Paul at the hands of Governor Felix's Political Correctness
Paul at the hands of Governor Felix’s Political Correctness
You may think political correctness started in our day. Not really. In our day, the issue of sanctity of marriage is being politicized. The politicians fearing backlash are willing to talk from both sides of their mouths. Some of them say they stand for marriage as ordained by God (man and woman) but are willing to appease the crowd with civil unions. They don’t even want to call it what it is, homosexual marriages. We see truth being veiled and justice denied or delayed in the hands of those who are in the power to do so. No wonder we are asked to first pray for our leaders so they will do what is right (1Tim 2:1-2). Lord, help our leaders to live Holy Spirit filled lives so as to have courage to do what is right. Amen.
In today’s study, we come across Governor Felix who knows the truth but in order to appease the Jews would not deliver the right judgment on the case of Apostle Paul. He decides to keep Paul under house arrest/prison for two years. Of course Felix’s indecision will not stop God’s plan to bring Paul to Rome for the purpose of initiating the spread of the Gospel to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). What do you do in the hands of injustice? Do you get distracted by injustice? This is the intent of the devil to stop you and me from fulfilling God’s mission – to know God and make Him known to others.
Acts 24: 1-2, 5-10, 13-16 22-27 (Please read the entire chapter)
1Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor. 2When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix:
5"We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect 6and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. 8By[a] examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him." 9The Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true.
10When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: 13And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me. 14However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, 15and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
22Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. "When Lysias the commander comes," he said, "I will decide your case." 23He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.
24Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you." 26At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. 27When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Historians help us gain some insight into the personal lives of Governor Felix and his wife. Drusilla is “Felix’s third wife, daughter of Herod Agrippa I. At age 15 she married Azizus, king of Emesa, but deserted him for Felix a year later”. This sounds very much like our day and the Hollywood marriages. Not much has changed and human behavior without Christ still stinks and out of control. When one lacks personal integrity and faithfulness we cannot expect justice from the person. Felix was trying even to get bribe from Apostle Paul for his release vs.26.
2. Let’s pay attention to Paul’s defense. Paul said the Jews could not prove their charges which was true. He also said, “14However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect”. This is the crust of the matter. Then and now, people are will to tolerate and welcome you until you show or state that you are a follower of Jesus Christ (“the Way”). We are called all kinds of names and are treated differently. That is okay and Paul was not going to deny the One who saved him from the pit of hell into God’s loving arms. Neither should we deny Jesus for any reason even if it means delayed or denied justice. Your promotion or job may be at stake because of your faith in Christ. Let’s keep in mind that there is a price to following Jesus and He foretold us about it. (Matthew 8:11-22; 16:24)
3. The opposition to Paul may seem that it is coming from the Jews but rather it is designed by Satan himself to thwart God’s plan. The Jews with their best lawyer (Tertullus probably well versed in the Roman judicial system) did not have a valid case and it was very obvious. Paul would later write from prison to the Ephesians church to say, “10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” Ephesians 6:10-12. We must recognize who the real enemy is and pray for people whom he uses to oppose us and the destiny of God in our lives. Please pray for that boss, spouse or neighbor who is irritated with you for no real reason.
4. Back to Felix who is described as “was well acquainted with the Way” vs.22. Watch out for those who talk the “Christian talk” but lack the power thereof. Felix even had several personal bible studies with Apostle Paul in which he was confronted with some truths that ring a bell at his own heart and life – “self control” vs. 24-25. With the third wife you can see this being the case of lack of the Holy Spirit and the fruit of “self-control. Please pray for all the Felix out there.
5. The most disturbing statement in the passage is what was said by Felix and not necessarily the fact that he would not release Paul. Felix said in response to Paul’s preaching, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you." vs.25. When is it ever convenient to hide and deny the truth? Someone commented that “lust, pride, greed and selfish ambition” will continue to make it inconvenient for Felix or anyone else to obey God. The danger is that neither Felix nor anyone else knows how much time we have on earth to decide and follow Christ. Please pray that you and I never seek for convenient times to obey God’s truth. Let’s pray for all we come in contact with that they will recognize that “now is the accepted time and now is the day of salvation and now is the time of repentance”. Amen.
Do you have injustice standing in your way of obedience? Do not be distracted and recognize the real enemy. Paul was never stopped but rather wrote many of the epistles while in prison. Fight with the weapon of “praying always in the Spirit for all occasions” for the people. May God save us from “convenience” and open our eyes to his truth. Is there anything you are waiting for “a convenient time” to do right now? Wait no more and like Nike, “Just do it”. There is never a ‘convenient time”. May God help you and me to fulfill our destiny regardless of distractions on the way. Amen.
