6 April 2015
I am a Jew
Acts 22:1-5
1 “Brothers and fathers,
listen now to my defense.” 2 When they heard
him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet. Then Paul
said: 3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city.
I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our
ancestors. I was just as zealousfor God as any of you are today. 4 I
persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both
men and women and throwing them into prison, 5 as the high priest
and all the Council can themselves testify. I even obtained letters from
them to their associates in Damascus, and went there to bring these
people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.
Observation
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1
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Lessons Learn
What is reported here may be summarized thus: because he
had been properly and faithfully instructed in the teaching of
the law, he was a loyal and conscientious worshipper of God in
the eyes of the world. Secondly, he had been an enemy of the
Gospel of Christ, and the priests had regarded him as one of
the chief defenders of the law.
Prayer of the day
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2
7 April 2015
‘Who are you, Lord?’
Acts 22:6-11
6 “About
noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from
heaven flashed around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice say
to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’ 8 “‘Who are you, Lord?’
I asked. “ ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he
replied. 9 My companions saw the light, but they did not understand
the voice of him who was speaking to me. 10 “‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I
asked. “ ‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will
be told all that you have been assigned to do.’ 11 My companions led
me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had
blinded me.
Observation
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Lessons Learn
In the person of one man, God has warned us all not to be
unwilling to listen to him through a human tongue. The same
purpose was served by what followed: Paul remained blind
until he proved his humility by offering himself as a pupil. God
does not, of course, blind everyone he wishes to illumine, but
a general rule is laid down, that all those who want to be wise
in him must become foolish in their own eyes.
Prayer of the day
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4
8 April 2015
Receive your sight!
Acts 22:12-16
12 “A
man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer
of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. 13 He stood
beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very
moment I was able to see him. 14 “Then he said: ‘The God of our
ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous
One and to hear words from his mouth. 15 You will be his witness to all
people of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now what are you
waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on
his name.’
Observation
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Lessons Learn
Ananias reminds us of God’s plan, by which Paul was
appointed and ordained. Surely it is more valuable to know the
will of God than for us to attain it by our own efforts. What
Ananias said of Paul should be applied to everyone, that the
treasure of faith is not set before everyone indiscriminately
but is offered only to the elect.
Prayer of the day
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6
9 April 2015
Go; I will send you far away to the
Gentiles.
Acts 22:17-21
17 “When
I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell
into a trance 18 and saw the Lord speaking to me. ‘Quick!’ he
said. ‘Leave Jerusalem immediately, because the people here will not
accept your testimony about me.’ 19 “‘Lord,’ I replied, ‘these people
know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and
beat those who believe in you. 20 And when the blood of your
martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and
guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’ 21 “Then the Lord
said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ”
Observation
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Lessons Learn
If anyone relies on his own wisdom or stubbornly rejects what
God commands, his arrogance will rightly be condemned. But
God allows his faithful servants the privilege of humbly raising
things that could call them back from the desire to obey, so
that they may be free of hindrances and devote themselves
wholly to God’s service.
Prayer of the day
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8
10 April 2015
Is it legal？
Acts 22:22-25
22 The
crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their
voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He’s not fit to live!” 23 As
they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into
the air, 24 the commander ordered that Paul be taken into the
barracks. He directed that he be flogged and interrogated in order to
find out why the people were shouting at him like this. 25 As they
stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there,
“Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been found
guilty?”
Observation
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Applications
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Lessons Learn
Paul escaped by the privilege rather than by common justice,
but he did not hesitate to use this shield of citizenship to ward
off the injury that was prepared for him. But we must realize
that he used his privilege in such a way that the commander
came to believe him.
Prayer of the day
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10
主日崇拜
12 April 2015
复活的耶稣 ~ 战胜死亡
徒 2:24
24 上帝却把死的痛苦解除，使他复活了，因为他不能被死亡拘禁。
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祷告交托
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12
13 April 2015
Are you a Roman citizen?
Acts 22:26-30
26 When
the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and
reported it. “What are you going to do?” he asked. “This man is a
Roman citizen.” 27 The commander went to Paul and asked, “Tell me,
are you a Roman citizen?” “Yes, I am,” he answered. 28 Then the
commander said, “I had to pay a lot of money for my citizenship.” “But
I was born a citizen,” Paul replied. 29 Those who were about to
interrogate him withdrew immediately. The commander himself was
alarmed when he realized that he had put Paul, a Roman citizen, in
chains. 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 Sanhedrinto
assemble. Then he brought Paul and had him stand before them.
