Burunche’s Blog

Acts 26 26 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You may speak in your defense.”

So Paul, gesturing with his hand, started his defense: 2 “I am fortunate, King Agrippa, that you are the one hearing my defense today against all these accusations made by the Jewish leaders, 3 for I know you are an expert on all Jewish customs and controversies. Now please listen to me patiently!

As a polished orator, Paul begins his defense with appropriate gestures and traditional phrases of acknowledgement. This is Paul’s golden opportunity to sway Agrippa, the last of the Herodian rulers, to the cause of Christ, and he is not about to waste it. Agrippa is a relative expert on Jewish matters; however, his only god is himself. While we might assume that this interview takes place in a private chamber, that’s not the case. The Enduring Word Commentary points out the fact that “In the auditorium in the city of Caesarea Paul spoke to Festus, Agrippa, Bernice, commanders of the Roman Legion, and all the prominent men of Caesarea (Acts 25:23). This was a tremendous opportunity, and Paul was certainly happy for that opportunity. “This was a partial fulfillment of what the Lord promised Paul at his conversion: Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. (Acts 9:15)”

4 “As the Jewish leaders are well aware, I was given a thorough Jewish training from my earliest childhood among my own people and in Jerusalem. 5 If they would admit it, they know that I have been a member of the Pharisees, the strictest sect of our religion. 6 Now I am on trial because of my hope in the fulfillment of God’s promise made to our ancestors. 7 In fact, that is why the twelve tribes of Israel zealously worship God night and day, and they share the same hope I have. Yet, Your Majesty, they accuse me for having this hope! 8 Why does it seem incredible to any of you that God can raise the dead?

Paul raises the question of the resurrection of the dead, secure in the knowledge that anyone acquainted with the Torah and the Haftorah knows there are many documented cases of people being raised from the dead. King Agrippa is aware of these scriptures.

9 “I used to believe that I ought to do everything I could to oppose the very name of Jesus the Nazarene. 10 Indeed, I did just that in Jerusalem. Authorized by the leading priests, I caused many believers there to be sent to prison. And I cast my vote against them when they were condemned to death. 11 Many times I had them punished in the synagogues to get them to curse Jesus. I was so violently opposed to them that I even chased them down in foreign cities.

12 “One day I was on such a mission to Damascus, armed with the authority and commission of the leading priests. 13 About noon, Your Majesty, as I was on the road, a light from heaven brighter than the sun shone down on me and my companions. 14 We all fell down, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is useless for you to fight against my will.’ (It is hard for you to kick against the oxgoads.)

15 “‘Who are you, lord?’ I asked.

“And the Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. 16 Now get to your feet! For I have appeared to you to appoint you as my servant and witness. Tell people that you have seen me, and tell them what I will show you in the future. 17 And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles 18 to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’

19 “And so, King Agrippa, I obeyed that vision from heaven. 20 I preached first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that all must repent of their sins and turn to God—and prove they have changed by the good things they do. 21 Some Jews arrested me in the Temple for preaching this, and they tried to kill me. 22 But God has protected me right up to this present time so I can testify to everyone, from the least to the greatest. I teach nothing except what the prophets and Moses said would happen— 23 that the Messiah would suffer and be the first to rise from the dead, and in this way announce God’s light to Jews and Gentiles alike.”

Why is Paul going through all this history? As an experienced orator, Paul knows that he must lay a foundation before reaching the main point of his speech. Most of Paul’s listeners have an idea of the point Paul is going to make; however, culturally, Paul must work up to his main point gradually. Paul is paying his listeners the supreme compliment of assuming that they can reason logically and will understand the progression of his faith. But Paul is making at least one ranking member of his audience supremely uncomfortable.

24 Suddenly, Festus shouted, “Paul, you are insane. Too much study has made you crazy!”

25 But Paul replied, “I am not insane, Most Excellent Festus. What I am saying is the sober truth. 26 And King Agrippa knows about these things. I speak boldly, for I am sure these events are all familiar to him, for they were not done in a corner! 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do—”

28 Agrippa interrupted him. “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?” (“A little more, and your arguments would make me a Christian.”)

29 Paul replied, “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.”

30 Then the king, the governor, Bernice, and all the others stood and left. 31 As they went out, they talked it over and agreed, “This man hasn’t done anything to deserve death or imprisonment.”

32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “He could have been set free if he hadn’t appealed to Caesar.”

A tragedy is taking place in this amphitheater. Paul has borne witness to the complete turn-around in his life and has clearly laid out the claims of Jesus Christ as Messiah to rulers familiar with the Jewish Scriptures. While the concept of a Messiah is appealing, these self-centered people realize that becoming followers of Jesus might cost them everything, their positions, their power, their wealth, and perhaps even their lives. As these powerful leaders sit in their comfortable seats listening to Paul and looking down on the commoners in the lower levels, the thought of abandoning all this becomes supremely distasteful. There’s a spiritual tug of war going on, for the Holy Spirit is wooing hearts while Satan is doing everything he can to block any intentions of yielding to God. Some versions of the story quote Agrippa as saying, “You ALMOST PERSUADE ME to become a Christian.” Agrippa’s heart is 99.9% ready to yield to God; yet, that last 0.01% remains, and he refuses to give way.

Does Paul fail in his appeals this morning? No! Only in eternity will we learn how many others of lesser rank hear Paul’s testimony and his appeals and become Christians. Paul’s audience includes King Agrippa II, His sister Bernice, the Roman governor Festus, high-ranking military officers, prominent men from Caesarea, and all those accompanying these people as servants, body guards, envoys, lieutenants, etc. Each one of these people is likely to tell others what they have heard from Paul today, spreading the message of salvation even farther. Merchants traveling to other parts of the Mediterranean may spread the word. Soldiers will help spread it as they chat with others back in the barracks. Upper class society women might gossip about it as they gather together. God is amazingly sneaky and persistent and He has unlimited numbers of ways to spread His Word.

Agrippa echoes what Felix and Festus have already thought: Paul could have been set free had he not appealed to Caesar. But God wants Paul in Rome, and God is using this appeal to force the Romans to transport Paul to their imperial capital. Paul is supremely pleased, although he is crest-fallen that Festus and Agrippa and Bernice have failed to become Christians. Still, who knows what might happen in the stillness of the night when nobody is around to watch? God has an opening in these people’s lives and He can persist in speaking to their hearts.

What can we learn from these verses? DON’T DESPAIR AND NEVER GIVE UP! Paul might have returned to his prison wondering if he had accomplished anything, and yet, God was working in many hearts. My mother taught high school and junior high school English for fifteen years; her specialty was bullying people into excellence and her rallying cry was “You’re better than you think you are!” In a time when it was still acceptable to drop out of school at age 16, Mom encouraged many borderline students to continue and finish school. When Mom died at the age of 58 and people came for the calling hours before the funeral, we were shocked at the testimonies we heard, for many of those other teachers had considered failures came to assure us that Mom had made the difference and that they now had careers and businesses and families because of her encouragement.