You may think political correctness started in our day. Not really. In our day, the issue of sanctity of marriage is being politicized. The politicians fearing backlash are willing to talk from both sides of their mouths. Some of them say they stand for marriage as ordained by God (man and woman) but are willing to appease the crowd with civil unions. They don’t even want to call it what it is, homosexual marriages. We see truth being veiled and justice denied or delayed in the hands of those who are in the power to do so. No wonder we are asked to first pray for our leaders so they will do what is right (1Tim 2:1-2). Lord, help our leaders to live Holy Spirit filled lives so as to have courage to do what is right. Amen.
In today’s study, we come across Governor Felix who knows the truth but in order to appease the Jews would not deliver the right judgment on the case of Apostle Paul. He decides to keep Paul under house arrest/prison for two years. Of course Felix’s indecision will not stop God’s plan to bring Paul to Rome for the purpose of initiating the spread of the Gospel to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). What do you do in the hands of injustice? Do you get distracted by injustice? This is the intent of the devil to stop you and me from fulfilling God’s mission – to know God and make Him known to others.
Acts 24: 1-2, 5-10, 13-16 22-27 (Please read the entire chapter)
1Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor. 2When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix:
5"We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect 6and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. 8By[a] examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him." 9The Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true.
10When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: 13And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me. 14However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, 15and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
22Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. "When Lysias the commander comes," he said, "I will decide your case." 23He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.
24Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you." 26At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. 27When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Historians help us gain some insight into the personal lives of Governor Felix and his wife. Drusilla is “Felix’s third wife, daughter of Herod Agrippa I. At age 15 she married Azizus, king of Emesa, but deserted him for Felix a year later”. This sounds very much like our day and the Hollywood marriages. Not much has changed and human behavior without Christ still stinks and out of control. When one lacks personal integrity and faithfulness we cannot expect justice from the person. Felix was trying even to get bribe from Apostle Paul for his release vs.26.
2. Let’s pay attention to Paul’s defense. Paul said the Jews could not prove their charges which was true. He also said, “14However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect”. This is the crust of the matter. Then and now, people are will to tolerate and welcome you until you show or state that you are a follower of Jesus Christ (“the Way”). We are called all kinds of names and are treated differently. That is okay and Paul was not going to deny the One who saved him from the pit of hell into God’s loving arms. Neither should we deny Jesus for any reason even if it means delayed or denied justice. Your promotion or job may be at stake because of your faith in Christ. Let’s keep in mind that there is a price to following Jesus and He foretold us about it. (Matthew 8:11-22; 16:24)
3. The opposition to Paul may seem that it is coming from the Jews but rather it is designed by Satan himself to thwart God’s plan. The Jews with their best lawyer (Tertullus probably well versed in the Roman judicial system) did not have a valid case and it was very obvious. Paul would later write from prison to the Ephesians church to say, “10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” Ephesians 6:10-12. We must recognize who the real enemy is and pray for people whom he uses to oppose us and the destiny of God in our lives. Please pray for that boss, spouse or neighbor who is irritated with you for no real reason.
4. Back to Felix who is described as “was well acquainted with the Way” vs.22. Watch out for those who talk the “Christian talk” but lack the power thereof. Felix even had several personal bible studies with Apostle Paul in which he was confronted with some truths that ring a bell at his own heart and life – “self control” vs. 24-25. With the third wife you can see this being the case of lack of the Holy Spirit and the fruit of “self-control. Please pray for all the Felix out there.
5. The most disturbing statement in the passage is what was said by Felix and not necessarily the fact that he would not release Paul. Felix said in response to Paul’s preaching, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you." vs.25. When is it ever convenient to hide and deny the truth? Someone commented that “lust, pride, greed and selfish ambition” will continue to make it inconvenient for Felix or anyone else to obey God. The danger is that neither Felix nor anyone else knows how much time we have on earth to decide and follow Christ. Please pray that you and I never seek for convenient times to obey God’s truth. Let’s pray for all we come in contact with that they will recognize that “now is the accepted time and now is the day of salvation and now is the time of repentance”. Amen.
Do you have injustice standing in your way of obedience? Do not be distracted and recognize the real enemy. Paul was never stopped but rather wrote many of the epistles while in prison. Fight with the weapon of “praying always in the Spirit for all occasions” for the people. May God save us from “convenience” and open our eyes to his truth. Is there anything you are waiting for “a convenient time” to do right now? Wait no more and like Nike, “Just do it”. There is never a ‘convenient time”. May God help you and me to fulfill our destiny regardless of distractions on the way. Amen.
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