Religion & Spirituality
The Apostle Paul beforeFelix, Festus, and Agrippa Matthew 10 :16 -20 Luke 21 : 12 - 15 Apostle Paul in Acts, thus far: lowered in a basket (9:25) stoned and dragged out (14:19) beaten and jailed (16:23-24) ‘arrested’ by a mob in the temple, beaten outside the temple (21:31) Marcus Antonius Felix: Acts 24 Procurator of Judaea (normally financial-civil), mixed with roles as 12th Governor & Proconsul. ruled in Caesaria Maritima (75 km NW of Jerusalem). in office from 52 AD to 59 AD. Hated by the Jews. crushed rebellions (violently, e.g. Egyptian ‘Messiah’). casually imprisoned Paul for 2 years. recalled by Emperor Nero but left Paul in prison. Acts 24: 10 - 25 Porcius Festus: Acts 24:27 - 26:32 replaced Felix in Caesaria. 13th Governor of Judaea in office 59 AD to 61 AD aristocrat with military experience (as a Consul). died in office 2 yrs after hearing Paul. Act 25:6-11 King Herod Agrippa II: Acts 26:1-32 the 8th such ‘ruler’, the Herodian Dynasty was Edomite. Reign began when father died Acts 12. great-grandson of Herod the Great. lived from 28 AD to 93 AD. overthrown by the Jews in the rebellion of 66 AD (which ended with the complete destruction of Temple in 70 AD by General Titus). Act 25:18-22 ACT 26:1-6 ACT 26:23-29 Three facts (background knowledge for the mind): 1. The man before you is a creation of God, loved by God. Gen.1:27 2. Respect for such authorities (such as Roman authorities). - Romans 13:4 They do not “…. bear the sword for nothing….” - Acts 24:16 “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men.” 3. Potentates are ‘petty’ potentates, ‘here today gone tomorrow’. - (… and pompous & venal & egotistical & ignorant, and … ) - note interest in bribery money (Felix). - Paul often wrote about the powers that be (and we know that these powers can also be influenced by Satan). Romans 13:1-5 Three attitudes (background standing of the heart): 1. Earthly authorities have power but God's is greater. - have confidence. - Romans 8 (I may end up in jail but epistles can get written in jail, jailers get saved, ....) 2. Commune with God always. Psalms 37. - face the situation as if Jesus is standing beside you. 3. This is an opportunity. - hard to remember in the moment. - speak well! Be a testimony (even to the 'undeserving'). - Eph 6:13 “…having done all to withstand – STAND!" Psalm 37 :3-8 Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Nehemiah 2 4Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. 5And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it.