I’m still working on playing catch up on my series on Acts. This has been such a great time of learning for me to focus on the book of Acts.
To catch up a little I’m going to combine bigger sections of Acts for my post this week as well. In case you missed my first What I’m Learning in the Bible post I am sharing what I am learning as our church studies through the book of Acts together over the next few months.
As a reminder, I am using this ESV Acts Study journal. Basically it has scripture on one page and then a blank lined page next to it for taking notes. Now that I’m a couple of months into this I can say that I highly recommend this journal.
Acts 23:12-22
Where we pick up in Acts 23 Paul was just before the council and then he was pulled out of there once the Pharisees and Sadducees started fighting. Paul gets warned of a plot to kill him and passes the information on to the tribune.
The guy who warns Paul about this is Paul’s sister’s son (his nephew). It’s always interesting to read these little mentions of families of the apostles and leaders in the early church. We somewhat think of their lives solely through what the Bible tells us about them. Everything that the Bible tells us about them is true but it is such a limited picture. There’s a lot to a life and obviously these men had full parts and details of their lives that we just don’t know about.
Acts 23:23-35
Paul then gets sent to Felix who is the governor. Felix declares that he will deal with him when his accusers arrive and sends him off to Herod’s praetorian to be guarded.
Acts 24
So then the high priest and some elders come down to lay their case before the governor. They lay out a bit of their case and then the governor lets Paul speak. He talks about how what they have said of him is untrue and how what really is bothering them is one thing. When he stood before them and he said the following:
…”It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.”
Acts 24:21
The resurrection of Jesus is the core message throughout the book of Acts. And Paul really does get to the core of what is their issue with Christianity.
Felix keeps Paul under house arrest for 2 years and then he’s followed by Porcius Festus.
Have any thoughts to share? I would love to hear them in the comments below!
Cat is a teacher turned stay-at-home mom of two boys. She shares crafts, DIY projects, kids’ activities, and a little bit about life in Ohio. Learn more about her and the blog on the About page.