Money and corruption have always played a linked role within the world, as evidenced from the law given to the Israelites by the Lord in the old testament. This has not changed over time. When apostle Paul was bound, Felix also hoped that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him. (Acts 24:26) Note that Felix had often sent for Paul so that he could commune with him. But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
The example of Paul here is worth noting. Up until this point, Paul was traveling the countryside preaching and sharing the gospel with everyone he met. And while Paul and his company tarried, there came down a certain prophet named Agabus who took Paul's girdle [belt] and bound his own hands and feet and said, "Thus saith the Holy Ghost, "So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owns this girdle, and shall deliver [him] in the hands of the Gentiles." (Acts 21:10-11)
And when they heard these things, they of that place besought Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, "What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? For I am ready not to be bound only but also to die at Jerusalem for the Name of the Lord Jesus." And when Paul could not be persuaded, "we ceased, saying, the will of the Lord be done." (Acts 21:12-14)
So in carriages, Paul and certain disciples of Caesarea, including Mnason of Cyprus, were come to Jerusalem, where the brethren received them gladly. "And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry," (Acts 21:15-19) And when they heard, they glorified the Lord.
And then they said unto him, "Thou seest brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the Law. And they are informed of thee, that thou teach all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying they ought not to circumcise [their] children, neither to walk after the customs. What is it therefore? The multitude must needs come together; for they will hear that thou art come. Do therefore this that we say to thee -- we have four men which have a vow on them; them take and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave [their] heads; and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee are nothing but [that] thou thyself also walk orderly, and keep the Law."
Interestingly, Paul was teaching the Jews among the Gentiles to forsake Moses and the Law, saying they ought not to circumcise children, neither to walk after the customs. So these brethren were left asking, "What is it therefore? The multitude must needs to come together for they will hear that thou art come." (Acts 21:22) In other words, what teachings should believers in Jesus by faith endorse in terms of the old covenant Law? All 612 commandments. Given that many modern day churches teach those in their congregations that we are under the Law, this discussion could not be more timely.
So how does apostle Paul respond? Does he change his stance, and do what these are asking?
No. Instead, Paul states, "As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from [things] offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication." (Acts 21:20-25)
Maybe we need to read this again.
"As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from [things] offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication." (Acts 21:20-25)
Note a split here. The Law of the old covenant was given only to the Israelites. The Gentiles at that time were not God's chosen people. Similarly note that God gave over 600 commandments to His people and not just the ten commandments that we often hear about. Having said that, herein Paul separates the instruction to the Gentiles. He says, as concerning the "Gentiles which believe" -- "we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from [things] offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication." (Acts 21:25)
This teaching was not just for this group of Jews whom had gladly believed. A similar message was preached by Paul and Barnabas who shared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His Name. "And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written, "After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down, and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up; that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom My Name is called," saith the Lord, "who doeth all these things."
Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world. Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God, but that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollution of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. (Acts 15:5-29)
As an aside and just in case, some take this instruction to differ from Peter's message on the day of Pentecost, remember what Paul said to the keeper of the prison when he asked Paul, "What must I do to be saved?" The prison guard was told to "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." And they spake unto him the Word of the Lord and to all that were in his house, and he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes: and was baptized, he and all his, straightway." (Acts 16:25-32)
This same message on the day of Pentecost, when the first 3,000 souls were brought into the new testament church, after being pricked in their heart when they heard Peter (standing with the eleven) say, "This same Jesus whom ye have crucified is both Lord and Christ." (Acts 2:36-47)
But this message to the Gentiles (and much like those who hang onto the Law for the Gentiles today) it brings contention. We see this when Paul and Silas were similarly brought before the magistrates. Why? As their accusers stated, for teaching customs which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe. (Acts 16:20-21) These men that have hazarded their lives for the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ were now being accused of teaching new doctrines that would mislead Jews from the lawful customs that had been passed down from generation to generation. (Acts 15:26; Acts 17:19)
So what happened? The Lord Himself had a plan that not only included salvation for the keeper of the prison and his household (which should in and of itself serve as a witness and testimony to us that even in times of trouble the Lord Jesus is still in control) but also to reveal the heart desire of the magistrates for them to depart from the city. But I digress.
Getting back to Acts 21, Paul is now in Jerusalem which he had been warned not to go. When the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him, crying out, "Men of Israel, help. This is the man that teaches all [men] everywhere against the people, and the Law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place." (Acts 21:27-29)
And all the city was moved and the people ran together to take Paul out of the temple. "And as they went about to kill him, tidings [news] came unto the chief captain of the band that all Jerusalem was in an uproar, "who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul. Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains, and demanded who he was and what he had done. And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle. And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people [mob]." (Acts 21:31-35)
Like the desire of the Magistrates above, it was clear that the people wanted Paul gone. But again the Lord had a better plan for the day.
Paul beseeched the authorities an opportunity to speak to the people -- "I am a man which man a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city, and I beseech thee suffer me to speak unto the people." And when the chief captain had given him license to speak Paul stood on the stairs and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there came a great silence, Paul began speaking to them in the their own Hebrew tongue. What did Paul say? He gave them his testimony -- that the God of our fathers hath chosen him that thou should know His will and see that Just One and should hear the voice of His mouth, "For thou shalt be His witnesses of what thou hast seen and heard." (Acts 22:1-16)
"And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the Name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16; Acts 2:36-38)
The same good news gospel message of the Kingdom of God repeatedly to one and all. But as we read further, the chief captain asks Paul, "Tell me, art thou a Roman?" for this changed the circumstance. So, on the morrow, Paul was loosed from his bands, and brought down and set before the chief priests and all their council. (Acts 22:24-30)
But Paul was not finished speaking yet.
