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Paul Appeared Before
Felix
– Acts Twenty-Four –
In Acts
chapters 24-28 we observe Paul's captivity and the constant effort of the
Jewish religious leaders to have him killed. They hated Paul so much that they
constantly made false and improvable charges against him. In this chapter we
see that they even brought Tertullus, an orator, to present their case against
Paul before Felix.
Paul often
spoke in his own defense. Much of his defense centered in the fact that he had
a good conscience before God in all things that he did. His time before the
various courts provides a sad picture of man's injustice! Paul had been
unsuccessful in his attempts to defend himself before the Jewish leaders. He
tired to explain to them that his focus had been on "the Way" and
that it centered in preaching about the resurrection of Christ. He knew that he
was on trial because he believed that the dead would be raised to life. The
resurrection of Christ is so vital that there is no salvation without it. He
never seemed to be concerned that his faith in the Christ might cost him his
earthly life.
Paul taught
Felix about doing right, about self-control, and about the coming judgment.
"Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a
convenient season, I will call for thee." Felix often
sent
for Paul and talked with him. The reason he did this was because
he hoped that Paul would give him a bribe. Felix heard the gospel many times
but we have no record that he ever became a Christian.
Paul
was accused in the court of Felix – Acts 24:1-9: The High Priest and
the Jews knew that they had done wrong in their dealing with Paul so they
wanted to get the matter settled quickly. Their interest was not in doing right
but in blaming Paul! They came to
Tertullus
used flattery to catch the ears of Felix. He said Felix had brought a long
period of peace to the Jews and that because of him the nation was better off.
He wanted Felix to think that the Jews were thankful for what he had done for
them. He told Felix, "All of us are always grateful for what you have
done." This was just deceitful flattery in an attempt to get Felix on
their side.
Tertullus
accused Paul of being a pest, plague, or troublemaker for the Jews all over the
world. He was accused of sedition and of
being a leader of a group called Nazarenes. "Sedition is a term of law to
refer to covert conduct such as speech and organization that is deemed by the
legal authority as tending toward insurrection against the established order.
Sedition often included subversion of a constitution and incitement of
discontent to lawful authority." "Nazarenes" was not a God given
name for His people. Christians were so called by way of contempt and scorn.
They were called Nazarenes because Jesus was from
The Jews accused Paul of attempting to
disgrace the
Paul
defended himself before Felix – Acts 24:10-18: Felix had judged the
Jewish nation for many years. He had been governor somewhere between ten and
thirteen years. If the charge was true that Paul was guilty of sedition surely
Felix would have heard something of him.
Paul said it
was no more than twelve days ago that he went to worship in
The Jews felt
that the Lord's Way was heresy. Paul wanted it clearly understood that he still
worshipped the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He believed that everyone,
both good and evil, will be raised from the dead. Belief in the resurrection
promoted holiness and godly living in the life of Paul. The desire of his life
was simply to discharge his duty to God and to man.
Paul
explained how that he had been away from
Paul
defense before Felix continued – Acts 24:19-23: Paul said the Jews from
The only
thing Paul was guilty of was saying that he was called into question concerning
the resurrection from the dead. When Paul had mentioned the resurrection the
court was thrown into confusion and division. Felix knew a lot about the Lord's
Way. He said he would hear more about this matter when Lysias the chief captain
came to
Paul
was kept under guard – Acts 24:24-27: Felix and his wife Drusilla, who
was Jewish, went to the place where Paul was kept to hear him. Paul spoke to
them concerning faith in Christ. Felix was frightened when Paul talked about
righteousness, temperance (self-control), and judgment to come. He stopped Paul
from speaking and told him he would hear him again when it was convenient.
Felix sent
for Paul often and talked with him. He hoped Paul would offer him a bribe. He
observed from Paul's own defense, that he came up to
God wants to
save you. "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count
slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish
but that all should come to repentance." (II Peter 3:9.) Have you obeyed
the gospel? (Mark 16:15-16.) Are you living for Heaven? (I Corinthians
15:58.)
- - - - Charles Box
News & Notes
1. Prayer List: In Need Of Prayers:
Linda Bender, Dannie Box, Janice Box, Gary Bozeman, Emily Cain, Janice &
Meryln Carter, Paul Cottrell (grandfather of Donna Owens), Roy Goodwin, Ramona
Gravely, Ron Green, Montine Hardin, Marcus Harrell (injury), Evan Hartsell,
Margaret Helms (sister of Sue Bagents),
Abbie, Austin, and Andrew Herring, Ann Jackson, Frank Johnson, Darrell
Jones, Mary Lawrence, Dennis Lowery, Joyce Massey, Glen Phillips, Mary Powell,
Meg Sellers, Jeff Spann, Roger Strange, Doris Taylor, Winston Temple, Corrine
Till, and Jodi Whittington (granddaughter of Roy & Linda Bender). Crowne
Health Care: Laura Ellis, Kathy Johnson, Myrtle Perdue, Bertha Phelps,
and Iva Lou Wright.
