God's Word - Alive and Well

Acts 24 :17 “After several years away, I returned to Jerusalem with money to aid my people and to offer sacrifices to God. 18 My accusers saw me in the Temple as I was completing a purification ceremony. There was no crowd around me and no rioting. 19 But some Jews from the province of Asia were there—and they ought to be here to bring charges if they have anything against me! 20 Ask these men here what crime the Jewish high council found me guilty of, 21 except for the one time I shouted out, ‘I am on trial before you today because I believe in the resurrection of the dead!’” 22 At that point Felix, who was quite familiar with the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “Wait until Lysias, the garrison commander, arrives. Then I will decide the case.”23 He ordered an officer to keep Paul in custody but to give him some freedom and allow his friends to visit him and take care of his needs. 24 A few days later Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.” 26 He also hoped that Paul would bribe him, so he sent for him quite often and talked with him. 27 After two years went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison.

Paul continues defending himself before Felix. Paul tells Felix that he was taking an offering to the followers in Jerusalem and also worshipping in the temple. He was attacked by the Jews from Asia when he wasn't causing any trouble at all. Paul wanted to face his accusers, but they weren't present at the trial, so he told his story. As He did on Mars Hill, Paul takes this opportunity to "let the dog hunt!" What I mean by that is Paul is sharing his testimony, and he defends himself by sharing the message of Jesus, and the message of salvation becomes interesting to Felix and Druscilla, his wife. They come back a few days later to hear more, and Paul shares about righteousness, self-control, and the coming day of judgment. It was at this point that the Word of God and Paul's message began to help Felix realize he did not have the hope Paul was speaking about. Here is how Felix responded to what Paul was sharing with him in verse 25. As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.”

The truth about the reality of a judgment on all who were not born again was very unsettling to Felix, but he still would call in Paul more and more, hoping Paul would bribe him, which would be illegal. Paul remained pure in his intent and did not try to get out of this situation through illegal means and used the time to share the message of salvation. Paul was imprisoned, but the Word of God could not and would not be imprisoned. One important fact that arises in this situation is that the Word of God remains alive today. Paul did not let his imprisonment imprison the Word of God and continued to share it, even in the worst of circumstances. Do we imprison the Word of God? Possibly. The Word of God and the message of hope in Jesus is very much alive, and we need never put this message in the prison of our apathy and fear. Proclaim it!! Set it free from the prison of your mind and allow it to be free in your everyday speech, and the lost will be saved!! It is "who we are" and must be shared by us. SET IT FREE!! God's Word is Alive and Well. SHARE IT!

Vesselogical Out,

David Warren