Today, God might be calling you to bear witness to the great things He has done in your life. Go ahead, even if you don’t think anybody is paying attention or listening. You never know the influence You might have on someone. And keep praying for the ones who are “almost persuaded,” for you never know what God might do in their hearts and minds.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to remember that we are only in advertising and that You are in management. You are the One who speaks to hearts. You are the One who convicts and You are the One who is mighty to save. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Acts 25 Paul Appears before Festus

25 Three days after Festus arrived in Caesarea to take over his new responsibilities, he left for Jerusalem, 2 where the leading priests and other Jewish leaders met with him and made their accusations against Paul. 3 They asked Festus as a favor to transfer Paul to Jerusalem (planning to ambush and kill him on the way). 4 But Festus replied that Paul was at Caesarea and he himself would be returning there soon. 5 So he said, “Those of you in authority can return with me. If Paul has done anything wrong, you can make your accusations.”

Well, Festus has come in as a new governor, and immediately travels to Jerusalem to meet the Jewish religious leaders. Despite their request for Paul to be transferred back to Jerusalem, Festus is too savvy to allow anything of the sort. Felix has already briefed Festus on the emergency transfer of Paul to Caesarea to avoid assassination and Festus isn’t about to be responsible for the murder of a Roman citizen. Failing to protect a high-ranking Roman is a good way to lose one’s place entirely or to be reassigned to a remote post far worse than Caesarea. Thanks to Herod’s extensive building program, Caesarea is quite pleasant, and it’s right on the seacoast where sea breezes play every afternoon. No, let these contentious Jewish leaders come to Caesarea if they are bent on accusing an innocent Roman.

6 About eight or ten days later Festus returned to Caesarea, and on the following day he took his seat in court and ordered that Paul be brought in. 7 When Paul arrived, the Jewish leaders from Jerusalem gathered around and made many serious accusations they couldn’t prove.

8 Paul denied the charges. “I am not guilty of any crime against the Jewish laws or the Temple or the Roman government,” he said.

9 Then Festus, wanting to please the Jews, asked him, “Are you willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there?”

10 But Paul replied, “No! This is the official Roman court, so I ought to be tried right here. You know very well I am not guilty of harming the Jews. 11 If I have done something worthy of death, I don’t refuse to die. But if I am innocent, no one has a right to turn me over to these men to kill me. I appeal to Caesar!”

12 Festus conferred with his advisers and then replied, “Very well! You have appealed to Caesar, and to Caesar you will go!”

Once more, we see the power of the Roman Empire at work as well as the shiftiness of political survivors. Festus has no more desire to get crosswise of the Jewish religious leaders than did Felix; however, Festus also realizes that Paul is innocent. When Paul appeals to Caesar as his right as a Roman citizen, Festus probably heaves a huge sigh of relief. Fine! Ship Paul to Rome and let the courts up there deal with the matter. It’s highly unlikely that these trouble-makers from Jerusalem have any desire to travel all the way to Rome. Surely, once Paul reaches Rome, there will be some legal way of his gaining release.

13 A few days later King Agrippa arrived with his sister, Bernice, to pay their respects to Festus. 14 During their stay of several days, Festus discussed Paul’s case with the king. “There is a prisoner here,” he told him, “whose case was left for me by Felix. 15 When I was in Jerusalem, the leading priests and Jewish elders pressed charges against him and asked me to condemn him. 16 I pointed out to them that Roman law does not convict people without a trial. They must be given an opportunity to confront their accusers and defend themselves.

17 “When his accusers came here for the trial, I didn’t delay. I called the case the very next day and ordered Paul brought in. 18 But the accusations made against him weren’t any of the crimes I expected. 19 Instead, it was something about their religion and a dead man named Jesus, who Paul insists is alive. 20 I was at a loss to know how to investigate these things, so I asked him whether he would be willing to stand trial on these charges in Jerusalem. 21 But Paul appealed to have his case decided by the emperor. So I ordered that he be held in custody until I could arrange to send him to Caesar.”

22 “I’d like to hear the man myself,” Agrippa said.

And Festus replied, “You will—tomorrow!”

Who was the King Agrippa mentioned here and why was his sister Bernice also mentioned? AI internet searches reveal the following: King Agrippa II was the last of the Herodian dynasty founded by King Herod the Great, the king who tried to murder the baby Jesus. King Herod the Great was of mixed heritage, including Jewish ancestry. He was born around 72 BCE and ruled as a client king under Roman authority. His father was an Idumean, a group that had converted to Judaism, while his mother was a Nabatean from North Africa. This mixed background led to debates about his legitimacy as a Jewish king.

Religious Practices
Despite his controversial heritage, Herod undertook significant renovations of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, aiming to solidify his status among the Jewish people. He also made efforts to support Jewish religious practices, although many critics within the Jewish community questioned his commitment to the faith due to his brutal rule and political maneuvers.

Legacy and Perception
Herod’s reign was marked by paranoia and violence, including the execution of numerous political rivals and family members. This brutality, combined with his mixed heritage, shaped a complex legacy that continues to provoke discussion among historians and religious scholars.

Agrippa II and Bernice played significant political roles in the Herodian dynasty, navigating complex relationships between Jewish and Roman authorities.

Agrippa II’s Role

• Agrippa II served as a client king under Roman authority, managing Jewish affairs while maintaining loyalty to Rome. His reign was marked by a lack of unified power compared to his grandfather, Herod the Great, and he acted as a cultural intermediary during a tumultuous period.
• He was involved in the trial of the Apostle Paul, highlighting the interplay between Roman governance and Jewish leadership.

Bernice’s Role

• Bernice, sister of Agrippa II, was a prominent figure in the Herodian dynasty, often acting as a political ally and advisor. Her life was characterized by strategic marriages and alliances, which were common among royal families to secure influence. Bernice was married to Polemo II, King of Cilicia, but their marriage was short-lived as she returned to live with Agrippa after the divorce.
• She shared significant power with Agrippa II, and their close relationship fueled rumors about their personal dynamics, further complicating their political image.

Together, Agrippa and Bernice represented the waning influence of the Herodian dynasty during the Roman Empire’s expansion, embodying the tensions between local governance and imperial authority.

The Herodian dynasty originated with Herod the Great, who ruled Judea from 37 to 4 BCE.
Herod was appointed “King of the Jews” by the Roman Senate, establishing a client state under Roman influence. His rise to power was facilitated by his father’s support of Roman military campaigns, which helped him gain favor with the Romans. After Herod’s death, his kingdom was divided among his sons and sister, forming the Herodian tetrarchy.

Key Features of the Herodian Dynasty

• Foundation: Established by Herod the Great, who ended the Hasmonean dynasty.
• Roman Support: The dynasty was closely tied to Roman political interests, reflecting the broader context of Roman rule in Judea.
• Legacy: The Herodian dynasty played a significant role in the political landscape of Judea during the New Testament period

See how God works! Rather than being tried in a religious court in Jerusalem, now Paul has the opportunity to preach to the highest authorities in the province. Heaven knows, anybody associated with the Herodian dynasty in any way needs the Gospel! And these authorities will be accompanied by all kinds of body guards, courtiers, assistants, and other attendants. Even if Agrippa and Bernice refuse to open their hearts, many others are about to have the chance to do so. Paul might be rubbing his hands together in glee as he sits in that prison cell. What an incredible opportunity! Paul can scarcely wait.