Observation
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Lessons Learn
The custom was that anyone who said he was a Roman citizen
but could not prove it was executed. Luke does not tell us what
proof Paul brought, but there is no doubt that the commander
obtained full knowledge of the truth before he united him.
Prayer of the day
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14
14 April 2015
Do not speak evil
Acts 23:1-5
1 Paul
looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have
fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” 2 At this the
high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on
the mouth. 3 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!” 4 Those
who were standing near Paul said, “How dare you insult God’s high
priest!” 5 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.’”
Observation
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Lessons Learn
Whenever we have any dealing with the wicked, if we want to
present a good cause well we must be sure no angry emotion
breaks out in us, nor any desire for revenge. If the spirit of
meekness reigns in us, we may deal with wicked people as they
deserve, as if we were speaking for God.
Prayer of the day
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16
15 April 2015
We find nothing wrong
Acts 23:6-10
6 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.” 7 When he said this, a dispute
broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the
assembly was divided. 8 (The Sadducees say that there is no
resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the
Pharisees believe all these things.) 9 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.
Observation
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We provoke the Lord to anger in so many ways with our
ingratitude. Of course, godly minds will be inclined to despair
when they see things going so wrong; but let us learn to hold
up the shield straightaway, so that the Lord, who preserved his
church through such errors and licentiousness among the Jews,
will never allow it to be completely extinguished in the world.
Prayer of the day
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16 April 2015
Take courage!
Acts 23:11-16
11 The
following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take
courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also
testify in Rome.” 12 The next morning some Jews formed a
conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until
they had killed Paul. 13 More than forty men were involved in this
plot. 14 They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We
have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed
Paul. 15 Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to
bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate
information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets
here.” 16 But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went
into the barracks and told Paul.
Observation
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Lessons Learn
As for us, let us be sure that his providence extends even to
defending us. It is also worth noting that God sometimes uses
unexpected means to save those who are his, in order to
exercise our faith. Let us also learn to rely on the Lord, even if
we cannot see any ordinary way to save ourselves, for he will
even find a way through impassable places.
Prayer of the day
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17 April 2015
Don’t give in to them
Acts 23:17-22
17 Then
Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young
man to the commander; he has something to tell him.” 18 So he took
him to the commander. The centurion said, “Paul, the prisoner, sent
for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has
something to tell you.” 19 The commander took the young man by the
hand, drew him aside and asked, “What is it you want to tell me?” 20 He
said: “Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the
Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate
information about him. 21 Don’t give in to them, because more than
forty of them are waiting in ambush for him. They have taken an oath
not to eat or drink until they have killed him. They are ready now,
waiting for your consent to their request.” 22 The commander
dismissed the young man with this warning: “Don’t tell anyone that
you have reported this to me.”
Observation
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Lessons Learn
Paul was convinced that God was protecting his life, but he did
not wait for God to reach out from heaven to perform a
miracle; he used the remedy offered to him, not doubting that
it was arranged for him by God.
That is how all Christ’s ministers must act. They must fear no
danger but must not rashly run into danger. They should call
on the name of the Lord confidently in the midst of difficulties
and not despise the helps that are offered.
Prayer of the day
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22
主日崇拜
19 April 2015
为主勇敢
徒 23:11
11 当天晚上，主站在保罗身边，说：“你要壮起胆来，你怎样在耶
路撒冷作见证，也必照样在罗马为我作见证。”
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20 April 2015
The Provider
Acts 23:23-24
23 Then
he called two of his centurions and ordered them, “Get ready
a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two
hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight. 24 Provide horses
for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix.”
Observation
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Lessons Learn
Here we see God’s providence even more clearly; although the
commander’s aim was to stop any riot that he would have to
account for before the governor, he was carrying out God’s
plan in rescuing Paul. God was guiding this worldly man by
hidden influences on his heart.
Prayer of the day
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26
21 April 2015
He is a Roman citizen
Acts 23:25-30
25 He
wrote a letter as follows: 26 Claudius Lysias, To His
Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings. 27 This man was seized by the
Jews and they were about to kill him, but I came with my troops and
rescued him, for I had learned that he is a Roman citizen. 28 I wanted
to know why they were accusing him, so I brought him to their
Sanhedrin. 29 I found that the accusation had to do with questions
about their law, but there was no charge against him that deserved
death or imprisonment. 30 When I was informed of a plot to be carried
out against the man, I sent him to you at once. I also ordered his
accusers to present to you their case against him.
