25 Three days after Festus arrived, he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem. 2 There the chief priests and the Jewish leaders came to Festus. They brought their charges against Paul. 3 They tried very hard to get Festus to have Paul taken to Jerusalem. They asked for this as a favor. They were planning to hide and attack Paul along the way. They wanted to kill him. 4 Festus answered, “Paul is being held at Caesarea. Soon I’ll be going there myself. 5 Let some of your leaders come with me. If the man has done anything wrong, they can bring charges against him there.” 6 Festus spent eight or ten days in Jerusalem with them. Then he went down to Caesarea. The next day he called the court together. He ordered Paul to be brought to him. 7 When Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him. They brought many strong charges against him. But they couldn’t prove that these charges were true. 8 Then Paul spoke up for himself. He said, “I’ve done nothing wrong against the law of the Jews or against the temple. I’ve done nothing wrong against Caesar.” 9 But Festus wanted to do the Jews a favor. So he said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem? Are you willing to go on trial there? Are you willing to face these charges in my court?” 10 Paul answered, “I’m already standing in Caesar’s court. This is where I should go on trial. I haven’t done anything wrong to the Jews. You yourself know that very well. 11 If I am guilty of anything worthy of death, I’m willing to die. But the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true. No one has the right to hand me over to them. I make my appeal to Caesar!” 12 Festus talked it over with the members of his court. Then he said, “You have made an appeal to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”

As I read this passage, I try to really, truly imagine what it is like to be in Paul’s shoes at this stage in Acts. The Jews in Jerusalem have managed to get hold of him and to bring him to Felix (meaning Cat) the corrupt Roman governor of Judea, just because he preached the gospel. Paul tries to preach the Gospel to Felix, but all Felix wants is to make money. TWO YEARS pass with no progress and eventually Felix loses his job because things in Judea become so much of a mess. I can just imagine Paul, waiting to meet the new governor, and I can imagine what is going through his head when he learns that the new governor is named “Porcus Festus!” (Which means something like “Party Pig!”

When the same Jews that seized Paul in the first place go even further and try to execute a plot to have Paul killed or further punished, Paul realises that Porcus will not be reasoned with and appeals to the highest worldly authority of the day – Caesar.

It is not clear why Paul makes this appeal. Perhaps though he could see that an appeal to Caesar would allow him to share the Gospel to people in the Roman government who could then be inspired by the Holy Spirit to bring about change to the whole nation.

In placing myself in Paul’s shoes, I am inspired to reflect:

– Am I willing to risk legal proceedings, imprisonment or death for the Gospel?

– How is God testing my patience? How can I be more patient like Paul when he was in prison?

– Do I think strategically about my life and where my choices will take me? Is this strategy gospel centred, or motivated by something else?

God, search me and help me to answer these reflective questions honestly. Help me to continue to draw closer to you. Amen

Written by Ps. Justin Ware

24 Five days later Ananias the high priest went down to Caesarea. Some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus went with him. They brought their charges against Paul to the governor. 2 So Paul was called in. Tertullus began to bring the charges against Paul. He said to Felix, “We have enjoyed a long time of peace while you have been ruling. You are a wise leader. You have made this a better nation. 3 Most excellent Felix, we gladly admit this everywhere and in every way. And we are very thankful. 4 I don’t want to bother you. But would you be kind enough to listen to us for a short time? 5 “We have found that Paul is a troublemaker. This man stirs up trouble among Jews all over the world. He is a leader of those who follow Jesus of Nazareth. 6-7 He even tried to make our temple impure. So we arrested him. 8 Question him yourself. Then you will learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.” 9 The other Jews said the same thing. They agreed that the charges were true. 10 The governor motioned for Paul to speak. Paul said, “I know that you have been a judge over this nation for quite a few years. So I am glad to explain my actions to you. 11 About 12 days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. You can easily check on this. 12 Those bringing charges against me did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple. I wasn’t stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. 13 They can’t prove to you any of the charges they are making against me. 14 It is true that I worship the God of our people. I am a follower of the Way of Jesus. Those bringing charges against me call it a cult. I believe everything that is in keeping with the Law. I believe everything that is in keeping with what is written in the Prophets. 15 I have the same hope in God that these men themselves have. I believe that both the godly and the ungodly will rise from the dead. 16 So I always try not to do anything wrong in the eyes of God or in the eyes of people. 17 “I was away for several years. Then I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for those who were poor. I also came to offer sacrifices. 18 They found me doing this in the temple courtyard. I had already been made pure and ‘clean’ in the usual way. There was no crowd with me. I didn’t stir up any trouble. 19 But there are some other Jews who should be here in front of you. They are from Asia Minor. They should bring charges if they have anything against me. 20 Let the Jews who are here tell you what crime I am guilty of. After all, I was put on trial by the Sanhedrin. 21 Perhaps they blame me for what I said when I was on trial. I shouted, ‘I believe that people will rise from the dead. That is why I am on trial here today.’ ” 22 Felix knew all about the Way of Jesus. So he put off the trial for the time being. “Lysias the commanding officer will come,” he said. “Then I will decide your case.” 23 He ordered the commander to keep Paul under guard. He told him to give Paul some freedom. He also told him to allow Paul’s friends to take care of his needs.