Paul Speaks to Agrippa

23 So the next day Agrippa and Bernice arrived at the auditorium with great pomp, accompanied by military officers and prominent men of the city. Festus ordered that Paul be brought in. 24 Then Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are here, this is the man whose death is demanded by all the Jews, both here and in Jerusalem. 25 But in my opinion, he has done nothing deserving death. However, since he appealed his case to the emperor, I have decided to send him to Rome.

26 “But what shall I write the emperor? For there is no clear charge against him. So I have brought him before all of you, and especially you, King Agrippa, so that after we examine him, I might have something to write. 27 For it makes no sense to send a prisoner to the emperor without specifying the charges against him!”

Oh, Festus is a sly one! Rather than admit that Paul is actually innocent and should have been released months ago, Festus cloaks his confusion about the appropriate charges against Paul by seeking guidance from Agrippa and the opinion leaders. How can these men possibly refuse the opportunity to help Festus craft a diplomatic appeal to the emperor? For the rest of their lives, many of these men will boast that the governor required their assistance.

As we read the stories about Paul and the politicians thinking they are practicing wise statecraft, we realize that God is manipulating the entire situation. God already knows the hearts of the Jewish religious leaders. God knows that Festus and Agrippa II and Bernice are struggling to maintain their positions with Rome. God is giving Paul a far wider audience, even as He is systematically working for Paul to travel to Rome at Roman expense.

There’s a Bette Midler song that claims that God is watching us at a distance; however, nothing could actually be further from the truth. God is not some distant deity who has set things going, only to observe from afar. God is intensely involved in every aspect of our lives. C. H. Spurgeon was a famous nineteenth century evangelist whose sermons were so popular that newspapers printed them as soon as they were available. One man was walking dejected through London when he saw a large scrap of paper in the gutter. Curious, the man plucked the paper out of the gutter and began perusing it. The paper contained one of Spurgeon’s sermons with a strong salvation message. Coming under conviction, the man knelt on the rainy sidewalk and gave his heart to the Lord. That man later became a leader in Christian circles, all from what he thought was a chance encounter with the text of a Spurgeon sermon.

Today, do you feel caught in a web of deceit, a pawn to political forces around you? Refuse to give in to that notion! God is as close to you as your heart beat, and He loves you passionately. God is not going to allow Satan to destroy you, for He has great plans for your life. But look around, for remember that Paul was sitting in prison as God was moving powerful people to come to hear him. Those people had no idea what God was doing, but God was working out His purposes, just as He will work out His purposes in your life.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, we praise You and bless You for using ever detail of our lives to effect Your perfect Will. In the mighty and matchless Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Acts 24 Paul Appears before Felix

24 Five days later Ananias, the high priest, arrived with some of the Jewish elders and the lawyer Tertullus, to present their case against Paul to the governor. 2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented the charges against Paul in the following address to the governor:

“You have provided a long period of peace for us Jews and with foresight have enacted reforms for us. 3 For all of this, Your Excellency, we are very grateful to you. 4 But I don’t want to bore you, so please give me your attention for only a moment. 5 We have found this man to be a troublemaker who is constantly stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the cult known as the Nazarenes. 6 Furthermore, he was trying to desecrate the Temple when we arrested him. 8 You can find out the truth of our accusations by examining him yourself.” 9 Then the other Jews chimed in, declaring that everything Tertullus said was true.

Hmph! Notice the Jewish religious leaders have carefully employed a Roman lawyer named Tertullus. This is an age when flowery rhetoric has become as important as truth, and the high priest and his elders are seizing every opportunity to blacken Paul’s reputation. Tertullus describes Paul as a troublemaker constantly stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. Paul has never instigated a single riot, his aim being to testify peacefully to God’s truth. And the wide-sweeping generalization that Paul has caused trouble among the Jews throughout the world totally ignores the thousands of Jews who have raptly listened to Paul’s teachings. In fact, it is jealous Jews and businessmen fearing for their sources of wealth who have stirred up problems. These charges are totally false. The charge of temple desecration is equally false, for the men Paul accompanied into the inner temple were all practicing Jews completing religious vows. The other Jews chiming in to support these claims are about to get humiliated.

10 The governor then motioned for Paul to speak. Paul said, “I know, sir, that you have been a judge of Jewish affairs for many years, so I gladly present my defense before you. 11 You can quickly discover that I arrived in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago to worship at the Temple. 12 My accusers never found me arguing with anyone in the Temple, nor stirring up a riot in any synagogue or on the streets of the city. 13 These men cannot prove the things they accuse me of doing.

14 “But I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult. I worship the God of our ancestors, and I firmly believe the Jewish law and everything written in the prophets. 15 I have the same hope in God that these men have, that he will raise both the righteous and the unrighteous. 16 Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people.

17 “After several years away, I returned to Jerusalem with money to aid my people and to offer sacrifices to God. 18 My accusers saw me in the Temple as I was completing a purification ceremony. There was no crowd around me and no rioting. 19 But some Jews from the province of Asia were there—and they ought to be here to bring charges if they have anything against me! 20 Ask these men here what crime the Jewish high council found me guilty of, 21 except for the one time I shouted out, ‘I am on trial before you today because I believe in the resurrection of the dead!’”

Paul’s accusers have conveniently forgotten that he too is a highly skilled orator accustomed to swaying crowds with his teachings. And they have made a cardinal error: they have failed to get their facts straight before accusing Paul. Poor Tertullus! As Paul testifies, it becomes obvious that his clients have failed to supply him with facts that would strengthen his accusations but have depended on guesses and hear-say. As Felix listens, he realizes that once more, the high priest is trying to get the Romans to do his dirty work for him. Felix is frankly tired of being forced to act as the high priest’s hatchet man, for this isn’t the first time the high priest has manipulated a controversial situation.

The crucifixion of Jesus is still fresh in the minds of Roman governors, for the Romans have also heard of the rapidly growing Christian movement. There may well be uncertainty in the minds of the Romans about the legitimacy of Jesus’ crucifixion. Pontius Pilate might have shared his misgivings about that unfortunate situation. And there may be Roman governors who are also spiritually hungry for a higher and better reality than the pantheon of Roman deities.

22 At that point Felix, who was quite familiar with the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “Wait until Lysias, the garrison commander, arrives. Then I will decide the case.” 23 He ordered an officer to keep Paul in custody but to give him some freedom and allow his friends to visit him and take care of his needs.

Ha! When Claudius Lysias sent Paul to Caesarea with that enormous military escort, he thought he was washing his hands of Paul’s matter. But Felix has no desire to be manipulated. Now Felix is sending for Lysias on the pretense of requiring solid evidence as to what took place in Jerusalem.

24 A few days later Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.” 26 He also hoped that Paul would bribe him, so he sent for him quite often and talked with him.

