Acts 25:13-26:32 A one track desire

Festus appears to be fair to Paul throughout, however, it does seem he is playing to the crowd (cf Acts 24:27, 25:9).  The promise of God in Acts 9:15-16 of him being used to take Jesus' name before Kings and to suffer is coming to fruition.  He is being used to speak for Christ, but also having to suffer for Him also.

Paul's life before his conversion was religious - known to others and sincere.  His conversion was abrupt and dramatic.  His commission was clear.  The question at stake was really "Has Jesus risen from the dead?" and "Is He now calling Paul to the Gentiles?"

Jesus describes the condition of the lost as darkness, the power of Satan.  He talks of the content of salvation as forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Him and the method being that faith and turning.

Paul demonstrates his obedience to God in doing what He wants and speaking what He calls him to.  Despite him speaking in the temple courts meaning they attempted to kill him, he kept on.  God gave him the help he needed, even before King Festus.

Paul's ultimate motive in everything was to preach so that others would come to know Jesus.  cf 26:29, 1 Cor 9:16-22, 2 Cor 5:14

Acts 23:11-25:12 Flawed accusations

Paul must have been under immense strain, mentally and physically as he literally 'feared' for his life.  He longed that these Jews would come to know the saving power of Jesus and yet, they had no desire to.  Paul must have been sustained by the Lord standing near to him, reminding and commanding him to take courage.  We need to remember the Lord's presence with us, no matter what we face - to be bold, strong and very courageous, for the Lord our God is with us.

God's deliverance for Paul came through extended family and through legal protection.  God will use anyone who is available to be used to serve His purposes.

Tertullus' four charges against Paul are:

He is a troublemaker.
He has been stirring up riots among Jews all over the world.
He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect.
He tried to desecrate the temple.

Paul answers:

He went to worship 12 days ago in Jerusalem
The accusers didn't find Paul stirring up trouble or arguing anywhere
They can't prove the charges they are making
On the contrary, Paul is a follower of the Way, agreeing and believing what the Prophets have said
He has a hope in the resurrection of the dead, and it is because of this that he is accused.

I have to ask myself how significant a place does the resurrection of the dead play in my life?

Felix had clearly seen Paul live out 'the Way'.  He was obviously intrigued by it and by Paul.  He had some fear, and he also had some twisted motives.

Before Festus, Paul realises that he needed to make more of the issue as there was much at stake, hence he took it further and further.  Ultimately, this is probably because of the gospel opportunities Paul sees and wishes to take.

Acts 21:37-23:10 Fear & Loathing by those in Jerusalem

Paul speaks of his own background – identifying himself as a Jew with them.  He outlines his credentials – brought up in Jerusalem, trained under Gamaliel in the law of their forefathers.  He shares his religious activity and zeal – he was as zealous as any of them were, he persecuted followers of the way to death, he arrested them and threw them into prison, he went travelling with a view to imprisoning Christians in Jerusalem.  

His conversion was sudden, as Jesus met him and he saw and understood who He was and what He was calling Him to do.  He was clearly called to know God’s will, to see Jesus and to be His witness to all people of what he had seen and heard. 

Again, Paul goes out of his way to avoid unnecessary offence.  He deliberately uses Aramaic and speaks well of Ananias.  Paul was completely concerned for his enemies and seeks to win them for Jesus.  The question asked of me is do I care for those who are hostile to me in the same way that Paul did?

Paul thinks he will be best served going to the Jews because of his remarkable  conversion – however, God is calling him to go to the Gentiles, because He knows and chooses where he will be best used.  We must remember God knows best and will place us and use us where He deems best. 

In contrast with Philippi, Paul chooses to use his rights of citizenship to prevent a beating.  In keeping with 1 Cor 9, Paul is willing to use his rights and his surrendering them to Christ to serve Christ best. 

Paul confesses to the Sanhedrin that he has done all that God has asked him to do in good faith and with a clear conscience.  As per Acts 24:16, Paul strives to keep his conscience clear before both God and humans.  This ought to be a clear distinctive of my ministry.

Paul keeps his cool, even when acting fiercely.  He retains righteous anger.  However, he also plays the situation with cunning and cleverness.  He effectively divides the Pharisees and Sadducees against each other.  Paul’s supreme concern is that the truth come out and the gospel be proclaimed.  Again, we should be those whose supreme motivations are to spread the good news of Jesus to all.  

Acts 20:17-21:36 Running the race amidst hardship and opposition

20:17-27  Paul's farewell to the Ephesian elders

Paul points out:

His integrity & honesty - he has lived openly in front of them
His humility and tears, despite severe testing
His lack of hesitation to preach anything that would be helpful & his public teaching
His inclusivity in his message
His frankness about uncertainty for the future
His overwhelming desire to run the race and complete the task Jesus has given him
His innocence in terms of the blood of others
His certainty of opposition and attack in the future
His absolute confidence in God's care

All of these ask questions of me as to whether I am able to do the same?

20:28-35

Paul tells the leaders:

Keep watch over yourselves and the flock
Be shepherds - wolves will come to attack
Be on your guard
You are committed to God and His word of grace
Gospel ministry is hard work, but we give rather than receive

21:5

The Christian home can be a significant influence on visitors and children.  Throughout, Paul is dealing with families - our ministry is not just to key leaders, but to whole families and people committed to serving God together.

Paul had clear warnings that the way ahead for him would include imprisonment and suffering.  (cf 20:23-24) - Suffering is to be a part of the Christian's life & we should never shy away from it.

