Acts 25:13-27

Dear RTB’ers,

Paul before Festus in Caesarea. Festus and Felix… Dramatic differences in these two leaders. In more than two years Felix did nothing with Paul, his prisoner, except to please the Jewish people by keeping him confined, all the while hoping for a bribe from him. Felix is called back to Rome and Festus comes to Caesarea. Three days after his arrival he goes to Jerusalem, the leading city in his region and meets with the religious authorities there. He accommodates their wishes by ordering a hearing in Caesarea, whereupon Paul appeals to Rome rather than allow himself to be examined by the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem. All this has happened with Festus in about two weeks! Now while Festus has Paul “on hold”, waiting to send him on to Rome, an opportunity presents itself when King Agrippa pays him a visit. Festus can now examine Paul in a civil setting (non-judicial) so he can better understand why he has this prisoner in his custody – and what to write to the Roman authorities when he sends Paul off to Rome. Festus is doing his job well!!

Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. (v. 13) Just reading through the text in the past, I had assumed that Agrippa and Bernice were husband and wife, king and queen. However, it turns out that they were brother and sister – with some rumors of an incestual relationship between them. As for how Agrippa fits into this picture with Festus, it’s much the same relationship as some years prior with King Herod and Pontius Pilate. When Jesus was tried, Pilate was a governor serving under King Herod. Now with Paul, Festus is a governor serving under King Agrippa.

Festus is the new kid in town. He acknowledges his shortcomings in today’s last two verses: But I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that, after we have examined him, I may have something to write. For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him. (vv. 26-27) So Festus is quite the opportunist – saving face and trying to look competent!! But maybe that’s not so bad. He’s new to the area, unfamiliar with the people and their customs. He is making use of an authority figure so that he can better understand a complicated situation. Festus may be something of an opportunist here, but I think he is also making the best use of the resources at his disposal. Not a bad model to follow…

Blessings!

Acts 24:22-25:12

Dear RTB’ers,

Paul before Felix and Festus in Caesarea. …wishing to do the Jews a favor… (twice, Acts 24:27, 25:8). The Roman governor of Judea and Samaria needed the support of the leading Jews in order to maintain peace in the region. This is not the first time that we have seen this accommodation: About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. He killed James … and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also… (Acts 12:1-3a)

More than two years have passed since Paul stood before Felix while the Jews brought charges against him. So Festus arrives as the new governor and very quickly takes a trip to Jerusalem. There he visits the Jewish council and (presumably) asks what issues they want to discuss. So first and foremost, these leaders want Paul tried before their council. More than two years have gone by and Paul is still foremost in their minds. Unbelievable!! The fear that the Jewish leaders had of this new religion and this powerful preacher…

So Paul was being tried before Festus in Caesarea, when Festus asked Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” (v. 9b) Those charges were charges by the Jewish leaders, presumably that Paul had committed crimes against the Law or the temple or Caesar (v. 8) But Paul was already before Festus’ tribunal in Caesarea and his Jewish accusers were before him. Why was this situation not sufficient for a trial? Why would Festus offer Jerusalem, except to appease the Jews? And why would Paul say, “I appeal to Caesar.” (v. 11b) Why would he not say that he was already before a Roman tribunal in Caesarea, with no need to go elsewhere? Or was this appeal Paul’s ticket to get to Rome – where he had long desired to go? Interesting…!

Blessings!

Acts 24:1-21

Dear RTB’ers,

Paul before Felix in Caesarea. And after five days… (v. 1a) would be two days for a messenger from Caesarea to Jerusalem, one day of planning by the Jewish authorities, and another two days of travel back to Caesarea.

If you are reading an ESV translation, you will notice a numerical gap between verses 6 and 8. My Study Bible has a note that the following verses (6b-8a) are missing in the earliest translations: “…and we would have judged him according to our law. ⁷But the chief captain Lysias came and with great violence took him out of our hands, ⁸commanding his accusers to come before you.” These verses are absent in the ESV and other translations, but are included in the NASB (the one that I mostly read) and other translations.

Tertullus speaking: “For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.” (v. 5) Tertullus is trying to convince the Roman governor that Paul is a serious troublemaker. So first he creates the sense that Paul is something of a terrorist – leading riots throughout the world. Second, he refers to the Christians as Nazarenes. I recall that the Roman authorities had seen the Christians as simply an offshoot of the Jewish religion. Tertullus, however, is trying to claim that there is a new religion in the Roman world, one not acknowledged as legitimate by the Roman authorities.

Paul speaking: “But some Jews from Asia – they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me.” (vv. 18b-19) The “Jews from Asia” again…! Go back to Acts 21:27, When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him… It just dawned on me – recall that Paul wanted to get to Jerusalem before Pentecost. (Acts 20:16) I’m guessing that he made it and that other faithful Jews from around the world, including “the Jews from Asia” (probably Antioch, Lyconium, Derbe) had also made the trip, to be in Jerusalem on one of the three required trips to Jerusalem. That’s why they were there in the temple when they saw Paul. They (not Paul) were the ones creating the “riot” in the temple. Stay tuned!

