May 22, 2016
Five Ways People Respond to the Truth

Paul before Felix

24 After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders,[a]with an [b]attorney named Tertullus, and they [c]brought charges to the governor against Paul. After Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying to the governor,

“Since we have through you attained much peace, and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for this nation, we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. But, that I may not weary you any further, I beg you [d]to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing. For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout [e]the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. And he even tried to desecrate the temple; and [f]then we arrested him. [[g]We wanted to judge him according to our own Law.But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands, ordering his accusers to come before you.] By examining him yourself concerning all these matters you will be able to ascertain the things of which we accuse him.” The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so. 10 When the governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul responded: “Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense, 11 since you can take note of the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.12 Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing [h]a riot.13 Nor can they prove to you the charges of which they now accuse me.14 But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call asect I do serve [i]the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; 15 having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16 In view of this, I also [j]do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men. 17 Now after several years Icame to bring [k]alms to my nation and to present offerings; 18 in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been purified, without anycrowd or uproar. But there were some Jews from [l]Asia— 19 who ought to have been present before you and to make accusation, if they should have anything against me. 20 Or else let these men themselves tell what misdeed they found when I stood before the [m]Council, 21 other than for this one statement which I shouted out while standing among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.’” 22 But Felix, [n]having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the [o]commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be kept in custody and yet have some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him. 24 But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his [p]wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you.” 26 At the same time too, he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and converse with him. 27 But after two years had passed, Felix [q]was succeeded by Porcius Festus, andwishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.
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  • May 22, 2016Five Ways People Respond to the Truth
    May 22, 2016
    Five Ways People Respond to the Truth

    Paul before Felix

    24 After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders,[a]with an [b]attorney named Tertullus, and they [c]brought charges to the governor against Paul. After Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying to the governor,

    “Since we have through you attained much peace, and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for this nation, we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. But, that I may not weary you any further, I beg you [d]to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing. For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout [e]the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. And he even tried to desecrate the temple; and [f]then we arrested him. [[g]We wanted to judge him according to our own Law.But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands, ordering his accusers to come before you.] By examining him yourself concerning all these matters you will be able to ascertain the things of which we accuse him.” The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so. 10 When the governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul responded: “Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense, 11 since you can take note of the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.12 Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing [h]a riot.13 Nor can they prove to you the charges of which they now accuse me.14 But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call asect I do serve [i]the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; 15 having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16 In view of this, I also [j]do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men. 17 Now after several years Icame to bring [k]alms to my nation and to present offerings; 18 in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been purified, without anycrowd or uproar. But there were some Jews from [l]Asia— 19 who ought to have been present before you and to make accusation, if they should have anything against me. 20 Or else let these men themselves tell what misdeed they found when I stood before the [m]Council, 21 other than for this one statement which I shouted out while standing among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.’” 22 But Felix, [n]having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the [o]commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be kept in custody and yet have some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him. 24 But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his [p]wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you.” 26 At the same time too, he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and converse with him. 27 But after two years had passed, Felix [q]was succeeded by Porcius Festus, andwishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.
  • May 15, 2016Take Courage!
    May 15, 2016
    Take Courage!

    Acts 23:11-33New American Standard Bible (NASB)

    11 But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, “Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.”

    A Conspiracy to Kill Paul

    12 When it was day, the Jews formed a [a]conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. 13 There were more than forty who formed this plot. 14 They came to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We havebound ourselves under a solemn oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. 15 Now therefore, you [b]and the [c]Council notify the[d]commander to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case by a more thorough investigation; and we for our part are ready to slay him before he comes near the place.”

