fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397 
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Post by fearnot on May 10, 2019 10:52:18 GMT -5
Thank you Cindy!!! :-)
Love you too!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on May 11, 2019 12:40:20 GMT -5
Acts 21: 37-22:1-21
Paul Speaks to the People
37 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek?
38 Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?”
39 Paul replied, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.”
40 And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying:
Ch. 22
1 “Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.”
2 And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said:
3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.
4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women,
5 as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.
6 “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me.
7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’
8 And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’
9 Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me.
10 And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’
11 And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.
12 “And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there,
13 came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him.
14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth;
15 for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard.
16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
17 “When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance
18 and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’
19 And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you.
20 And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’
21 And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”
A case of mistaken identity, apparently the soldier thought Paul was an Egyptian rebel who had stirred up a revolt!!
Paul explains who he is and asks permission to speak to the people.
Right there, once again show Paul's faithfulness. I would love to have Paul's fearless boldness to speak to people whatever God would have me speak....without fear!
So Paul gives his defense of his life.
He speaks to them in Hebrew, which seemed to have a quieting effect.
Paul explains that first off he is a Jew and that he had been taught by what was probably the most famous rabbi Gamaliel, and that he was strict in manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God. They had just tried to kill him, which in a sense, Paul was able to say, they too were zealous to god ( not merciful, but zealous).
Not only was his zealous, but equally so in persecution those followers of Jesus.
So in a way, he could relate to their trying to kill him, because he was once like they were.
He goes on to explain how he wanted to expand his persecution to Damascus....only there was a wee snag in his plans!!
Jesus turned up!
He goes on in detail as to what happened, and the end result of being blinded.
From there He tells them what happened when he was in Damascus, with Ananias a good Jew but a Christian.
Paul never denied his heritage as being born and raised a good Jew.
He followed many of the Jewish rituals etc but one day while praying in the temple in Jerusalem, He had a vision of Jesus who told him to leave the city.
And furthermore, it was not really the Jews that Paul would minister to ( tho from a human perspective with his background, he would seem the perfect candidate) but rather the Gentiles.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on May 12, 2019 10:15:35 GMT -5
Acts 22: 22-29
Paul and the Roman Tribune
22 Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.”
23 And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air,
24 the tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this.
25 But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?”
26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.”
27 So the tribune came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” And he said, “Yes.”
28 The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.”
29 So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.
Everything was okay until Paul mentioned that God sent him to the Gentiles.
Talk about prejudiced! I think to the Jews, that Gentiles in a sense embodied all manner of evil: worship of idols, and sacrificing babies and children, demons etc etc.
So this was such an outrage, they wanted Paul dead, and were screaming, tearing their clothes and flinging dust in the air.
So the tribune assumed he must be a bad criminal and ordered he should be flogged and interrogated.
Then Paul calmly mentioned he was a Roman citizen and pointed out the illegality of what they were about to do.
So then the tribune asked if Paul was indeed a Roman citizen, and Paul answered yes.
The tribune had to buy his Roman citizenship via great deal of money, Paul was one by birth ( and therefore perhaps considered in a way, higher ranking?)
so tho, none of the people seemed afraid of God, they were of people and their laws.
For me, it is an example in reverse, to rather always be respectful of my Savior, my Lord and King....God, ......over man.
I forgot this last verse of Chapter 22: "30 But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them."
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on May 13, 2019 11:19:27 GMT -5
Acts 23:1-11
1 And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.”
2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.
3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?”
4 Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God's high priest?”
5 And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”
6 Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”
7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.
8 For the Sadducee say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.
9 Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?”
10 And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.
11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”
It seems the high priest was incensed that Paul said he lived his life before God in good conscience and ordered that Paul should be hit on the mouth for lying? as a guilty man, maybe?
Paul because of a strong conviction that the law to be presumed to be innocent till he is proved to be guilty; was not being followed, says Ananias could not thus escape the vengeance of God.
Then they ask Paul is he going to revile the high priest and he replies he did not know that Ananias was high priest.
I think this is kind of like even tho we may not like a President ( be it Obama or maybe Trump etc.) we still need to respect the office of the President.
Maybe in part, seeing the impossibility of getting true justice, ( because of such prejudice and rage etc.) Paul
Looks to the Pharisees to gain some common ground.
Paul explains that he was a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”
And so there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; because they believed opposite things. It almost seems like the Sadducees were the atheists of the day, and the Pharisees had some beliefs like Paul ( tho not about Jesus as the Messiah etc.)
The Pharises said they could find no fault with Paul, and of course the Sadducees did,
and the dissension became so violent the soldiers had to get Paul out of there!
Later that night Jesus comforted Paul and told him he still had work for him and Paul would be going to Rome ( not remain a prisoner In Jerusalem) and testify there.
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Post by Cindy on May 13, 2019 12:55:56 GMT -5
God has such great timing! My scheduled OT reading today was Numbers 6 which is all about the Nazarite vow, and I learned a lot from it! Let me share a little of what I learned, ok?
A Nazarite was separated or consecrated to the Lord, and their hair was an outward symbol of that consecration. This vow could be taken by either men or women. They couldn't drink wine during the time of their vow. The reason for this is that wine is a symbol of joy and they were to receive their joy from God alone. They also couldn't be near a dead body. The ceremony for becoming a Nazirite brings to mind this scripture: ‘Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship’ (Romans 12:1).
1 Cor 11:6 tells us that it's a disgrace for a woman's hair to be cut or shaved off. Then 1 Cor 11:14 says it's a disgrace for a man to have long hair. God has always made a distinction between the sexes. In 1 Cor 11:15 shows her hair is her glory - an honor or credit to her, indicating she'd done nothing to deprive herself of her hair (because if a Nazarite sins during the time of their vow, the must shave their head and start over again) and showing she didn't object to wearing it as a natural veil and as an emblem of subjection (of being God's servant).
Since men and women could be Nazarites, both were to let their hair grow long, and for them the long hair showed that they were set apart from the world and dedicated to God (consecrated ) and were Holy to the Lord. MacArthur says, The Nazirite’s hair was like the High-Priest’s crown. On the crown was engraved, "Holy to the Lord." (Ex 39:30) For the man, since long hair was unnatural, it reminded him and others that he was consecrated to God and was to be Holy as the Lord is Holy. For the woman, her hair was naturally long, so the world wouldn't be able to see the difference and know she was consecrated to God, but she would. It would be their secret and even more special because of that. For Jesus makes it plain that what we do for Him in secret, God will reward publicly. (Matt 6:18)
Of course, other parts of the vow could make it plain that the woman was a Nazarite though. It's suggested that men, by letting their hair grow,which for them was a shame & disgrace, could then better understand and demonstrate the reproach of the Lord (Ez 5:15) On the other hand, Priests were allowed to let their hair grow but it had to be neat & clean. They also couldn't be near a dead body, so many of these things duplicate the rules for priests.
As for the woman, it would become plain to all that she was a Nazirite when the vow was over (unless she took it for life). For at that time, their head was shaved and the hair offered to God as a sacrifice. It was part of the fellowship offering, which symbolized the peace and fellowship between the person and God, and the persons thankfulness to God. Interestingly, it would be much more of a sacrifice for a woman, then for a man. The hair was burned in the fire used for cooking rather than the fire of the sacrificial altar, because the hair was holy—set apart to God—it had to be destroyed by fire to prevent it from being defiled.
I also discovered that the Nazirite vow became corrupted over time by those who saw it as a means of gaining favor with God. Abuses included setting a minimum number of days on the duration of the vow, getting wealthy people to finance the offerings involved, & even betting on how long one could keep the vow.
All this sheds more light on what the people wanted Paul to do. Paul wasn't wealthy, but he apparently had enough to pay for the vows of the 4 other men, which was done when ending their vow. Paul had taken this vow himself, but his vow had ended a while earlier.
For me though, this also helped me understand 1 Corinthians 11:4–16 MUCH better, because now I know what Paul was thinking about when he wrote it. So now it all makes sense to me!
Acts 21: 27-36
Paul Arrested in the Temple
27 When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him,
28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.”
29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.
30 Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut.
31 And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion.
32 He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
33 Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done.
34 Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks.
35 And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd,
36 for the mob of the people followed, crying out, “Away with him!”
Seems like fake news and lies have always been, and its are not without consequences, in this case the plan is to kill Paul.
The Jews has seen Paul with Trophimus the Ephesian in the city, and from that, they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.
These men clung to the law and hated grace and love. Their hearts seemed so hardened, they were will to murder Paul, without giving him a trial ( maybe even knowing it was all a lie?).
However, it was not time for Paul to die yet, and so he is rescued by
roman soldiers, but even as he is being taken away, the Jews are demanding his death.
But they are sadly also closing their hearts to the gospel.
I think the lesson is we do have to count the cost of belonging to Jesus.
Paul did what the Lord wanted, even tho it meant being hated ( Jesus did say we would be hated because He was hated).
I think I have a hard time obeying because I don't like or want to suffer, I want 'peace' and comfort, and that often takes priority over love of Jesus.
But that does not really satisfy because I am losing out on the joy of doing what my Savior wants me to.
Therefore, Paul is a great example for me.
Thank you Cindy!!! :-)
Love you too! 
Acts 21: 37-22:1-21
Paul Speaks to the People
37 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek?
38 Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?”
39 Paul replied, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.”
40 And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying:
Ch. 22
1 “Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.”
2 And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said:
3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.
4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women,
5 as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.
6 “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me.
7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’
8 And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’
9 Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me.
10 And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’
11 And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.
12 “And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there,
13 came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him.
14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth;
15 for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard.
16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
17 “When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance
18 and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’
19 And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you.
20 And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’
21 And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”
A case of mistaken identity, apparently the soldier thought Paul was an Egyptian rebel who had stirred up a revolt!!
Paul explains who he is and asks permission to speak to the people.
Right there, once again show Paul's faithfulness. I would love to have Paul's fearless boldness to speak to people whatever God would have me speak....without fear!
So Paul gives his defense of his life.
He speaks to them in Hebrew, which seemed to have a quieting effect.
