September 04, 2020, Proverbs cont..., Acts cont....

 Acts cont..

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. 

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. 

Though out the book of acts we see beautiful signs and wonders and the joy of the Holy Spirit but in this passage the writer saw fit to share Paul's experience with the Jews in Jerusalem. I think its important because if you stand at different corners of a room or at different ends of a street we see different perspectives. 

• Of course we know spiritually the devil is attacking Paul but it is happening through difficult people who are bringing charges against him. 

Their story and charges against Paul seem to grow bigger as when the reach the govenor. 

They are embellishing and falsifying their story with the hopes that Paul will be sentenced to death. 

1. At first it seems like they are big on the law but look at how the laws being broken.
2. Peter and the other apostles experience similar situations; however the persecution of Paul goes into details and shows the depth of their desire to rid the earth of Paul. 

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 their accusation, asserting that these things were true. 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 years ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone in the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues of anywhere else in the city. And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me. 

Paul ask for proof. He tells them to show something concrete that supports or prove what they say to be true. That's fair. That's natural and it moves the situation away from mere thinking or imaginations of man that can be flawed and used by the devil. 

However, I admit that I worship God of our ancestors as a follower of the way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that it is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. So i strive to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

I like how Paul honors their faith and he does not take the time to speak of ill of them, or describe all the horrible things they have done to him. He does not insult them, and he supports their faith in God even though they want him to look like a troublemaker,  (they are going the wrong way).

 Paul extends grace to them. 

After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts form the poor and to present offerings. I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was not crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance. 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 Sandhedrin---unless it was this one thing I shouted in their presence: It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today. 

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. 

• Well Felix knows he is innocent, the guard already told him the right story. So when they show up with a worst story against Paul; he already knows they are embellishing circumstances. He also is familiar with the way.  I love how he allows both parties to speak. He allows them to accuse and he allows Paul to defend himself. 

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 judgement 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. 

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. 

Proverbs 18 cont..

When wickedness comes, so does contempt, 

and with shame comes reproach.

The words of the mouth are deep waters, 

but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.

It is not good to be partial to the wicked

and so deprive the innocent of justice.

The lips of fools bring them strife, 

and their mouths invite a beating. 

The mouths of fools are their undoing, 

and their lips are a snare to their very lives. 

The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; 

they go down into the inmost parts.

One who is slack in his work

is brother to him who destroys.

The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; 

the righteous run to it and are safe. 

The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; 

they imagine it a wall too high to scale. 

Before a downfall the heart is haughty, 

but humility comes before honor.

To answer before listening--

that is folly and shame. 

The human spirit can endure in sickness, 

but a crushed spirit who can bear? 

The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, 

for the ears of the wise seek it out.

A gift opens the way

and ushers the giver into the presence of the great. 

In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, 

until someone comes forward and cross examines.

Casting the lot settles the disputes

and keeps strong opponents apart. 

A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; 

disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.

Have a great Day!