Paul witnessing to Felix (Roman Governor or Procurator of Judea) is a classic example of Jesus’ Parable about the “Sower.”

I’m not sure if Felix’s heart was a picture of the “hard ground” or the “thorny ground” or the “shallow ground” … but clearly it wasn’t that of the “good ground!”

Luke tells us: “And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.” Acts 24:25

Paul preaching Jesus!

And at first things looked promising, too.

“And as he (Paul) reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled.” Acts 24:25, the Greek construction here implies he “became very fearful!” Hence, he is “shaking.” Maybe he is even “under conviction!” Those three listed themes Paul preached deal with one’s past (sins forgiven, righteousness imputed) and one’s present (how to lived day-by-day with godly self-control, temperance) and then with one’s future (preparing for judgment by being born-again)!

No wonder Felix seemed to be so moved! He is left completely “without excuse!” (Quoting Romans 1:20.)

As I said earlier … it looked like Felix might get saved, might believe!

But then he “postpones” his decision! (Not God’s Idea, but Felix’s idea!) The Governor commanded Paul … “Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” Acts 24:25, the verse’s last clause.

Looks like Felix came to the very “brink” of salvation … and (apparently) rejected the Gospel!

He will wait until “just the right time!” He has spurned the Grace of God! He has rejected Jesus!

The Holy Spirit “gripped” him, ever so briefly, ever so gently … but Felix decided to “not believe.” At least at that time, at that “season” (the noun “kairos” in Greek, a “window of opportunity”)!

Now, back to the idea of the different kinds of soil … looks like he has his hardened his heart (the “hard ground” in the Parable) … having said “no” to the Word of God. “He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.” Luke records in Acts 24: 26 … less conviction now and more greed!

When the Holy Spirit “draws” one to Christ … he or she had best “yield” to His Hand … and the sooner the better!

If not, the devil will “steal away” the good seed of the Truth … and the “cares of this world” (including $$$) will choke out the Message of eternal salvation!

And this “rejection” of Jesus continued how long? “But after TWO YEARS Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.” Acts 24:27

And Felix left town … still lost in his sins!

Not Paul’s fault!

Not the Holy Spirit’s Fault!

Solely Felix’s fault … proof a man can “of his own will” neglect Jesus … to his own detriment!

And today, this very minute …. Felix may be in the unquenchable Fires of Hell, in “outer darkness; where there is weeping, gnashing of teeth, eternal darkness!”

Are YOU saved?

Jesus tells us how to be … “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24

Amen.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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The man is an orator, according to the Greek noun a rhetorician, in essence a lawyer! “Tertullus” means, according to one lexicon, “triple hardened!” Is that also a statement concerning his heart?

He was employed by the Sanhedrin (the High Priest specifically) to “accuse” Paul before a Roman Governor named Felix.

His charges were threefold: (Remember that likely meaning of his name, based on the number “three!”)

“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: who also hath gone about to profane the temple.” Verses 5 and 6 of Acts 24; an insurrectionist (rebel) against Rome, the a member of an illegal cult (Christianity, the Nazarenes), and a desecrator/blasphemer of the Holy Temple!

But Paul here defended himself, vigorously!

He had boldly said earlier: “What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 21:13) … but has apparently decided not to be labeled with these “bogus” (though “serious”) accusations! He will refute them!

Good for Paul!

Not quite ready to die, after all! And we Christians are the richer for his decision, his defense that day! (Otherwise we would possess none of the precious “Prison Epistles” Paul later wrote!)

Tell us more, Luke: “Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered …” Acts 24:10, and what an “answer” this is!

A great defense of the Faith!

And a poignant Sermon, too!

Bold as well: “Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.” Verse 13!

Paul to Felix: “But this I confess unto thee, that after THE WAY which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: and have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.” Verses 14-16, a “good confession” indeed! (Here Paul is very much like our Lord: “Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession.” 1 Timothy 6:13)

“The Way,” one of the earliest names for Christianity!

So called because Jesus is “THE WAY!” John 14:6, the only Way! (“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”)

The result of this Sermon?

Surprisingly, Felix decides to hear more, in a different setting, apart from Paul’s accusers! With his Wife present, in fact!

