Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Acts 23-26

Paul speaks before the Sanhedrin and just stirs them up by mentioning the resurrection. They plot to kill him, but his nephew overhears and gets him transferred.

Felix hears him speak in his defense and about faith in Jesus Christ. Clearly he was interested, they met frequently until he was succeeded and Paul was left in prison two years 'as a favour to the Jews' (v.24:27).

Festus is here now and the Jews ask him to bring Paul back to Jerusalem so they can finish their plot to kill him (I hope they had something to eat these last two years. ;P). But he left Paul in Caesarea and heard his defense and Paul appealed to Ceasar, so he's gonna go to Rome.

King Agrippa hears and "I would like to hear this man myself" (v25:22) were his words.

So Paul again gets to share his testimony about imprisoning and approving the killing of Christians, but how Jesus appeared and sent him out with the gospel "in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also" (v.26:20).

Verse 29 seems very powerful to me, after Agrippa asking "Do you think in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" Paul says "Short time or long--I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains".

Short or long. God's plans will vary for each person. All we can do is pray, and take every opportunity given us to share what God has done in our lives as Paul did. It may mean 2 years in a prison only able to send letters before being able to preach publicly again, but all in God's plans.

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