Paul explains that first off he is a Jew and that he had been taught by what was probably the most famous rabbi Gamaliel, and that he was strict in manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God. They had just tried to kill him, which in a sense, Paul was able to say, they too were zealous to god ( not merciful, but zealous).
Not only was his zealous, but equally so in persecution those followers of Jesus.
So in a way, he could relate to their trying to kill him, because he was once like they were.
He goes on to explain how he wanted to expand his persecution to Damascus....only there was a wee snag in his plans!!
Jesus turned up!
He goes on in detail as to what happened, and the end result of being blinded.
From there He tells them what happened when he was in Damascus, with Ananias a good Jew but a Christian.
Paul never denied his heritage as being born and raised a good Jew.
He followed many of the Jewish rituals etc but one day while praying in the temple in Jerusalem, He had a vision of Jesus who told him to leave the city.
And furthermore, it was not really the Jews that Paul would minister to ( tho from a human perspective with his background, he would seem the perfect candidate) but rather the Gentiles.
Acts 22: 22-29
Paul and the Roman Tribune
22 Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.”
23 And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air,
24 the tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this.
25 But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?”
26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.”
27 So the tribune came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” And he said, “Yes.”
28 The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.”
29 So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.
Everything was okay until Paul mentioned that God sent him to the Gentiles.
Talk about prejudiced! I think to the Jews, that Gentiles in a sense embodied all manner of evil: worship of idols, and sacrificing babies and children, demons etc etc.
So this was such an outrage, they wanted Paul dead, and were screaming, tearing their clothes and flinging dust in the air.
So the tribune assumed he must be a bad criminal and ordered he should be flogged and interrogated.
Then Paul calmly mentioned he was a Roman citizen and pointed out the illegality of what they were about to do.
So then the tribune asked if Paul was indeed a Roman citizen, and Paul answered yes.
The tribune had to buy his Roman citizenship via great deal of money, Paul was one by birth ( and therefore perhaps considered in a way, higher ranking?)
so tho, none of the people seemed afraid of God, they were of people and their laws.
For me, it is an example in reverse, to rather always be respectful of my Savior, my Lord and King....God, ......over man.
I forgot this last verse of Chapter 22: "30 But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them."
Acts 23:1-11
1 And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.”
2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.
3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?”
4 Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God's high priest?”
5 And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”
6 Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”
7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided.
8 For the Sadducee say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.
9 Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?”
10 And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.
11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”
It seems the high priest was incensed that Paul said he lived his life before God in good conscience and ordered that Paul should be hit on the mouth for lying? as a guilty man, maybe?
Paul because of a strong conviction that the law to be presumed to be innocent till he is proved to be guilty; was not being followed, says Ananias could not thus escape the vengeance of God.
Then they ask Paul is he going to revile the high priest and he replies he did not know that Ananias was high priest.
I think this is kind of like even tho we may not like a President ( be it Obama or maybe Trump etc.) we still need to respect the office of the President.
Maybe in part, seeing the impossibility of getting true justice, ( because of such prejudice and rage etc.) Paul
Looks to the Pharisees to gain some common ground.
Paul explains that he was a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”
And so there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; because they believed opposite things. It almost seems like the Sadducees were the atheists of the day, and the Pharisees had some beliefs like Paul ( tho not about Jesus as the Messiah etc.)
The Pharises said they could find no fault with Paul, and of course the Sadducees did,
and the dissension became so violent the soldiers had to get Paul out of there!
Later that night Jesus comforted Paul and told him he still had work for him and Paul would be going to Rome ( not remain a prisoner In Jerusalem) and testify there.
What MacArthur says, really made me think too:
The Sadducees accepted only the Pentateuch as divinely inspired Scripture. Since they claimed (wrongly, cf. Matthew 22:23–33) that the Pentateuch did not teach that there would be a resurrection, they rejected it. The Pharisees, however, believed in the resurrection and afterlife. Their beliefs were thus closer to Christianity than those of the Sadducees. Significantly, the Scripture records the conversion of Pharisees (Acts 15:5; John 3:1), but not of Sadducees. The MacArthur study Bible
I want to be so close to the Lord that I will always be aware of it when the Lord is encouraging me, comforting me, guiding me etc. It's amazing how often Paul tells us that the Lord encouraged him, and I know He does the same for us too, but we often miss it because we're not paying attention. We're to involved in TV or the news, or politics or whatever.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on May 13, 2019 22:08:33 GMT -5
One of the big things I've been having trouble being obedient with is sharing the gospel. I have ramped up placing tracks around, but that not exactly sharing the gospel really.
Like those 2 woman that moved in.
Also Devon shared some pretty worrisome things about our daughter ( she sounded super super depressed) , and I am not sure what God would have me do or say.
So far I thought to be as loving as much as possible with the little time I see her, and when I text her to include a verse somewhere in most of the texts.
I have not told her that Devon told me anything.
I feel like I am somehow being disobedient with my relationship with her, but I am not sure in what way?
And things like that.
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Post by Cindy on May 14, 2019 10:29:09 GMT -5
One of the big things I've been having trouble being obedient with is sharing the gospel. I have ramped up placing tracks around, but that not exactly sharing the gospel really.
Like those 2 woman that moved in.
Also Devon shared some pretty worrisome things about our daughter ( she sounded super super depressed) , and I am not sure what God would have me do or say.
So far I thought to be as loving as much as possible with the little time I see her, and when I text her to include a verse somewhere in most of the texts.
I have not told her that Devon told me anything.
I feel like I am somehow being disobedient with my relationship with her, but I am not sure in what way?
And things like that.
Without knowing what you're talking about concerning your daughter, I really can't answer that. I'm sure you know all the verses that I do, but then I don't know what area it's concerning... If she's doing something that goes against God's Word, but she isn't saved, she's simply acting like a normal unsaved person. If she's saved and doing something she shouldn't, then yes, you're supposed to say something to her about it, hopefully to prevent her from being disciplined by God. If you want to discuss it, and would prefer it to be private, then just send me a private message and I'll be glad to discuss it with you. OK?
I didn't see any bible study from you today, so I'll be back tomorrow, God willing, and look again.
God bless you!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on May 14, 2019 11:41:24 GMT -5
Acts 23:12-22
A Plot to Kill Paul
12 When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
13 There were more than forty who made this conspiracy.
14 They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul.
15 Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”
16 Now the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul. 17 Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him.”
18 So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, “Paul the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you.”
19 The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”
20 And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him.
21 But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent.”
22 So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of these things.”]
What caught my attention right away was how big, large or how fast evil grows... more than 40.....40 plus men took an oath not to eat or drink until they committed murder!!!!!! WOW!
For me, my first human response would be fear!!!
But I know, that is not what God would have for me.....even IF, they really were going to be able to accomplish killing me, because, it would only mean, I would be free of the evil in this world and then I would be with Jesus forever more!
But still, for people to be so filled with hate and to have to face that, does not seem like a piece of cake!!
And, this group expands,
and they go to the chief priests and elders ( I don't know how many more that adds to this murderous plot, but how quickly it grew....when satan is on the war path, it seems at first like his side wins ( but even if the Christian dies, satan side in the long run, does NOT win)!
What is interesting ( in a way) is this is the type of behavior from those who actually do not follow God's laws or mercy or justice, but rather make up their own laws and are the jury according to whatever they decide.
They were so like sons of the devil having devoted themselves to destruction....no trial, no justice, no mercy, just bound to kill.
I in no way give excuse to the 40 men,
but really...
men supposedly of God also?
Surely they would not agree to cold blooded murder....if they loved God in the least!
So the men tell the priests what lie and pretense will be their part in this plot to murder.
Amazingly ( at least, I think so) Paul had a sister? And his sister had a son, who apparently overheard this plot and told his uncle Paul about it.
I am thinking the message to me, is if God so chooses, he may allow such things ( perhaps to their evil conclusion in this life....but..... if the Lord so chooses, no evil plot can succeed. I am to rest knowing God knows what is best in a believers life.
This incident shows God power.
Another thought was to be brave to report evil to authorities if you should hear of it.
I think his nephew showed a lot of bravery, because I don't think the outcome would have been good, if he had been caught, because these bad 'actors' ( as the saying goes to today) were deadly serious!
Though Paul trusted totally in God and knew for a fact he was safe, having been assured by Jesus he would go to Rome, nevertheless, he should do all things through proper human means when possible.
So Paul respectfully asks that his nephew be brought to the tribune. Another lesson, especially for today where people think its cool to be sassy and disrespectful ( it shows how cool or powerful you are.....not!)
So the boy or young man who was old enough to understand and explain the conspiracy of lying in wait of the forty men and what the priest's part in it was.
So the tribune wisely councils the young man not to reveal to anyone that he, the tribune has been notified of this evil.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on May 15, 2019 9:14:16 GMT -5
Acts 23: 23-35
Paul Sent to Felix the Governor
23 Then he called two of the centurions and said, “Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night.
24 Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor.”
25 And he wrote a letter to this effect:
26 “Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings.
27 This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen.
28 And desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council.
29 I found that he was being accused about questions of their law, but charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment.
30 And when it was disclosed to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.”
31 So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.
32 And on the next day they returned to the barracks, letting the horsemen go on with him.
33 When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him.
34 On reading the letter, he asked what province he was from. And when he learned that he was from Cilicia,
35 he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.” And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod's praetorium.
470 soldiers were appointed to protect Paul, as they leave around 9 pm at night, so it would remain secret from the large group out to kill Paul.
Horses were provided as well for this trip to Felix the governor.
A letter was sent also.
It was formal and accurate in content....(except he left out mentioning of his order to scourge Paul).
Nevertheless it was very favorable to Paul, stating that he found nothing deserving death or imprisonment.
He goes on to tell about the plot discovered, and what action he took, in sending him to Felix.
Felix reads the letter, asks some questions and decides to wait until Paul's accusers arrive when he will then give him a hearing. So he has Paul guarded until that time.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on May 15, 2019 10:25:06 GMT -5
Acts 24: 1-21
Paul Before Felix at Caesarea
1 And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul.
2 And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying:
“Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation,
3 in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude.
