All posts by Luella Campbell

ACTS THE SEQUEL…ONWARD TOWARDS ROME – 60

Bible Study, ,

When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭24‬:‭27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Three days after arriving in the province, Festus went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem, where the chief priests and the Jewish leaders appeared before him and presented the charges against Paul. They requested Festus, as a favor to them, to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem, for they were preparing an ambush to kill him along the way…”

More than two years after Paul’s arrest and transfer to Caesarea, these guys, the Jewish religious leaders, were still on about him, and his guilt! Talk about bulldogs! They wanted Paul gone! Now they had a new Roman governor to pester. 

Festus, successor to Felix, would not buy their story. He refused to return Paul to Jerusalem. Did he see through their plot? It seems that Festus was not easily bought, at least not for now. If the Jewish leaders wanted to charge Paul, let them go to Caesarea where Paul was being held. 

“Festus answered, “Paul is being held at Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon. Let some of your leaders come with me, and if the man has done anything wrong, they can press charges against him there.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭25‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“After spending eight or ten days with them, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he convened the court and ordered that Paul be brought before him. When Paul came in, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him. They brought many serious charges against him, but they could not prove them.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭25‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Words…words…words…but none of them had any weight. These conniving Jews had no evidence and no witnesses. They could not make their accusations stick. 

“Then Paul made his defense: “I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭25‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Festus turned out to be just as weak as Felix before him…pandering to the Jews for popularity. 

“Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭25‬:‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Paul knew that, if the verdict were left to his Jewish accusers, he would probably die in Jerusalem, especially since Festus was now already proving to be in the pockets of the Jewish religious leaders. So, Paul’s intuition set his course in motion. 

“Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well.”

Once again, Paul used his right as a Roman citizen to take his case to the top. He knew that his appeal to Caesar would be caste in stone. It could not be reversed. At least he knew now that his situation would move forward… Festus was obliged to carry out Paul’s request. 

“If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!” 

Paul’s response to Festus was a game-changer…swinging the situation in the direction he wanted to go…right to Rome, but also dangerous…into the lion’s den! 

“After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: “You have appealed to Caesar. To Caesar you will go!”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭25‬:‭10‬-‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

At this critical point in the negotiations, Paul’s choice was pivotal.  If he left the situation in the hands of this weak man, what would be the outcome? The fanatical, prejudiced Jewish leaders would probably have the final say…death by stoning.  If he appealed to Caesar, he would most likely also be condemned to death…by a horrible end. Both outcomes were daunting but…he had the word of the Lord…Rome!

So, without hesitation, Paul chose Rome because God had spoken. What lay ahead for him in Rome was in the Lord’s hands…and Paul was willing to trust Him for the outcome. 

Little did Paul know that between him and Rome lay another world of trouble and delay. His entire life seems to have be been made up of interruptions, detours and delays…and yet, in them, God’s plans were all coming together to touch and reach people and to mold them into children of God and images of Jesus in a crooked and perverse world. 

To be continued

ACTS THE SEQUEL…WAIT SOME MORE – 59

Bible Study, ,

“Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭24‬:‭24‬-‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Despite procrastinating, Felix did something unexpected for a government official. He fraternised with Paul. He listened to Paul’s messages time and again…both fascinated and afraid. He knew that Paul was speaking the truth. He knew that he had to do something about it. His response? Hurry up and wait! Again! 

Under the surface, however, Felix’s interest and delays had an ulterior motive. If he dragged Paul’s case out long enough, perhaps Paul would get tired…lose heart…become impatient…give in…cross his palm with silver… pay him a handsome bribe in exchange for his freedom. Felix was not above a little corruption to keep the wheels of government turning smoothly. 

Not Paul! He had all the time in the world. He was in no hurry. He was following God’s timetable. He was on his way to Rome as God had promised, and he would get there in God’s time. So he waited…for two years…quite comfortable in his accommodation, with his friends in attendance… in Herod’s palace… at government expense. 

This scenario was a standoff…Felix against Paul, Felix in it for the money…and Paul awaiting God’s timing and His way. Felix had the power to release Paul or to keep him incarcerated for as long as he pleased. Paul, on the other hand, had no case to answer…and Felix knew it!

