This past week was a long one.  We knew my momma was in the last few days of her life, and on the first of July, at about eight p.m., she went home to be with her Lord.  Since I stated the purpose of this blog to be exploring what it means to be a Christian in todays world, we could look a long time and never find a better example than Nadine Rice Dobbs.  She was married for over fifty seven years to Leroy Dobbs, Sr., and loved him without question for all those years, and for the next eleven after he died.  She was at church whenever there was a service, until the last few months of her life.  She brought my brother, sister, and me to all those services as well as long as we were at home.  I know you may have heard the expression she drug us to church, but not only that, she drug us out if we acted up.  She loved us as Christ would expect a mother to love, from the day we were born until the day she died.  She was a Sunday School teacher for many, many years.  She didn't just go in and read what the quarterly said.  She studied all week to be prepared to teach.  She worked in Vacation Bible School, whether teaching or feeding the children snacks.  When she was almost eighty, she went on a mission trip to Guatemala.  After that, she went with my wife and me, and then with just me, to New Mexico to work on a mission church there, caulking walls and getting things ready to paint.  She always supported her pastor and often fed him.  She loved her grand children and great-grand children, as well as all the rest of her family, and always lifted them up in prayer.  At her funeral, one of her former pastors spoke about what a great prayer warrior she was, and anyone who knew her would have said the same thing.  She was always quick with a kind word for anyone who needed one.  The world may not know her as they do Paul, but she is still a great example of what a follower of Christ should be, and for nearly sixty eight years, I got to have her as my momma.

Acts 24:1

Acts 24:1 says.  And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. We are told that Ananias and the elders got there five days later.  They brought an orator named Tertullus, a Roman, with them and he informed the governor against Paul. The chief priest is the one who should have been in the best position to inform against Paul, but maybe since their charges weren't true, they felt they needed someone who spoke well.  If we were to bring charges against a fellow Christian, whether in the church or the secular world, hopefully we would be able to speak for ourselves.  Verse two adds, And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, Verse three continues, We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.  Tertullus was a spokesman for hire, and he started by flattering Felix, the governor.  He said they enjoyed peace due to Felix' s rule and were thankful for it. What they enjoyed was repression at his hands, but they wanted his favor.  People still use flattery today to get what they want.  Verse four states, Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.  Tertullus then told Felix that he wouldn’t continue to bore him with tedious words.  He figured he had flattered him enough to now make his request.  Some leaders respond very positively to flattery, though they shouldn’t.  Verse five adds, For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: Then, he accused Paul of being a petulant fellow, full of sedition.  In other words, he was a threat to the peace of the country.  People today will use all methods to discredit God's work, especially lies, because it cannot be discredited with the truth.  Verse six continues, Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.  He then said that they had judged Paul by their Law, having accused him of profaning the temple, which would not have been against Roman Law.  Verse seven says, But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,  He said the chief captain Lysias came and took him from them with great violence.  He did not say that they were the cause of that violence.  We can expect not only lies but also half-truths when the world speaks against us.  Verse eight adds, Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.  Verse nine continues, And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.  We don't have to look far to see that if we speak out against sin, we are accused of hating the sinner.  The Jews also assented, saying these things were so. 

Acts 23:31

Acts 23:31 says, Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris. We are told of Paul's trip to Rome.  Verse thirty-two adds, On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:  He had been provided with an animal to ride, so when the soldiers got to Antipatris by night, the next morning they left Paul with the horsemen.  The rest of the soldiers returned to the castle.  There were still seventy soldiers to escort Paul the rest of the way. God will never leave us without ample protection to do His will.  This does not mean we will never suffer or even be killed while serving Him, but we will never be left without the power of God behind us.  Verse thirty-three continues, Who when they came to Caesarea and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him   From Antipatris, they delivered Paul to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle and Paul to the governor.  God had kept Paul safe from the Jews, but he was still a prisoner.  We have been set free spiritually as followers of Christ, but that doesn’t mean we will never be a prisoner in this world because of our faith. Verse thirty-four states, And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;  Verse thirty-five add, I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.  The governor saw that Paul was of Cilicia and said he would hear him and his accusers, so he sent for them.  All we can ever hope for is that if we are accused, then we and our accusers are brought together to present the facts.  