27 After two years went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison.

Despite the pleadings of his Jewish wife to worship Yahweh, Felix has always considered himself to be sufficient for any problem life might throw at him. Now as Paul speaks, Felix can feel that self-assurance crumbling inside him. This feeling is intolerable and Felix copes by sending Paul back to the prison. Surely, if Felix is just a bit patient, Paul’s friends will scrape up sufficient money to post bail and Felix can quietly release Paul. But these pestilential Christians appear to have no interest in bribing Felix, and Felix doesn’t want trouble with the Jews. Evidently, Felix has already gained a reputation for cruelty and corruption, which has led to increased crime in Judea. His desire to appease the Jewish leaders and maintain political stability influences his decision to keep Paul imprisoned. All Felix wants is to survive his term in Caesarea and move elsewhere where people are less bothersome. Paul’s truth has outrun the high priest’s lies; however, that doesn’t guarantee Paul’s release. Sadly, Felix KNOWS that Paul is speaking the truth, but Felix is more concerned about maintaining his position than he is about ascertaining the truth.

We read this story and wonder why, if God wants Paul to go to Rome, He doesn’t simply teleport Paul to Rome as He teleported Philip after Philip witnessed to the Ethiopian eunuch. But God wants Paul to meet as many people as possible-Roman governors, soldiers, sailors, slaves, Jewish religious leaders, and all the others he will see on the way to Rome. God intends for contact with Paul to be so memorable that those memories will burn in people’s hearts long afterwards.

Paul remains aware that each person God brings to us needs to hear about Jesus, but are we equally dedicated? It’s likely that each time Paul meets someone new, he looks heavenward, asking God for guidance in how to reach this person. What do we do? And what will we say in heaven when Jesus asks us what we have done with the people whom He has sent to us?

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to remember that Your Truth always outlasts Satan’s lies. Help us also to remember that every person You send to us needs You. Help us to be good witnesses to Your Grace and Salvation. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

The Plan to Kill Paul

12 The next morning a group of Jews got together and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. 13 There were more than forty of them in the conspiracy. 14 They went to the leading priests and elders and told them, “We have bound ourselves with an oath to eat nothing until we have killed Paul. 15 So you and the high council should ask the commander to bring Paul back to the council again. Pretend you want to examine his case more fully. We will kill him on the way.”

16 But Paul’s nephew—his sister’s son—heard of their plan and went to the fortress and told Paul. 17 Paul called for one of the Roman officers and said, “Take this young man to the commander. He has something important to tell him.”

18 So the officer did, explaining, “Paul, the prisoner, called me over and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.”

19 The commander took his hand, led him aside, and asked, “What is it you want to tell me?”

20 Paul’s nephew told him, “Some Jews are going to ask you to bring Paul before the high council tomorrow, pretending they want to get some more information. 21 But don’t do it! There are more than forty men hiding along the way ready to ambush him. They have vowed not to eat or drink anything until they have killed him. They are ready now, just waiting for your consent.”

22 “Don’t let anyone know you told me this,” the commander warned the young man.

Well! The high priest and his henchmen are thrilled. More than forty Jewish men come to the religious authorities to tell them that they have sworn an oath neither to eat nor drink until they have slaughtered Paul. All the religious leaders must do is to request Paul be returned to the high council in the morning. These men will take care of Paul, even if they are captured or killed by the Roman soldiers in the process. These men are willing to jeopardize their lives to earn religious credit. But there are few secrets in Jerusalem and news of this plot reaches Paul’s nephew. Remember that Paul is an upper-class Pharisee, so his nephew likely has major social status as well. Who informs Paul’s nephew of the plot? Perhaps someone who has been healed by Peter or Paul. Now Paul’s nephew informs the Roman commander.

For the Roman commander, having a controversial high-value prisoner such as Paul is a terrible responsibility. Paul has already identified himself as a native-born Roman citizen, so the commander has no choice but to protect him. But why keep Paul in Jerusalem? Why not transfer Paul somewhere else where someone else will be responsible for his safety?

Paul Is Sent to Caesarea

23 Then the commander called two of his officers and ordered, “Get 200 soldiers ready to leave for Caesarea at nine o’clock tonight. Also take 200 spearmen and 70 mounted troops. 24 Provide horses for Paul to ride, and get him safely to Governor Felix.” 25 Then he wrote this letter to the governor:

26 “From Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings!

27 “This man was seized by some Jews, and they were about to kill him when I arrived with the troops. When I learned that he was a Roman citizen, I removed him to safety. 28 Then I took him to their high council to try to learn the basis of the accusations against him. 29 I soon discovered the charge was something regarding their religious law—certainly nothing worthy of imprisonment or death. 30 But when I was informed of a plot to kill him, I immediately sent him on to you. I have told his accusers to bring their charges before you.”

31 So that night, as ordered, the soldiers took Paul as far as Antipatris. 32 They returned to the fortress the next morning, while the mounted troops took him on to Caesarea. 33 When they arrived in Caesarea, they presented Paul and the letter to Governor Felix. 34 He read it and then asked Paul what province he was from. “Cilicia,” Paul answered.

35 “I will hear your case myself when your accusers arrive,” the governor told him. Then the governor ordered him kept in the prison at Herod’s headquarters.

The Roman commander in Jerusalem at the time of Paul was Claudius Lysias. He served as the military tribune in charge of the Roman garrison during Paul’s arrest around 56 C.E. Lysias played a crucial role in rescuing Paul from a mob and later sent him to Caesarea for further protection.

Paul has been transferred to Caesarea, a largely Roman city where there are even more soldiers than in Jerusalem. Now Claudius Lysias is relieved, for Paul is now a problem for Governor Felix. Paul is relieved, for he knows Jesus wants him to reach Rome and dying at the hands of a mob in Jerusalem won’t cut it. The Roman soldiers returning to Jerusalem are relieved because for the time being, they might rest until the next ridiculous Hebrew religious conflict. “Mother Roma! But these people are troublesome!” thinks one soldier as he slogs back to Jerusalem. “How much longer must I be stationed here?”

As we leave Paul, he is in prison in Caesarea. But Caesarea is a major seaport, and Paul knows he must take a ship to reach Rome. Now Paul prays to Jesus and Jesus reassures Paul that Paul now has another and larger audience for the Gospel. Paul rests as he begs Jesus to give him the words appropriate for this new audience.

The famous Kenny Rogers country song tells us “You got to know when to hold ’em know when to fold ’em, know when to walk away, and know when to run.” Paul is no coward, but he does have a strong sense of purpose and knows when it’s time to retreat. As I am writing these words, fellow health workers in DRC are suiting up several times a day to care for Ebola patients. Ebola is a frightening disease, for it can even be spread through contact with the perspiration of a febrile patient. In 2014 one Catholic father lifted a lady suffering with Ebola out of a taxi in front of a hospital. That man eventually paid with his life for his compassion. My fellow health workers remain at their posts, despite watching some of their colleagues die because they firmly believe God has called them to be there. May God help us to know when it’s time to retreat and when we must remain as soldiers of His love.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to know when to hold the line and when to retreat. We particularly pray for all those battling Ebola and other communicable diseases. Protect them, strengthen them, encourage them, and uphold them. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Acts 23:1 Gazing intently at the high council, Paul began: “Brothers, I have always lived before God with a clear conscience!”