And so the years passed…again. For what was Felix waiting? For an opportunity to pass the buck because he didn’t have courage or the conviction to free Paul although he knew he was innocent?

Felix’s break came at last. His tenure as governor came to an end and he was succeeded by Porcius Festus…and the process had to begin all over again. In the meanwhile, m Paul remained a prisoner…at Felix’s good pleasure. 

“When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭24‬:‭27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Another hearing…another defence…

“After spending eight or ten days with them, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he convened the court and ordered that Paul be brought before him. When Paul came in, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him. They brought many serious charges against him, but they could not prove them. Then Paul made his defense: “I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭25‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Finally…after the umpteenth time of telling his story, Paul got his break. Festus gave Paul a choice…

“Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?” 

Why Jerusalem? He had already defended himself before the Sanhedrin there to no avail. His story had almost got himself killed. Not again. His only alternative was to go to the top. 

Paul answered: “I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!””

‭‭Acts‬ ‭25‬:‭9‬-‭11‬ NIV

That did it! The die was caste. He was destined for Rome and nothing or no one could stop him now. Festus was obliged to honour his decision…

And so…the preparations were made. Paul was going to Rome…at government expense!

To be continued

ACTS THE SEQUEL…HURRY UP AND WAIT – 58

Bible Study, ,

“He wrote a letter as follows: Claudius Lysias, To His Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings…So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul with them during the night and brought him as far as Antipatris. The next day they let the cavalry go on with him, while they returned to the barracks. When the cavalry arrived in Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and handed Paul over to him. The governor read the letter and asked what province he was from. Learning that he was from Cilicia, he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers get here.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod’s palace.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭23‬:‭25‬-‭26‬, ‭31‬-‭35‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The commander of the barracks in Jerusalem thankfully handed Paul over to the authorities in Caesarea with a letter of explanation. Paul was a hot potato! He was a Roman citizen in trouble over a religious issue with the religious leaders in Jerusalem. He was accused of behaviour that enraged the Jewish authorities but…he had no idea what to do. This was a matter for judgement that he could not give as a military officer. Best the governor of the province handle it. 

So, Paul was catapulted into a situation where he was told to hurry up and wait! Roman and Jewish law demanded that he face his accusers and defend himself in their presence but…they were in Jerusalem and he was in Caesarea. So, once again, he had to kick his heels in uncertainty, in prison, until his accusers came to lay their charges against him. 

“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. 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. Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭24‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It seems that a Roman lawyer, a man with a Roman name, was engaged to present the charges…a well-oiled, trumped up case, padded with flattery and lacking in evidence. What kind of lawyer was that? He presented Paul’s case, not as a charge to be investigated but as a verdict already decided. Who was the “we”…where were the witnesses…what evidence did they bring…was the guilty verdict beyond reasonable doubt? None of this! Only “we have found this man…guilty as charged.”

“We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.” The other Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭24‬:‭5‬-‭6‬, ‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭

Non only did this crooked lawyer express his verdict…Paul was guilty of all the charges laid against him… but he also suggested that Felix, the governor, would also reach the same conclusion. 

“By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.”

How could Felix determine Paul’s guilt or innocence without genuine evidence or credible witnesses? Even the Jews who came from Jerusalem had nothing to say except assent to the verdict. Accusations carry no weight without evidence. 

Fortunately for Paul, he was given the opportunity to speak for himself. 

“When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: “I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense. You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭24‬:‭10‬-‭13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Paul’s defence was long, detailed, and credible… no flattery…no buttering up the governor…He  told his story simply from beginning to end. He even called on witnesses who could verify his story if they were there. Not even those present could accuse Paul of criminal conduct. 

“But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me. Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin— unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’ ”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭24‬:‭19‬-‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The witnesses, who should have been there to corroborate the charges, were absent. The crowd who heard his defence before the Sanhedrin were also missing. There were plenty of people who could have spoken for Paul. His only crime was to believe in the resurrection. What sort of crime was that…especially in the ears of a Roman, pagan judge?

“Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.” He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭24‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Felix was trapped. He knew that Paul was innocent but, at the same time, he wanted to placate the Jews. What was he to do? Pass the buck! Give someone else the responsibility of deciding Paul’s fate. “So, Paul, here’s the plan. Hurry up and wait!”

And wait he did! For two years…incarcerated for crimes he did not commit. This was enough to drive any sane person crazy… but not Paul…

To be continued 

ACTS THE SEQUEL…THE PLOT AND THE PLAN – 57

Bible Study, ,

“The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks. The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

God’s word is like a bridge connecting present and future events by a solid walkway into the unknown. His promise provides certainty in uncertain circumstances. 

God’s promise came to Paul before the plot to kill him was uncovered. So, despite the threat, he had a word from the Lord to steady and guide him as he navigated his way towards Rome… He knew he would reach Rome because God had said so. 

“The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul…But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the by centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.” So he took him to the commander. The centurion said, “Paul, the prisoner, sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.” The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, “What is it you want to tell me?””

‭‭Acts‬ ‭23‬:‭10‬-‭12‬, ‭16‬-‭19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How was it that Paul’s nephew happened to be in the right place at the right time? How was it that the commander happened to treat the young man kindly, listen to him, and believe his story? How was it that this commander acted immediately and removed Paul from danger that same night?

“Then he called two of his centurions and ordered them, “Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight. Provide horses for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭23‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This was God’s sovereignty, providence, and intervention at work! He was orchestrating and supervising each step of Paul’s journey to Rome…and at the Roman government’s expense! For Paul, it may have seemed like a long, circuitous, and rough ride… but the Lord was surely in it from start to finish…of that he was convinced. 

So, Paul was content to follow the cues, and to read the signs. Always sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit, he was bold, courageous, and unashamed to tell his story and to bear witness to Jesus whenever and wherever he could. 

 Paul’s enemies had a plot but…God had a plan. As long as He was in charge, human schemes would never succeed against His purposes. He turned every adversity to Paul’s advantage. He used every trial and every hardship as tools to accomplish His purpose and to finish what He started. 

So, from Jerusalem to Caesarea, the first leg of Paul’s journey to Rome, was accomplished but…there were still many months of frustration, uncertainty, and patience ahead of Paul before God’s promise would be fulfilled. God was never in a hurry. There were people who would join the caste in this narrative… Paul’s story would be told before kings…and even miracles would happen before Paul would reach his destination. 

As the details were added, day by day, bringing shape and colour to this picture God was painting…what the purpose and what would the end result look like? 

We can only marvel as we catch glimpses of what God was doing. Paul himself summed it up in his magnificent outburst of praise as he contemplated the glory of God’s plan for Israel. 

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭11‬:‭33‬-‭36‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God was moving Paul, step by step, towards Rome. No matter how many twists and turns his journey took, no matter how many deviations and detours…he would reach his destination, safe and intact because God had made the plan and determined the way. 

Is it not true that we, in the midst of our troubles, can see only darkness, uncertainty, and insecurity. Imagine what Paul must have felt like as he was hurried off in the night, under heavy guard, to escape his killers…or in those long, tedious days in prison in Caesarea…waiting…for what? What did he think when his advice was later disregarded…and a vicious storm battered the fragile boat until all aboard the ship lost hope? What about those months on an island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, not knowing what would happen next? 

These frightening circumstances, on hindsight, tell an amazing story of God’s goodness, faithfulness, and power…weaving together the dark and light threads of a tapestry so incredible that only God Himself could have made it all possible. Truly, to Him alone belonged the honour, praise, and glory…

…but…I am rushing ahead of myself…

To be continued

ACTS THE SEQUEL…THE TIDE BEGINS TO TURN – 56

Bible Study, ,

“Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ” The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He’s not fit to live!” As they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, the commander ordered that Paul be taken into the barracks. He directed that he be flogged and interrogated in order to find out why the people were shouting at him like this. As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there, “Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been found guilty?” When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and reported it. “What are you going to do?” he asked. “This man is a Roman citizen.” The commander went to Paul and asked, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” “Yes, I am,” he answered. Then the commander said, “I had to pay a lot of money for my citizenship.” “But I was born a citizen,” Paul replied. Those who were about to interrogate him withdrew immediately. The commander himself was alarmed when he realized that he had put Paul, a Roman citizen, in chains.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭22‬:‭21‬-‭29‬

‭

Well, what a turn of events! Again…assumption almost cost Paul a flogging. The Roman centurion has not asked questions. He has simply assumed something that was not true. 

