><  <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2021 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.