4 But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly.
5 For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
6 He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him.
8 By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.”
9 The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so.
10 And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied:
“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense.
11 You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem,
12 and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city.
13 Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me.
14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,
15 having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.
16 So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.
17 Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings.
18 While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia—
19 they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me.
20 Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council,
21 other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’”
Tertullus, was ( I think) what today in our legal system would be the prosecutor who is responsible for presenting the case in a criminal trial against an individual accused of breaking the law.
Tertullus, starts off with great flattery to Felix saying that through Felix the Jews enjoyed much peace, saying that by Felix's foresight, (and calling him 'most excellent Felix'),
reforms were being made for this nation,
and how grateful they all were for Felix.
and they begged Felix's kindness kindness to hear them briefly.
Right! I wonder if this Tertullus considered how insincere this might have sounded and kind of BS? Or perhaps he knew Felix would lap this up because he was so arrogant?
The only other possibility is it was indeed all true and Tertullus was only telling the truth, but somehow, I doubt it, in any case he now gets to the meat of the argument and accusations against Paul.
His very first words are neither tho...."For we have found this man a plague".
This is more their prejudice against him....kind of like we despise him, he is a pest, a very bad man, we don't like him, he bothers us...
But he goes on to lie about Paul saying that Paul is:
"one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him".
It's amazing how people so often react violently when they disagree with what someone with ideas, thoughts, morals etc them themselves. Rather than debate with logic, reason and true truth ( If they have that on their side) they often riot. So it was not Paul ( as some kind of commander or general in an army) deliberately starting riots for some nefarious reason, but the Jews intolerance to the truth, and thus they rioted.
As a lawyer ( so to speak) Tertullus, gives no evidence, he does not produce any witnesses or even says how Paul was supposed to have profaned the temple ( a serious, but totally false accusation).
He goes on to subtly grumble about the Roman commander rescuing Paul ( but some Bible versions have left this out.....in fact the ESV leaves v. 7 out so.....I just mention it briefly because I am not sure why it is left out?)
Either way Tertullus closes his case has the Jews confirm his statements as facts and suggests the governor grill Paul.
When its Paul's turn, he does not flatter Felix but simple mentions he is a Judge ( reminding him of his duty to be fair and honest?)
He makes it clear that 12 days is hardly enough to raise any army for causing the kind of overthrowing a nation he has been accused of. But furthermore there was no evidence he was out and about stir up trouble by trying to gain such a group in such a short time to cause an insurrection against the Roman army and government!!
And he goes on to point out that no evidence or specifics have been presented.
He does not deny he is a Christian ( follower of the way....sect/group) and yet he has not followed after some idol of false 'god' but worships the God of their fathers. His accusers cannot disprove that he is disbelieving of believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, the resurrection etc. So this new way is not some wildly and completely different thing, but built on the established truths of the Old Testament.
Because of this Paul has always aimed to lead a good life towards God first and also men, not that of a rebel.
And so part of that way of living was to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings....since it had been awhile that he could do so.
When his accusers found him he was purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult....
another thing they could not and did not prove....and no such folks showed up!!
There were just 4 other Jews with Paul, hardly enough to over throw the whole Roman army of battle harden elite soldiers of maybe 1/2 a million or more.
He goes on to state that it seems his belief in the resurrection ( and perhaps that of jesus in particular but even for all believers in the future) was the real cause of these Jews hatred and this 'trial'.
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Post by Cindy on May 15, 2019 11:04:11 GMT -5
Acts 23:12-22
A Plot to Kill Paul
12 When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
13 There were more than forty who made this conspiracy.
14 They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul.
15 Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”
16 Now the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul. 17 Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him.”
18 So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, “Paul the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you.”
19 The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”
20 And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him.
21 But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent.”
22 So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of these things.”]
What caught my attention right away was how big, large or how fast evil grows... more than 40.....40 plus men took an oath not to eat or drink until they committed murder!!!!!! WOW!
For me, my first human response would be fear!!!
But I know, that is not what God would have for me.....even IF, they really were going to be able to accomplish killing me, because, it would only mean, I would be free of the evil in this world and then I would be with Jesus forever more!
But still, for people to be so filled with hate and to have to face that, does not seem like a piece of cake!!
And, this group expands,
and they go to the chief priests and elders ( I don't know how many more that adds to this murderous plot, but how quickly it grew....when satan is on the war path, it seems at first like his side wins ( but even if the Christian dies, satan side in the long run, does NOT win)!
What is interesting ( in a way) is this is the type of behavior from those who actually do not follow God's laws or mercy or justice, but rather make up their own laws and are the jury according to whatever they decide.
They were so like sons of the devil having devoted themselves to destruction....no trial, no justice, no mercy, just bound to kill.
I in no way give excuse to the 40 men,
but really...
men supposedly of God also?
Surely they would not agree to cold blooded murder....if they loved God in the least!
So the men tell the priests what lie and pretense will be their part in this plot to murder.
Amazingly ( at least, I think so) Paul had a sister? And his sister had a son, who apparently overheard this plot and told his uncle Paul about it.
I am thinking the message to me, is if God so chooses, he may allow such things ( perhaps to their evil conclusion in this life....but..... if the Lord so chooses, no evil plot can succeed. I am to rest knowing God knows what is best in a believers life.
This incident shows God power.
Another thought was to be brave to report evil to authorities if you should hear of it.
I think his nephew showed a lot of bravery, because I don't think the outcome would have been good, if he had been caught, because these bad 'actors' ( as the saying goes to today) were deadly serious!
Though Paul trusted totally in God and knew for a fact he was safe, having been assured by Jesus he would go to Rome, nevertheless, he should do all things through proper human means when possible.
So Paul respectfully asks that his nephew be brought to the tribune. Another lesson, especially for today where people think its cool to be sassy and disrespectful ( it shows how cool or powerful you are.....not!)
So the boy or young man who was old enough to understand and explain the conspiracy of lying in wait of the forty men and what the priest's part in it was.
So the tribune wisely councils the young man not to reveal to anyone that he, the tribune has been notified of this evil.
Acts 23: 23-35
Paul Sent to Felix the Governor
23 Then he called two of the centurions and said, “Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night.
24 Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor.”
25 And he wrote a letter to this effect:
26 “Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings.
27 This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen.
28 And desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council.
29 I found that he was being accused about questions of their law, but charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment.
30 And when it was disclosed to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.”
31 So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.
32 And on the next day they returned to the barracks, letting the horsemen go on with him.
33 When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him.
34 On reading the letter, he asked what province he was from. And when he learned that he was from Cilicia,
35 he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.” And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod's praetorium.
470 soldiers were appointed to protect Paul, as they leave around 9 pm at night, so it would remain secret from the large group out to kill Paul.
Horses were provided as well for this trip to Felix the governor.
A letter was sent also.
It was formal and accurate in content....(except he left out mentioning of his order to scourge Paul).
Nevertheless it was very favorable to Paul, stating that he found nothing deserving death or imprisonment.
He goes on to tell about the plot discovered, and what action he took, in sending him to Felix.
Felix reads the letter, asks some questions and decides to wait until Paul's accusers arrive when he will then give him a hearing. So he has Paul guarded until that time.
Acts 24: 1-21
Paul Before Felix at Caesarea
1 And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul.
2 And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying:
“Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation,
3 in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude.
4 But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly.
5 For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
6 He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him.
8 By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.”
9 The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so.
10 And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied:
“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense.
11 You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem,
12 and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city.
13 Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me.
14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,
15 having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.
16 So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.
17 Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings.
18 While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia—
19 they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me.
20 Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council,
21 other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’”
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Post by Cindy on May 16, 2019 10:35:45 GMT -5
Still nothing so I'm going to relax. I've been up since 1am due to a lot of pain. This hasn't happened this badly since I started sleeping sitting up... don't know what brought it on....
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on May 16, 2019 12:57:07 GMT -5
I am so sorry to hear that you are in so much pain.....arrgghh
It is true, it sometimes seems so strange why it should come on so.
we know when we have foolishly overworked...
or I guess I should speak for myself LOL
I know when I have been foolish.......and so that is not really a surprise,
but
it is when perhaps I am feeling rather smug....
Thinking I finally ate well ...
I cut waaaay back or ven cut out the day before..... on sugar/candy
ate my veggies instead of junk food
got a good nights sleep by going to bed at a nice early and proper time
did a good Bible study
memorized scripture
etc etc
So it should be a good day......
not!
But why?
For me,
maybe the smugness of having done well, all by myself?
or
something I was not even aware of
or even like Job, something I am really really not aware of
but it is not fun to be in pain!
I sometimes try to remind myself ( as I am pretty sure you might have)
of how Jesus suffered for me, and my pain seems a bit less in that light......
but it still is really pain and hurts.....sometimes so very much!
I will for sure pray for you.
oh today's post.....is above your post
we must have been posting around the same time....is that how that works, only you posted first....no
I posted first and you posted seconds after? right?
Anyway, look for it above your post of today LOL :-)
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on May 17, 2019 11:48:52 GMT -5
Acts 24: 22-27
Paul Kept in Custody
22 But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.”
23 Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.
24 After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.
25 And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.”
26 At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him.
27 When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
Felix seems to have knowledge of the Way, but nevertheless he wants to wait for further examination with the help of Lysias when he comes, so he postpones any decision.
It's not really clear to me why he kept Paul as a prisoner since no had proved Paul guilty of anything , however he did allow Paul some liberty in that Paul's friends could visit and attend to his needs.
He then talks to Paul about his faith in Jesus ( it also mentions his wife was a Jew named Drusilla...who may have known something about Christ and the Way).
It seems amazing to me, that to have actually been able to listen to Paul speak of Christianity, Jesus, the Way etc. that Felix would not have been converted....Felix could have had Paul as his teacher every day for 2 years at his beck and call.