Blessings!

Acts 23:11-35

Dear RTB’ers,

Paul’s departure from Jerusalem. Again, as we saw in Corinth and Ephesus, the political authorities rescue Paul. Clearly the Lord was watching over him as He had promised, The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about Me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” (v. 11) It’s always been strange to me that the Lord is promising Paul a trip to Rome, when that has long been Paul’s desire! (See Acts 19:21. Also, I have long maintained that it would have been Paul’s desire in Acts 17 to continue west to Rome after Thessalonica, except that for his own safety he was taken south to Berea.)

I’m impressed in verses 17-19 with the influence that Paul has with the Roman authorities. A centurion is in charge of 100 soldiers, but Paul is able to call in this centurion and tell him to take the young boy to the commander, a man in charge of 1000 soldiers. And the centurion does what Paul asks, not even knowing what the message might be. Then the tribune immediately takes Paul’s nephew aside and listens to what he has to say. Paul has the Roman authorities doing what he asks, simply by asking. Impressive!!

When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. … They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul.” (vv. 12, 14) At first glance these two verses seem to have the Jews plotting against Paul just as they had plotted against Jesus. However, there are two important differences here. First, with Jesus it was the Jewish leaders who hatched the plot to have Him killed. Here it appears to be regular Jews (maybe Zealots?) who are planning Paul’s murder. These “commoners” go to the Jewish leaders with their plan, not for approval, but to further what they have already plotted. Second, with Jesus it was the Jewish leaders’ plan to have Jesus killed legally by the Roman authorities, leaving themselves clear of any charge of murder. Here, the Jews are taking it upon themselves to murder Paul – presumably with little regard as to the consequences for any one man or for all forty conspirators. So they succeeded with Jesus and look what happened!

My Study Bible has a note that “spearmen” could also be translated “additional mounts and pack animals”. I like the second translation better. The traveling guard already contained 200 soldiers and 70 horsemen, with Paul also on a horse. Surely the 200 Roman soldiers could withstand incursions by small or even medium-size bands of attackers. And even against a large force the 70 horsemen could get Paul out of danger very quickly. By way of comparison, our Pony Express riders had stations every 10 to 15 to 20 miles, the distance a horse could reasonably run before tiring. So Paul and the 70 horsemen could be free and clear in short order.

Blessings!

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See also: December 15 (2023) / Acts 21:17-24:27

Acts 22:30-23:10

Dear RTB’ers, 

Paul in Jerusalem, continuing. We have a hint today concerning yesterday’s confusion. Recall my comment yesterday: “Up to this word they listened to him. (v. 22a) It’s confusing to me also why the Jews listened to Paul ‘Up to this word…’, and then turned against him.” What “word” bothered them? Today we read that …some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?” (v. 23:9b) Reading this verse, it seems that yesterday’s “Up to this word…” had to do with Paul twice claiming that he had spoken directly with God (Paul speaking): “And I answered, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said to me…” (v. 22:8a); and “And the Lord said to me…” (v. 22:10b) Presumably Paul’s claiming to have spoken directly with God amounted to blasphemy for them. My thoughts…

And Paul said, “ … it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’” (v. 23:5) Since I am clearly guilty of Paul’s admonishment in this verse, I looked up that Old Testament quote (Exodus 22:28). Specifically, it says, You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people. So thankfully, even though I have spoken evil of (some of) our leaders, I have not specifically cursed them. In fact, I have made it a point to pray for them whenever I think about it, as we do every Sunday at church. In this day and age, our political leaders in both parties are clearly in need of prayer!!

Blessings!

Acts 22:17-29

Dear RTB’ers,

Paul in Jerusalem, continuing his speech to the Jewish crowd. Up to this word they listened to him. (v. 22a) It’s confusing to me also why the Jews listened to Paul “Up to this word…”, and then turned against him. I had the same question back in 2020 when we were reading Acts and the Epistles. Why “Up to this word…”? Are they charging him with blasphemy (since they want to kill him)? “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.” (v. 22b) But where is the blasphemy? Is it Paul’s claim of the Lord speaking directly to him? (vv. 18, 21) But the Lord spoke directly to so many of the Old Testament prophets. Again, Jesus’ words come to mind, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!” (Matthew 23:37a) Or “… from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary.” (Luke 11:51a) Why “Up to this word…”? Strange.

So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him. (v. 29) Paul was a Roman citizen. This item was also important back in Acts 16 when Paul and Silas had been jailed in Philippi. Carol and I have felt similar protections as U.S. citizens when traveling abroad. We move around confidently, knowing that we have the U.S. government behind us. Our blue passports are “gold”. Without providing all the details, there was an occasion early in our first year in Slovakia (2004-2005) when someone reported to us that a high official had said, “Give these people what they want; the Embassy is involved.” Such was the power of the U.S. presence in Slovakia – and elsewhere around the world. Paul had that same coverage from Rome and it served him well on a number of occasions – including some reading in the next few chapters.

Blessings!

