Daily Reading: 5-10-16
Acts 26:19-29 New Living Translation
Paul returns to Jerusalem where he is told by his friends of the many rumors traveling around religious circles about him and his missionary ministry. Paul is being accused by religious leaders of teaching things that are against the instructions of Moses; circumcision. As well, Paul is accused of defiling the temple by bringing in non-Jews or Gentiles. Paul spends the next seven days in prayer and fulfilling Jewish customs in order to demonstrate he is not against the leaders. He still practices the Jewish lifestyle; he goes the extra mile to avoid offending the religious leaders. However, there is still a huge uprising when Paul goes to the Temple. The Jews try to kill him. Well, the Romans hear about the altercation and go into the mob in order to identify Paul and the reason for the riot.
Jerusalem was the seat of Jewish government, but Caesarea was the Roman headquarters for the area. Paul was a Jew and a Roman citizen, so he was sent to Caesarea to stand trial. First, Paul stands trial before Felix, the Roman governor, but Felix avoids judgment in order to keep a level of peace. The Jews are not happy with Felix’s decision. Paul is kept in prison for two years until Felix is moved back to Rome and Festus becomes governor. King Agrippa, descendent of Herod the Great and of Jewish descent, travels to attend the trial, because he is responsible for the Temple. Agrippa and Festus are seeking to govern together. Paul tells these men the story of his encounter with the resurrected Lord on the road to Damascus and Christ’s appointment for Paul to be a witness of what he has seen of the eternal Lord. We pick up our reading with Paul’s trial before Festus and Agrippa.