Devotions

Prayer to Invite the Holy Spirit Day 2

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God’s promise is being fulfilled in

Acts 2:17 “And in the last days, God says, ‘I will pour out my spirit on all people.”

Peter’s message in Acts 2 is called by some apostolic preaching and is something we could see more of in our generation. This apostolic preaching is based on the boldness that came upon the disciples after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit when they began to preach:

Jesus Fulfilled Old Testament Prophecy

Joel 2:28–32 And it will happen afterward thus: I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your elders will dream dreams; your young men shall see visions. 29 And also on the male slaves and on the female slaves, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. 30 And I will ⌊set⌋ wonders in the heavens, and on earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. 31 The sun will be changed to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of Yahweh. 32 And it will happen—everyone who calls on the name of Yahweh will be rescued, because on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be ⌊those who escape⌋, as Yahweh said, and among the survivors whom Yahweh is calling.

Psalm 16:8–11 I have set Yahweh before me always. Because he is at my right hand I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices. Yes, my body will dwell in safety, 10 for you will not abandon my soul to Sheol; you will not give your faithful one to see the grave. 11 You will make known to me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. At your right hand are pleasures forever.

Jesus the Only Savior

Acts 2:23–24 this man, delivered up by the determined plan and foreknowledge of God, you executed by nailing to a cross through the hand of lawless men. 24 God raised ⌊him⌋ up, having brought to an end the pains of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.

Jesus the Risen Lord

Acts 2:29–32 “Men and brothers, it is possible to speak with confidence to you about the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us until this day. 30 Therefore, because he* was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat ⌊one of his descendants⌋ on his throne, 31 by* having foreseen this,* he spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was he abandoned in Hades nor did his flesh experience decay. 32 This Jesus God raised up, of which we all are witnesses.

Jesus the Final Authority

Acts 2:33 Therefore, having been exalted to the right hand of God and having received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, he has poured out this that you see and hear.

Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know beyond a doubt, that God has made him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified!”

Jesus is the Standard of Righteousness and Holiness

Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus Promised the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:38b–39 “and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all those who are far away, as many as the Lord our God calls to himself.”

Jesus is Confirmed by Signs and Wonders

Acts 2:22 “Israelite men, listen to these words! Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, just as you yourselves know—

The Church is Those That Believe Jesus

Acts 2:41 So those who accepted his message were baptized, and on that day about three thousand souls were added.

Those that believed are described in Acts 2:42-47.

Acts 2:42 And they were devoting themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayers.

The Word Guiding Prayer for the Day

Acts 2:11 (KJV 1900) Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

Acts 2:17 ‘And it will be in the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.

Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know beyond a doubt, that God has made him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified!”

Colossians 1:28 whom we proclaim, by admonishing every person and teaching every person with all wisdom, in order that we may present every person mature in Christ,

The Needs

Supplicate

Request that the Father to send laborers into your community to extol the wonders of God. Name places, neighborhoods, organizations. Go there and pray there or prayer walk the area.
Acts 2:11

Petition

Ask that Jesus be lifted up in your pastor’s message and your church’s praise and worship time.
Colossians 1:28

Claim

Claim and expect apostolic results of repentance and water baptisms.
Acts 2:37-38

Name people and ask the Father to draw them in.

John 6:44 No one is able to come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up on the last day.

Envision

Expect and look for God to multiply small groups within your church that will fellowship, study the Bible, and pray.
Acts 2:42

Expect signs and wonders and welcome them.
Acts 2:43

Ask God to heal and restore troubled home relationships.
Acts 2:46

Invite

Invite the Holy Spirit to add to your number daily those who are being saved.
Acts 2:47, 4:4, 5:14, 9:42, 11:21

Answers

Expect God to answer. Write down perceptions, insights as you are praying. Give thanks as God does answer.

Luke 9:43a And they were all astounded at the impressiveness of God.