And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, "Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day." And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. Then said Paul unto him, "God shall smite thee, [thou] whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the Law, and command me to be smitten contrary to the Law?"
And they that stood by said, "Revile thou God's high priest?"
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." 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."
And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. 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." 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.
By now, I am sure many of us would have wondered about our safety, knowing that the crowd would have pulled us in pieces because of what we had said. However, not Paul. And the night following the Lord stood by Paul, and said, "Be of good cheer, Paul for as thou hast testified of Me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome." Still, when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.
However, as Paul already knew (and by extension, us too) greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.
So, these 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. Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would inquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him."
And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, "Bring this young man unto the chief captain for he hath a certain thing to tell him." So he took him, and brought [him] to the chief captain, and said, "Paul the prisoner called me unto [him], and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee." Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went [with him] aside privately, and asked [him], "What is that thou hast to tell me?"
And Paul's sister's son said, "The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou would bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would inquire somewhat of him more perfectly. 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."
The chief captain was making a way for Paul to escape, and by the looks of things, with a mighty army as well. He wrote a letter to Felix after this manner:
Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them took Paul, and brought [him] by night to Antipatris. On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle: who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him. And when the governor had read [the letter], he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that [he was] of Cilicia; "I will hear thee," said he, "when thine accusers are also come." And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall." (Acts 23:1-35)
"Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix [sendeth] greeting. 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. And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council: 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. And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what [they had] against him. Farewell."
Up until now, what we are seeing is Paul being accused of false teaching and profanation of the temple by the Asiatic Jews. He is rescued with difficulty by Claudius Lysias the chief captain, who, upon discovering that Paul was a Roman citizen, is concerned that the untimely death of Paul (by a murderous mob) may result in serious consequences upon himself from the Romans. Since Paul was being accused of questions of their Law (and in Lysias' opinion not worthy of death or of bonds) rather than political grounds which would require some form of judgment, Lysias sends Paul to Felix at Caesarea for trial.
After five days, Ananias the high priest descended with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul, accusing him, while giving noble Felix the honour that should have been given to the Lord, saying, "Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness." (Acts 24:1-3)
The trial had begun. The accuser Tertullus cited the accusations against Paul. In his address, he stated that they have found this man Paul to be a "pestilent fellow" [like a plague] and a "mover of sedition" among all the Jews, and "a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes" -- "who also hath gone about to profane the temple, whom we took and would have judged according to our Law." (Acts 24:6)
[Think here of the conversation between Paul and the chief captain, when Paul asked to speak and he asked, "Canst thou speak Greek?" But then the chief captain asked, "Art not thou that Egyptian which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?" (Acts 21:37-38; Acts 5:24-42]
But the chief captain Lysias came and with great violence took Paul away commanding that his accusers come unto Felix and bring forth the justification of their accusations. (Felix was a Roman procurator of Judea, appointed in succession to Cumanus by the emporer Claudius). Note the Jews assented/agreed saying that these things were so. But Paul after he was beckoned by the governor to speak, offers a response.
"For as much as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself. Because that thou may understand that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship, and they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, nor in the city. Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. 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: 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. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and [toward] men.
Not after many years, I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult, who ought to have been here before thee and object, if they had ought against me. Or else, let these same here say, if thy have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council. Except ...[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." (Acts 24:1-21; Hebrews 6:1-2)
Paul's use of the word "except" is what caught the attention of Felix -- because he "having more perfect knowledge of that Way" or as we would say -- knowing Jesus -- who is the Way, the Truth and the Life! (Acts 24:22; Acts 9:2; Acts 18:26; Acts 19:9, 23; Acts 22:4; John 14:6)
Thus, Felix heard these things deferred them who would have Paul killed, saying, "When Lysias the chief captain came down, I will know the uttermost of your matter." (Acts 24:22) In other words, he used Lysias as an excuse for not following through on the whims and desires of the crowds who wanted Paul killed. Thus, he commanded a centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty and also, that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.
"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. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgement to come, Felix trembled, and answered, "Go thy way for this time, when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee." (Acts 24:25)
A more convenient season. Even though the countryside must have been in a state of near anarchy -- given the number of troopers necessary to provide safe escort to Paul, Felix (even while trembling in his spirit) was not prepared to submit to Jesus as both Lord and Christ. Some suggest that it was his loyalty to his wife Drusilla that stood in the way. Regardless, Felix' disregard for Roman justice is evidenced here.
But there was also another desire in his heart that is only revealed toward the end of Acts 24. First, Felix treats Paul with leniency, and he and his wife for a period of two years appear to take an interest in the teachings of Paul. That is, Felix had hoped that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him. (Acts 24:26) He had hoped that Paul would purchase his freedom using earthly currency. That Paul would consider freedom from his circumstance more favourable and thus succumb to worldly ambitions.
But as we know, Paul did not offer Felix money. Why? Because Paul did not seek favour or special privilege from Felix and Drusilla. Rather, Paul preached the same message he had taught to one and all everywhere he went, after his own encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. That is, Paul preached righteousness, temperance and the judgment to come. (Acts 24:25-26)
But Paul was not only versed in the Law and understood the context of Exodus 23:8 -- "And thou shall take no gift: for the gift blinds the wise, and perverts the words of the righteous" but he also knew firsthand the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ which sets us free in our hearts, even when we are bound on earth.
And because of Paul's unwillingness to focus on his own needs, Felix, after two years and upon his retirement "willing to show the Jews a pleasure" left Paul bound. (Acts 24:27) What happens next to Paul continues in Acts 25, but for now, let this scripture suffice and encourage us in our own endeavours to pursue the good news gospel of Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.
Let him who hath ears to hear, hear. Stand in the offering plate.
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