Acts 24

October 14, 2022

Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.

Reading along with us in Acts? Here’s today’s reading:

Acts 24 (NIV)

Paul’s Trial Before Felix
1 Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor. 2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. 3 Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. 4 But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly............Continue Reading

Next: Acts 25
—
Back: Acts 23

This Post Has 5 Comments

  1. Paul pleads an earnest case and one that would leave any judge to determine innocence, however, Felix does not free Paul. Yes, he gave him more liberty in his incarceration but still did not free him.
    Instead Felix meets with him, has his wife meet with him, and waits. Maybe for a bribe and likely a political move because releasing him would anger so many Jews. But interesting that when Paul spoke to Felix about righteousness, self control, and judgement to come Felix was afraid. Felix knew he was in the wrong and that keeping Paul in prison was not what God wanted but still couldn’t get past his own issues to do the right thing. So many times we can let the pressure of the world preventing us from doing the right thing….narrow path and wide and too often we go with the path of least resistance!

    Reply

  4. The standard of having a trial and being honest in the context of it and a judge being fair in the way he conducts himself all flow from the Bible. It is interesting to see the structure of that being represented in secular society and seeing what a difference it makes to not being a false witness and having pure motives as a judge. The Jews do their best to make themselves look good and Paul look bad and really pour it on in complimenting Felix. Paul respects authority but seeks to be upfront and honest in what he says. Felix is impure in his intent and lets his greed for money and his desire to please the Jews dictate his actions. His life would be easier if the Jews were happy and he had his judgment about Paul to hang over their heads. How unfair that 2 years of Paul’s life are taken up in prison, but he still seeks to share the gospel with whomever would listen and be used by God wherever he is. Something we are wise to internalize and follow.

    Reply

  5. Paul makes his case before Felix, but Felix is waiting for a bribe which won’t be forthcoming, so Paul is in prison for 2 years, even on to the next governor.

    When reading through all these events, one can’t help but realize that sometimes the “bad” parts are part of God’s plan….actually the bad parts are always part of God’s plan. My brother sent me some sermons in the book of James that I have been listening to and that is the current message there as well. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds….knowing that the testing of your faith produces…..”

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back To Top