June
16th
17:
Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and
offerings. 18: Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in
the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. 19: Who ought to
have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.
20: Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil
doing in me, while I stood before the council, 21: Except it be for
this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the
resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day. 22:
And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of
that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain
shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. 23: And he
commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and
that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come
unto him.
Paul
before Felix & Drucilla
24:
And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which
was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in
Christ. 25: And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and
judgment to come Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this
time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. 26: He
hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he
might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed
with him. 27: But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix'
room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul
bound.
Paul
continues, after a number of years l came to bring alms to the poor
of my nation. (The highest act of law keeping for the Jews) and to
make offerings (The highest act of Jewish devotion) and he says some
Jews from Turkey found me in a state of purity in the temple and l
was there in calmness and quiet. They should be here to testify
against this if they have anything against me. Let anyone here
testify against me if l was doing anything wrong. The only thing that
they can find against me is that l believe in the resurrection of the
dead. When Felix had heard all this he adjourned the hearing until
Lysias the chief captain came down from Jerusalem to testify. Paul
was kept safe from the Jews by the Roman guard. It was not an
imprisonment but he had perfect liberty to receive any guests its
just that he was protected by Rome day and night. After a while Felix
came with his wife Drucilla who was a Jewess and he sent for Paul and
heard him talk of Faith in Christ and he reasoned with them both of
righteousness, temperance and judgment. When Felix heard of these
things he was deeply affected and trembled at the preaching of Paul.
Then he said to Paul Go for now and l will hear you again. We have no
record that he ever heard him again. Procrastination is the thief of
blessing. Felix hoped to take a bribe from Paul for his release.
Felix was corrupted by his office. After two whole years Porcius
Festus succeeded Felix and he was wanting to get favour with the Jews
so he deliberately left Paul bound. Paul was in more danger with
Festus than with Felix.
- How does Paul describe his mission to Israel?
- What does Felix do in this hearing?
- How does Paul speak to Felix and what does Felix do?
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