2 Instantly Ananias the high priest commanded those close to Paul to slap him on the mouth. 3 But Paul said to him, “God will slap you, you corrupt hypocrite! What kind of judge are you to break the law yourself by ordering me struck like that?”

If Paul hasn’t been able to preach Jesus to the mob on the temple mount, now he has the opportunity to preach to the religious rulers of Israel. Who knows what God might do? Paul begins by saying, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” This greeting sounds polite, so why does the high priest command someone to slap Paul on the mouth? According to William Barclay, this address meant that Paul was bold in speaking to the council, setting himself on an equal footing with them. The normal style of address was to say, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel.” The last thing the high priest wants is to be spoken to by Paul as if they are equals. After all, Paul is a renegade, a traitor to his rabbinic training. What does this upstart mean by speaking in this fashion? How can he possibly claim to have a clear conscience? No matter what the high priest’s motive is, this order is illegal, for the Jewish law said, ‘He who strikes the cheek of one Israelite, strikes as it were the glory of God,’ and ‘He that strikes a man strikes the Holy One.’” (David Guzik Enduring Word Commentary)

4 Those standing near Paul said to him, “Do you dare to insult God’s high priest?”

5 “I’m sorry, brothers. I didn’t realize he was the high priest,” Paul replied, “for the Scriptures say, ‘You must not speak evil of any of your rulers.’”

Score one for Paul and zippo for the high priest! By apologizing while invoking Scripture, Paul has seized the moral high ground. The high priest must be chewing his beard in frustration. And Paul is about to up the ante.

6 Paul realized that some members of the high council were Sadducees and some were Pharisees, so he shouted, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, as were my ancestors! And I am on trial because my hope is in the resurrection of the dead!”

7 This divided the council—the Pharisees against the Sadducees— 8 for the Sadducees say there is no resurrection or angels or spirits, but the Pharisees believe in all of these. 9 So there was a great uproar. Some of the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees jumped up and began to argue forcefully. “We see nothing wrong with him,” they shouted. “Perhaps a spirit or an angel spoke to him.” 10 As the conflict grew more violent, the commander was afraid they would tear Paul apart. So, he ordered his soldiers to go and rescue him by force and take him back to the fortress.

Well, Paul has set a cat among the pigeons. For generations, the Sadducees and Pharisees have been arguing about resurrection from the dead and angels and spirits. As a Pharisee, in the past, Paul has participated enthusiastically in these arguments. Now Paul, with a gleam in his eye, crise out “I am on trial because my hope is in the resurrection of the dead!”  Paul knows that the Pharisees will instantly leap to his defense while the Sadducees will scream in protest. How this contest will end, Paul doesn’t know, but he has a hunch that the Roman commander will be duty bound to deliver him from these men. Paul is right; the commander surveys the worsening situation and orders soldiers to remove Paul to the fortress. If Paul were the kind of guy who cracked his knuckles in triumph, he’d be cracking them right now. And Jesus must be smiling also, for he’s about to give Paul a new assignment.

11 That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, “Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.”

Were we to find ourselves in Paul’s situation, we might be terrified. But Paul is dauntless. The definition of dauntless is “incapable of being intimidated or subdued, fearless, undaunted.” Why is Paul so calm? The answer is found in Paul’s farewell address to the Ephesians in Acts 20:23-24 “I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me. 24But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus— the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”

Ever since Jesus confronted Paul on the road to Damascus, Paul and Jesus have conducted an ongoing conversation. Paul is tough-minded enough that Jesus has hidden nothing from him. Paul has already been stoned and left for dead and beaten; he knows that going to Rome might easily mean death. But Jesus has called Paul to be His ambassador, and once an ambassador has accepted an assignment, he has many duties. In writing to various churches, Paul repeatedly refers to himself as God’s ambassador. Why is this such an important assignment?

In Paul’s time, political ambassadors had several key responsibilities.

Representation
Ambassadors acted as representatives of their home states, conveying messages and negotiating on behalf of their leaders. They were tasked with maintaining diplomatic relations and ensuring their state’s interests were protected.

Communication
They communicated important information between governments, often relaying messages that could influence political decisions. This role was crucial in an era with limited communication methods.

Negotiation
Ambassadors engaged in negotiations to resolve conflicts or establish treaties. Their ability to negotiate effectively was vital for maintaining peace and cooperation between different regions or states.

Cultural Exchange
They also facilitated cultural exchanges, promoting understanding and cooperation between different peoples. This included sharing customs, traditions, and sometimes even religious beliefs, which was significant in the diverse cultural landscape of the Roman Empire.

Ambassadors, or envoys, were often tasked with representing their states in foreign lands, negotiating treaties, and maintaining diplomatic relations. However, their authority was typically constrained by the political climate and the directives of their home governments.

Retreat and Withdrawal

• Limited Autonomy: Ambassadors had limited autonomy and were expected to adhere strictly to their government’s policies. Retreating from a diplomatic mission could be seen as a failure or a breach of duty.
• Political Consequences: In the context of the Roman Empire, where Paul lived, retreating could lead to severe political repercussions, including loss of status or even punishment.

Historical Context
The Roman government during Paul’s time was known for its political corruption and brutality, which would have made the role of an ambassador particularly precarious. The Apostle Paul himself faced numerous challenges and often spoke of suffering for the sake of the Gospel, reflecting the difficulties faced by those in diplomatic roles

From our perspective, we know that ultimately, Paul will die by being beheaded in Rome. However, before dying, Paul will write letters to churches that now make up much of the New Testament. The question for us is this: How dedicated are we to Jesus? Christians in India and northern Nigeria are meeting together, knowing full well that before the meeting is over, they might be slaughtered for their faith; yet they continue to meet. May God help us to be as dauntless as our brothers and sisters in these perilous situations.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to remain steadfast, no matter what kind of opposition we face. Help us to be dauntless ambassadors for You. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Acts 22 “Brothers and esteemed fathers,” Paul said, “listen to me as I offer my defense.” 2 When they heard him speaking in their own language, the silence was even greater.

3 Then Paul said, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and I was brought up and educated here in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. As his student, I was carefully trained in our Jewish laws and customs. I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did, just like all of you today. 4 And I persecuted the followers of the Way, hounding some to death, arresting both men and women and throwing them in prison. 5 The high priest and the whole council of elders can testify that this is so. For I received letters from them to our Jewish brothers in Damascus, authorizing me to bring the followers of the Way from there to Jerusalem, in chains, to be punished.

6 “As I was on the road, approaching Damascus about noon, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shone down around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’

8 “‘Who are you, lord?’ I asked.

“And the voice replied, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, the one you are persecuting.’ 9 The people with me saw the light but didn’t understand the voice speaking to me.

10 “I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’

“And the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything you are to do.’

