AD| Do You Have the New Holman CSB?
http://l.salemweb.net/holman0804m/devo/
____________________________
W O W - T H E B I G P I C T U R E
by Thomas Nelson Publishers
Paul's Defense Before Felix and Festus
-- Acts 24:1-5,9-27; 25:1-22; Psalm 134:1-3; Proverbs 25:13
Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders
and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the
governor against Paul.
And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying:
"Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being
brought to this nation by your foresight, we accept it always and in
all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. Nevertheless, not
to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy,
a few words from us. For we have found this man a plague, a creator of
dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of
the sect of the Nazarenes."
And the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so.
Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered:
"Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this
nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself, because you may
ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to
Jerusalem to worship. And they neither found me in the temple disputing
with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the
city. Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. But
this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a
sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which
are written in the Law and in the Prophets. I have hope in God, which
they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the
dead, both of the just and the unjust. This being so, I myself always
strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.
"Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation,
in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the
temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult. They ought to have been
here before you to object if they had anything against me. Or else let
those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me
while I stood before the council, unless it is for this one statement
which I cried out, standing among t hem, 'Concerning the resurrection
of the dead I am being judged by you this day.'"
But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of
the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, "When Lysias the
commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case." So he
commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and
told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.
And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was
Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment
to come, Felix was afraid and answered, "Go away for now; when I have a
convenient time I will call for you." Meanwhile he also hoped that
money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore
he sent for him more often and conversed with him.
But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting
to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.
Now when Festus had come to the province, after three days he went up
from Caesarea to Jerusalem. Then the high priest and the chief men of
the Jews informed him against Paul; and they petitioned him, asking a
favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem-while they lay
in ambush along the road to kill him. But Festus answered that Paul
should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was going there
shortly. "Therefore," he said, "let those who have authority among you
go down with me and accuse this man, to see if there is any fault in
him."
And when he had remained among them more than ten days, he went down to
Caesarea. And the next day, sitting on the judgment seat, he commanded
Paul to be brought. When he had come, the Jews who had come down from
Jerusalem stood about and laid many serious complaints against Paul,
which they could not prove, while he answered for himself, "Neither
against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar
have I offended in anything at all."
But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said,
"Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me
concerning these things?"
So Paul said, "I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be
judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know. For if
I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do
not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which
these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to
Caesar."
Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, "You
have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!"
And after some days King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea to greet
Festus. When they had been there many days, Festus laid Paul's case
before the king, saying: "There is a certain man left a prisoner by
Felix, about whom the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed
me, when I was in Jerusalem, asking for a judgment against him. To them
I answered, 'It is not the custom of the Romans to deliver any man to
destruction before the accused meets the accusers face to face, and has
opportunity to answer for himself concerning the charge against him.'
Therefore when they had come together, without any delay, the next day
I sat on the judgment seat and commanded the man to be brought in. When
the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation against him of such
things as I supposed, but had some questions against him about their
own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul
affirmed to be alive. And because I was uncertain of such questions, I
asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged
concerning these matters. But when Paul appealed to be reserved for the
decision of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I could send him
to Caesar."
Then Agrippa said to Festus, "I also would like to hear the man
myself."
"Tomorrow," he said, "you shall hear him."
Acts 24:1-5, 9-27; 25:1-22
WORSHIP:
Behold, bless the LORD,
All you servants of the LORD,
Who by night stand in the house of the LORD!
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary,
And bless the LORD.
The LORD who made heaven and earth
Bless you from Zion!
Psalm 134:1-3
WISDOM:
Like the cold of snow in time of harvest
Is a faithful messenger to those who send him,
For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
Proverbs 25:13
-----------
This daily devotional is published and distributed by
http://link.crosswalk.com/UM/T.asp?A1.20.28734.1.1698058
Additional devotionals are available from Crosswalk.com:
http://link.crosswalk.com/UM/T.asp?A1.20.28734.2.1698058
-----------
To read current World news stories, National news stories, and
commentaries, visit
http://link.crosswalk.com/UM/T.asp?A1.20.28734.3.1698058
-----------
For Copyright Terms visit
http://link.crosswalk.com/UM/T.asp?A1.20.28734.4.1698058
>>> Share the good news <<<
Please forward this message to a friend!
FREE Christian Book
http://l.salemweb.net/swnoffer0203/
____________________SUBSCRIPTION INFO_______________________
* This newsletter is never sent unsolicited. To unsubscribe
from this newsletter immediately, simply click on the link below.
If this link is not clickable, simply cut and paste it into the
address bar of your browser.
http://www.salememail.com/unsub/20/1698058.aspx
* Copyright � 2004 Salem Web Network and its Content
Providers. All rights reserved.
1698058
____________________________________________________________
TRINITY COLLEGE & SEMINARY OFF CAMPUS & ONLINE
Experience Personal & Ministry Growth
Through Bible-Focused Degree Programs
Associate and Bachelor of Arts
Master of Arts, M.Div., Doctor of Arts, Doctor of Ministry
http://l.salemweb.net/tcs2003tr/footer/
____________________________________________________________
Questions or comments can be sent to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