    16 But the son of Paul’s sister heard of their ambush, [e]and he came and entered the barracks and told Paul. 17 Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, “Lead this young man to the [f]commander, for he has something to report to him.” 18 So he took him and led him to the[g]commander and *said, “Paul the prisoner called me to him and asked me to lead this young man to you since he has something to tell you.”19 The [h]commander took him by the hand and stepping aside, began to inquire of him privately, “What is it that you have to report to me?”20 And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down tomorrow to the [i]Council, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more thoroughly about him. 21 So do not [j]listen to them, for more than forty of them are lying in wait for him who have bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they slay him; and now they are ready and waiting for the promise from you.” 22 So the[k]commander let the young man go, instructing him, “Tell no one that you have notified me of these things.”

    Paul Moved to Caesarea

    23 And he called to him two of the centurions and said, “Get two hundred soldiers ready by [l]the third hour of the night to proceed to Caesarea,[m]with seventy horsemen and two hundred [n]spearmen.” 24 They werealso to provide mounts to put Paul on and bring him safely to Felix the governor. 25 And he wrote a letter having this form:

    26 “Claudius Lysias, to the most excellent governor Felix, greetings.

    27 “When this man was arrested by the Jews and was about to be slain by them, I came up to them with the troops and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman. 28 “And wanting to ascertain the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their[o]Council; 29 and I found him to be accused over questions about their Law, but [p]under no accusation deserving death or [q]imprisonment.

    30 “When I was informed that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, also instructing his accusers to [r]bring charges against him before you.”

    31 So the soldiers, in accordance with their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 But the next day, leaving the horsemen to go on with him, they returned to the barracks. 33 When these had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him.

  • May 8, 2016A Mother’s Example
    May 8, 2016
    A Mother’s Example

    John Is Born

    57 Now the time [a]had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had[b]displayed His great mercy toward her; and they were rejoicing with her.

    59 And it happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to call him Zacharias, [c]after his father. 60 But his mother answered and said, “No indeed; but he shall be called John.”61 And they said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by that name.” 62 And they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called. 63 And he asked for a tablet and wrote as follows, “His name is John.” And they were all astonished. 64 And at once his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he began to speak in praise of God. 65 Fear came on all those living around them; and all these matters were being talked about in all the hill country of Judea.66 All who heard them kept them in mind, saying, “What then will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him.

  • May 1, 2016Maintaining a Good Conscience Before God
    May 1, 2016
    Maintaining a Good Conscience Before God

    Acts 22:30-23:10 New International Version (NIV)

    Paul Before the Sanhedrin

    30 The commander wanted to find out exactly why Paul was being accused by the Jews. So the next day he released him and ordered the chief priests and all the members of the Sanhedrin to assemble. Then he brought Paul and had him stand before them.

    23 Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!”

    Those who were standing near Paul said, “How dare you insult God’s high priest!”

    Paul replied, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’[a]

    Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.” When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees believe all these things.)

    There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Pharisees stood up and argued vigorously. “We find nothing wrong with this man,” they said. “What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 10 The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks.

  • Apr 24, 2016Don’t Give Up! They May Be Closer Than You Think
    Apr 24, 2016
    Don’t Give Up! They May Be Closer Than You Think
    Acts 22:1-29
  • Apr 17, 2016Developing Strong Relationships
    Apr 17, 2016
    Developing Strong Relationships

    Paul’s Arrival at Jerusalem

    17 When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received us warmly. 18 The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. 19 Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. 21 They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses,telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. 22 What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, 23 so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow. 24 Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. 25 As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.” 26 The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.
  • Apr 10, 2016Preparing to Depart From Here
    Apr 10, 2016
    Preparing to Depart From Here
    Acts 21:1-16
  • Mar 28, 2016The Resurrection: Life After Death
    Mar 28, 2016
    The Resurrection: Life After Death
  • Mar 21, 2016Paul’s Farewell Message Part 2; Paul’s Appeal to the Church Leaders
    Mar 21, 2016
    Paul’s Farewell Message Part 2; Paul’s Appeal to the Church Leaders
  • Mar 14, 2016Paul’s Farewell Message
    Mar 14, 2016
    Paul’s Farewell Message