Observation
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Lessons Learn
From here we also learn that Paul’s enemies were wrong to
trouble Paul and had no reason to be so hostile. If they had
proceeded against lawfully, they would have trusted to the
justice of their cause; by seeking to kill him, they showed that
they did not have reason or right on their side.
Prayer of the day
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28
22 April 2015
The next day
Acts 23:31-35
31 So the soldiers, carrying
out their orders, took Paul with them during
the night and brought him as far as Antipatris. 32 The next day they let
the cavalry go on with him, while they returned to the
barracks. 33 When the cavalry arrived in Caesarea, they delivered the
letter to the governor and handed Paul over to him. 34 The governor
read the letter and asked what province he was from. Learning that he
was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will hear your case when your
accusers get here.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in
Herod’s palace.
Observation
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Lessons Learn
Luke has not previously that the soldiers were to return before
the journey’s end, but it is certain that they were ordered to
accompany Paul only to the place where the commander
thought Paul would be safe; for he had left secretly at night,
and the enemies would have no hope of overtaking him. It
would not have been safe to send part of the garrison too far
away.
Prayer of the day
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30
23 April 2015
Charges against Paul
Acts 24:1-9
1 Five
days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with
some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought
their charges against Paul before the governor.2 When Paul was called
in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have enjoyed a long
period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about
reforms in this nation.3 Everywhere and in every way, most
excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. 4 But in
order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind
enough to hear us briefly. 5 “We have found this man to be a
troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He
is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect 6 and even tried to desecrate the
temple; so we seized him. [7] [a] 8 By examining him yourself you will be
able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against
him.” 9 The other Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these
things were true.
Observation
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Lessons Learn
Luke is telling us this so that we may know that the Jews did
not neglect any way of oppressing Paul. They wanted not only
to destroy his innocence but to so frighten and confuse him
that he could not defend himself. But in God’s wonderful
providence, Paul was undaunted by these severe attacks.
Therefore, if at any time a lone believer is beset by a great
number of enemies, let him recall this story and take courage.
Prayer of the day
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32
24 April 2015
I worship the God of our ancestors
Acts 24:10-14
10 When the governor
motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: “I know
that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so
I gladly make my defense. 11 You can easily verify that no more than
twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 My accusers did
not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a
crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. 13 And they
cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against
me. 14 However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a
follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is
in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets,
Observation
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Lessons Learn
It is only by faith that God is worshipped, so that our obedience
can please him. So Paul did not merely talk of ceremonies
when he wanted to prove himself God’s servant but flatly
stated that he believed.
This verse also shows that the only basis for orthodox faith is
to submit ourselves to Scripture, reverently accepting its
teaching.
Prayer of the day
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34
26 April 2015
主日崇拜
上帝的帮助
徒 23:17-24:9
2317 保罗请了一个百夫长来，说：“请你带这个青年人去见千夫长，
18
他有事要报告。” 百夫长就带保罗的外甥去见千夫长，说：“囚
犯保罗请了我去，求我带这个青年人来见你，他有事要向你报
19
告。” 千夫长拉着他的手，走到一边，私下问他：“你有甚么事
20
要向我报告？” 他说：“犹太人已经约好了，要求你明天把保罗
21
带到公议会里去，装作要详细审查他。你不要听他们，因为他们
有四十多人正在埋伏起来等着保罗；他们发了誓，不杀保罗，就不
22
吃不喝。现在他们已经准备好了，只等你答应。” 千夫长嘱咐那
青年人：“不要告诉人你把这事告诉了我。”然后就打发他走了。
23
千夫长叫了两个百夫长来，说：“预备两百个步兵，七十个骑兵、
24
两百个长枪手，晚上九点钟往该撒利亚去。也要预备好牲口，好
25
让保罗骑上，护送他安全到达腓力斯总督那里。” 千夫长写了一
26
27
封信，大意如下： “革老丢．吕西亚问候总督腓力斯大人。这个
人被犹太人捉住，快要遭害的时候，我听说他是罗马公民，就带兵
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去把他救出来。为要知道犹太人控告他的原因，我就带他到他们
29
的公议会那里去。我发现他被控告，是为了他们律法上的问题，
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并没有甚么该死该绑的罪名。后来我接到密报，得知害他的阴谋，
31
就立刻把他送到你那里去，并且吩咐原告到你面前来控告他。”
32
于是士兵照着吩咐，把保罗提出来，连夜带到安提帕底。第二天，