But then, it seems he became aware of his sins when Paul talked about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, and like you have pointed out before ( and as of course the scripture makes clear)....most unbelievers ( and sometimes even believers) want to hid ( I guess this started in the garden of Eden with the first sin when Adam and Eve hid from God)
people want to hide....their conscience bothers them, but they do not want to give up their sin
and so, he did not want to see or talk to Paul anymore for a time.
If Paul had been 'smart' in the worldly way, he would have been way more careful and more flattering to Felix, but instead, Paul put God first, the Truth first, and actually Felix....in that, he told him what would have saved Felix from eternity in Hell.
It seems he was also hoping for a bribe from Paul, which tells a lot about his character or lack of.
Then he continued to talk with Paul, but it seems he had so much hardened his heart and would not allow himself to ever be alarmed about the state of his eternal life again.
And once again, I am amazed! In part because I so admire Paul's teaching of God, Jesus, salvation etc. and because Felix had the ability to talk with Paul for 2 solid years, and God Word is alive.....but it cuts and divides,
but it seems Felix chose to be cut to fall into Hell, because he would not give up his sins and see his need for a Savior.
Anyway, even tho he knew Paul was innocent......he left him in prison and finally at the end of the 2 years, his office was taken over by Festus.
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Post by Cindy on May 17, 2019 12:04:01 GMT -5
Acts 24: 1-21
Paul Before Felix at Caesarea
1 And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul.
2 And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying:
“Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation,
3 in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude.
4 But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly.
5 For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
6 He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him.
8 By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.”
9 The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so.
10 And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied:
“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense.
11 You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem,
12 and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city.
13 Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me.
14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,
15 having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.
16 So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.
17 Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings.
18 While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia—
19 they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me.
20 Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council,
21 other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’”
Tertullus, was ( I think) what today in our legal system would be the prosecutor who is responsible for presenting the case in a criminal trial against an individual accused of breaking the law.
Tertullus, starts off with great flattery to Felix saying that through Felix the Jews enjoyed much peace, saying that by Felix's foresight, (and calling him 'most excellent Felix'),
reforms were being made for this nation,
and how grateful they all were for Felix.
and they begged Felix's kindness kindness to hear them briefly.
Right! I wonder if this Tertullus considered how insincere this might have sounded and kind of BS? Or perhaps he knew Felix would lap this up because he was so arrogant?
The only other possibility is it was indeed all true and Tertullus was only telling the truth, but somehow, I doubt it, in any case he now gets to the meat of the argument and accusations against Paul.
His very first words are neither tho...."For we have found this man a plague".
This is more their prejudice against him....kind of like we despise him, he is a pest, a very bad man, we don't like him, he bothers us...
But he goes on to lie about Paul saying that Paul is:
"one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him".
It's amazing how people so often react violently when they disagree with what someone with ideas, thoughts, morals etc them themselves. Rather than debate with logic, reason and true truth ( If they have that on their side) they often riot. So it was not Paul ( as some kind of commander or general in an army) deliberately starting riots for some nefarious reason, but the Jews intolerance to the truth, and thus they rioted.
As a lawyer ( so to speak) Tertullus, gives no evidence, he does not produce any witnesses or even says how Paul was supposed to have profaned the temple ( a serious, but totally false accusation).
He goes on to subtly grumble about the Roman commander rescuing Paul ( but some Bible versions have left this out.....in fact the ESV leaves v. 7 out so.....I just mention it briefly because I am not sure why it is left out?)
Either way Tertullus closes his case has the Jews confirm his statements as facts and suggests the governor grill Paul.
When its Paul's turn, he does not flatter Felix but simple mentions he is a Judge ( reminding him of his duty to be fair and honest?)
He makes it clear that 12 days is hardly enough to raise any army for causing the kind of overthrowing a nation he has been accused of. But furthermore there was no evidence he was out and about stir up trouble by trying to gain such a group in such a short time to cause an insurrection against the Roman army and government!!
And he goes on to point out that no evidence or specifics have been presented.
He does not deny he is a Christian ( follower of the way....sect/group) and yet he has not followed after some idol of false 'god' but worships the God of their fathers. His accusers cannot disprove that he is disbelieving of believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, the resurrection etc. So this new way is not some wildly and completely different thing, but built on the established truths of the Old Testament.
Because of this Paul has always aimed to lead a good life towards God first and also men, not that of a rebel.
And so part of that way of living was to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings....since it had been awhile that he could do so.
When his accusers found him he was purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult....
another thing they could not and did not prove....and no such folks showed up!!
There were just 4 other Jews with Paul, hardly enough to over throw the whole Roman army of battle harden elite soldiers of maybe 1/2 a million or more.
He goes on to state that it seems his belief in the resurrection ( and perhaps that of jesus in particular but even for all believers in the future) was the real cause of these Jews hatred and this 'trial'.
Felix was known for his violent use of repressive force and corrupt self-aggrandizement. It was true that Felix had put down some revolts, but he had certainly not brought peace to the land. In fact, during the time Felix was suppressing robbers in his realm, he was also hiring robbers to murder the high priest Jonathan! Besides, if there was peace in the land, then why did it take 500 soldiers to take one man from Jerusalem to Caesarea? So everything said was obviously lies, just as what he said about Paul was lies.
I loved what you said here: "So it was not Paul ( as some kind of commander or general in an army) deliberately starting riots for some nefarious reason, but the Jews intolerance to the truth, and thus they rioted." So true!
About the missing verse 7 in many versions: Some later manuscripts include some material at the end of v. 6, all of 24:7, and some material at the beginning of v. 8: "he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him and we wanted to judge him according to our law. But Lysias the commanding officer came and took him out of our hands with a great deal of violence, ordering those who accused him to come before you" Acts 24:6b, 7, and 8a are lacking in most manuscripts. They are included (with a few minor variations) in a few manuscripts. This verse (and parts of verses) is most likely not a part of the original text of Acts, for not only is it lacking from the better witnesses, there is no easy explanation as to how such could be missing from them. The NET Bible
Some manuscripts add "and we wanted to judge him according to our law. 7 But Lysias the commanding officer came & took him out of our hands with a great deal of violence, 8 ordering those who accused him to come before you" The niv marg. gives some words that are added in vv. 6–8 in a few less-reliable Gr. mss. The Bible Knowledge Commentary
Verse 7 and parts of 6 and 8 (marked by parenthesis marks in the NASB updated text) are not found in the ancient Greek manuscripts P74, א, A, or B. There are several different variants that appear in the later Greek manuscripts. They are not part of Luke’s original manuscript. The UBS3 committee gives it a “D” Rating (high degree of doubt). Luke the Historian: The Book of Acts
We have many (thousands) of manuscripts now. Some are more reliable then others, depending on the scribe, how old they are and the condition they're in. The more reliable manuscripts all show that these words were added to some of the less reliable manuscripts by a scribe, possibly as their own notes, or for other reasons. Because of that, we can know for sure that this was not in the original manuscript.
In Acts 24:14–15 Paul again states what he did at the temple,and turns the tables on his accusers. The Sadducees, of course, do not accept the resurrection, but the Jews as such most emphatically do, and the Pharisees stand in the forefront. In this respect the Pharisees and their great following were not a sect in any sense, but the Sadducees who rejected this hope most decidedly were. Like a boomerang the invidious term “sect,” with which Tertullus used to discredit Paul and the Nazarenes recoils upon the very men he is trying to represent: in regard to this point these Sadducees alone constitute the sect. The worst of it was that Felix, who knew the Jews, could not but see the point as Paul defines the OT teaching that was held by all the Jews save the Sadducees!
I am so sorry to hear that you are in so much pain.....arrgghh
It is true, it sometimes seems so strange why it should come on so.
we know when we have foolishly overworked...
or I guess I should speak for myself LOL
I know when I have been foolish.......and so that is not really a surprise,
but
it is when perhaps I am feeling rather smug....
Thinking I finally ate well ...
I cut waaaay back or ven cut out the day before..... on sugar/candy
ate my veggies instead of junk food
got a good nights sleep by going to bed at a nice early and proper time
did a good Bible study
memorized scripture
etc etc
So it should be a good day......
not!
But why?
For me,
maybe the smugness of having done well, all by myself?
or
something I was not even aware of
or even like Job, something I am really really not aware of
but it is not fun to be in pain!
I sometimes try to remind myself ( as I am pretty sure you might have)
of how Jesus suffered for me, and my pain seems a bit less in that light......
but it still is really pain and hurts.....sometimes so very much!
I will for sure pray for you.
oh today's post.....is above your post
we must have been posting around the same time....is that how that works, only you posted first....no
I posted first and you posted seconds after? right?
Anyway, look for it above your post of today LOL :-) |
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on May 17, 2019 12:55:22 GMT -5
That was funny...you are now aware of how I do things haha
but what things?
My weird posting? Yes, I guess you know to check for it in strange places....but really its the evil AI's fault!!
Yesterday our landlord was here and he and Leonard were trying to figure out some of the mysteries concerning the 2 woman that moved in ( like which one did the little girl actually belong to?)
Apparently they both have children....
but, this is what I garnered for their musings
Those two may soon move from here, because, they only have one bedroom.....
Apparently, maybe thru a lawyer?
one of their ex's, who I am guessing has legal custody of the other woman's children will not let the kids visit unless there are enough bedrooms.....sooooo
And..
one of them has yet to look at me even once, never mind talk to me.
I thought I was going to have a year or so to make some kind of contact with them.....but they are will of the wisps....seldom seen and they don't have anything to do with me.
so that is another issue....
but as I said,
they had mentioned to Leonard that one of the woman... who has other children ( than the girl who is living with them), would be visiting in the summer....
but....
it turns out, that cannot happen unless they have a place with more than one bedroom sooooo
they told our landlord they are looking for such a place, in order for other children to visit when school is out this summer.
Furthermore, At this point, I don't know if I will ever even get to see the face of one of them
she is rarely around, and the 2 times I saw a glimpse of her from my window, she had a hoodie covering most of her face and it was turned away from my view.
I don't know that I can be able to share the gospel with them since i rarely see them, one has never looked at me and I have only seen her about 2 or 3 times as she zooms in her house...
the other lady only asked about the laundry one time and
came to the door with rent for Leonard, asked me for him to bring over a receipt as she was already walking away.