21:17-26

James saw that the Jews who have believed have been informed to turn away from Moses' law and that this could be a problem to him being welcomed among them.  Paul is advised to show that he has said no such thing (by shaving his head and joining in the purification rites), but that he is still living in obedience to the law.  Paul does not want to put any obstacle in their way and so agrees to this.  He follows 1 Cor 9:20-23 and 1 Cor 10:31-33 to avoid any stumbling block to others.  He goes out of his way to ensure there is no hindrance in the gospel going forward.

21:27-36

Paul is arrested at Jerusalem  - it is a parallel of Jesus' arrest and crucifixion:

It was a crowd versus an individual
There were false accusations
They seized him
It was taken to a higher authority
He was bound
The commander could not get to the truth
He paused to bide himself time
They cried "Away with him"

I need to ask myself whether I am willing to suffer and respond in the way my Lord was, or whether I ask for and expect better treatment?

Acts 19:1-20:16 Encouragement & opposition

Apollos had clearly been teaching an inadequate gospel - it was not the full gospel.  Paul realises this and corrects his incomplete teaching.  It is a reminder of the need to fully understand all we are teaching other.

19:20 sums up Paul's ministry in Ephesus and Luke's section.  Paul had clearly been called across by the man of Macedonia.  The power of the Lord was clearly at work, with Lydia's conversion, the Lord's speaking to Paul in the vision and then the extraordinary miracles that were happening.   The power was coming from the Holy Spirit and brought glory to Jesus through all that happened.

Paul clearly made it his plan to go to Jerusalem and Rome.  He has his strategy and wants to take the gospel increasingly to the Gentiles.  This is a reminder of the need for strategic work, not haphazard.

The riot in Ephesus started because of Demetrius, who was worried about his business.  Christian belief will come up in opposition against wealth and business priorities.  The lost people followed like sheep without a shepherd, concerned about the wrong priorities.  Paul experienced the wisdom of the counsel of friends, the safety of their protection and a reminder of the fellowship of being with other believers.  I need to remember the call to follow Jesus is costly and may call for me to endure pain, isolation and opposition.

Paul wasn't prepared just to leave encouragement to his young guns.  Instead, he was prepared to change his plans and do things that would benefit others, rather than himself.  While others meant it for evil, God meant it for good.

Paul demonstrated the encouragement of being with friends, the importance of having fellowship with other believers, and also talking with others to instruct them.  Paul's ability to do verifiable miracles testified to him being called God's servant and being used by God to accomplish his purposes.

Acts 17:16-18:28 The gospel goes to the Gentiles

Acts 17

Paul's motives for preaching the Gospel come from the distress of seeing Athenians worshipping idols. He saw the emptiness and futility of their conversations that were devoid of meaning. Paul sought to start where the people were and to bring Christ to them. He commended them where he could, used creation as a starting point, talked of certainties when he could and used their culture to talk of Christ and His coming judgment.

He talked of what they knew and what was around them v22-23, he then talked of God in relation to the universe they saw, humanity around them and the idols and images they were obsessed with, before talking of the response they needed to make. All this raises questions of what our preaching is like today? Are we even connecting with the everyday people in the marketplace? Is our message as clear and compelling as Paul's?

Ch 18 The gospel goes to Corinth

Paul seeks friendship with like-minded people, he has friends join him, and seeks the friendship and company of other believers. God's command and all comes to Paul to keep preaching the word of God because God "has many people" in Corinth.

Paul started in the synagogue, moved out of it and into the court when he was brought there. When hindrances came, he saw them as opportunities and used them.

Paul travelled widely, with the clear intent of preaching the gospel and encouraging the believers.

We are told Apollos has a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures, he spoke with great fervour and taught about Jesus accurately. Aquila and Priscilla heard him and invited him into their home to explain the way of God more adequately. His preaching was a great help to others who had believed. Apollos was one link in the chain of the gospel going out to people and them believing.

I must similarly ask what my:

Knowledge of the scriptures is?

My enthusiasm is like?

My willingness to take help from others is?

My preaching is like?

Value is in preaching? Does it benefit others?

 

Acts 16:6-17:15 Persecution and growth

Paul was guided by the Holy Spirit, whom he calls the Spirit of Jesus and a vision of a Macedonian man. The travels were not what you would expect, but clearly were the way God was leading.

It seems Paul may have been joined in Europe by Luke. The personal pronoun changes to "we". It seems the start here was fairly small, but significant in God's eyes. (Cf Zechariah 4:10). Lydia's response is clearly one that has been changed by God - born again of the Holy Spirit. Am I someone who tries to organise a great work for God, or lets God start a lasting work in a small way?

The origin of the persecution was dashed hopes of making money. Previously, it had been because they were speaking of Jesus. This clearly wasn't an immediate reaction, but one that had taken days to get to. We mustn't rush into rash decisions.

Paul and Silas were calm and rejoicing, because they knew why they were being persecuted. Paul played to the legal system in maximising the opportunity for the gospel. He used his cunning for the cause of Christ.

The jailer believed because he saw something different about Paul and Silas. He saw the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Paul was willing to preach the gospel anywhere it hadn't already, so as to give others the opportunity to believe. He clearly preached the word of God and could be tested against the Scriptures. Those who believed came from a diverse cross section. Opportunity for strategic witness may only last a short time - we must take them when we can.

The Bereans are described as being more noble than the Thessalonians because they search the Scriptures to see if what Paul was saying was true. We must do likewise.