11 “I was blinded by the intense light and had to be led by the hand to Damascus by my companions. 12 A man named Ananias lived there. He was a godly man, deeply devoted to the law, and well regarded by all the Jews of Damascus. 13 He came and stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, regain your sight.’ And that very moment I could see him!

14 “Then he told me, ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and hear him speak. 15 For you are to be his witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heard. 16 What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.’

17 “After I returned to Jerusalem, I was praying in the Temple and fell into a trance. 18 I saw a vision of Jesus saying to me, ‘Hurry! Leave Jerusalem, for the people here won’t accept your testimony about me.’

19 “‘But Lord,’ I argued, ‘they certainly know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. 20 And I was in complete agreement when your witness Stephen was killed. I stood by and kept the coats they took off when they stoned him.’

21 “But the Lord said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles!’”

22 The crowd listened until Paul said that word. Then they all began to shout, “Away with such a fellow! He isn’t fit to live!” 23 They yelled, threw off their coats, and tossed handfuls of dust into the air.

As a distinguished Jewish scholar and a star pupil of Gamaliel, Paul has cherished the notion that surely, he will receive fair treatment in Jerusalem. But as Paul gives his testimony, rabble rousers are circulating through the crowd, whispering in men’s ears and promising money if they will continue to make noise. Once Paul says the key word “Gentiles,” the whole situation deteriorates into chaos. And now God’s provision in having Paul born a Roman citizen becomes evident.

Paul Reveals His Roman Citizenship

24 The commander brought Paul inside and ordered him lashed with whips to make him confess his crime. He wanted to find out why the crowd had become so furious. 25 When they tied Paul down to lash him, Paul said to the officer standing there, “Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been tried?”

26 When the officer heard this, he went to the commander and asked, “What are you doing? This man is a Roman citizen!”

27 So the commander went over and asked Paul, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?”

“Yes, I certainly am,” Paul replied.

28 “I am, too,” the commander muttered, “and it cost me plenty!”

Paul answered, “But I am a citizen by birth!”

29 The soldiers who were about to interrogate Paul quickly withdrew when they heard he was a Roman citizen, and the commander was frightened because he had ordered him bound and whipped.

Seizing Paul and binding him, threatening with beating without a proper trial contravenes fundamental Roman law. Now the commander himself is shaking, for Paul was born a Roman citizen while this man had had to purchase his citizenship before joining the military. Potentially, Paul has more clout as a native of the Roman Empire than does the commander. And how many important Roman citizens does Paul know?

Paul before the High Council

30 The next day the commander ordered the leading priests into session with the Jewish high council. He wanted to find out what the trouble was all about, so he released Paul to have him stand before them.

The Romans are no dummies! If they can possibly hand Paul’s matter over to the Jewish religious authorities, they will do so. Nobody wants a repeat of yesterday’s riot.

Reading this story, you might ask why Paul bothers to give his testimony to a raging crowd instead of gratefully accepting deliverance by the Romans and disappearing into the Praetorium Guard building. The passion of Paul’s heart is to see as many Jews come to Jesus as possible; to that end, he addresses the crowd in hopes that someone will have a change of heart. And perhaps many people do. Until we reach heaven, we will never know how many people who witnessed Paul’s testimony that day eventually chose to follow Jesus. One preacher friend used to say, “We are only in Advertising. God is in Management.” At the same time, Paul is continuing to hope for a fair hearing in Jerusalem, even though the chances are very slim. It will take the bitter experiences of the next few days to convince Paul that his whole focus must now be on the Gentiles.

There’s a story about a man who had a mule he wanted trained. Mules are noted for their stubbornness. When the mule trainer arrived, the first thing he did was to take a large stick and hit the mule alongside his head. “What are you doing?” shouted the horrified mule owner. “I’m simply getting his attention,” replied the trainer. In Jerusalem, God uses a rioting mob to get Paul’s attention. Some of us are just as short-sighted and stubborn. We know what God wants us to do but we’re simply dodging and weaving.

On the farm, we used to drive bunches of pigs from one hog pasture to another. Even though the pasture the pigs were currently on had been grazed until there was little left, pigs would do everything they could to remain in that pasture. We would have to open a gate and then have three people handling large gates to gradually push the pigs through the open gate hole. Those handling the gates would have to keep coming closer and closer together until the pigs had no choice but to back through the open gate. All the pigs could think of was remaining in their worn-out pasture; meanwhile, we were trying to move them to fresh pasture with fragrant alfalfa, timothy, and red clover.

Sadly, many of us are like those hogs. God wants to move us into a future far greater than anything we have experienced before while all we can think of is clinging to something familiar and worn-out. May God help us to trust Him more than we do our own imaginations.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to listen to You and to honor You with our obedience rather than clinging to our own understanding. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Acts 21:26-40 Paul Is Arrested

26 So Paul went to the Temple the next day with the other men. They had already started the purification ritual, so he publicly announced the date when their vows would end and sacrifices would be offered for each of them.

So far, so good. Paul has gone to the Temple and publicly announces the date on which the vows of the other men will end and that appropriate sacrifices will be made. However, things are about to become nasty, for some of Paul’s Jewish enemies from the province of Asia are about to cause problems. Remember that these Jews from out of town always feel impelled to prove the fervency of their religious practices to the religious authorities, for the religious hierarchy in Jerusalem views those from outlying regions as slightly substandard in comparison to those in Jerusalem. When these men see Paul, they rub their hands in glee, for they are certain that Paul has committed some kind of heresy.

27 The seven days were almost ended when some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul in the Temple and roused a mob against him. They grabbed him, 28 yelling, “Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who preaches against our people everywhere and tells everybody to disobey the Jewish laws. He speaks against the Temple—and even defiles this holy place by bringing in Gentiles.” 29 (For earlier that day they had seen him in the city with Trophimus, a Gentile from Ephesus, and they assumed Paul had taken him into the Temple.)

Talk about jumping to conclusions! These Jews from Asia are taking a leap akin to jumping across the entire Grand Canyon. Now these men accuse Paul of bringing a Gentile in to the temple. In fact, there is an outer portion of the Temple, the Court of the Gentiles, where Gentile worshipers are allowed; it is only when Gentiles enter the inner court of the temple that they are transgressing. As a Gentile worshiper, Trophimus has the right to enter the court of the Gentiles; however, these men have seen Paul and Trophimus on the street and have assumed that Paul has brought Trophimus into the inner court of the temple, something Paul would never do. In fact, Trophimus has never entered the Temple at all, but that doesn’t matter to these Asian Jews bent on demonstrating their religious fervor and dedication.

30 The whole city was rocked by these accusations, and a great riot followed. Paul was grabbed and dragged out of the Temple, and immediately the gates were closed behind him. 31 As they were trying to kill him, word reached the commander of the Roman regiment that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32 He immediately called out his soldiers and officers and ran down among the crowd. When the mob saw the commander and the troops coming, they stopped beating Paul.

33 Then the commander arrested him and ordered him bound with two chains. He asked the crowd who he was and what he had done. 34 Some shouted one thing and some another. Since he couldn’t find out the truth in all the uproar and confusion, he ordered that Paul be taken to the fortress. 35 As Paul reached the stairs, the mob grew so violent the soldiers had to lift him to their shoulders to protect him. 36 And the crowd followed behind, shouting, “Kill him, kill him!”

