Acts 21 – 28 (Continued)

January 02, 2013

Felix made a sign for Paul to speak. It was Paul's turn to defend himself. Unlike the lawyer, he did not start out with long lines of flattery. There was no manipulation on Paul's part. He simply said, "I know you have been a judge over this nation for a long time. So I am happy to defend myself before you."

Here was Paul's defense:

• You can learn for yourself that I went to worship in Jerusalem only twelve days ago
• Those who are accusing me did not find me arguing with anyone in the Temple
• I was not stirring up the people in the synagogues or the city
• They cannot prove the things they are saying against me now
• But I will tell you this: I worship God and am a follower of the Way of Jesus
• I went to Jerusalem to worship and help my people

Paul had done nothing to warrant their anger or their pursuit of him. Their pursuit was based entirely on their own sins of envy, revenge, anger, and refusal to surrender to the Way of Jesus.

Paul continued on:

• When they found me in the Temple I had just finished the cleansing ceremony
• I had not made any trouble
• No people were gathering around me

Paul was minding his own business inside the temple while the leaders were outside the temple working themselves up into a frenzy over what Paul "might" be doing until they convinced themselves to believe their own lies. There was no stopping them. Not facts; not reality; and not truth. Acts 24:5 - "We have found him to be a trouble maker."

Paul was not afraid or ashamed. The accusations were false. Acts 24:20 - "Ask these people here if they found any wrong in me when I stood before the council in Jerusalem." Paul was saying this isn't about what I have done. This is about who I am—a believer and follower of the Way of Jesus. This was a battle between evil forces and good, and it was an attempt to block the message of Christ from going forward. Felix understood much about the Way of Jesus. He stopped the trial and said he would give his ruling when the commander of the army came.

Paul was taken back under guard but was given some freedom even though he was still a prisoner because of their continued false accusation against him. Paul's friends were allowed to bring him what he needed. The support of his friends was an encouragement to him, and his steadfastness was an encouragement to the fellow believers who were watching. 

Because Paul was in prison he had many opportunities to share his faith in Christ with Felix, his wife, and anyone else who would listen. Felix was interested (his wife was Jewish so he had some knowledge of Jesus), but he was also afraid. He really didn't want to hear about living right, self-control, and the reality of God judging the world. Felix would often send for Paul so he could listen to him and talk with him, but he had an ulterior motive. He was hoping Paul would pay him. But ulterior motive aside, God's plan was working. He was hearing about Christ.

Two years passed. Felix was replaced as governor. Festus was now in charge—and Paul was still in prison. Felix found no wrong with anything Paul had done but left him there in prison to please the Jews. Even after two years the Jews did not give up in their pursuit of Paul. Their desire to "get Paul" did not wane, it only increased.

All of this "appeared" disastrous for Paul, but it was actually God's plan at work.


Next Entry: Acts 21 – 28 (Continued)