And that we shall discuss next Lesson, Lord willing.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Oh, how I think Paul should have stayed out of Jerusalem and pursued his ministry at the “Apostle to the Gentiles!” My mind goes back to something the Lord told Paul long ago … “Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.” Acts 22:18, a command!

Or that Paul would have stayed committed to this plan: “From henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.” Acts 18:6

He literally gave his life for the Jews, in some ways! (“For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” And “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.” Romans 9:3 and Romans 10:1, King James Version.)

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Primarily I want to focus on one verse this morning: “And when Paul’s SISTER’S SON heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.” Acts 23:16

Another plot has been hatched against Paul. (“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. And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.”)

These rebels came to the Sandedrin (chief priests and elders) and concocted a plan to “ambush” Paul while he was being escorted (by armed guard, nonetheless) to a certain meeting hall! (Acts 23:14-15)

But … our verse today … one young man spoiled their devious assassination attempt! And he did so only because he somehow “heard” of their murderous intentions!

So he ” went to the “castle” (a military encampment, fortress, stronghold) where Paul was being held … gained access to his “Uncle Paul” … and told him the story! (That’s called “initiative!”)

Luke takes up here: “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. 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. 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? And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the COUNCIL (SANHEDRIN), as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly. 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. 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.” Acts 23:17-22, intrigue! Notice now the great Apostle is simply “Paul the prisoner!”

And … as a result … Paul was spared!

The Chief Captain (with a strong guard of 200 soldiers and 70 additional cavalrymen) sends Paul to Caeserea! (A distance of over 70 miles!)

Paul … clearly safe for now!

Because of a nephew!

Otherwise mentioned nowhere else in Scripture!

I want to write today on the “little things” God uses in our lives!

Like the “sleepless night” that spared the Nation of Israel during the days of Haman, another plot spoiled!

Like the insignificant “rooster” which crowed one morning, waking Peter to his senses!

Like the “little maid” who told of a Prophet in Israel, thus (indirectly) ridding Captain Naaman of his leprosy!

Like the “little island” named Patmos where we Christians were given the great Book of Revelation, John being exiled there!

Wow!

Now this morning (or later today, whenever practical) I’d like to ask you to sit down and ponder … some “little thing” (or maybe even “little things”) God has used in your life!

I’m thinking right now of a “little book” (written by Bernard Palmer) that the Lord used when I was called to preach the Gospel!

But I must close!

The ministry of “little things” … in the Hands of a great God!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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Technically it’s called a “Christophany,” I think. The word literally means “an appearance of Christ!”

And the Apostle Paul has had so many of these, has experienced them so often, that he quantifies their number like this: “an abundance of revelations!” (2 Corinthians 12:7, maybe even innumerable!)

I am supposing that when Paul wrote Romans, for example, he received such a “Revelation” to do so! Two more “Revelations” (maybe 3) when he wrote the Epistles to the Corinthians! His life is filled, punctuated with such “Christophanies!” I’d even go so far as to say that Paul’s very salvation experience consisted of one of them, a “Christophany!” (Acts 9:5 … “And Paul said, WHO ARE THOU, Lord? And the Lord said, I AM JESUS whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”)

And yet again in today’s Lesson Paul is given a “Christophany!” (Acts 22) He has recently been arrested (once) and nearly killed (twice and counting) when on a trip (his final one) to Jerusalem.

Paul is pretty discouraged, looks like.

After all, he just caused a riot! And would have been killed, except for a Roman garrison nearby! Luke continues the story: “And when there arose a great dissension (among the Sanhedrin), the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.” Acts 23:10

Paul, now all alone … judging by the pronouns here used … needs a word of exhortation! Watch what occurs: “And the night following the LORD (JESUS) 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.” Acts 23:11

Yes … Jesus came down! Appeared, as in “Christophany!”

No mention here of a “vision.”

Or “dream.”

Or that Paul was “hallucinating!”

“The Lord stood by him!”

And encouraged him, “Be of good cheer!” That’s really the positive side of “Fear not!”

Then, as if helping Paul get back on the right track … “You are yet going to yet testify of me in Rome!”