Day 2 Reading

  • Acts 2:1-47

References

  • 1. Teykl, T. (Dr.). (1997), Acts 29: 50 Days to Invite the Holy Spirit. Prayer Point Pr. https://www.amazon.com/Acts-29-Days-Invite-Spirit/dp/1578920450/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ref_=nav_signin&&linkCode=ll1&tag=prayny-20&linkId=f53533b082e7ab3aa9a206bf08fd85db&language=en_US
Devotions

Prayer to Invite the Holy Spirit Day 1

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As we begin praying we are seeking the manifestation of God’s kingdom on earth as Jesus taught us to pray in

Matthew 6:10 “May your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

And, as we think about the resources available to us through the Bible with translations in most languages and scholarly commentaries and study texts easily available in print and online we recognize that we have far more available to us than the early church did. So, we might expect better results. But it wasn’t just that they had less access to the kinds of materials we have, few in the early church were well educated as it says of the disciples in

Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were astonished, and recognized them, that they had been with Jesus.

What they did have was Jesus as a teacher who opened the scriptures to them and this revelation is the basis of our new testament bible in

Acts 1:3 to whom he also presented himself alive after he suffered, with many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking the things about the kingdom of God.

And, they also had a promise of “power” when the Holy Spirit came on them after the death and resurrection of Jesus and after the Day of Pentecost in Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest part of the earth.”

While Jesus had given them this promise, it was necessary for them to follow the example of praying that Jesus had given them. As he prayed, the Holy Spirit descended in

Luke 3:21–22 Now it happened that when all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized, and while he was praying, heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

So, as Jesus had told them, they waited together in Jerusalem and engaged themselves to seek the Holy Spirit “power” as they prayed in

Acts 1:14 All these were busily engaged with one mind in prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers.

The Needs

Pray in faith expecting a fuller revelation of Jesus Christ and greater anointing of the Holy Spirit in the Church because Jesus said in

John 16:23 And on that day you will ask me nothing. Truly, truly I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you.

and remembering that he called us and chose us for this very purpose in

John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and your fruit should remain, in order that whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you.

Beseech

Beseech, which means “to beg for urgently or anxiously”2, God that he would raise up and establish strong leaders. That he would reveal the kingdom of God to your church as he did for the disciples in Acts 1:3. List the names of leaders you know and pray for them.

Ask

Ask the Lord to fill ministry leaders with the Holy Spirit as in Acts 1:8. Pray as Jesus taught in Luke 11:9-13 “how much more will the Father from heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”. Use Ephesians 4:8-16 apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers and also other gifts that may not be as publicly visible in 1 Corinthians 12:27-28 workers of miracles, those with gifts of healing, helps, administrations, kinds of tongues.

Entreat

Entreet the Father, which means to “to plead with especially in order to persuade”, that your church would be “a house of prayer” as Jesus described in

Matthew 21:13 And he said to them, “It is written, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a cave of robbers!”

That your church would pray together during times of corporate prayer “with one mind” as in

Acts 1:14 All these were busily engaged with one mind in prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers.

and that you and your church would, as in

1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray constantly

Implore

Implore the Holy Spirit, which means to “to call or pray for earnestly”2 to anoint ministries within the Church naming their leaders including the worship team, children’s ministries, evangelistic outreach, missions, and others.

Answers

Expect God to answer. Write down perceptions, insights as you are praying. Give thanks as God does answer.

Day 1 Reading

  • Acts 1:1-14

References

  • 1. Teykl, T. (Dr.). (1997), Acts 29: 50 [Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)] Days to Invite the Holy Spirit. Prayer Point Pr. https://www.amazon.com/Acts-29-Days-Invite-Spirit/dp/1578920450/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ref_=nav_signin&&linkCode=ll1&tag=prayny-20&linkId=f53533b082e7ab3aa9a206bf08fd85db&language=en_US
  • 2. Merriam-Webster, I. (2003). Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary. (Eleventh ed.). Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Resources

Praying God’s Word

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There is one sure and infallible guide to truth, and therefore one, and only one, corrective for error, and that is the Word of God. G. Campbell Morgan1

When we read and pray God’s word, we are looking for three things:

  • To understand human history and how God has dealt with people in the past.
  • To learn life lessons which is to find the moral of the accounts we are reading and to learn God’s way for success in life.
  • To hear the voice of the Lord in our current situation which is to get a confirmation for action as the word and the Holy Spirit work together in us to bring revelation and to receive wisdom from God for our lives today.

