King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Wednesday. December 13, 2023
Chapters: ACTS 23-25
Message: Walking The Path of God
I officially started my new job on Monday, two weeks later than I was hired, but due to some equipment that I was to receive not arriving on time, then my stores not being entered into the system I have not spent one day on the road. I did get a list of stores and spent a half day planning my routes for each day so that I could visit each of the three hundred and nine stores within a month, which did impress my supervisor. The only problem with my plan, many of the stores are nonviable, meaning not meant for a visit. Well, at least I am planned out and prepared for when they tell me to visit them. I bring this up because it actually goes along with our reading for today, when we often feel like we are delayed God does not, in fact, He always right on time. There is just one thing to remember, when God is the one planning our course it may not be the route that we expect.
[Psalms 16:8-11 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. 10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.]
As we continue in the reading of Acts, we learn that Paul’s desire to go to Rome would be met, although it was not the journey that he expected to take. The next day after they captured him, they took him down to the council, known as the Sanhedrin, what we would call a Supreme Court, but in spiritual matters. To make things fair, this group of men were a mixture of Pharisee’s and Sadducee’s, said to be enforcing the Law of Moses, which by they way, none of them followed, [Acts 22:30 On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.]. He was accused of breaking the law when he brought Gentiles into the temple and now, he stands before the council, eager to give his testimony.
[Acts 23:1-6 And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. 3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? 4 And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest? 5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people. 6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.]
[Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.] According to the Law of Moses, [Exodus 22:28 Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.] gods, meaning the lord’s or the officials of a town/state/nation, like mayors, senators, and courts. So, Paul’s best defense was the fact that half the men were Pharisee’s this meant that at least half of them were on his side and they were.
[Acts 23:9-11 And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees’ part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God. 10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle. 11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.]
[for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem,] Did you know that Jesus stands beside His faithful? We are His testimony wherever we go, whether it be in a grocery store, convenience store, post office, restaurant, social security office, courthouse, school, or library, you name the place, we are there. And our course is not done until Jesus says it is done, [2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.]
All Paul needed to give him the confidence that he needed to know that he was going to Rome was to hear it from Jesus. It did not matter what the council said or anyone else, he knew he was going to Rome one way or another. That did not mean that the ones who wanted him dead would not try, in fact, a group of Jews banded together and fasted until they saw him dead. Now, I do not know how long they actually fasted, but
[Acts 23:14-16,20-21 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. 15 Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him. 16 And when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. 20 And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly. 21 But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.]
[and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.] The religious despise God’s faithful so much that they are lurking about, watching every move we make in an attempt to catch us off guard, [1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.]
It is a good thing to know that God knows their plans and is one step ahead of them. When the chief captain heard about the conspiracy to kill Paul, he sent Paul to a safe place until he would be able to speak with the governor. Then he wrote a letter to Felix, the governor who then agreed to meet with him.
[Acts 23:25-29,34-35 And he wrote a letter after this manner: 26 Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting. 27 This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman. 28 And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council: 29 Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds. 34 And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia; 35 I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod’s judgment hall.]
[when thine accusers are also come.] Felix, wanted to get both sides of the story so he sent word that he was arriving and five days later, they both had their say. First, Ananias, the high priest stood before the governor along with an orator (public speaker) named Tertullus.
[Acts 24:2-7 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, 3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. 5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: 6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law. 7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,]
[enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done] Flattery will get you nowhere or everywhere or depending on who it is that you are attempting to persuade. Part of what the Tertullus said was true, Felix and his administration did have the means of producing much peace and order in Judea due to their promoting the welfare of the nation since Pilate was governor. Felix, was not convinced by his flattery though, he wanted to hear what Paul had to say.
[Acts 24:10-15,21 Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself: 11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. 12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: 13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. 14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: 15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 21 Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.]
[so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written] This is why the religious despise God’s faithful, they live by and believe every word written from the Scriptures. The religious will only pick and use what they want to believe from the Scriptures. The religious will mix the Scriptures with tradition and call it something from God’s Word. The religious will come up with their own versions of the Scriptures in order to keep people from the truth. In fact, most of them do not believe in the resurrection, which is absurd when you stop to think that if Jesus resurrected so will everyone else at some point, [John 5:24,28-29 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.]
After Felix heard Paul’s testimony, he sent for his wife, who was a Jew to hear of the matter, [Acts 24:24-27 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. 26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. 27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.]
[Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time;] Felix, trembled when he heard the Gospel, yet not enough to receive Christ himself. Many fear the consequences of sin, yet refuse to accept Christ for fear of losing out on something they have in the world. We do not have the promise of tomorrow to accept Christ, all we have is today, [James 4:13-17 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. 17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.]
[Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.] The council could not legally find anything to accuse him of so the chief captain sent him to Felix so that he could get a fair trail. The governor could not legally find anything to accuse him of either, that did not matter though, he delayed the matter in fact, two years went by before Paul could get an answer. Felix, put off this matter for a more convenient season, but that more convenient season would never come until a new governor took office.
[Acts 25:1-4,6-7 Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem. 2 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him, 3 And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him. 4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither. 6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought. 7 And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.]
[And when he had tarried among them more than ten days,] Two more weeks went by before Festus heard what Paul had to say. Paul, is telling them if he had broken the Law then he was worthy of death, but he did not so they have no to cause to kill him. Since Festus really did not want to deal with it himself he was all too willing to send him to Caesar and therefore, Paul agreed.
[Acts 25:11-14,18-19 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar. 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go. 13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Caesarea to salute Festus. 14 And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul’s cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix: 18 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed: 19 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.]
[Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.] Festus, may have heard the stories of Jesus, but could not grasp the concept that a man could die and come back to life, but he was willing to hear what Paul had to say about it.
[Acts 25:22-23,26-27 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him. 23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus’ commandment Paul was brought forth. 26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write. 27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.]
[and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.] Festus, felt that he was placed in an embarrassing situation. Here he was about to send a prisoner to Rome who had been tried by himself, and who had appealed from his jurisdiction, and yet was ignorant of the charges against him. The world, and sadly, many Christ based religions believe that He died, but not that He resurrected. We cannot be a testimony of Christ if we do not believe the entire Gospel. Being a testimony means believing that Christ, born of a virgin died a sinless death to save every soul who believes in Him. It is accepting Him as your Saviour, and as we grow closer to Him, living through His example, [John 13:15-17 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, It is sometimes hard to comprehend just what You did for us, and how easy it is for us to not only be saved from hell, but become one of Your very own. As we grow closer to You we literally are transformed into something into the likeness of You. While we will never be perfect until we reach heaven or You return, and give us our new bodies, we do have You to guide and keep us faithful until You do. We are testimonies of what it is like to have the living God living inside of us, let us do what is pleasing to You, not live in fear of what man can do to us, but be the example You need us to be to reach others for You. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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