Tag Archives: Felix

THE BOOK OF ACTS – SO NEAR AND YET SO FAR!

Bible Study, ,

SO NEAR AND YET SO FAR!

“Felix shilly-shallied. He knew far more about the Way than he let on, and could have settled the case then and there. But uncertain of his best move politically, he played for time. ‘When Captain Lysias comes down, I’ll decide your case.’ He gave orders to the centurion to keep Paul in custody, but to more or less give him the run of the place and not to prevent his friends from helping him.

“A few days later Felix and his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish, sent for Paul and listened to him talk about a life of believing in Jesus Christ. As Paul continued to insist on right relations with God and His people, about a life of moral discipline and the coming judgement, Felix felt things getting a little too close for comfort and dismissed him. ‘That’s enough for today. I’ll call you back when it’s convenient.’ At the same time he secretly hoped that Paul would offer him a substantial bribe. These conversations were repeated frequently.

“After two years of this, Felix was replaced by Porcius Festus. Still playing up to the Jews and ignoring justice, Felix left Paul in prison.” Acts 24:22-27 (The Message).

Ugh! How Paul must have chafed at this situation! He knew that he was not guilty of the Jews’ ridiculous charges and so did Felix. He was given free run of Herod’s palace and yet he was still under house arrest. His friends could come and go but he was confined to the palace. He must have felt like he was in limbo, free but not free.

Did he ever question God or was he content to be where he was, secure in God’s plan and knowing that he would eventually get to Rome? One thing Paul continued to do and he could do it anywhere; that was to testify about Jesus. Felix and Drusilla got their fair share of Paul’s story. He made sure that his sword of truth was always polished and sharp.

One wonders why God allowed him to languish in prison for another two years before the governorship changed hands. Was He waiting for Festus to take over, being a more decisive man to take action, or was He perhaps giving Festus an opportunity to hear Paul and also make a choice regarding Jesus?

As far as Paul was concerned, he was a love-slave of Jesus and any circumstances that He ordained were good enough for him as long as he could continue to live his life as an obedient son carrying out his Master’s good pleasure. Every day he enjoyed His presence and fellowship and in that Paul was content.

Felix was playing with fire, literally. His motive for keeping Paul locked up was purely selfish and driven by greed. He kept Paul incarcerated because he was fascinated with the man yet unwilling to heed what he was being told. Imagine that! For two whole years he amused himself by having Paul talk to him about Jesus, yet he was never persuaded. How hardened his heart must have become for the love of money!

Did Paul ever give up hoping, and praying, that Felix’ heart would be softened and that he would also bow to Jesus? Every time he was summoned to the governor, did he hope that that would be the day that Felix would respond? It never happened and, after two years, Felix and his family went off to wherever they were sent without ever getting the pay-out he was hoping for and leaving Paul to wonder what would happen to him.

I am sure that Paul also made use of this time to sharpen his understanding of the Word of God. His books no doubt accompanied him and he had time on his hands for study and prayer, knowing that he was on his way to the capital city of the empire. He needed to be fully equipped and ready because he had no idea what lay ahead for him.

It is during times like these that the true character of the believer is revealed. Is this the time for whining about circumstances or is it the time to prepare and be ready for the next phase of the journey? Let’s ask Paul. “‘I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances…'” Philippians 4:11b (NIV). How did he learn? By learning!

THE BOOK OF ACTS – HONED BY SUFFERING

Bible Study, ,

HONED BY SUFFERING

“From Claudius Lysias to the Most Honourable Governor Felix: Greetings!

“I rescued this man from a Jewish mob. They had seized him and were about to kill him when I learned that he was a Roman citizen. So I sent in my soldiers. Wanting to know what he had done wrong, I had him brought before their council. It turned out to be a squabble turned vicious over some of their religious differences, but nothing remotely criminal.

“The next thing I knew, they had cooked up a plot to murder him. I decided that for his own safety I’d better get him out of here in a hurry. So I’m sending him to you. I’m informing his accusers that he’s now under your jurisdiction.” Acts 23:25-30 (The Message).