An excellent starting point is the book Acts 29 by Dr. Terry Teykl2 where he outlines these steps at the close of the book:

Expect God to do again in our generation what he has done in the past.

Ephesians 3:20–21 Now to the one who is able to do beyond all measure more than all that we ask or think, according to the power that is at work in us, 21 to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

Confess the work of the Holy Spirit to establish the Kingdom of God in our lives and through us in our community

Romans 10:8–10 But what does it say? “The word is near to you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim), 9 that if you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation.

Encourage one another as you pray.

Hebrews 10:24–25 And let us think about how to stir one another up to love and good works, 25 not abandoning our meeting together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging each other, and by so much more as you see the day drawing near.

Continue to pray using God’s word as a guide, praying over your family, your church, and your neighborhood.

Acts 9:31 Then the church throughout all of Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being strengthened. And living in the fear of the Lord and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it was increasing in numbers.

References

  • 1. Ritzema, E. (Ed.). (2012). 300 Quotations for Preachers. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
  • 2. Teykl, T. (Dr.). (1997), Acts 29: 50 Days to Invite the Holy Spirit. Prayer Point Pr. https://www.amazon.com/Acts-29-Days-Invite-Spirit/dp/1578920450/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ref_=nav_signin&&linkCode=ll1&tag=prayny-20&linkId=f53533b082e7ab3aa9a206bf08fd85db&language=en_US
Devotions

The Holy Spirit Spoke Rightly

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Paul and all of his shipmates are safely delivered to Malta and they are greeted kindly by the local inhabitants. We learn something about local beliefs as Paul is bitten by a viper in Acts 28:4 they began saying to one another, “Doubtless this man is a murderer whom, although he was rescued from the sea, Justice has not permitted to live!”. But Paul didn’t die, a witness to them of God’s healing power. God continues to demonstrate healing as Paul prays for their sick and they recover. As spring arrives, Paul and his centurion guard make their way toward Rome. Paul is received by Christians along the way and is allowed house arrest when he arrives in Rome. And after reaching out to the Jews, in Acts 28:23 testifying about the kingdom of God and attempting to convince them about Jesus from both the law of Moses and the prophets.”, until in Acts 28:25–27 So being in disagreement with one another, they began to leave after Paul made one statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through the prophet Isaiah to your fathers” and then in Acts 28:30–31 So he stayed two whole years in his own rented house, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.

We Were Being Driven in the Sea

Acts 27:27–38

All Were Brought Safely to the Land

Acts 27:39–44 

Justice Has Not Permitted to Live!

Acts 28:1–10
As local inhabitants rose that morning, they found Paul and all of his shipmates, in

Acts 27:37 (Now we were in all two hundred seventy six persons on the ship.)

had washed ashore from their ship which had stuck fast in the sand and broken apart in the storm. You can imagine the captain and the centurion searching to see who survived as the local people do what they can to help in

Acts 28:2 And the local inhabitants showed extraordinary kindness to us, for they lit a fire and welcomed us all, because of the rain that had begun and because of the cold.

Then, Paul is bitten in

Acts 28:3 And when Paul had gathered a large number of sticks and was placing them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand.

The local people are, as many are also today, somewhat superstitious and see this as a sign, a judgment of God against Paul in

Acts 28:4 And when the local people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, “Doubtless this man is a murderer whom, although he was rescued from the sea, Justice has not permitted to live!”

but Paul didn’t die so now they perceive him to be a god because no one can live after this snake bite in

Acts 28:6 But they were expecting that he was going to swell up or suddenly to fall down dead. So after they had waited for a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began saying that he was a god.

What was meant for Paul’s destruction, their failed voyage, bitten by a poisonous snake, all God turned to good as Paul prayed and the father of the chief official healed, and in

Acts 28:9 And after this had taken place, the rest of those on the island who had diseases were coming and being healed also.