Paul was brought before governor Felix on false charges by Ananias the high priest, other Jewish leaders and a lawyer – a credible contingent to say the least. This contingent suggested that Felix should question Paul for himself and then he would find out that the charges the Jewish leaders brought against him were true. Felix did question Paul which revealed that the charges brought against him seemed to be fictitious. Felix was then unsure what to do with Paul as he did not want to upset the Jewish leaders and deferred his decision until after he had spoken to commander Lysias. All the while Paul was held under guard.

Paul was glad to defend himself in Felix’s court. Paul recounted that he had only been in Jerusalem twelve days and hadn’t caused trouble in the temple as the Jewish leadership had alleged. Paul also explained that he wasn’t with a crowd nor had there been an uproar. He even brought gifts for the poor. Importantly, Paul highlighted the real reason for the charges – different beliefs. The Jewish leaders knew that Paul believed in the resurrection of the dead and that he was a very persuasive speaker – he needed to be shut down so they falsely accused him and brought him before governor Felix.

­Paul understood what he believed would cause division. After all, our beliefs are central to who we are so we need to be able to understand and articulate them confidently. At the same time Paul aimed to have a clear conscience in whatever he did for God or for people. These are great aims for us to follow as well.

Lord please help me to be ready to explain what I believe in a humble manner. Help my actions to confirm what I believe too, Amen.

Written by Ps. Ainslie Woods

12 The next morning some Jews gathered secretly to make plans against Paul. They made a promise to themselves. They promised that they would not eat or drink anything until they killed him. 13 More than 40 men took part in this plan. 14 They went to the chief priests and the elders. They said, “We have made a special promise to God. We will not eat anything until we have killed Paul. 15 Now then, you and the Sanhedrin must make an appeal to the commanding officer. Ask him to bring Paul to you. Pretend you want more facts about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here.” 16 But Paul’s nephew heard about this plan. So he went into the fort and told Paul. 17 Then Paul called one of the commanders. He said to him, “Take this young man to the commanding officer. He has something to tell him.” 18 So the commander took Paul’s nephew to the officer. The commander said, “Paul, the prisoner, sent for me. He asked me to bring this young man to you. The young man has something to tell you.” 19 The commanding officer took the young man by the hand. He spoke to him in private. “What do you want to tell me?” the officer asked. 20 He said, “Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul to the Sanhedrin tomorrow. They will pretend they want more facts about him. 21 Don’t give in to them. More than 40 of them are waiting in hiding to attack him. They have promised that they will not eat or drink anything until they have killed him. They are ready now. All they need is for you to bring Paul to the Sanhedrin.” 22 The commanding officer let the young man go. But he gave him a warning. “Don’t tell anyone you have reported this to me,” he said.

In this passage we see God’s sovereignty at work. In verse 11 of the previous passage God encourages Paul and tells him that he will testify about God in Rome. God uses the attack on Paul, and the Roman intervention to safely transport Paul from Jerusalem to Rome. Historically, Rome was the brutal enemy oppressing the Jewish people, and yet, in this twist, it is a Roman officer that saves Paul. Roman soldiers crucified Jesus, and now Roman soldiers defend Paul on his way to Rome to preach about Jesus. How amazing that Paul’s nephew should be in the right place at the right time to hear of this conspiracy against Paul: in this we see God using a nephew as part of His plan to protect Paul. As Paul prioritised God’s kingdom and His righteousness God took care of Paul. I am encouraged that God is sovereign, He is in complete control, and He uses whatever means He chooses to bring about His will. God is unpredictable, I don’t know how He is going to work all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose, but I know that He will do it. Lord, please help me to trust you and to rest in your sovereignty. Help me to seek first your kingdom and your righteousness today. Thank you for working all things together for my good. Amen.

