Meditational Bible Study from The books of Acts 25 KJV
For MIthcah Bible Baptist Church – Bahrain
Morning Online Devotional Group Bible Study and Prayer Fellowship 091725
[7] And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.
[8] While he answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended anything at all.”
Grievous Complaints
Acts 25:1-8 KJV
“[1] Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Caesarea to Jerusalem.
[2] Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,
[3] And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.
[4] But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.
[5] Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.
[6] And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Caesarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded Paul to be brought.
These people who have been blinded for so long in obeying the ideology conceptualized by their leaders: particularly the high priest, who feign themselves obeying the law, would not listen to whatever Paul explain; denied him justice; insisted they desired for him to be punished, from their hand: death sentence; not even considering that he (Paul) did not do it out of his own will, and could not resist from his heart to obey the LORD and Master JESUS, whom before they all denied, is the very Son of The Mighty GOD. The One who instructed Paul to tell them that resurrection from the dead is real, and what has been done by Him, is the only way they will be saved from the eternal punishment of hell.
This is how intense the lack-of- discerning Jews pursued Paul to be killed.
They made their accusation so grievously far from the truth; so that the higher authority: Festus will be forced to give them Paul.
So far, they have been from understanding, to discerns that, because of Paul’s righteous obedience to the will of the LORD, GOD keep the heart and mind of Festus; the Procurator(Governor) of Judea: successor of Felix, not to give in to their persistent demand; of the high priest, with his cohorts and the obliterated, accusative, blood thirsty Jews.
This biblical event imparted to us these insights:
If we do things right, GOD will give us light.
If we stands for the truth, we will be strengthen and be covered by the Mighty Hand of the LORD.
Be courageous in sharing GOD’s words, and we will be empowered by the HOLY GHOST.
Be faithful in all your ways, and the Heavenly Father will bless you in the coming days.
Acts 25:9-21 KJV -
9 But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?
10 Then said Paul, I stand at Cæsar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.
11 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Cæsar.
12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Cæsar? unto Cæsarshalt thou go.
13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Cæsarea to salute Festus.
14 And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:
15 About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.
16 To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licenceto answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.
17 Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.
18 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:
19 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
20 And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.
21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Cæsar.
From these passages were given emphasis that educated person with the wisdom of the HOLY GHOST is an advantageous in the ministry.
Just as Paul knew his right to defend himself, have knowledge by whom he should be tried, he also has beenbold enough to respond his accuser with clear and sound mind.
For considering that he was being imprisoned for more than two years; he could have been in deep resentment in following the LORD; sorrowful and downhearted of his situation. But because he knew his calling, he lived day by day apprehended losing everything, yet he still maintained placidity, having his peace within.
On the other hand, it is obvious that the new governor Festus has been being too careful of just giving in to the whims of the Jews, maintain to himself the understanding that he is placed in his current position to give fair judgement; discerning Paul that he is not worthy of death; he consulted with King Agrippa, who come to greet him and probably, to get acquainted with him, Festus mentioned to him the case of Paul; who after hearing from him, became interested to know Paul’s faith in the most talked-about event of his country: the risen from the death of JESUS of Nazareth.
Things we must ponder from these inspired words:
• Diligence to get education and pursue to achieve degrees, makes a person intelligent.
• Determination to stands for what is right, against all odds, is another milestone that will surely be rewarded.
• Dedicated to firmly live a purposeful, godly way of life, GOD will surely blessed.
We all therefore be diligent in getting knowledge, be determined to stands for what is right, and be dedicated to purposefully live for the LORD, no matter what age we come to know JESUS, for all our labor will be rewarded and we will be bountifully blessed.
Acts 25:22-27 KJV -
“22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.
23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought forth.
24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.
25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.
26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.
27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.”
Referring to the Roman’s law, the Governor Festus could not found fault worthy of death for Paul; he even don’t know what message he should write to Augustus Ceasar, as he should have full knowledge and have it written in a formal report about Paul’s appeal.
He understood that complaints by the `Jewish people against Paul should be heard within his governance, not too grievous to be brought to the attention of his superior: Augustus Caesar. He, within himself couldn’t grasp the idea, that, by the law of the Jews, this man called Paul was extremely hated that they intensely pursued to take his life.
For these non-subversive reasons:
• he preach and teach about the resurrection from the dead,
• he is proclaiming that JESUS is the Son of GOD; that He is GOD by the nature of Himself
• he prodded(urged) everyone not just to learn the old testament, but pointing to them that JESUS is the promised Messiah, whom they crucified because of unbelief.
From these scenario, it illumines us that, belief in religion can be extremely cruel.
That many did not value life in obedience to the law of their system of belief. Contrary-wise, within the LORD JESUS CHRIST’s teaching; which have highly given emphasis this very truth: He came to give us life, teaches how we should love lives, and the very reason He died is for us to live.
His spoken words:
“25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
John 10KJV
“9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”
Life here in this earth within our physical body, and even life after the death of our mortal body, is a gift from JESUS, which He purchased by His sinless blood poured out on that cross. The sufferings He endured, His death, burial and resurrection made our redemption from sin perfectly finished, and we do not need to do anything added to that redemption but to believe what He has done for us. the good works will follow after we believe; living a renewed life, to show what significant salvation has done to us. We give back to Him our love because He first love us and that we should also love others.
John 3KJV
“16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
2 Peter 3 KJV
“9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
We can’t thank GOD enough. Even though so much gratitude we give back to GOD, because the LORD has come.
That we defend our faith to anyone who will question or mock us, because we are too religiously incline in serving the LORD.
Many wouldn’t understand, even our thanksgiving to Apostle Paul for his boldness and courage; dedication to follow the LORD’s calling for him; defying death from the Jews’ grievous complaints just to follow the LORD’s command of bringing the gospel of salvation by faith to us ward.
May the LORD find us faithful in doing our part.
0 comments:
Post a Comment