We Found Brothers

Acts 28:11–16 

Because of the Hope of Israel

Acts 28:17–22
As Paul arrives in Rome, he has found Christian brothers that welcome him, but as he calls together “the most prominent of the Jews” in Acts 28:17, they have no knowledge of what has happened to him in

Acts 28:21 And they said to him, “We have received no letters about you from Judea, nor has any of the brothers come and reported or spoken anything evil about you.

Paul explains to them “Men and brothers, although I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, from Jerusalem I was delivered as a prisoner into the hands of the Romans, 18 who, when they had examined me, were wanting to release me, because there was no basis for an accusation worthy of death with me. 19 But because the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar” in Acts 28:17–19. Paul sums it up this way in

Acts 28:20 Therefore for this reason I have requested to see you and to speak with you, for because of the hope of Israel I am wearing this chain!”

They have heard people speaking against “this sect” so respond in

Acts 28:22 But we would like to hear from you what you think, for concerning this sect it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere.

 

The Holy Spirit Spoke Rightly

Acts 28:23–31
Paul has great freedom to receive people as he is under what we would call house arrest. Many come to hear him in

Acts 28:23 And when they had set a day with him, many more came to him at his lodging place, to whom he was explaining from early in the morning until evening, testifying about the kingdom of God and attempting to convince them about Jesus from both the law of Moses and the prophets.

and as always happens with this message of Jesus Christ, in

Acts 28:24 And some were convinced by what was said, but others refused to believe.

Finally, Paul speaks to those disputing, the ones that “refused to believe” in

Acts 28:25 So being in disagreement with one another, they began to leave after Paul made one statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through the prophet Isaiah to your fathers,

and then Paul quotes Isaiah 6:9–10 in

Acts 28:26–27 saying, ‘Go to this people and say, “You will keep on hearing and will never understand, and you will keep on seeing and will never perceive. 27 For the heart of this people has become dull, and with their ears they hear with difficulty, and they have shut their eyes, lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.” ’

But God will have for himself a people of every nation, every tongue and Paul finishes his appeal to the Jews with this statement in

Acts 28:28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles. They also will listen!”

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • Acts 27:27-44
  • Acts 28:1-31
Devotions

Are You Persuading Me to Become a Christian

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Paul has been held in prison for two years and now, finally, he comes before the new governor Festus and King Agrippa, and they include all of the chief men of the city. Paul gives an account of his own life as a Pharisee, a persecutor of Christians until Jesus Christ appears to him and commissions him to go in Acts 26:18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ Paul names Jesus Christ as the first to rise from the dead and the author of this message “to proclaim light” in Acts 26:23 “that the Christ was to suffer and that as the first of the resurrection from the dead, he was going to proclaim light both to the people and to the Gentiles.” King Agrippa responds in Acts 26:28 (KJV 1900) “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” but they all walk away still in darkness themselves because they only recognize that Paul was unjustly accused in Acts 26:31 And as they were going out, they were talking to one another, saying, “This man is not doing anything deserving death or imprisonment.” They have completely missed the revelation that has just been laid before them and they walk together back into the darkness.

It Is Permitted for You to Speak for Yourself

Acts 26:1–8 

That They May Turn From the Power of Satan to God

Acts 26:9–18
As Paul gives his testimony, he describes his mindset in

Acts 26:9 Indeed, I myself thought it was necessary to do many things opposed to the name of Jesus the Nazarene,

and because of this, he acted to stop Christians wherever they were in

Acts 26:11 And throughout all the synagogues I punished them often and tried to force them to blaspheme, and because I was enraged at them beyond measure, I was pursuing them even as far as to foreign cities.

That was until he came face to face with Jesus Christ. The difference with Paul was that while he was adamant about stopping this Christian message, he thought he was doing it in service to God. Just as Jesus opened Paul’s eyes, Jesus was sending Paul in

Acts 26:18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

 

I Was Not Disobedient to the Heavenly Vision

Acts 26:19–24
Now that Paul has conveyed his own conversion and calling to serve Jesus Christ he says in

Acts 26:19–20 “Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but to those in Damascus first, and in Jerusalem and all the region of Judea and to the Gentiles, I proclaimed that they should repent and turn to God, doing deeds worthy of repentance.