Let’s pause for a moment and learn a lesson from Paul’s protest.  Jesus said something that we often take at face value without examining the context. 

Google AI provides an accurate interpretation of this instruction. 

“Turn the other cheek” is a teaching from Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:38–42), advising against violent retaliation when insulted or wronged. Rather than passive submission, it is interpreted as a proactive, nonviolent stance that breaks the cycle of vengeance, often turning the tables by refusing to engage in an aggressor’s game.”

Key Aspects of the Teaching:

  • Context: Found in Matthew 5:39, Jesus contrasts this with the old law of “an eye for an eye,” designed to limit vengeance, by introducing a new, creative way of dealing with injustice.
  • Nonviolent Resistance: It means not retaliating in kind. It is a way to assert dignity as an equal, refusing to be treated as an inferior, even after being struck or insulted.
  • Examples of Action: The passage also includes giving your cloak if sued for your coat, and going two miles if forced to go one, emphasizing generosity and radical grace over selfishness.
  • Love Your Enemies: This instruction is tied to the broader command to love enemies and pray for persecutors, acting as children of God.

Common Interpretations:

  • Refusing to Retaliate: Focusing on forgiving personal slights rather than fighting back.
  • Cultural Context: In that era, a backhand slap on the right cheek was often used to assert dominance; offering the other cheek forced the aggressor to treat the person as an equal.
  • Not Absolute Pacifism: Many interpretations suggest it is not a call to allow violent, dangerous abuse, but a refusal to repay evil with evil. 

This command is a hallmark of Christian ethics, urging followers to be “peacemakers” by responding to hatred with love and grace.”

This rather-long explanation gives us insight into the cultural context in which Jesus was speaking. Non-retaliation does not mean passive submission. 

Jesus never advocated a “doormat” attitude to unfair treatment. However, we must never retaliate. We must rather, in a respectful way, remind our aggressor of our right to dignity. 

So, we see that Paul simply appealed to his right as a Roman citizen as a factor in the mix. 

From that moment, when Paul appealed to his Roman citizenship, the centurion did everything in his power to protect Paul and to see that he was treated justly. 

“The commander wanted to find out exactly why Paul was being accused by the Jews. So the next day he released him and ordered the chief priests and all the members of the Sanhedrin to assemble. Then he brought Paul and had him stand before them.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭22‬:‭30‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The centurion’s first move was to give Paul a fair hearing before his accusers. 

“Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!” Those who were standing near Paul said, “How dare you insult God’s high priest!” Paul replied, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭23‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Once again, Paul protested being bullied. One wonders whether his retort was really ignorance of the identity of the high priest who initiated it or whether his response to the rebuke was sarcasm?

“Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.” When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees believe all these things.) There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Pharisees stood up and argued vigorously. “We find nothing wrong with this man,” they said. “What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭23‬:‭6‬-‭10‬ NIV

Paul was also shrewd. He knew how to “play his cards right” in a dangerous situation. Rather than simply defending himself by telling his story, he aligned himself with the Pharisees by appealing to his status as a Pharisee and his belief in the resurrection. 

Paul knew exactly what the response would be. His defence turned into a riot when the Pharisees and Sadducees turned on each other.  Was this a signal to the Roman authorities that the charge against him had no weight? 

In the end, it was clear that this was a religious fight, a struggle between two philosophies. Paul, the erstwhile Pharisee, was aligned with one faction, but he was not one of them because he preached that Jesus, hated and hounded to death by the Pharisees, was alive and proved to be the Son of God by His resurrection. 

This was a hot potato, a battle outside the jurisdiction of Rome, and a problem that could not be solved by military intervention. Best the commander pass it on to the appropriate authorities. This would soon happen faster than he had planned. 

To be continued