That is the only contact I have had in about 2 mts and now they are looking for a new place by schools end.
God will have to arrange a miracle otherwise
I am still thinking of 'dropping' a tract outside tho.
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Post by Cindy on May 18, 2019 9:47:50 GMT -5
Acts 24: 22-27
Paul Kept in Custody
22 But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.”
23 Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.
24 After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.
25 And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.”
26 At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him.
27 When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
Felix seems to have knowledge of the Way, but nevertheless he wants to wait for further examination with the help of Lysias when he comes, so he postpones any decision.
It's not really clear to me why he kept Paul as a prisoner since no had proved Paul guilty of anything , however he did allow Paul some liberty in that Paul's friends could visit and attend to his needs.
He then talks to Paul about his faith in Jesus ( it also mentions his wife was a Jew named Drusilla...who may have known something about Christ and the Way).
It seems amazing to me, that to have actually been able to listen to Paul speak of Christianity, Jesus, the Way etc. that Felix would not have been converted....Felix could have had Paul as his teacher every day for 2 years at his beck and call.
But then, it seems he became aware of his sins when Paul talked about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, and like you have pointed out before ( and as of course the scripture makes clear)....most unbelievers ( and sometimes even believers) want to hid ( I guess this started in the garden of Eden with the first sin when Adam and Eve hid from God)
people want to hide....their conscience bothers them, but they do not want to give up their sin
and so, he did not want to see or talk to Paul anymore for a time.
If Paul had been 'smart' in the worldly way, he would have been way more careful and more flattering to Felix, but instead, Paul put God first, the Truth first, and actually Felix....in that, he told him what would have saved Felix from eternity in Hell.
It seems he was also hoping for a bribe from Paul, which tells a lot about his character or lack of.
Then he continued to talk with Paul, but it seems he had so much hardened his heart and would not allow himself to ever be alarmed about the state of his eternal life again.
And once again, I am amazed! In part because I so admire Paul's teaching of God, Jesus, salvation etc. and because Felix had the ability to talk with Paul for 2 solid years, and God Word is alive.....but it cuts and divides,
but it seems Felix chose to be cut to fall into Hell, because he would not give up his sins and see his need for a Savior.
Anyway, even tho he knew Paul was innocent......he left him in prison and finally at the end of the 2 years, his office was taken over by Festus.
That was funny...you are now aware of how I do things haha
but what things?
My weird posting? Yes, I guess you know to check for it in strange places....but really its the evil AI's fault!!
Yesterday our landlord was here and he and Leonard were trying to figure out some of the mysteries concerning the 2 woman that moved in ( like which one did the little girl actually belong to?)
Apparently they both have children....
but, this is what I garnered for their musings
Those two may soon move from here, because, they only have one bedroom.....
Apparently, maybe thru a lawyer?
one of their ex's, who I am guessing has legal custody of the other woman's children will not let the kids visit unless there are enough bedrooms.....sooooo
And..
one of them has yet to look at me even once, never mind talk to me.
I thought I was going to have a year or so to make some kind of contact with them.....but they are will of the wisps....seldom seen and they don't have anything to do with me.
so that is another issue....
but as I said,
they had mentioned to Leonard that one of the woman... who has other children ( than the girl who is living with them), would be visiting in the summer....
but....
it turns out, that cannot happen unless they have a place with more than one bedroom sooooo
they told our landlord they are looking for such a place, in order for other children to visit when school is out this summer.
Furthermore, At this point, I don't know if I will ever even get to see the face of one of them
she is rarely around, and the 2 times I saw a glimpse of her from my window, she had a hoodie covering most of her face and it was turned away from my view.
I don't know that I can be able to share the gospel with them since i rarely see them, one has never looked at me and I have only seen her about 2 or 3 times as she zooms in her house...
the other lady only asked about the laundry one time and
came to the door with rent for Leonard, asked me for him to bring over a receipt as she was already walking away.
That is the only contact I have had in about 2 mts and now they are looking for a new place by schools end.
God will have to arrange a miracle otherwise
I am still thinking of 'dropping' a tract outside tho.
I hope you have a good day today!
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on May 18, 2019 11:20:25 GMT -5
Thank you as always....that was very very helpful.
As you know it was super hard to have a chat with family for me, never mind complete strangers.
That doesn't mean I won't stay open and yet look for an opportunity, while they are still here....
but I forgot, it may not be that I am their last, and only, hope.... if it continues the way its been going.
It was a good reminder it may be someone else is planned for them.....tho it could yet be me.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on May 18, 2019 12:02:46 GMT -5
Acts 25:1-12
1Now three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.
2 And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him,
3 asking as a favor against Paul that he summon him to Jerusalem—because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way.
4 Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly.
5 “So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.”
6 After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought.
7 When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove.
8 Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.”
9 But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?”
10 But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well.
11 If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.”
12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”
So now it changes hand from Felix to Festus.
It's really incredible that these Jews had waited 2 years to continue to condemn an innocent man. Of course, it is not just Jews who do that, believers had been hated by every type of unbeliever throughout history.
As Jesus said:
we "will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved".
I think Paul is pretty aware that justice will not be coming to him and that spreading the gospel and enduring to God's appointed time for him to die, is what lies before him.
As this verse also points to what is happening to him.
"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death..."
But he must continue on and preach the gospel and be an example.
So anyway, the Jews present their case to Festus and ask that he try the case against back in Jerusalem....
because....
They planned to kill Paul on the way.
Oh, this time,
it was the priests making the murderous plot all by themselves!!
So Festus stayed with the Jews for about 10 days and then comes to Caesarea and the Jews make all sorts of serious but totally unsubstantiated accusations.
Festus asks Paul if he would go to Jerusalem to be tried.
But I do think Paul was perhaps getting a bit annoyed with endless kangaroo courts and ambushes etc.
So he said to Festus: "“I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well."
And he appeals to be tried under Roman law....Caesar and Festus agreed.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on May 19, 2019 10:11:49 GMT -5
Acts 25: 13-27
Paul Before Agrippa and Bernice
13 Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus.
14 And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, “There is a man left prisoner by Felix,
15 and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him.
16 I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him.
17 So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought.
18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed.
19 Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive.
20 Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding the
21 But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.
22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear him.”
23 So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.
24 And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer.
25 But I found that he had done nothing deserving death. And as he himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him.
26 But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write.
27 For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.”
This is astounding, everybody it seems knows full well Paul is innocent, and yet, the issue seems to be how to pass the buck or hot potato, on to someone else, without getting their hands dirty, and save their own neck.
Not only that but there does not seem to be any honorable or noble people around,( except Paul).
But now, come King Agrippa and his sister consort Bernice (their great grand father sought to murder Jesus as a baby).
So Festus essential explains to Agrippa, how Felix left this problem in his hands.
It seems it would not be prudent to send Paul to Caesar ( who is the loose cannon Nero at this time) without proper charges, but Festus can't seem to find any ( hummmm because there are none).
So he wants Agippa to help him with this problem of how to make injustice appear as justice being served.
He makes it clear to Agrippa the problem, Paul had done nothing wrong:
" When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed." Rather it had to do about Jesus.
He seems to twist the truth of what really happened, because he knew there was no case but seemingly pleads innocent of knowing how to handle the charges about this 'dead' Jesus, which Paul says is alive, so he asked if Paul wanted to be tried in Jerusalem.
I think trying to hid his own evil of not standing for justice.
Perhaps Agrippa and his sister had heard a bit about Jesus since their great grandfather had tried to kill Jesus by murdering many baby boy Jews, in hopes of killing our Lord.
In any case they found this 'interesting' and Agrippa wanted to see Paul for himself
so the next day they came with great pomp....how sad a spectacle
(acting so all important when they were all heading to Hell, and Paul the lowly prisoner will indeed be a king in the millennium).
And then Festus admits publicly: "I found that he had done nothing deserving death"
So he clearly set Paul up, knowing all along he was innocent ( did he get a big bribe from the Jews, I wonder? They certainly had done that so many times before).
It's funny tho that people always hate Jews because they think all Jews are rich and all bribe with their money.....which of course is nonsense! Many peoples make money and bribe others. Plus they neglect the fact, that someone on the other end of the bribe is just as guilty....in this case IF Festus took a bribe or just wanted to get on the good side of the Jews.
Either way, he was either a coward, lacking morals, or both.
And now his problem....what to write to Nero
( Oh!!! not the truth, Paul was innocent) soooooo what to do, how to get rid of this hot potato, what lie could work?
Festus laments: "For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.”
Well, yes, it was unreasonable to send an innocent man to crazy Nero because he was either a coward, a bribe taker or both.
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Post by Cindy on May 20, 2019 9:50:03 GMT -5
Acts 25:1-12
1Now three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.
2 And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him,
3 asking as a favor against Paul that he summon him to Jerusalem—because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way.
4 Festus replied that Paul was being kept at Caesarea and that he himself intended to go there shortly.
5 “So,” said he, “let the men of authority among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them bring charges against him.”
6 After he stayed among them not more than eight or ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought.
7 When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove.
8 Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.”
9 But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?”
10 But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well.
11 If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.”
12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”
So now it changes hand from Felix to Festus.
It's really incredible that these Jews had waited 2 years to continue to condemn an innocent man. Of course, it is not just Jews who do that, believers had been hated by every type of unbeliever throughout history.
As Jesus said:
we "will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved".
I think Paul is pretty aware that justice will not be coming to him and that spreading the gospel and enduring to God's appointed time for him to die, is what lies before him.
As this verse also points to what is happening to him.
"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death..."
But he must continue on and preach the gospel and be an example.
So anyway, the Jews present their case to Festus and ask that he try the case against back in Jerusalem....
because....
They planned to kill Paul on the way.
Oh, this time,
it was the priests making the murderous plot all by themselves!!
So Festus stayed with the Jews for about 10 days and then comes to Caesarea and the Jews make all sorts of serious but totally unsubstantiated accusations.
Festus asks Paul if he would go to Jerusalem to be tried.