Written by Beth Waugh

37 The soldiers were about to take Paul into the fort. Then he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?” “Do you speak Greek?” he replied. 38 “Aren’t you the Egyptian who turned some of our people against their leaders? Didn’t you lead 4,000 terrorists out into the desert some time ago?” 39 Paul answered, “I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia. I am a citizen of an important city. Please let me speak to the people.” 40 The commander told him he could. So Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. When all of them were quiet, he spoke to them in the Aramaic language. 22 1 “Brothers and fathers,” Paul began, “listen to me now. I want to give you reasons for my actions.” 2 When they heard that he was speaking to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet. Then Paul said, 3 “I am a Jew. I was born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but I grew up here in Jerusalem. I studied with Gamaliel. I was well trained by him in the law given to our people long ago. I wanted to serve God as much as any of you do today. 4 I hurt the followers of the Way of Jesus. I sent many of them to their death. I arrested men and women. I threw them into prison. 5 The high priest and the whole Council can be witnesses of this themselves. I even had some official letters they had written to their friends in Damascus. So I went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished. 6 “I had almost reached Damascus. About noon a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice speak to me. ‘Saul! Saul!’ it said. ‘Why are you opposing me?’ 8 “ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked. “ ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth,’ he replied. ‘I am the one you are opposing.’ 9 The light was seen by my companions. But they didn’t understand the voice of the one speaking to me. 10 “ ‘What should I do, Lord?’ I asked. “ ‘Get up,’ the Lord said. ‘Go into Damascus. There you will be told everything you have been given to do.’ 11 The brightness of the light had blinded me. So my companions led me by the hand into Damascus. 12 “A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a godly Jew who obeyed the law. All the Jews living there respected him very much. 13 He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ At that very moment I was able to see him. 14 “Then he said, ‘The God of our people has chosen you. He wanted to tell you his plans for you. You have seen the Blameless One. You have heard words from his mouth. 15 Now you will tell everyone about what you have seen and heard. 16 So what are you waiting for? Get up and call on his name. Be baptized. Have your sins washed away.’ 17 “I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple. Then it seemed to me that I was dreaming. 18 I saw the Lord speaking to me. ‘Quick!’ he said. ‘Leave Jerusalem at once. The people here will not accept what you tell them about me.’ 19 “ ‘Lord,’ I replied, ‘these people know what I used to do. I went from one synagogue to another and put believers in prison. I also beat them. 20 Stephen was a man who told other people about you. I stood there when he was killed. I had agreed that he should die. I even guarded the coats of those who were killing him.’ 21 “Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go. I will send you far away to people who are not Jews.’ ” 22 The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they shouted, “Kill him! He isn’t fit to live!” 23 They shouted and threw off their coats. They threw dust into the air. 24 So the commanding officer ordered that Paul be taken into the fort. He gave orders for Paul to be whipped and questioned. He wanted to find out why the people were shouting at him like this. 25 A commander was standing there as they stretched Paul out to be whipped. Paul said to him, “Does the law allow you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been found guilty?” 26 When the commander heard this, he went to the commanding officer and reported it. “What are you going to do?” the commander asked. “This man is a Roman citizen.” 27 So the commanding officer went to Paul. “Tell me,” he asked. “Are you a Roman citizen?” “Yes, I am,” Paul answered. 28 Then the officer said, “I had to pay a lot of money to become a citizen.” “But I was born a citizen,” Paul replied. 29 Right away those who were about to question him left. Even the officer was alarmed. He realized that he had put Paul, a Roman citizen, in chains.

Nothing Wasted

Paul used everything he had in his life to promote Jesus and God’s Kingdom.  His background, his skills, his education, even his city of birth.  In the passage above Paul speaks to the Roman Commander in Greek – much to his surprise.  He then speaks to the crowd in Aramaic – they are immediately silenced in hearing their own language. At the end of the passage Paul declares his Roman citizenship; preventing further beatings and gaining favour with his captors.

Sometimes we are tempted to think that the things we are doing or learning right now are of no use.  That they have no value to God.  Maybe Paul felt that way about his Greek classes at school or his Roman Citizenship.  Maybe he thought “I’m a Jew – when am I ever going to need this?”

But God wastes nothing.  There is a reason why I am in this time of learning or going through this particular difficulty.  Even heartache and tragedy are not wasted.  God wastes nothing. He can redeem and use everything we go through to help others and point people to Jesus.  We simply need to be patient and keep our eyes open.

Jesus, thank you for this trial I’m facing right now.  I know someday You’ll redeem it – I’m looking forward to seeing how.  May what I’m going through be used for Your glory.

Written by Boudy VanNoppen