The Acts of Paul (By Chris Barnes)

Acts 25-26
OBSERVE: Within these two chapters we read about the following:

• Paul’s trial before Festus the Governor.
• Festus consults with Herod Agrippa II (son of Agrippa I).
• Paul is brought out before Festus and Agrippa II.
• Paul testifies to both of these men of authority.
• Paul’s innocence is determined and he’s sent to Caesar due to his appeal.

INTERPRET: Paul is a clever man and he knows all about his rights. As Paul pleads his innocence, he is also demanding that proper justice take place. Just like he did with the magistrates in Philippi (Acts 16: 35-39); Paul is attempting to have the appropriate officials perform their assigned duties. What Paul is appealing for is for his case to be tried in the highest court in the empire; to stand in front of Caesar himself in Rome. Through this sequence of events; we see Paul witnessing to the highest authorities in the land.

At this point in Paul’s life, he had been promised by God through his sense of vocation (Acts 19:21) and has been promised by Jesus though a vision (Acts 23: 11) that he would get to Rome. In these two chapters we read about Paul taking responsibility and acting on the opportunity at hand.

APPLICATION: Paul knew the promises that God had made on his life; which included his eventual arrival in Rome. Recognizing that God had provided the opportunity for him, Paul responded by appealing to Caesar knowing full well the customs of the Romans and his rights as a citizen. Paul took the proper human responsibility to respond to the opportunity that God provided.

There are times in our life that we are to keep still and wait for the Lord to provide. There are other times in our life in which God acts but he will do so through us taking proper human responsibility in the manner. Discerning and discovering which applies in which case is an important aspect in the walk of every Christian. This discernment is an area that we will grow in as we grow in our relationship with Christ. This understanding will continue to develop as we spend more time with Jesus and get to know him better.

REFLECTION: In your own walk with the Lord; have you been able to discern when to “keep still” and allow the Lord to act, and when to take the initiative and take action? Are there any recent examples in your life that you would change how you responded?

PRAYER: Lord God; I appeal to you and you alone. You are my one and only judge. Help me to discern when to wait on you and when to take action. Give me patience to wait on you and wisdom to know when to step out in faith based steps. Thank you for the example of Paul in the scriptures. AMEN.

SONG: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4t6mz8yoocY