But I do think Paul was perhaps getting a bit annoyed with endless kangaroo courts and ambushes etc.
So he said to Festus: "“I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well."
And he appeals to be tried under Roman law....Caesar and Festus agreed.
Acts 25: 13-27
Paul Before Agrippa and Bernice
13 Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus.
14 And as they stayed there many days, Festus laid Paul's case before the king, saying, “There is a man left prisoner by Felix,
15 and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews laid out their case against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him.
16 I answered them that it was not the custom of the Romans to give up anyone before the accused met the accusers face to face and had opportunity to make his defense concerning the charge laid against him.
17 So when they came together here, I made no delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought.
18 When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed.
19 Rather they had certain points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive.
20 Being at a loss how to investigate these questions, I asked whether he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding the
21 But when Paul had appealed to be kept in custody for the decision of the emperor, I ordered him to be held until I could send him to Caesar.
22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” said he, “you will hear him.”
23 So on the next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp, and they entered the audience hall with the military tribunes and the prominent men of the city. Then, at the command of Festus, Paul was brought in.
24 And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole Jewish people petitioned me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he ought not to live any longer.
25 But I found that he had done nothing deserving death. And as he himself appealed to the emperor, I decided to go ahead and send him.
26 But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write.
27 For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.”
This is astounding, everybody it seems knows full well Paul is innocent, and yet, the issue seems to be how to pass the buck or hot potato, on to someone else, without getting their hands dirty, and save their own neck.
Not only that but there does not seem to be any honorable or noble people around,( except Paul).
But now, come King Agrippa and his sister consort Bernice (their great grand father sought to murder Jesus as a baby).
So Festus essential explains to Agrippa, how Felix left this problem in his hands.
It seems it would not be prudent to send Paul to Caesar ( who is the loose cannon Nero at this time) without proper charges, but Festus can't seem to find any ( hummmm because there are none).
So he wants Agippa to help him with this problem of how to make injustice appear as justice being served.
He makes it clear to Agrippa the problem, Paul had done nothing wrong:
" When the accusers stood up, they brought no charge in his case of such evils as I supposed." Rather it had to do about Jesus.
He seems to twist the truth of what really happened, because he knew there was no case but seemingly pleads innocent of knowing how to handle the charges about this 'dead' Jesus, which Paul says is alive, so he asked if Paul wanted to be tried in Jerusalem.
I think trying to hid his own evil of not standing for justice.
Perhaps Agrippa and his sister had heard a bit about Jesus since their great grandfather had tried to kill Jesus by murdering many baby boy Jews, in hopes of killing our Lord.
In any case they found this 'interesting' and Agrippa wanted to see Paul for himself
so the next day they came with great pomp....how sad a spectacle
(acting so all important when they were all heading to Hell, and Paul the lowly prisoner will indeed be a king in the millennium).
And then Festus admits publicly: "I found that he had done nothing deserving death"
So he clearly set Paul up, knowing all along he was innocent ( did he get a big bribe from the Jews, I wonder? They certainly had done that so many times before).
It's funny tho that people always hate Jews because they think all Jews are rich and all bribe with their money.....which of course is nonsense! Many peoples make money and bribe others. Plus they neglect the fact, that someone on the other end of the bribe is just as guilty....in this case IF Festus took a bribe or just wanted to get on the good side of the Jews.
Either way, he was either a coward, lacking morals, or both.
And now his problem....what to write to Nero
( Oh!!! not the truth, Paul was innocent) soooooo what to do, how to get rid of this hot potato, what lie could work?
Festus laments: "For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.”
Well, yes, it was unreasonable to send an innocent man to crazy Nero because he was either a coward, a bribe taker or both.
I don't mean to abandon you, but I couldn't figure out any other way to have the time I'll need for as much prayer as I intend to do. I plan to use most of the day for prayer for the next several days, after spending a little time in the Word with the Lord of course.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on May 20, 2019 10:27:01 GMT -5
Acts 26:1-32
Paul's Defense Before Agrippa
1 So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:
2 “I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews,
3 especially because you are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.
4 “My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews.
5 They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee.
6 And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers,
7 to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king!
8 Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the
9 “I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
10 And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them.
11 And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
Paul Tells of His Conversion
12 “In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me.
14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
15 And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.
16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you,
17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you
18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
19 “Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,
20 but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.
21 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.
22 To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass:
23 that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”
24 And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.”
25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words.
26 For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner.
27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.”
28 And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?”
29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”
30 Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. 31 And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.”
32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
Now Paul is before both Festus and King Agrippa, and the king tells Paul he is allowed to make his defense.
Paul begins with saying he is happy to be able to present his case before a king and governor, Knowing that Agrippa is well versed in the customs etc of the Jews.
He starts with his His strict Pharisaic heritage ( with every intention of obeying every law) and how he formerly persecuted the Christians with great zeal and rage against them.
And yet, they believed in a Messiah,
which of course, Paul now believed, had come and was (and is) Jesus.
And they believed the hope of the resurrection of the dead,
the issue being, that Paul believed it was to be found, only, in and through Jesus,
which infuriated many of the Jews so much so, that they wanted Paul dead.
He mentions that: "I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus..." ( before being converted)
The words 'I' and 'myself'....pretty much shows how when we humans rely on just our own human thinking, it will never be without sin ( even if it seemingly is something 'good'..
which in this case, it clearly was not good, but rather, great sin).
Paul became hardhearted ( without any compassion) in his 'religious' zeal.
So many nonbelievers like to point to religion as being the main thrust of most wars,
and in a sense they are right.
What they neglect to understand is, being an atheist, is also a 'religion' of non religion
and every bit as sinful and warlike and war causing.
The difference is, 'true Christians', don't have a 'religion'
but instead a relationship with the True God.
It is a difference unbelievers are incapable of understanding or believing
( they don't want to.... and, will say its just splitting hairs,
because the truth is, they Hate Jesus and those who trust in Him for their salvation).
Paul hated Christians so much that, besides casting his vote to have them killed,
that in a way, what to me seems worse was,
he strove to make them blaspheme.
It wasn't enough to just kill them, he wanted to kill the very truth they had ( something satan wants even more).
But that all changed!!!
There have been people I thought would never in a million years be born again, but if Paul could,
then the saying: never say never, works!
Because God can and does work miracles, and so, he did, with Paul on the road to Damascus, where his encounter with Jesus, made one of the greatest hater of Christ ,become perhaps the greatest evangelist believer ever.
Some have said that Paul had an epileptic seizure or something,
but even 'if 'that were true... and it was NOT...i
t would not explain his living the rest of his life being beaten, jailed, tortured etc etc. for one momentary event,
the only explanation was he really had an encounter with Jesus.
And thus the Jews want to kill him.
But Paul sees even his imprisonment, as continuing protection from God, and an opportunity to testify about the gospel.
Festus interrupted....... he knew Paul was brilliant, and Festus could not not understand how such a smart man could believe in dying and coming back to life,
so the only thing Festus think of, was this was because,( of his genius intellect), Paul had gone mad, and thus Festus said so.
Paul respectfully denied being 'mad'....but said that rather, he speaking true and rational words.
Furthermore, Paul said, the king knew about those things, and "to him I speak boldly
For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner "
( almost everybody knew about Jesus: his life, death, Resurrection, and Ascension) .
Agrippa asked Paul:
"are you are trying to persuade me to make a Christian out of me"
?
what an super sad thing....if Agrippa were serious, he may have been an 'almost' Christian!!!
Well, I think the answer is actually yes.....
it was Paul ministry and mission to save as many people as possible from Hell.
so Festus and the king withdrew and talked, both agreeing Paul was indeed innocent.
But still Festus said, if Paul had not insisted on being heard by Caesar, he could have gone free.....
NOW...... Festus says this!
But before,
he had only given Paul the choice of being tried in Jerusalem, or by Caesar.
I still maintain it was mostly a set up, to get Festus off the hook.
Both these men know, Paul was an innocent man, but neither were men of honor.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on May 21, 2019 10:42:20 GMT -5
Acts 27: 1-12
Paul Sails for Rome
1 And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius.
2 And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica.
3 The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for.
4 And putting out to sea from there we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us.
5 And when we had sailed across the open sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia.
6 There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy and put us on board.
7 We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone.
8 Coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.
9 Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast was already over, Paul advised them,
10 saying, “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.”
11 But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said.
12 And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided to put out to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing both southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.]
Now begins Paul's Journey to Rome, which turns out to be quite the voyage, and an amazing look at ancient navigation.
Which is of interest to me, since most of my life, I have lived right next to an ocean, the Atlantic, the Hawaiian Pacific, Oregon Pacific etc.
My adopted dad, was the signal master for the Arizona ( in WWI.....the same ship that was sunk in Hi. in WWII).
Anyway, God provides Paul with a kindly centurion,named Julius ( good thing God's angel had assured Paul he would get to Rome in one piece, because this trip was 'lively' at times, to say the very least)!
In addition to Luke Paul also had a traveling companion named Aristarchus.
Julius,the centurion, treated Paul kindly and allowed Paul to leave to go to his friends and be cared for.
I am thinking he found Paul trustworthy, honest etc. Prayerfully, that is how people will find me also.
But now the adventure begins.....
Around Cyprus strong violent winds, work against them.
However later on, the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy and put us on board, tho this won't be the end of this 'exciting' journey!! For some reason this weirdly reminds me of people getting divorced, and remarrying, only to find out they may have a new mate, but the same problems remains.
The winds insisted on being contrary and the going was super slow ( also I think this was a big boat heavily ladened down, which also made the going slow). The difficulties continue with just narrowly escaping being shipwrecked.
Apparently the Jews had been fasting and now it had ended ( the Jewish Day of Atonement around Oct when sailing was so dangerous it mostly stopped).
And indeed the voyage had now become seriously dangerous!!! So much so that Paul says:
"Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives". This does not seem to be 'prophecy' because although he was very close to predicting what actually would happen, they did not lose any lives.
However instead of laying over for a few months in safety the centurion was more persuaded by the pilot and the captain of the ship than by Paul.