In the mercy and plan of God, the plot of the Jews to ambush and kill Paul had moved him a little closer to his final destination, Rome. The Roman captain had acted quickly to get Paul out of Jerusalem and away from the angry mob. He was now handing him over to the man who had the authority to send him to Rome for trial by Caesar himself.

“The soldiers, following orders, took Paul that same night to safety in Antipatris. In the morning, the soldiers returned to their barracks in Jerusalem, sending Paul on to Caesarea under guard of the cavalry. The cavalry entered Caesarea and handed Paul and the letter over to the governor.

“After reading the letter, the governor asked Paul what province he came from and was told ‘Cilicia.’ Then he said, ‘I’ll take up your case when your accusers show up.’ He ordered him locked up for the meantime in Herod’s official quarters.” Acts 23:31-35 (The Message).

Paul must have breathed a sigh of relief to know that he was now in the hands of the governor himself and out of reach of his enemies. The next time he had to face them it would be in a Roman court where the Jews would not be able to lay a finger on him. He would be able to speak for himself without the mob shouting him down. The governor would be a disinterested party who was not personally involved in the religious quarrel that had sparked this mess.

For the moment Paul was imprisoned in the quarters of King Herod himself – a far cry from the deprivation he had suffered over the years of his missionary service. Wow! God knew how to care for His servant in his time of need. After his years of hardship and travel, he had respite and time to recover and prepare himself for the next phase of his journey with the Lord.

How did Paul view what was happening to him right then? He did not say, but in his letter to the Philippian church from his prison in Rome, he characteristically looked on the bright side, recognising his opportunity to be a witness for Jesus right among the royal palace guard where he was being held.

How should we view the adversities that come our way? We have one of two options — blame the devil and see ourselves as helpless victims waiting to be rescued, or embrace the truth that God has promised that He is always with us and He will work everything out for our good and for His glory.

Hardships are the times when we are being honed and polished to be true sons of God. Without the disciplines of life, we would be as flabby and spineless as jellyfish. God is passionate about training us to be sons, serenely confident in our Father’s love and His purpose to put His glory on display through us. The real test comes when we have no crutches to lean on.

So Near And Yet So Far!

Bible Study, , ,

SO NEAR AND YET SO FAR!

“Felix shilly-shallied. He knew far more about the Way than he let on, and could have settled the case then and there. But uncertain of his best move politically, he played for time. ‘When Captain Lysias comes down, I’ll decide your case.’ He gave orders to the centurion to keep Paul in custody, but to more or less give him the run of the place and not to prevent his friends from helping him.

“A few days later Felix and his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish, sent for Paul and listened to him talk about a life of believing in Jesus Christ. As Paul continued to insist on right relations with God and His people, about a life of moral discipline and the coming judgement, Felix felt things getting a little too close for comfort and dismissed him. ‘That’s enough for today. I’ll call you back when it’s convenient.’ At the same time he secretly hoped that Paul would offer him a substantial bribe. These conversations were repeated frequently.

“After two years of this, Felix was replaced by Porcius Festus. Still playing up to the Jews and ignoring justice, Felix left Paul in prison.” Acts 24:23-27 (The Message).

Ugh! How Paul must have chafed at this situation! He knew that he was not guilty of the Jews’ ridiculous charges and so did Felix. He was given free run of Herod’s palace and yet he was still under house arrest. His friends could come and go but he was confined to the palace. He must have felt like he was in limbo, free but not free.

Did he ever question God or was he content to be where he was, secure in God’s plan and knowing that he would eventually get to Rome? One thing Paul continued to do and he could do it anywhere, that was to testify about Jesus. Felix and Drusilla got their fair share of Paul’s story. He made sure that his sword of truth was always polished and sharp.

One wonders why God allowed him to languish in prison for another two years before the governorship changed hands. Was He waiting for Festus to take over, being a more decisive man to take action, or was He perhaps giving Festus an opportunity to hear Paul and also make a choice regarding Jesus?