Acts 21:37-22:16

Dear RTB’ers,

Paul in Jerusalem, speaking to the riotous crowd: “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. I persecuted this Way to the death…” Paul is relating to his audience. They had dragged him out of the temple, and … were intent on killing him… (Acts 20:30b-31a). He knows how they felt. He had been there when they stoned Stephen (Acts 7). He had been one of them! But now he is a changed man.

Today’s reading is one of at least four accounts that we have of Paul’s conversion. The first account takes up most of Acts chapter 9. Later we will see him relating his conversion in Acts 26:9-18. Finally Paul also recounts his conversion in Galatians 1:13-17. The same exact details are not mentioned in all four accounts, so it is difficult to work completely through his conversion, but it seems that he spent some time in Damascus after his conversion preaching in the synagogues until he escaped from the city after the Jews sought to kill him. Then he spent three years in Arabia before returning to Damascus and finally then coming to Jerusalem, as noted in verse 17. Reading that one verse ahead, in Paul telling the story there is a major gap between verses 16 and 17 (Paul quoting Ananias in v. 16): And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name. (Then Paul continuing with his story in v. 17) When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance… I wonder why Paul left out that 3+ year gap. My sense is that Paul felt that his Damascus/Arabia activities were not relevant to this Jerusalem audience. Again, Paul relating to his audience!

Blessings!

Fred

Acts 21:17-36

Dear RTB’ers,

Paul in Jerusalem. If you are reading Acts for the first time, I daresay that you have read beyond verse 36, to see how this incident ends. That’s how good a storyteller Luke, our historian is!

On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. (v. 18) Who is James? My Study Bible noted three things about him, that he was Jesus’ brother, that he wrote the book of James, and that he was the acknowledged leader of the Jerusalem Christians, all of this in spite of the fact that he was not one of the original twelve apostles. We also have Paul’s own testimony, “Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother.” (Galatians 1:18-19) That’s James!

…how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. (v. 20b) We typically think of the last half of the book of Acts with a focus on Paul and his missionary activities among the Gentiles. But those apostles who stayed behind in Jerusalem were having their own ministry. Thousands of those who believed and were baptized on Pentecost Day were probably visitors from Judea, Galilee, and parts beyond. But many were probably from Jerusalem, especially those who were not among the ruling elite, and now some 20-30 years after Jesus’ Ascension we have many thousands among the Jews in and around Jerusalem who are now counted as believers. So the Lord was working throughout the entire known world!!

But not all Jews were happy: …the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him… (v. 27b). Here we have the Jews from Asia again. Paul had cited them in the last chapter (Paul speaking): “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, … with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews…” (Acts 20:18-19) Paul is remembering the Jews from Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe from his first missionary journey. (Acts 13:45, ff.) Recall further that Paul was also hassled by the Jews in Philippi (Acts 16:22, ff.) and in Thessalonica (Acts 17:5, ff.) and in Corinth (Acts 18:12, ff.) and in Ephesus (Acts 19:23,ff.). Seemingly, wherever he went he was hassled by the Jews! Yet he kept on. That’s perseverance!!

We’ll continue this incident tomorrow – if you haven’t already read ahead!

Blessings!

Acts 21:1-16

Dear RTB’ers,

Paul finally arrives in Jerusalem, after stops in Tyre, Ptolemais, and Caesarea. On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. (v. 8) You may remember Philip from Acts 8, his ministry in Samaria and then with the Ethiopian eunuch. That incident ends at Acts 8:39-40: And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea. So Philip ends up in Caesarea and we don’t hear of him again until today’s reading. Presumably he has made a home in Caesarea these 20 to 30 years and has become known as “Philip, the evangelist”. Nice title…!

…and they kept telling Paul, through the Spirit, not to set foot in Jerusalem. (v. 4b) And …we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. (v. 12b) One has to admire Paul’s determination. In spite of these two pleadings and Agabus’ prophecy, Paul continues to Jerusalem. We might infer that they all knew of Jesus’ own prophecy, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it!” (Matthew 23:37a) Paul must have been Spirit-led to continue on this journey!

Blessings!

Acts 20:17-38

Dear RTB’ers,

Paul’s farewell to the Ephesians. The timing of this particular farewell meeting is strange. Paul had been with the Ephesians for more than two years (Acts 19:10). Then he had gone north to revisit churches in Macedonia, south for the same ministry in Achaia, then back north and a final sea trip on his way to Jerusalem. Now Ephesus is a stop along the way, a stop where he did not want to go all the way to the city, but rather called the elders to himself. (Acts 20:16-17) So it’s not the whole church sending him off, but only a few.

Time and again I’ve asked us to put ourselves into the story. Carol and I can clearly do that for this incident. When we moved here from Maryland we said our goodbyes to our Maryland church on our last Sunday, but then during the week our closest friends held a much smaller gathering, only a few of those who were closest to us. And there was weeping as we were saying goodbye. So yes, I can sit there with the Ephesian elders and hear Paul speak and know the depth of his words and the emotion of the moment. I daresay, there’s something different about church goodbyes compared to other departures. Thank you, Holy Spirit.

Blessings!