Day #347

Sermon - Audio
Acts 24-26 - Reading
Acts 24-26 - Audio

Daily Insights - Please Comment

Acts 24-26

24:1 Tertullus is a trained orator who would use his skills to "wow" Felix and get a conviction against Paul.

24:14 Paul connects the Christian faith with Judaism which is protected under Roman law.

24:23 Since Paul is not a convicted criminal he is given certain freedoms.

24:25 Felix was known to be a man of injustice and lacking self-control. Paul's message about righteous living, self-control and judgment would have been very unnerving. Felix wants him to leave.

24:26 Perhaps having heard about the offering for the poor, Felix believed Paul had benefactors who would pay to get him out of jail.

24:27 The end of Felix's rule was marked by corruption. The Jews went to Rome in about 59 A.D. to deliver charges against him. It could be that Felix is doing whatever he can to cover himself and gather some good will from his possible accusers.

Acts 25

25:9 As Festus begins his work as governor he wants to build good relations with hisnew subjects. He tries to do this by granting their wish to have Paul tried in Jerusalem. Such a move, however; needs the approval of Paul, the Roman citizen.

25:11 Paul's appeal to Caesar would have a powerful impact on Christianity if he won his case. Christianity would be seen as legitimate in the empire.

25:12 Governors had councils who would know the fine points of law better than the governor did. Even so, the governor could ignore their advice and do what he desired.

25:16 Roman law demanded that the accused have a public hearing and that his accusers face him.

Acts 26

26:2-3 It was customary to speak well of the person you were addressing in this type of situation. In this case, Paul speaks with full honesty.

26:5 "strictest sect" The Pharisees would have been the strictest sect in the mainstream population. As a student of Gamaliel, Paul had a rabbi who was more concerned about teaching principles than teaching rules.

26:7 The two central hopes of many in Israel was the resurrection of the righteous (those who had died as faithful followers of God) and the restoration of the 12 tribes. It was believed both of these would happen at the same time. Some in Israel, such as the Sadducees, rejected this idea.

26:8 "Why incredible?" As Paul appeals to Moses and the prophets he can show both that God has raised the dead in the past (2Kings 4:18ff) and that as a God of power he can do so again.

26:10 "saints" At first glance this seems like a strange way to speak to Herod about Christians. Paul, however, uses this term wisely. The people of Israel from the tie of the Exodus are known as saints, those who have been set apart for God. Paul insists that Christians are part of this history and tradition. In using the word "saints" Paul makes the Christian endeavor legitimate.

26:24 Festus' response first of all tells us that Paul is a highly educated person. Second, Festus seems to believe that Paul's belief in prophecy and the resurrection has made him come to some pretty crazy conclusions.