Acts 24 Commentary
Illegally or legally, Paul must die. Mob justice failed; state justice must not fail. So the Jewish leaders hire a lawyer against Paul. The case of topmost importance must be handled by the topmost leader. So the high priest Ananias comes into the picture. He is accompanied by some elders from Jerusalem.
Paul on the other hand is alone. There is no representation from HQ in Jerusalem. But is Paul alone? You want to believe the church has sent an even more powerful lawyer to defend the apostle: their prayers. Paul is not alone. The one with Paul is greater than them all.
Hearing the charges against Paul is like hearing the devil himself, all lies. There are many crimes that would stick to Paul: Preaching Jesus would be a good crime but it’s not on the list. Paul would be guilty of healing the sick and helping others but the lawyer doesn’t include these items.
The apostle would easily admit and confess his crime of commanding the “Nazarene Sect” followers to honor the king and respect state leaders. But who cares about these ‘crimes’? Deception is the currency in the world of darkness. You are poor without it! You win nothing without it!
Look at the man on top of this heap of lies – the high priest of the LORD! And they still want men and women to trust this system to deliver salvation!
Of course, Paul is here on a mission. Governor Felix, the high priest Ananias, the elders, lawyer Tertullus, and other high-ranking officials from the Governor’s office must hear about Jesus. Paul shifts the center of the argument from the lies against him to the resurrection. Through Paul, the Holy Spirit has spoken to them all. The apostle would remain at Caesarea for two years ministering to stubborn, weak, and wicked Felix.
In this way, the gospel has gone into high and low places. No stone remains unturned. Preaching the good news of the LORD Jesus Christ remains the main and the only plot. There are several events both in time and space that happen around this plot. But we know the words of the Master remain: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24 verse 14.
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