This decision by the centurion, kind of makes a point to me, that,
even those with true but worldly expertise,
are no match for the wisdom of godly men, who may not be 'experts'.
I have actually know people who were very very brilliant, had near or genius intellects,
and yet,
were almost totally lacking the most basic common sense....
and thus, in a big way, were 'fools'.
I already know, this decision by the centurion is not going to go well!!!
I know that there is a possibility the centurion might have known deep down, that Paul made more sense, but it is often hard to make a case against those proud of their 'expertise, for a mere 'lay' person.
I see this often in debates about things... like for example:
Creation Science.
Those with PHD's in 'science', poop pooh, those who don't have their degrees,
as being simple minded and silly for believing 'fairy' tales of 'Creation'....
but in fact and in Truth....
it is they who are foolish.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on May 21, 2019 22:55:31 GMT -5
Acts 27: 13-38
The Storm at Sea
13 Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore.
14 But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land.
15 And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along.
16 Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda,we managed with difficulty to secure the ship's boat.
17 After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and thus they were driven along.
18 Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo.
19 And on the third day they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands.
20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.
21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. 22 Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.
26 But we must run aground on some island.”
27 When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land.
28 So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms.A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms.
29 And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come.
30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship's boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow,
31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.”
32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship's boat and let it go.
33 As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength,for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.”
35 And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat.
36 Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves.
37 (We were in all 276 persons in the ship.)
38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.]
So they get some calm favorable winds for a time, and are tempted to think:
oh that wasn't soooooooo bad ( making the wrong and/or sinful choice, like people often do in life)
it looks like they are going to be fine now and "hat they had obtained their purpose".
The devil often gives people the same idea and people are lulled into thinking they got away with whatever....
ummmm maybe not.....
Because, then is when you may after a time, begin to see and feel the true effects of your choice, and in this case it came as such a terrible northeaster wind!
They final get to a small island where they try to make as many prepartions like taking on board a little boat ( and it was NOT easy to do). They also did things to strengthen the ship, lower the sails ( or maybe they had already done so)....they also had to throw the cargo into the sea ( thus losing any profit)
And this was not just a one day storm and then sunshine...
it went on for days and depression, despair, and fear of life began to set in, big time, plus they were without food.
At this point Paul points out the result of making a poor choice, he was not doing a:
I told you so,
but pointing it out so they might have some hope in what he would say next.
Instead, he urges them to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among them, but only of the ship. This was not just his opinion, but rather God's word told to him by an angel.
No this storm did not last a day but 2 weeks!! But finally they were able to discern they were near land, so they cast the 4 anchors.
Selfishness and unbelief rears it's ugly face as the sailors attempt to save themselves.
Even tho Paul's prediction of what would happen indeed came true, and now with an angel he told them they would not die when the shipwreck would happen....the sailors did not believe......kind of like so many sinners do not believe God's word about salvation.
But Paul tells the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved."
Anyway, that being dealt with Paul urges everyone to eat so they will have physical strength for the upcoming ordeal.
Paul takes the bread and gives thanks to God.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on May 22, 2019 16:01:55 GMT -5
Acts 27: 39-44
The Shipwreck
39 Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore.
40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach.
41 But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf.
42 The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape.
43 But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land,
44 and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.
I don't know if any of these sailors were converted, but for sure, they are getting lessons, about pride, not following God's chosen, doing things in their own power etc.
Which at this point it seems they continue to do. They see a bay and start preparations to get to land.
However, as often happens in life, there are unforeseen or hidden etc. things which makes one careful plans be for naught.
And so it was, they hit a reef, and the boat starts to break up.
Sooooo they plan to kill the prisoners, because they reason some might swim away and escape.
That was a possibility,
but what a merciless and heartless group they must have been,
because surely not all would have even considered escaping ( like Paul would not have!!)
Well thankful God provided the centurion who wished to save Paul.
So he tells the sailors to go first and watch for escapees ( why couldn't the sailors have thought of that?)
Anyway, all made it safely to land! And again we see God providence.
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Post by Cindy on May 24, 2019 10:42:46 GMT -5
Acts 26:1-32
Paul's Defense Before Agrippa
1 So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:
2 “I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews,
3 especially because you are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.
4 “My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews.
5 They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee.
6 And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers,
7 to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king!
8 Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the
9 “I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
10 And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them.
11 And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
Paul Tells of His Conversion
12 “In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me.
14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
15 And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.
16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you,
17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you
18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
19 “Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,
20 but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.
21 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.
22 To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass:
23 that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.”
24 And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.”
25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words.
26 For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner.
27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.”
28 And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?”
29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”
30 Then the king rose, and the governor and Bernice and those who were sitting with them. 31 And when they had withdrawn, they said to one another, “This man is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment.”
32 And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
Now Paul is before both Festus and King Agrippa, and the king tells Paul he is allowed to make his defense.
Paul begins with saying he is happy to be able to present his case before a king and governor, Knowing that Agrippa is well versed in the customs etc of the Jews.
He starts with his His strict Pharisaic heritage ( with every intention of obeying every law) and how he formerly persecuted the Christians with great zeal and rage against them.
And yet, they believed in a Messiah,
which of course, Paul now believed, had come and was (and is) Jesus.
And they believed the hope of the resurrection of the dead,
the issue being, that Paul believed it was to be found, only, in and through Jesus,
which infuriated many of the Jews so much so, that they wanted Paul dead.
He mentions that: "I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus..." ( before being converted)
The words 'I' and 'myself'....pretty much shows how when we humans rely on just our own human thinking, it will never be without sin ( even if it seemingly is something 'good'..
which in this case, it clearly was not good, but rather, great sin).
Paul became hardhearted ( without any compassion) in his 'religious' zeal.
So many nonbelievers like to point to religion as being the main thrust of most wars,
and in a sense they are right.
What they neglect to understand is, being an atheist, is also a 'religion' of non religion
and every bit as sinful and warlike and war causing.
The difference is, 'true Christians', don't have a 'religion'
but instead a relationship with the True God.
It is a difference unbelievers are incapable of understanding or believing
( they don't want to.... and, will say its just splitting hairs,
because the truth is, they Hate Jesus and those who trust in Him for their salvation).
Paul hated Christians so much that, besides casting his vote to have them killed,
that in a way, what to me seems worse was,
he strove to make them blaspheme.
It wasn't enough to just kill them, he wanted to kill the very truth they had ( something satan wants even more).
But that all changed!!!
There have been people I thought would never in a million years be born again, but if Paul could,
then the saying: never say never, works!
Because God can and does work miracles, and so, he did, with Paul on the road to Damascus, where his encounter with Jesus, made one of the greatest hater of Christ ,become perhaps the greatest evangelist believer ever.
Some have said that Paul had an epileptic seizure or something,
but even 'if 'that were true... and it was NOT...i
t would not explain his living the rest of his life being beaten, jailed, tortured etc etc. for one momentary event,
the only explanation was he really had an encounter with Jesus.
And thus the Jews want to kill him.
But Paul sees even his imprisonment, as continuing protection from God, and an opportunity to testify about the gospel.
Festus interrupted....... he knew Paul was brilliant, and Festus could not not understand how such a smart man could believe in dying and coming back to life,
so the only thing Festus think of, was this was because,( of his genius intellect), Paul had gone mad, and thus Festus said so.
Paul respectfully denied being 'mad'....but said that rather, he speaking true and rational words.
Furthermore, Paul said, the king knew about those things, and "to him I speak boldly
For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner "
( almost everybody knew about Jesus: his life, death, Resurrection, and Ascension) .
Agrippa asked Paul:
"are you are trying to persuade me to make a Christian out of me"
?
what an super sad thing....if Agrippa were serious, he may have been an 'almost' Christian!!!
Well, I think the answer is actually yes.....
it was Paul ministry and mission to save as many people as possible from Hell.
so Festus and the king withdrew and talked, both agreeing Paul was indeed innocent.
But still Festus said, if Paul had not insisted on being heard by Caesar, he could have gone free.....
NOW...... Festus says this!
But before,
he had only given Paul the choice of being tried in Jerusalem, or by Caesar.
I still maintain it was mostly a set up, to get Festus off the hook.
Both these men know, Paul was an innocent man, but neither were men of honor.
Also did you notice that Paul spoke about the "12 tribes" in Acts 26:7? Let me share something you may find interesting about this:
It is worth noting that Paul mentioned “our twelve tribes” (Acts 26:7). While it is true that the ten northern tribes (Israel) were conquered by Assyria in 722 b.c. and assimilated to some extent, it is not true that these ten tribes were “lost” or annihilated. Jesus spoke about all twelve tribes (Matt. 19:28), and so did James (James 1:1) and the Apostle John (Rev. 7:4–8; 21:12). God knows where His chosen people are, and He will fulfill the promises He has made to them. The Bible exposition commentary
Paul’s reference to the 12 tribes of Israel shows the error of British-Israelism with its “10 lost tribes of Israel” (cf. Matt. 19:28; Luke 22:30; James 1:1; Rev. 7:4-8; 21:12). The Bible Knowledge Commentary
The 10 northern tribes were not lost. Representatives from each intermingled with the two southern tribes before and after the Exile—a process that had begun during the reigns of Hezekiah (2Ch 30:1–11) and Josiah (2Ch 34:1–9). The MacArthur study Bible
There's a great deal of false teaching today about the so called "lost tribes of Israel", when in fact, none of the tribes are lost! I see people getting excited about so called prophecies being fulfilled about lost tribes being found and all kinds of stuff like that too, and again, the whole premise if false. If the tribes were "lost" then God couldn't very well saved 144,000 out of each tribe, during the tribulation, could He? (well, He could, since He could "find" them, but He doesn't have to as they aren't lost lol).
Acts 27: 1-12
Paul Sails for Rome
1 And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius.
2 And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica.
3 The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for.
4 And putting out to sea from there we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us.
5 And when we had sailed across the open sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia.
6 There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy and put us on board.
7 We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone.
8 Coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.
9 Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast was already over, Paul advised them,
10 saying, “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.”