Remember how worried the mayor of Ephesus was when Demetrius stirred up a mob that rioted? Now these Jews have done the same thing, dragging Paul out of the Temple as a waiting crowd shouts threats. The Roman commander gets wind of the riot and immediately dispatches soldiers to quell the uproar. But the mob comprised largely of hangers-on at the market continues to scream for Paul’s blood. After all, why not? This is the most interesting thing to happen today, and many of these rioters are expert at melting away down side streets at the first real sign of trouble from the Romans. Even if the Asian Jews have not paid anyone so far, some of these loiterers hope that eventually, they will receive something for their trouble. After all, everybody knows those Asian Jews are rolling in money.

Paul Speaks to the Crowd

37 As Paul was about to be taken inside, he said to the commander, “May I have a word with you?”

“Do you know Greek?” the commander asked, surprised. 38 “Aren’t you the Egyptian who led a rebellion some time ago and took 4,000 members of the Assassins out into the desert?”

39 “No,” Paul replied, “I am a Jew and a citizen of Tarsus in Cilicia, which is an important city. Please, let me talk to these people.” 40 The commander agreed, so Paul stood on the stairs and motioned to the people to be quiet. Soon a deep silence enveloped the crowd, and he addressed them in their own language, Aramaic.

While the Roman commander assumes that he has simply arrested a known trouble maker, he is shocked when Paul speaks to him in Greek. It’s likely that Paul could have addressed him just as readily in Latin or in Hebrew as well as Aramaic. As an educated Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia and a seasoned traveler, Paul needs to have several languages at his fingertips. Citizens of small countries or distant provinces must be able to communicate in several languages or be ignored. God has prepared Paul for this moment by allowing him to be born in an outpost of the Roman Empire so that he is a Roman citizen; in addition, Paul’s residency in Tarsus has resulted in his becoming fluent in several languages so that he will be respected when he travels.

Were Paul to have been raised in Jerusalem, he would have learned Hebrew and Aramaic, but he might not ever have studied Latin or Greek. In Athens, Paul has already demonstrated his fluency in the Greek language and now Paul addresses the commander in Greek, assuming that the commander is an educated man who will appreciate the use of this language as a subtle compliment.

Padre Pio, a Catholic saint, is quoted as having said, “With God, there are no coincidences.” As we study Paul’s life, his travels, and his struggles, we realize that God has hand-crafted Paul for the pivotal moments of his life. Little did Paul know, when he was a young man struggling to learn to read and speak Greek, that one day that knowledge would save him from a howling mob in Jerusalem. God’s imagination is unbounded, and His ways are manifold.

Both my husband and I grew up shortly after World War II. Our families were not desperately poor; however, money wasn’t plentiful. I grew up in an old farm house without indoor plumbing; we didn’t have an indoor toilet and bath until I was thirteen years old. I pumped many buckets of water to keep our household running. We only had hot water if we heated it on the stove. “Horrible!” you say. Not really. We coped just as generations had before us. God was preparing me to move to a remote Ghanaian village where there would be neither electricity nor running water and where resources would be severely limited. I learned the benefits of using a gas stove over an electric one, and I participated in 4-H, sewing many of my own garments. When you have coped with problems as a child, you can continue to do so as an adult, and you know such problems might be distasteful but are not harmful or life-threatening. My work on the farm also prepared me for a time when I would be the only doctor at a facility, rounding on patients on a daily basis.

Perhaps you have endured experiences you feel have been trying or shameful. Take heart! God will not allow you to waste those experiences. You will find that God can redeem every difficult thing that has ever happened to you. Trust God and carry on, for He will not waste any part of your story.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to trust that You can use every experience, good or bad, that we have ever had and that You will redeem our suffering. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Acts 21:15-25 Paul Arrives at Jerusalem

15 After this we packed our things and left for Jerusalem. 16 Some believers from Caesarea accompanied us, and they took us to the home of Mnason, a man originally from Cyprus and one of the early believers. 17 When we arrived, the brothers and sisters in Jerusalem welcomed us warmly.

18 The next day Paul went with us to meet with James, and all the elders of the Jerusalem church were present. 19 After greeting them, Paul gave a detailed account of the things God had accomplished among the Gentiles through his ministry.

Paul has made it to Jerusalem in time for the Feast of Pentecost. Now Paul is reporting about all the great things God has been doing. “Wonderful!” say all the elder in the church, and then they make a request. Such a simple request, and yet such a poorly-conceived one.

The apostles and leaders of the church are Jews, raised in Jewish homes and steeped in Jewish customs. These men remember that Jesus promised that he had come to fulfill the Law but not to set it aside. Now these men have been getting pressure from fellow Jewish Christians who have been hearing rumors about Paul. The rumor circulating is that Paul is teaching proper Jews that they don’t have to follow Jewish customs such as circumcision. There are compelling health reasons for circumcision as well as for the other regulations embodied in the Law of Moses. But there are also minutiae that have developed as rabbis have attempted to clarify the meaning of the Law. Jesus himself mocked the Pharisees for practices such as tithing the spices in their kitchens while neglecting kindness, justice, and mercy. Paul has not been teaching anything to encourage Jews from abandoning their cultural practices. As leaders, the apostles should defend Paul; however, rather than face this issue head-on, the apostles are hoping to remain in the background, dumping the need for vindication on him. This cowardice is about to cause major problems.

20 After hearing this, they praised God. And then they said, “You know, dear brother, how many thousands of Jews have also believed, and they all follow the law of Moses very seriously. 21 But the Jewish believers here in Jerusalem have been told that you are teaching all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn their backs on the laws of Moses. They’ve heard that you teach them not to circumcise their children or follow other Jewish customs. 22 What should we do? They will certainly hear that you have come.

23 “Here’s what we want you to do. We have four men here who have completed their vow. 24 Go with them to the Temple and join them in the purification ceremony, paying for them to have their heads ritually shaved. Then everyone will know that the rumors are all false and that you yourself observe the Jewish laws.

25 “As for the Gentile believers, they should do what we already told them in a letter: They should abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality.”

In the beginning, it sounds so reasonable. Despite persecution from Jewish religious leaders, the Jewish Christians are still hoping somehow to remain acceptable to traditional Jews and Jewish Christians who are still observing all the Laws of Moses. But the Sadducees have never believed in an afterlife, and the Pharisees are furious that Jesus has refused to remain dead after they went to such great lengths to seal him in the grave. The apostles don’t want to expose themselves any more than necessary. Why not send Paul to the temple along with these other men to engage in a purification ceremony? Hopefully, such an action will silence critics and also get them off the hook. As these men are searching for ways to relieve the pressure on themselves, they fail to think this idea through or to ask what might go wrong. They seal their cowardice with a high-sounding statement about the advice they have already given the Gentiles.