 

Over forty Jewish men had taken a vow to kill Paul, and the chief captain sent two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen,and two hundred spearmen to escort Paul to Felix the governor.  He was taking no chances with having harm come to Paul, already afraid from his actions so far.  God had told Paul that he was to go to Rome, and now he was providing him an armed escort.  We can trust God to provide well above what is needed for us to do His will.  The Jewish leaders agreed to the plot, and the government officials worked to stop it.  They were to leave with Paul during the night.  Some interpret it as three hours past sunset and others at three hours past midnight.  Either way, the chief captain wasn't waiting for morning.  We need to be as ready to move for God, day or night.  He wrote a letter to Felix, explaining why he was sending Paul to him.  He called Felix the most excellent governor, maybe still being a little nervous about what he had done to Paul and wanting to get in the good graces of Felix.  He told about how the Jews had tried to kill Paul and how he had rescued him since he knew he was a Roman.  He failed to mention how he had thought Paul was an Egyptian, had him arrested and bound, and was ready to scourge him.  I don't think we would find it unusual that people in power do their best to make themselves look good, especially to those above them.  He said after he rescued Paul, he took him before their council, since he perceived that he was accused of something to do with Jewish law.  Even then, he saw nothing worthy of death or bonds.  He was presenting more facts than he had gained at the time he had arrested Paul.  Again, when some people attempt to defend themselves today, they may suddenly present facts that they should have known but chose to ignore.  We as Christians have a responsibility to know the facts before hand and act from knowledge of what is really happening.  He said when he found out that the Jews had a plot to kill Paul, he sent him to Felix so he could find out the truth from the Jews.  This is what we would call passing the buck.  As Christians, we need to confront things that are wrong and stand firm instead of trying to pass the responsibility on to someone else.

After Paul heard of the plot to kill him,  he called for the centurians and asked that they take the young man to the chief captain because he had something to tell him. The centurian did as Paul asked, and took him to the chief captain and told him why he was there.  It took a certain degree of courage to do this.  He was listening to a prisoner and going to the chief captain without being summoned.  Today, there are still people, even those who aren't Christians, who are willing to go out of their way to help others.  What we as Christians need to make sure of is that we are always ready to do the same.  The chief captain took him aside privatily to ask what he had to say.  The young man told him of the plot the Jews had to get Paul in a position to kill him.  They were willing to defy the government troops in order to kill Paul.  Today, there are many people who are willing to defy even their government in order to kill Christians and they aren't concerned with who gets killed with them.  The chief captain listened to him and sent him away, charging him to tell no one that he had told the chief captain about the plot.  It took a degree of courage for the young man to do what he did.  He could have been viewed as lying to help Paul and arrested himself.  Even if we were to find ourselves called on to do something that could cause us trouble, may we always have the faith necessary to do the right thing.  The chief captain could have sent him away without listening, but he didn't.  The chief captain believed him, maybe because he had already seen how the Jews were acting.  He began to make plans to send Paul to Rome.  Those who were God's people in name only had gotten Paul his transportation to Rome, though that certainly wasn't their intent.  We can be sure that God will bring about His purpose, even working through those who are attempiing to stop Him.

Acts 23:25

Acts 23:25 says, And he wrote a letter after this manner: He wrote a letter to Felix, explaining why he was sending Paul to him. Verse twenty-six adds, Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.  He called Felix the most excellent governor, maybe still being a little nervous about what he had done to Paul and wanting to get in the good graces of Felix.  Verse twenty-seven continues, This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.  He told about how the Jews had tried to kill Paul and how he had rescued him since he knew he was a Roman.  He failed to mention how he had thought Paul was an Egyptian, had him arrested and bound, and was ready to scourge him.  I don't think we would find it unusual that people in power do their best to make themselves look good, especially to those above them. Verse twenty-eight states, And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:  Verse twenty-nine adds, Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.  He said after he rescued Paul, he took him before their council, since he perceived that he was accused of something to do with Jewish law.  Even then, he saw nothing worthy of death or bonds. He was presenting more facts than he had gained at the time he had arrested Paul.  Again, when some people attempt to defend themselves today, they may suddenly present facts that they should have known but chose to ignore.  We as Christians have a responsibility to know the facts before hand and act from knowledge of what is really happening.  Verse thirty continues, And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell.  He said when he found out that the Jews had a plot to kill Paul, he sent him to Felix so he could find out the truth from the Jews. This is what we would call passing the buck.  As Christians, we need to confront things that are wrong and stand firm instead of trying to pass the responsibility on to someone else. 