In other words: Paul, they are not going to kill you here. No matter how they “plot!” You will preach God’s Word in that far away Capital of the World! (Acts 1:8 … “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the UTTERMOST PART of the earth.” That last phrase, “Rome” for sure! The end of the map! “All roads led to Rome!”)

And, surely, Paul took courage!

He’s ready to live another day!

Jesus was trained of His Father to do this: “The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.” Isaiah 40:4, “a word to the weary!”

Here is Jesus as “Comforter!”

And here I just end today’s thoughts … yet I must testify that the Lord Jesus has “comforted” me many a time as well. I’ve never seen Him literally (not yet) or heard Him audibly (not yet) … but He sure has “stood by me” (via His Holy Spirit) and “spoken to me” (via His Word) again and again!

Oh yes, Jesus did promise: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5, a Promise He has kept!

And in the “Great Commission,” too … “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:20

Amen!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Jesus “stood up” as Stephen was dying! Jesus “came down” as Paul was languishing!

What a Saviour!

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Paul has somehow gotten himself into a real dilemma! He is standing before the Jewish Sanhedrin (over 90% of which hate him with a passion) with a Roman execution squad uncomfortable nearby!

Paul clearly sensed the imminent danger … and skillfully (or craftily) used a ploy worthy of the most deft of court (trial) lawyers!

“But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council (Greek = Sanhedrin), Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and RESURRECTION of the dead I am called in question.” Acts 23:6

That one key word, in that tense environment … “resurrection” … drove a wedge deeply into the theological heart of that body of proud Judges!

Let’s let Luke explain … “And when he (Paul) had so said (that single, divisive word, RESURRECTION), there arose a dissension (“stasis = a taking of sides, battle lines drawn) between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.” Verses 7 and 8 of Acts 23.

Paul has sown enough discord among the Sandedrin members that their minds are no longer (for the time being) focused on killing him … but are on defending their own specific doctrinal nuances!

Here’s the outcome: “And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees’ part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God. And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.” (Verses 9 and 10, Paul rescued, by the Romans again, twice in one day!)

Paul, here in danger of being “pulled in pieces!” At least the commanding Officer thought that to be the case.

I think Paul must have been “shaken!”

But, being “wise as a serpent,” he avoided further harm, evading their deviously planned execution that singular day! (Matthew 10:16)

But, to my eyes anyway, Paul’s verbal tactic was a far cry from his usually noble self! (Jesus could have used this same approach when among His enemies … but never did! He faced them boldly and decisively and Scripturally!)

Paul’s actions that day remind me of David (the future King of Israel) on one of his less glorious days, too. When he was also in a “place” beneath his dignity, in the Land of the Philistines!

“And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands? And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath. And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad (crazy) in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard. Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me? Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house? David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father’s house heard it, they went down thither to him.” (1 Samuel 21, the last paragraph.)

David fled to “Gath,” for protection! Where Goliath once lived? I imagine he was real popular there, having slain their favorite son! (Makes about as much sense as Paul being before the Sanhedrin to be theologically evaluated!)

But David figured a way “out!”

He acted like a crazy man! (Considered very bad “luck” back in those days, a sign of a “curse” being placed upon one’s household! A lunatic in your midst, in your presence!)

And the King-to-be (David) not only escaped, but was virtually “kicked out” of the Philistine city!

Safety resulted … but at what cost?

I fear neither Paul nor David in the situations we’ve discussed today lived up to Proverbs 28:1 … “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.”

I recall reading something an old British Preacher said once: “No Christian is consistently as BAD as his worst day! And no Christian is consistently as good as his BEST day!” If that’s so … I am thankful!

This much we do know … both Paul and David were far, far better followers of our Lord than their acts proved those two “low” days in their lives!

Paul was so “low” in fact, that (tomorrow’s lesson) the Lord Himself comes down to encourage His servant! A miraculous Christophany, surely.

More later, the Lord willing.

Meanwhile … to each of us a challenge … have a GOOD DAY in the Lord! And please, we pray, spare us from a BAD day! (“Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Matthew 6:13)

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

You are in no way compelled to agree with my assessment of Paul’s behavior today. As I sat down to write this morning’s lesson, that’s what the Lord gave me. I feel warned and edified, anyway.

Paul was not perfect, folks. And he never claimed to be. He in fact often emphasized his weaknesses.

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