33
他们把保罗交给骑兵队护送，就回营楼去了。骑兵到了该撒利亚，
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把信呈上总督，同时把保罗也交给他。总督读了信，就问保罗是
35
哪一省的人；知道了他是基利家人，就说：“等到原告也来了，
我才审问你。”于是吩咐人把他拘留在希律的王府里。
241 过了五天，大祭司亚拿尼亚同几个长老，和一个律师帖土罗来
2
35
了，他们向总督控告保罗。保罗传来了之后，帖土罗就控诉他说：
“腓力斯大人，因着你的缘故，我们大大地享受着太平；因着你的
3
4
远见，本国大事改革；我们随时随地感激不尽。现在我不想多烦
5
扰你，只求你宽容一下，听我们讲几句话。我们看这个人就像瘟
6
疫一样，是煽动普天下犹太人生乱的人，又是拿撒勒派的首领。
他还意图污秽圣殿，我们就把他捉住。（有些抄本在此有以下一段：
7
“我们想按照我们的律法审问他。可是千夫长吕西亚来了，用武
８
8
力把他从我们手中抢走，还吩咐原告到你这里来。”）你亲自审
9
问之后，就必清楚知道我们告他的一切事了。” 犹太人也都跟他
一同控告保罗，证实事情确是这样。
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祷告交托
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27 April 2015
Keep my conscience clear
Acts 24:15-18
15 and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that
there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16 So
I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
17 “After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my
people gifts for the poor and to present offerings. 18 I was ceremonially
clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was
no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance.
Observation
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Applications
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Lessons Learn
Paul had a good reason for saying here that, relying on this
faith, he had tried to live a pure life before God and righteously
among other convicting people of stupidity, proving that they
do not truly believe in eternal life if they never long for it.
He saw two aspects of conscience: the inner, mental
awareness of God; and, deriving from that, our faithfulness
and integrity toward other people.
Prayer of the day
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28 April 2015
Concerning the resurrection of the
dead
Acts 24:19-21
19 But
there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be
here before you and bring charges if they have anything against
me. 20 Or these who are here should state what crime they found in
me when I stood before the Sanhedrin— 21 unless it was this one thing
I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection
of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”
Observation
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Applications
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Lessons Learn
After turning the charges onto other people, Paul took courage
and appealed to the adversaries who were present to make it
known if they knew anything against him. He had been ready
to give a full account to the Sanhedrin, but on that occasion
they knew nothing that they could accuse him of, becoming
upset only when he said that he was being judged concerning
the resurrection of the dead.
Prayer of the day
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29 April 2015
Friends who take care your needs
Acts 24:22-23
22 Then
Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the
proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will
decide your case.” 23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under
guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take
care of his needs.
Observation
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Applications
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Lessons Learn
Paul’s innocence was made clear by this unbeliever prejudging
the issue in such a way, letting his friends visit and help him.
We also learn from this that Paul’s companions and the rest of
the church had not forsaken him. Let us learn from this
example not to deprive Christ’s martyrs of any kind of help, as
long as we can.
Prayer of the day
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30 April 2015
Felix was afraid
Acts 24:24-27
24 Several
days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish.
He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ
Jesus. 25 As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the
judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now!
You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” 26 At the
same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent
for him frequently and talked with him. 27 When two years had passed,
Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to
grant a favour to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.
Observation
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Applications
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Lessons Learn
Let us learn fr4om this, first of all, what great influence the
Spirit of God exercised both on Paul’s heart and also on his
tongue.
We must note although God’s judgment strikes reprobates,
that terror alone does not bring them to repentance. Felix was
disturbed when he heard that God will be the Judge of the
world, but he ran away from this judgment-seat he was afraid
of; so this was false sorrow, which does not work salvation.
This passage also teaches that people are examined to the
quick when the faults they are troubled about are brought to
light and their consciences are reminded of the coming
judgment.
Prayer of the day
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