Acts 24

Well, guys, I have already written this post, saved it as a draft, and when I went back to it, it was gone!! Aaugh!! Not good. I guess God wanted me to reread Acts 24. LOL

The Jewish people hire a lawyer to present their case against Paul before Gov. Felix. The attorney begins by shmoozing Felix...like any good lawyer, right? LOL Wondering why Luke chooses to mention it here. Verses 3-5 The greatest charge the Jews had against Paul was that they claimed he was a rebel and was stirring up sedition (rebellion).

Paul starts his defence; Luke also shows here that Paul did not begin with flattery but reminds Felix that he, the Gov., was very up on Jewish customs and laws. Paul reminds him, " But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked." v. 14-15

Note: After reading this post my husband asked about what it meant: The resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. Check out this website: http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1329-the-resurrection-of-the-wicked. Interesting reading. From the few sources I read, Paul is referring to the bodies being raised into eternal life, something the pharisees believed and the sadducees did not. Both kinds of bodies will be resurrected to either stand before God in judgement or stand before God for reward. One commentary said something interesting...they said that those who never heard of God would be judged only on their works while on earth. Sounds good, I just don't know where they got that and if it is Biblical. I do know that God knows the heart.

The great hope of the Jewish people was the resurrection and that is exactly what Paul was giving them. Wow. Would I have recognized it if I had been this first century Jew? Like today, God had to open the hearts and minds of those He was going to call. So since He has called me today, I would have been called then. Paul ends his defense with, "For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today." v.21

Felix keeps Paul in custody, but with some freedoms. Paul witnesses to Felix when summoned. "But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgement to come, Felix became frightened..." v. 25 Paul gets on Felix's bad side here, because Felix does not possess these qualities - "Living with a woman he had lured away from her husband, Felix obviously lacked righteousness and self-control." John MacArthur. So Paul stays stuck in prison for 2 more years to the end of the Governor's term.



My Life is in You, Lord!