Triumphing Through Tough Times The odds were stacked against him. An entire religious system, with all the power it possessed, had arrayed itself against Paul. The aim was to silence the words of Paul by his death, thus silencing his message. The rationale? He was teaching contrary to traditions, which was considered a crime worthy … Continue reading –>
Although Paul was speaking to Agrippa, Festus was the first to react, as seen in Acts 26:24. Festus would have had no problem if Paul had spoken about the immortality of the soul, but even the ancient Greco-Romans knew that both concepts—immortality and resurrection—do not go along well with one other. Thus, they kept the former … Continue reading –>
Before Felix. Imagine you are Paul, called to face an attorney hired by people who don’t like anything you’ve been doing. In short, they hate you. The attorney, Tertullus, is also a Roman governor and is the first to take your case to make you appear to be in obvious violation of customs in Caesarea. Imagine … Continue reading –>
All the way through our quarter’s studies, Paul would sing out “Stand Up! Stand Up for Jesus” – Hymn 618 as well as Hymn 610, “Stand Like the Brave” and Hymn 590, “Trust and Obey”. He still maintains these ideals this week. For the two years that Paul was held in Prison, he certainly would have sung … Continue reading –>
With the scene set and the royal guests seated alongside the governor, the prisoner was brought in to present his defense, which was aimed primarily at Agrippa, as Festus had already heard it before (Acts 25:8-11). Read Acts 26:1-23. What was Paul doing in his speech before Agrippa? Paul’s speech was in fact an autobiographical report of … Continue reading –>
Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from … Continue reading –>
Festus agreed to grant Paul’s request to be sent to Rome (Acts 25:12). Meanwhile, the governor took advantage of a state visit by Herod Agrippa II to consult him concerning Paul’s case, in particular regarding what kind of information he should send to the emperor in his official report. Festus was not yet acquainted enough with … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: Paul defends himself and his faith before three groups of people. We can learn from this how we might stand up for ourselves and our beliefs. Lesson 12, September 22, 2018 1. Have a volunteer read Acts 24:10-19. Ask class members to share a thought on what is the most important point in this text. … Continue reading –>
After two years holding Paul in prison just to win the favor of the Jews, Felix was replaced by Porcius Festus as the governor of Judea (Acts 24:27). Festus ruled from A.D. 60 to 62. Read Acts 25:1-5. How does this help reveal the hatred that preaching the truth can cause in those who don’t want to … Continue reading –>
Five days after Paul’s transfer to Caesarea, a group of important Jewish leaders—the high priest, some members of the Sanhedrin, and a professional lawyer named Tertullus—came down from Jerusalem and formally laid before Felix their case against the apostle (Acts 24:1-9). This is the only trial in Acts in which the accusers employed a lawyer. In … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Acts 24, Acts 25, Acts 26, 1 Cor. 1:23. Memory Text: “Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that not only you but also all who are listening to me today might become such as I am—except for these chains“ (Acts 26:29, NRSV). Paul’s transfer to Caesarea began a two-year imprisonment in that … Continue reading –>
Further Study: “On this occasion, Paul and his companions formally presented to the leaders of the work at Jerusalem the contributions forwarded by the Gentile churches for the support of the poor among their Jewish brethren. … “These freewill offerings betokened the loyalty of the Gentile converts to the organized work of God throughout the world … Continue reading –>