As far as Paul was concerned, he was a love-slave of Jesus and any circumstances that He ordained were good enough for him as long as he could continue to live his life as an obedient son carrying out his Master’s good pleasure. Every day he enjoyed His presence and fellowship and in that Paul was content.

Felix was playing with fire, literally. His motive for keeping Paul locked up was purely selfish and driven by greed. He kept Paul incarcerated because he was fascinated with the man yet unwilling to heed what he was being told. Imagine that! For two whole years he amused himself by having Paul talk to him about Jesus, yet he was never persuaded. How hardened his heart must have become for the love of money!

Did Paul ever give up hoping, and praying, that Felix’ heart would be softened and that he would also bow to Jesus? Every time he was summoned to the governor, did he hope that that would be the day that Felix would respond? It never happened and, after two years, Felix and his family went off to wherever they were sent without ever getting the pay-out he was hoping for and leaving Paul to wonder what would happen to him.

I am sure that Paul also made use of this time to sharpen his understanding of the Word of God. His books no doubt accompanied him and he had time on his hands for study and prayer, knowing that he was on his way to the capital city of the empire. He needed to be fully equipped and ready because he had no idea what lay ahead for him.

It is during times like these that the true character of the believer is revealed. Is this the time for whining about circumstances or is it the time to prepare and be ready for the next phase of the journey? Let’s ask Paul. “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances…” Philippians 4:11b (NIV). How did he learn? By learning!

The Case For The Prosecution

Bible Study, , ,

THE CASE FOR THE PROSECUTION

“Within five days, the Chief Priest Ananias arrived with a contingent of leaders, along with Tertullius, a trial lawyer. They presented the governor with their case against Paul. When Paul was called before the court, Tertullius spoke for the prosecution: ‘Most Honourable Felix, we are most grateful in all times and places for your wise and gentle rule. We are much aware that it is because of you and you alone that we enjoy this peace and gain daily profit from your reforms. I’m not going to tire you out with a long speech. I beg your kind indulgence in listening to me. I’ll be quite brief.

“‘We’ve found this man time and again disturbing the peace, stirring up riots against Jews all over the world, the ringleader of a seditious sect called Nazarenes. He’s a real bad apple, I must say. We caught him trying to defile our holy Temple and arrested him. You’ll be able to verify all these accusations when you examine him yourself.’

“The Jews joined in: ‘Hear! Hear! That’s right!'” Acts 24:1-9 (The Message).

It wasn’t long before the big guns arrived in Caesarea along with their lawyer, Tertullius, a Roman by his name. This scenario and the circumstances surrounding Paul’s arrest and trial seem to be following a pattern, reminiscent of what happened to his Master.

We wait with baited breath to hear the charge, lies skilfully woven by a clever and unscrupulous lawyer and wrapped in words of syrupy flattery designed to butter up the governor and give him a warm fuzzy feeling towards these troublesome Jews. One wonders how Paul felt about Tertullius’ preamble, knowing full well that he was not responsible for the rioting that dogged him from city to city. which seems to be the basis for his arrest.

Tertullius should have known that, as a lawyer it was not his prerogative to influence the court on the prisoner’s innocence or guilt. His job was to present the case for the prosecution and allow the court to decide. His so-called “evidence” was nothing but prejudice and hearsay with no witnesses to bolster up his accusations.

I am no lawyer but it does not take a trained legal mind to shoot holes in this man’s evidence. His presentation was nothing but pronouncements and opinions with no examination of the facts. He accused Paul of stirring up riots, of being the ringleader of a seditious sect, of being a “bad apple” but where were the witnesses and where was the evidence? On what was he basing these statements?

Tertullius was representing men who, like their predecessors, were putting a man on trial for his life on trumped-up charges to satisfy their own prejudice, not because any of their accusations were true. It would take a wise judge to see through their plot and give an impartial verdict based on the evidence presented. One wonders how much Tertullius was paid off to use his training to sway the governor.