Paul might have led with the resurrection here, but instead, he quotes John the Baptist, in

Matthew 3:8 Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance!

and Jesus in

Mark 1:15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe in the gospel!”

and it is this message that Paul claims is the reason the Jews seized him. Paul’s message of repentance required that they admit they were not saved by birth, their DNA as the descendants of Abraham wasn’t enough. Paul’s message required that they admit that their outward appearance of keeping the law was not enough to save them. And then Paul comes to the main point that Jesus Christ suffered and was the first to rise from the dead. And even beyond that, Paul says “he”, the Christ, “was going to proclaim light” in

Acts 26:23 “that the Christ was to suffer and that as the first of the resurrection from the dead, he was going to proclaim light both to the people and to the Gentiles.”

Salvation is by Jesus Christ and through him, and because he suffered and paid the price for our sin, he can give us this light that brings the knowledge of God and with it, eternal life in

John 17:2–3 just as you have given him authority over all flesh, in order that he would give eternal life to them—everyone whom you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

but as it says in

1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he is not able to understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

and the governor, Festus reacts badly to Paul’s statements about Jesus Christ as the messiah in

Acts 26:24 And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “You are out of your mind, Paul! Your great learning is driving you insane!”

 

Are You Persuading Me to Become a Christian

Acts 26:25–32
They have all heard the message and each of them responds according to what they believe. Festus rejects the message outright. And in

Acts 26:28 But Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time are you persuading me to become a Christian?”

but this may better be understood by looking at another translation. Agrippa’s response was in

Acts 26:28 (NLT) Agrippa interrupted him. “Do you think you can persuade me to become a Christian so quickly?”

and one other translation says in

Acts 26:28 (KJV 1900) Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

Agrippa was persuaded, but not fully convinced and Paul eeks out a final word, a prayer for them all in

Acts 26:29 And Paul replied, “I pray to God, whether in a short time or in a long time, not only you but also all those who are listening to me today may become such people as I also am, except for these bonds!”

and then, the moment is over. Paul was held for two years waiting for this audience and now, it is finished.

It Was Decided That We Would Sail Away to Italy

Acts 27:1–12

They Thought They Could Accomplish Their Purpose

Acts 27:13–20
Even though they had been warned by Paul, they were set on making their way to a nicer winter harbor. By the gift of the Holy Spirit, Paul had the information they needed but they chose to follow the experience of the captain and the desire of the crew rather than heed this stranger, this man of God, Paul. It wasn’t long though, and Paul was proved right and they were all despairing in

Acts 27:20 But when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and with not a little bad weather confronting us, finally all hope was abandoned that we would be saved.

You Ought to Have Followed My Advice

Acts 27:21–26
Paul’s initial perception and warning to them was that they would lose the ship, the cargo, and their lives in

Acts 27:10 saying to them, “Men, I perceive that the voyage is going to end with disaster and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives!”

As their situation grew worse, Paul had kept quiet even though they were now in a desperate situation. Then, an angel appeared to Paul in

Acts 27:24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul! It is necessary for you to stand before Caesar, and behold, God has graciously granted you all who are sailing with you.’

Paul was going to testify in Rome and by God’s grace, even though they had made a foolish decision is setting sail against Paul’s warning, all of their lives would be spared.

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • Acts 26:1-32
  • Acts 27:1-26
Devotions

He Listened Concerning the Faith in Christ Jesus

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Paul’s trial continues, now at the seat of the Roman government of the region, in Caesarea. Felix the governor hears from the high priests’ lawyer and then from Paul. Paul simply lays out the facts and calls for the men from Asia who were first to accuse him. Felix, a judge for years and now a politician, delays in Acts 24:22 But Felix, because he understood the facts concerning the Way more accurately, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the military tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” But it is two years later that the new governor Festus again brings Paul before the judgment seat. And during these two years, in Acts 24:24 “when Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him concerning faith in Christ Jesus.” But Felix also delayed a decision with Paul saying in Acts 24:25 “Go away for the present, and when I have an opportunity, I will summon you.” and missed his opportunity, there was never a convenient time for him to return. Festus takes over as the new governor and brings Paul back to the judgment seat but now before King Agrippa, the chief men of the city and the Roman soldiers and the amazing thing here is that as this began in Jerusalem it was the tribune who was protecting Paul and now, as a Paul stands still accused two years later, it is the governor who is saying in Acts 25:25–26 “But I understood that he had done nothing deserving death himself”. All of these leaders have heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, as they called it “the way” in Acts 24:22 and Paul is soon to be on his way to Rome fulfilling the vision he had with Jesus.