11 But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said.
12 And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided to put out to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing both southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.]
Now begins Paul's Journey to Rome, which turns out to be quite the voyage, and an amazing look at ancient navigation.
Which is of interest to me, since most of my life, I have lived right next to an ocean, the Atlantic, the Hawaiian Pacific, Oregon Pacific etc.
My adopted dad, was the signal master for the Arizona ( in WWI.....the same ship that was sunk in Hi. in WWII).
Anyway, God provides Paul with a kindly centurion,named Julius ( good thing God's angel had assured Paul he would get to Rome in one piece, because this trip was 'lively' at times, to say the very least)!
In addition to Luke Paul also had a traveling companion named Aristarchus.
Julius,the centurion, treated Paul kindly and allowed Paul to leave to go to his friends and be cared for.
I am thinking he found Paul trustworthy, honest etc. Prayerfully, that is how people will find me also.
But now the adventure begins.....
Around Cyprus strong violent winds, work against them.
However later on, the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy and put us on board, tho this won't be the end of this 'exciting' journey!! For some reason this weirdly reminds me of people getting divorced, and remarrying, only to find out they may have a new mate, but the same problems remains.
The winds insisted on being contrary and the going was super slow ( also I think this was a big boat heavily ladened down, which also made the going slow). The difficulties continue with just narrowly escaping being shipwrecked.
Apparently the Jews had been fasting and now it had ended ( the Jewish Day of Atonement around Oct when sailing was so dangerous it mostly stopped).
And indeed the voyage had now become seriously dangerous!!! So much so that Paul says:
"Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives". This does not seem to be 'prophecy' because although he was very close to predicting what actually would happen, they did not lose any lives.
However instead of laying over for a few months in safety the centurion was more persuaded by the pilot and the captain of the ship than by Paul.
This decision by the centurion, kind of makes a point to me, that,
even those with true but worldly expertise,
are no match for the wisdom of godly men, who may not be 'experts'.
I have actually know people who were very very brilliant, had near or genius intellects,
and yet,
were almost totally lacking the most basic common sense....
and thus, in a big way, were 'fools'.
I already know, this decision by the centurion is not going to go well!!!
I know that there is a possibility the centurion might have known deep down, that Paul made more sense, but it is often hard to make a case against those proud of their 'expertise, for a mere 'lay' person.
I see this often in debates about things... like for example:
Creation Science.
Those with PHD's in 'science', poop pooh, those who don't have their degrees,
as being simple minded and silly for believing 'fairy' tales of 'Creation'....
but in fact and in Truth....
it is they who are foolish.
Acts 27: 13-38
The Storm at Sea
13 Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore.
14 But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land.
15 And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along.
16 Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda,we managed with difficulty to secure the ship's boat.
17 After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and thus they were driven along.
18 Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo.
19 And on the third day they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands.
20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.
21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. 22 Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24 and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’
25 So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told.
26 But we must run aground on some island.”
27 When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land.
28 So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms.A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms.
29 And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come.
30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship's boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow,
31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.”
32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship's boat and let it go.
33 As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. 34 Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength,for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.”
35 And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat.
36 Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves.
37 (We were in all 276 persons in the ship.)
38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.]
So they get some calm favorable winds for a time, and are tempted to think:
oh that wasn't soooooooo bad ( making the wrong and/or sinful choice, like people often do in life)
it looks like they are going to be fine now and "hat they had obtained their purpose".
The devil often gives people the same idea and people are lulled into thinking they got away with whatever....
ummmm maybe not.....
Because, then is when you may after a time, begin to see and feel the true effects of your choice, and in this case it came as such a terrible northeaster wind!
They final get to a small island where they try to make as many prepartions like taking on board a little boat ( and it was NOT easy to do). They also did things to strengthen the ship, lower the sails ( or maybe they had already done so)....they also had to throw the cargo into the sea ( thus losing any profit)
And this was not just a one day storm and then sunshine...
it went on for days and depression, despair, and fear of life began to set in, big time, plus they were without food.
At this point Paul points out the result of making a poor choice, he was not doing a:
I told you so,
but pointing it out so they might have some hope in what he would say next.
Instead, he urges them to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among them, but only of the ship. This was not just his opinion, but rather God's word told to him by an angel.
No this storm did not last a day but 2 weeks!! But finally they were able to discern they were near land, so they cast the 4 anchors.
Selfishness and unbelief rears it's ugly face as the sailors attempt to save themselves.
Even tho Paul's prediction of what would happen indeed came true, and now with an angel he told them they would not die when the shipwreck would happen....the sailors did not believe......kind of like so many sinners do not believe God's word about salvation.
But Paul tells the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved."
Anyway, that being dealt with Paul urges everyone to eat so they will have physical strength for the upcoming ordeal.
Paul takes the bread and gives thanks to God.
Acts 27: 39-44
The Shipwreck
39 Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore.
40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach.
41 But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf.
42 The soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape.
43 But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land,
44 and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.
I don't know if any of these sailors were converted, but for sure, they are getting lessons, about pride, not following God's chosen, doing things in their own power etc.
Which at this point it seems they continue to do. They see a bay and start preparations to get to land.
However, as often happens in life, there are unforeseen or hidden etc. things which makes one careful plans be for naught.
And so it was, they hit a reef, and the boat starts to break up.
Sooooo they plan to kill the prisoners, because they reason some might swim away and escape.
That was a possibility,
but what a merciless and heartless group they must have been,
because surely not all would have even considered escaping ( like Paul would not have!!)
Well thankful God provided the centurion who wished to save Paul.
So he tells the sailors to go first and watch for escapees ( why couldn't the sailors have thought of that?)
Anyway, all made it safely to land! And again we see God providence.
 I had some great prayer time and really enjoyed it. Really didn't want to stop, but then life goes on. I hope all is well with you guys. |
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on May 24, 2019 11:45:34 GMT -5
You are funny! LOL
Did I miss you...oh no nope can't say that I even noticed....were you gone for DAYS....never notice.
Yes, I actually DID miss you, but I knew you were doing something very necessary!
Our pastor has spent the last 4 weeks with sermons on prayer.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on May 24, 2019 12:50:25 GMT -5
Acts 28: 1-10
Paul on Malta
1 After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta.
2 The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold.
3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.
4 When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.
5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days.
8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him.
9 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.
10 They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.
The island land all landed on safely was Malta and the people were kind to them, building a fire etc.
Thins were going nicely until Paul is bitten by a poisonous snake while carrying wood to the fire. The natives assume its because he is a bad evil man....
but then...
Paul shakes off the snake into the fire, but the native people wait for him to show the effects of such a snake bite, which would be to swell up and fall dead.
Neither of which happened, and then they quickly change their view of him, from being evil to being a god.
Kind of reminds me of how unconverted people are today, their idols ( be it entertainment, politics, business etc etc. are basically worshiped until the fall into some nefarious deeds, and then are kicked to the curb or visa versa. They are blown every which way by the wind.
This is a reminder to me, to be careful of this very thing.
Anyway, the leading official Publius extending amazing hospitality,
but became sick and Paul heals him.
Tho it does not say so in these verses,
from everything I have read about Paul,
I would not have been surprised,
if Paul did not take such an opportunity to preach the gospel,
and I would envision maybe many natives, as well as sailors, prisoners, and the centurion might have been converted.
In any case, they were given many supplies for their trip.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on May 24, 2019 19:47:41 GMT -5
Paul Arrives at Rome
11 After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods as a figurehead.
12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days.
13 And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli.
14 There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome.
15 And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage.
16 And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.
Finally they do what they should have done from the beginning, wait until the winter storms were over, so they wait there 3 months before setting sail.
Luke mentions the figurehead was of the twin pagan deities which may have been a bit disheartening to Luke and Paul, since it seems the sailors must have honored such talismen
for perhaps some kind of magical protection or 'good luck'.
I am thinking that because Luke mentioned it so I doubt he was impressed with it as art or some other positive reason.
Anyway, the get to Syracuse and stayed for 3 days, and from there they went to Rhegium, and Puteoli. At Puteoli they found some believers and stayed with them 7 days.
Then near Rome, some more believers met with them, and Paul thank God and was encouraged.
Amazingly in Rome. he was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier guarding him. ( But some versions don't have this verse. Still, it did seem to gr in general how the Romans treated Paul.
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fearnot
Living With Pain
Posts: 8,397
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Post by fearnot on May 25, 2019 9:47:54 GMT -5
Acts 28:17-31
Paul in Rome
17 After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans.
18 When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case.
19 But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation.
20 For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.”
21 And they said to him, “We have received no letters from Judea about you, and none of the brothers coming here has reported or spoken any evil about you.
22 But we desire to hear from you what your views are, for with regard to this sect we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”
23 When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.
24 And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved.
25 And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
26 “‘Go to this people, and say,
“You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
27 For this people's heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed;
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.’
28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
Paul explains to the Jews in Rome that he had done nothing against the Jews or Jewish traditions, nor was he there to be appealing against the Jews but rather they against him.
The Romans would have let him go, but for the Jews protest.
Therefore he had to appeal to Caesar.
The hope of Israel ( the Messiah, Jesus was the fulfillment) was the real reason he was a prisoner.
But strangely those Jews did not come to Rome as the prosecution , so none of the Jews in Rome knew anything about it. Therefore
so some day later they came in greater numbers and Paul spent the whole day expounding to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets.
And as what always happens when the gospel is preached, some believed and others do not.
Then they left after one word ( was it gentiles or Jesus?).
to which Paul then quoted Isaiah and then for sure mentioned the gentiles saying:
"this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
It seems Paul was house imprisoned 2 years without any charges.
But he made good use of this time, spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
This is a good lesson for me, in that, even if my situation were not ideal or I was chained ( perhaps to pain) etc., I can take a lesson from Paul, and focus on what is really important, spreading the gospel and/or praying.
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I had some great prayer time and really enjoyed it. Really didn't want to stop, but then life goes on. I hope all is well with you guys. 
!!
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