Paul expressed his respect for the governing authority and pled his innocence.

Acts 24:10-13

Click for a description of the mark of the beast.
Click for a description of the image of the beast.

“Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: “Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself, because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.” Acts 24:10-11

Paul’s respect for Governor Felix was of a sober mind, in contrast to the flattery and smooth words poured onto Felix by the Jewish spokesman [in the previous section on Acts 24:1-4]. Paul acknowledged the authority of Felix as being a judge of the nation for many years. Paul acknowledged his willingness to bring to Felix his response to the accusations of the Jewish leaders. Paul gave Felix the credit for being able to determine the merit of the accusations against him. Felix was easily able to discern between the down-to-earth respect of Paul and the exaggeration used for emphasis and effect by the Jewish spokesman.

The Jewish spokesman emphasized the ability of Felix to bring peace, but Paul trusted in Jesus Christ for his peace. The Jewish leaders gave credit to Felix for bringing earthly prosperity, but Paul relied on the prosperity given through the Holy Spirit and stored up in heaven. The Jewish spokesman credited Felix for his foresight in bringing peace and prosperity, but Paul trusted in the word of God for foresight.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we give respect to those in authority, and we also keep Jesus as the focus of our faith, as our Lord Jesus said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Mark 12:17 As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to be sober minded, real, and “down-to-earth“, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…” 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 “…whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves…if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain…Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.” Romans 13:2, 4-5

“And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.” Acts 24:12-13

Paul’s defense consisted of three points 1] Paul was not in the temple arguing with anyone. 2] Paul was not inciting the crowd to cause an uproar. 3] The accusations against him could not be proven.

As followers of Jesus Christ, Paul lays out our defense, as described below,

1] We are not in the temple of God arguing with anyone. We do not argue about who is the rightful possessor of the temple of God. The human body is the temple of God and that is where the spiritual battleground is. “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16 However, the masses of today’s culture claim the body to be the temple of the entity that intertwines itself within the thoughts, feelings, words, and behaviors of people everywhere. This entity is the one “…who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:4 The “he” in this verse is the “man of sin”. Click here for a post on the “man of the sin”.

Our Lord Jesus urges us not to engage in arguments with the atheists of today’s culture. They “hear” the entity that gives them uncanny knowledge and heightened intuition. Jesus explains to us that this is their hour and the power of darkness. Peter cut off the ear of one of those coming to arrest Jesus to have Him crucified on the Cross. Jesus healed the person’s ear and said, “Permit even this.” As followers of Jesus Christ, we are not to try to cut off the “hearing” of today’s culture but let it be. As quoted, “When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, “Permit even this.” And He touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” Luke 22:49-53

2] As followers of Jesus Christ, we do not incite the masses of today’s culture into an uproar. We are not going around from street corner to street corner, from church to church, from home to home, stirring up debate and arguments about who our body belongs to. Or whether it is right to “hear” the atheistic entity that intertwines itself within our thoughts, feelings, words, and behaviors. On top of that, in cities across the nation, there are ordinances and laws against public evangelism.

Today’s culture is not open to the leading of the Holy Spirit to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Jesus says to us, “And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!” Matthew 10:14-15 Obviously, that refers to just about every city across the globe. Jesus said the day would come when no person will be able to work for His Gospel, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:4-5

3] As followers of Jesus Christ, there are no legitimate accusations that can be proven of us inciting turbulence in the community. The Holy Spirit says this to us, …be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:1-7

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:1