Acts 23:11

Acts 23:11 says, And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. After Paul was once again in the custody of the chief captain, the next night the Lord stood by him and told him to be of good cheer.  Paul had been beaten, chained, imprisoned and still had people trying to kill him, and he was told by the Lord to be of good cheer.  Our problems are few compared to his, so we should have no trouble being of good cheer.  Paul had testified in Jerusalem and now he was to testify in Rome.  He might not have considered his time in Jerusalem to be successful, but God did.  We may have trouble seeing success in what we do for the Lord, but if we are doing what God wants us to do, He will see the success.  Verse twelve adds, And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.  Verse thirteen continues, And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.  The Jews had not given up on killing Paul.  More than forty of them had made a conspiracy, according to KJV, to neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.  We can only assume that they either died of thirst and starvation or they broke their vow, because they did not kill Paul.  We should be very careful about making vows to God when they are not in accordance with His will.  Verse fourteen states, And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.  Verse fifteen adds, Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.  They went to the chief priests and council, told them of their vow, then asked them to lie to the chief captain to get Paul in a position that they could kill him.  This speaks loudly of the spiritual condition of many of those who were supposedly God's chosen people.  As followers of Christ, if we ever think of doing anything immoral in the name of God, we better pray that He just takes us on home before we bring dishonor to His name.  Verse sixteen continues, And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.  Paul's nephew heard of their plot and went to Paul and told him.  Plots against God are hard to keep secret.  The enemies of God will never subvert His plans, and His plan was for Paul to go to Rome.  Paul did not have to worry, and we don't either. Verse seventeen declares, Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.  Paul called a centurion to bring his nephew to the chief captain.  If we are being mistreated or threatened in life, we need first to pray, and then go to the one who can do something about it.  Verse eighteen adds, So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee.  The centurion did s Paul asked, though he didn’t have to.  Not everyone in a position of power over us in this world is indifferent to our situation if we are in a dangerous position.  Verse nineteen continues, Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me?  The chief captain was also willing to listen to Paul’s nephew.  He too could have been indifferent.  Verse twenty says, And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly.  Paul’s nephew said that the next day the Jews were going to ask that Paul, who was out of their reach at this time, be brought down to the council for further questioning.  This would have seemed a reasonable request.  We shouldn’t be surprised if people of the world lie about their intensions concerning Christians.  Verse twenty-one adds, But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.  Paul’s nephew the told the chief captain about the forty men who had vowed to neither eat or drink until they killed him, and this was the purpose for their wanting Paul to be sent to the council.  Verse twenty-two continues, So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.  The chief captain believed him and sent him on his way, warning him to not tell anyone about his visiting the chief captain.  We need to pray that if we are ever in any dangerous situation and bring it to the attention of the authorities that they will believe us.  Verse twenty-three states, And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;  Over forty Jewish men had taken a vow to kill Paul, and the chief captain sent two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to escort Paul to Felix the governor.  He was taking no chances with having harm come to Paul, already afraid from his actions so far.  God had told Paul that he was to go to Rome, and now he was providing him an armed escort. We can trust God to provide well above what is needed for us to do His will.  The Jewish leaders agreed to the plot, and the government officials worked to stop it.  They were to leave with Paul during the night.  Some interpret it as three hours past sunset and others at three hours past midnight.  Either way, the chief captain wasn't waiting for morning.  We need to be as ready to move for God, day or night.  Verse twenty-four adds, And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.  Paul was on his way to Rome as God had said he would be.  If God sends us somewhere, it may we may not go as we would prefer, but as long as we are willing to go by the way that He provides, we will get there.