In an earlier age in American politics, the term “mugwump” came into use. The term was used to describe people from one political party who wished to remain in that party while supporting measures proposed by an opposing party. The idea was that of someone sitting on the fence with his mug, his face, on one side while his wump, his rump, was on the other. While compromise is sometimes necessary, refusing to take a stand on an issue has never saved anyone from difficulty. Here the church elders are behaving like mugwumps, and Paul will pay the price for their refusal to defend him.

It’s easy to criticize the church leaders for failing to support Paul. But how brave are we? Don’t we try to find any means possible of deflecting criticism from ourselves? And when do we cross the line between reasoning to outright cowardice? The words of an old hymn express it well.

ONCE TO EVERY MAN AND NATION

1 Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide,
in the strife of truth with falsehood, for the good or evil side;
Some great cause, some great decision, off’ring each the bloom or blight,
and the choice goes by forever ‘twixt that darkness and that light.

2 Then to side with truth is noble, when we share her wretched crust,
ere her cause bring frame and profit, and ’tis prosp’rous to be just;
Then it is the brave man chooses while the coward stands aside,
till the multitude make virtue of the faith they had denied.

3 By the light of burning martyrs, Christ, Thy bleeding feet we track;
toiling up new Calv’ries ever with the cross that turns not back.
New occasions teach new duties; ancient values test our youth.
They must upward still and onward, who would keep abreast of truth.

4 Though the cause of evil prosper, yet the truth alone is strong;
though her portion be the scaffold, and upon the throne be wrong;
yet that scaffold sways the future, and, behind the dim unknown,
standeth God within the shadow keeping watch above His own.

May God help us to remain steadfast, firm in our convictions that His perfect Will alone should prevail, even if we must bear the cost.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to remain true to Your Word and Your Will, even when it might cost us everything. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.

Acts 21 Paul’s Journey to Jerusalem

Acts 21:1 After saying farewell to the Ephesian elders, we sailed straight to the island of Cos. The next day we reached Rhodes and then went to Patara. 2 There we boarded a ship sailing for Phoenicia. 3 We sighted the island of Cyprus, passed it on our left, and landed at the harbor of Tyre, in Syria, where the ship was to unload its cargo.

4 We went ashore, found the local believers, and stayed with them a week. These believers prophesied through the Holy Spirit that Paul should not go on to Jerusalem. 5 When we returned to the ship at the end of the week, the entire congregation, including women and children, left the city and came down to the shore with us. There we knelt, prayed, 6 and said our farewells. Then we went aboard, and they returned home.

As you are studying this map, remember that Paul last stopped at Miletus, where he bad farewell to the Ephesian elders. Paul and his companions board a ship at Patara bound for the port of Tyre, where they continue their journey on land. While in Tyre, many local Christians prophesy, warning Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. Paul has heard several similar prophecies before; however, he will not be deterred. The journey continues down the coast to Caesaria, where four young women, plus another prophet named Agabus also prophesy, warning Paul.

7 The next stop after leaving Tyre was Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and sisters and stayed for one day. 8 The next day we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the Evangelist, one of the seven men who had been chosen to distribute food. 9 He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy.

10 Several days later a man named Agabus, who also had the gift of prophecy, arrived from Judea. 11 He came over, took Paul’s belt, and bound his own feet and hands with it. Then he said, “The Holy Spirit declares, ‘So shall the owner of this belt be bound by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and turned over to the Gentiles.’” 12 When we heard this, we and the local believers all begged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.

13 But he said, “Why all this weeping? You are breaking my heart! I am ready not only to be jailed at Jerusalem but even to die for the sake of the Lord Jesus.” 14 When it was clear that we couldn’t persuade him, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”

Never claim that Paul is a wimp! Despite legitimate prophecies from a number of sources, Paul is absolutely determined to make it to Jerusalem by the Feast of Pentecost. Why is Paul not heeding these prophecies and steering clear of Jerusalem? There are so many other places that would gladly welcome Paul and his ministry. Does Paul have some kind of weird death wish or is he a masochist?

Paul has neither a death wish nor a wish to suffer unnecessarily; however, he feels God wants him to go to Jerusalem, despite the obvious possibility that he will be taken prisoner. In an earlier age, dare devils would load themselves into padded barrels and have friends dump them into the Niagara River just above Niagara Falls. These acts gave rise to the expression “going over Niagara Falls in a barrel.” This phrase refers to a daring act of bravery or recklessness. This act symbolizes a challenge against nature’s power and has become a metaphor for taking extreme risks or facing daunting challenges head-on. The phrase is often used to describe someone undertaking a risky venture, emphasizing the unpredictability and potential danger involved. It reflects a broader theme of human ambition to conquer nature’s formidable obstacles. As Paul turns his face toward Jerusalem, many of his friends must feel that he has taken leave of his senses. If the ancient Christians had known about Niagara Falls, they would certainly have employed that phrase.

Does God ever call people to do reckless or risky things? Absolutely. On January 8, 1956, five American missionaries were martyred by the Auca tribe in Ecuador. These missionaries—Nate Saint, Jim Elliot, Ed McCully, Roger Youderian, and Pete Fleming—were attempting to make peaceful contact with the Waodani (formerly known as Auca), an isolated and violent indigenous group. Their mission aimed to share the Christian gospel with a tribe that had never heard of Jesus Christ. The deaths of these missionaries sparked significant interest and funding for missionary work in the United States, leading to increased evangelization efforts worldwide. Their story has been memorialized in various forms, including the film “End of the Spear,” which highlights their sacrifices and the subsequent outreach to the Waodani. Eventually, the entire tribe became Christians.

Our first missionary assignment was to help open a mission hospital in a Ghanaian village. We were told that a local businessman had built a building he wanted to use for a mission hospital. Nearly a year before we were to leave for Ghana, we met an experienced missionary surgeon and another short-term missionary, both of whom individually warned us that there were lots of problems and that the situation was far more complicated than we had been informed. After speaking with the missionary surgeon, I was in turmoil all night, for I was certain the man was correct and that we were heading into a situation akin to going over Niagara Falls in a barrel. Finally, I fell asleep. The next morning while praying, I received assurance of two things: first, the situation was even worse than we had been led to believe. I knew then that eventually, the mission would blame us for any failures. But God also showed me something else, that while we were going over Niagara Falls in a barrel, God would be in the barrel with us.

Eventually, everything I had anticipated came true. Our mission group blamed us for problems over which we had no control. But God got us to Ghana and allowed us to become semi-fluent in one of the most widely-spoken tribal languages and learn a great deal about the country and the culture. In addition, we made a number of contacts that resulted in our return to Ghana two years later. Had we not endured that first mission term, we could never have accomplished the things we have nor could we have endured the things we have endured.

At some point, you might find yourself feeling as if you are about to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel. The big question is this: Is God in the barrel with you? If God is accompanying you, go ahead. It won’t be easy and you will suffer, but you will endure and God’s purposes will be fulfilled. But if after prayer, you feel that you are only trying to be stubborn, BACK OFF! This isn’t God’s will for you and if you persist, it will be disastrous and you might endanger others unnecessarily.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, please help us to wait on You so that we discern Your Will and not our own. We praise You that if You lead us into danger, You will be there with us. In the might and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.