2. Please Pray For: (a) Alan Jackson as he serves in
3. Placed Membership: We welcome Mary
Riley to the Walnut Street Church of Christ. Mary lives at
4. Birthdays: Celebrating birthdays
this week are: October 18th Paige Barr, October 19th Anita
Sanders, and October 21st Shirley Boutwell.
5. Organized Visitation: Our visitation
program meets on Tuesday nights at
6. Fall Party: The Fall Party will be
November 4th at Randy & Lisa Bagents home at
7. Triplets Update: The Herring
triplets are doing well. Remember the food list and also keep filling the box
in the foyer with needed supplies. The item for this week is Enfamil formula
(powder). Look for words EnfaCare Lipil on can. (This formula is for conditions
such as prematurity and low birth weight.) It can be purchased at Piggly Wiggly
and Target. *See the can on the table in foyer.
8. Thank You: (a) Dear Walnut Street
Church of Christ, It meant a lot to us to know that you took the time out of
your schedule to be concerned about our physical strength during out time of
grief. We really appreciated all the
wonderful food that was brought over to the house. It’s the thoughtfulness of
friends such as you all that helps us emotional and spiritual strength in the
days ahead, as we thing of; and miss our papaw, father, and husband. The lovely
spray that was sent to his funeral not only expressed to our family your love,
support and understanding; but also were such a great example of the beauty and
fragility of life. Thanks again for everything. Love, Kimberly Hittell, Wayne &
Brenda Stallings & Jessica, Dolores Luckie, and Mike Luckie (b) To
the members of the congregation of the Walnut Street Church of Christ, Our
family would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for your love, guidance,
and influence on our father, Floyd Smith. We have found some peace and comfort
in knowing that he had accepted Christ in his life and had been baptized. We
would also like to thank those who prepared food for our family and served as
his pall bearers. Your help and generosity was over whelming and its difficult
to express how much it helped us and to let you know how proud Daddy would have
been to know how much all of you did for him. Thank you so very much,
the
family of Floyd Smith
9. Ladies Bible Class: All ladies are
invited and encouraged to attend Ladies Bible Class which meets Wednesday
morning at
10. Tablecloths Needed: If anyone can
help with the money to purchase tablecloths for the fellowship hall, please see
Margaret Phillips or Barbara Walker.
11. Area Events: (a) October 15-18 – Home-coming/Lectureship – Century Church of
Christ – Theme: Growing the Church – See bulletin board for speakers –
weeknights at
A Clear View
Have you noticed the sky lately? This past weekend I was able
to attend a retreat at Backwoods Christian Camp and I noticed that the sky
these days is very clear. If you will notice, every fall when the first
chill comes to the air, the sky begins to clear up. And as the winter
comes on, it gets clearer and clearer. You see, with summer’s warmth comes
summer’s haze. That haze hinders us from seeing the wonders of the blue
sky, the sunset, the clouds, the moon and the stars. But with the
discomfort of cold comes clarity. I like the fall and winter for reasons
just like that.
You know, the Christian life is a lot like that. A life that
only sees good days, that only has enjoyment, that has no major problems, often
becomes clouded. You see, we then tend to focus on the good things and not
on the One who has given the good things. It is when some of those good
things are taken away, when the cold days come, that we can see things clearer.
The Holy Spirit through Peter’s pen even
talked about that in I Peter 4:12-19. He says that we should suffer
willingly for Christ, and that we will be blessed for it. Jesus said in
the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew
Take a quick mental survey of your life. Haven’t you felt
closest to God is when He had brought you through some trial. It is in the
midst of those sorrows that we often see things the clearest. We see what
really matters (faith, love, family, friends, righteousness) and what really
doesn’t matter (things, position, pleasure) the most clearly.
So what is the point of this article? When times begin to
toughen in your life, as they certainly will (Job 14:1), try not to
mope. Don’t just ask, “Why me, God?” or “Where are you, Lord?” Look
up and enjoy the clarity that those problems can bring you. Try to take
advantage of the experience to learn and to see things as you may never have
seen them before.
- - - - Adapted From Ben Thompson
We sometimes
worship what we have achieved, rather than praising God for giving us the means
of achieving it.
Don’t just own a Bible; read it!
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