It was a case of how much heat and how much light was operating in this court case. Terullius was using all his skills to turn up the heat. If he could whip up enough emotion against Paul, he would win the case and place Paul at the mercy of a governor sympathetic to their cause. It would be up to Paul to enlighten Felix on the facts if he wanted to shake off the lies that were tying him up.

For Felix it was a matter of how clearly he saw through the religious scruples which had set the whole conflagration off. There were times in Paul’s experience when authorities recognised the issue to be nothing but Jewish religious squabbles and would have nothing to do with them. Would Felix recognise that what lay behind this auspicious group of religious hierarchy was nothing but petty nit-picking?

Strange as it may seem, it was the accusers who were on trial, not the accused. Every false accusation they made exposed their own wicked hearts and laid them open to the verdict of guilty, which they so desperately wanted Felix to pass on their enemy, Paul.

In The Nick Of Time

Bible Study, , , ,

IN THE NICK OF TIME!

“Paul’s nephew, his sister’s son, overheard them plotting the ambush. He went immediately to the barracks and told Paul. Paul called over one of the centurions and said, ‘Take this young man to the captain. He has something important to tell him.'” Acts 23:16-17 (The Message).

Enter God again, in the nick of time! He had His agent, planted in the right place at the right time.

Just when it seemed that nothing could save Paul, his young nephew caught the sound of the enemy at work and quickly reported it to Paul. This is the first time any family member of Paul is ever mentioned. There is no indication of his age or why he was in Jerusalem. He was there and he knew enough of what was going on with his uncle to understand the threat and do something about it.

“The centurion brought him to the captain and said, ‘The prisoner Paul asked me to bring this young man to you. He says he has something urgent to tell you.’

“The captain took him by the arm and led him aside privately. ’’What is it? What do you have to tell me?’

“Paul’s nephew said, ‘The Jews have worked up a plot against Paul. They’re going to ask you to bring Paul to the council first thing in the morning on the pretext that they want to investigate the charges against him in more detail. But it’s a trick to get him out of your safe keeping so that they can murder him. Right now there are more than forty men lying in ambush for him. They’ve all taken a vow to neither eat nor drink until they’ve killed him. The ambush is set — all they’re waiting for is for you to send him over.'” Acts 23:18-21 (The Message).

There is was, the plot exposed! It was now up to the captain to believe the young man’s story and take quick action, or dismiss it as a family plot to get Paul released. It was in the captain’s favour that he took Paul’s words seriously when he told him earlier that he was a Roman citizen, and now, this boy’s story when the plot was disclosed to him.

There was now no longer any reason to delay in indecision. Paul had to be spirited out of Jerusalem at once and placed beyond the reach of these murderous Jews. It would seem that they would stop at nothing to get him out of their hair. One wonders what happened about their vow. They were so sure of themselves that they vowed not to eat or drink until they had succeeded in killing Paul. Did they sign their own death warrant by their hunger strike or did they give up on their vow when their plot fell apart?

“The captain dismissed the nephew with a warning: ‘Don’t breathe a word of this to a soul.’

“The captain called up two centurions. ‘Get two hundred soldiers ready to go immediately to Caesarea. Also seventy cavalry and two hundred light infantry. I want them ready to march by nine o’clock tonight. And you’ll need a couple of mules for Paul and his gear. We’re going to present this man safe and sound to Governor Felix.'” Acts 23:22-24 (The Message).

Quite a hefty escort for one man! The captain was taking no chances with Paul. With forty ruffians out there somewhere waiting in ambush, he had to have Paul safely surrounded by enough guards to ward off any attack. Of course, the would-be killers had no idea that their plot had been uncovered. No doubt Paul would have been taken out of Jerusalem by a route unguarded by the men in ambush. They would wait in vain for their victim, hungry and thirsty and thwarted by one young man’s alertness.

Where was God in all this? Like the story of Esther, unmentioned but right there, keeping watch and setting things up for Paul’s escape. After all, had He not said that Paul would testify to Him in Rome?