All of Whom Brought Charges

Acts 24:1–9 

I Do Confess This To You

Acts 24:10–21
The lawyer speaking for the Jews had opened with flattery to Felix the governor and now Paul has a chance to speak. Paul recognizes that Felix has served the Jewish nation as a judge and welcomes him as the one presiding in

Acts 24:10 And when the governor gestured for him to speak, Paul replied, “Because I know you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I defend myself cheerfully with respect to the things concerning myself.

Paul rehearses the facts, twelve days since his arrival and he went to worship in Acts 24:11, Paul was not arguing or stirring up crowds in Acts 24:12, and there is no proof of any of these accusations in Acts 24:13. What is true, and Paul plainly states in

Acts 24:14-15 But I do confess this to you, that according to the Way (which they call a sect), so I worship the God of our fathers, believing all things that are in accordance with the law and that are written in the prophets, 15 having a hope in God which these men also themselves await: that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.

Felix would now understand this doctrinal difference that would be inflammatory between major sects of the Jews, the Pharisees, and Sadducees. Paul goes on to explain in

Acts 24:18 in which they found me purified in the temple courts, not with a crowd or with a disturbance.

and that there were others, “Jews from Asia” in Acts 24:19 that brought the initial charges who should be brought into the court to substantiate their charges. 

He Listened to Him Concerning the Faith in Christ Jesus

Acts 24:22–27
Paul’s life was in the hands of the governor Felix and this was a man that knew not only the history and laws and customs of the Jews, but he also knew about “the way” so delayed any decision by calling for the tribune from Jerusalem to testify in

Acts 24:22 But Felix, because he understood the facts concerning the Way more accurately, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the military tribune comes down, I will decide your case.”

This also made it difficult for the Jewish leaders that had traveled for this trial. In fact, after two years, this had not been resolved in

Acts 24:27 And when two years had passed, Felix received a successor Porcius Festus. And because he wanted to do a favor for the Jews, Felix left Paul behind as a prisoner.

but during these two years, Felix and his wife visited Paul and listened in

Acts 24:24 And after some days, when Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him concerning faith in Christ Jesus.

It is clear that Felix felt some conviction, yet he also delayed any answer to Paul in

Acts 24:25 And while he was discussing about righteousness and self control and the judgment that is to come, Felix became afraid and replied, “Go away for the present, and when I have an opportunity, I will summon you.”

I Am Standing Before the Judgment Seat of Cesar

Acts 25:1–12

An Opportunity for Defense Against His Accusers

Acts 25:13–22 

He Had Done Nothing Deserving Death

Acts 25:23–27
Paul is brought before Festus, the new governor for Rome and King Agrippa of Israel before a full audience as Festus makes a spectacle of this trial before all in

Acts 25:23 So on the next day, Agrippa and Bernice came with great pageantry and entered into the audience hall, along with military tribunes and the most prominent men of the city. And when Festus gave the order, Paul was brought in.

Festus begins by giving a speech telling all about the appeal of the Jews in

Acts 25:24 And Festus said, “King Agrippa and all who are present with us, you see this man about whom the whole population of the Jews appealed to me, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he must not live any longer.

Then, Festus levels the field for Paul by saying in front of all in

Acts 25:25–26 But I understood that he had done nothing deserving death himself, and when this man appealed to His Majesty the Emperor, I decided to send him. 26 I do not have anything definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore I have brought him before you all—and especially before you, King Agrippa—so that after this preliminary hearing has taken place, I may have something to write.

but Festus is not doing this for Paul’s benefit, he is looking for political cover so someone else, King Agrippa, can take some of the heat that will surely come when this case gets to Caesar.

Study Verses

Today’s Reading

  • Acts 24:1-27
  • Acts 25:1-27