The beloved physician Luke wrote how Paul continued to answer for himself before Felix the governor by saying, “herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men. Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. Who ought to have been here before you, and object, if they had ought against me”, and in chapter twenty-four and verse twenty of the book of Acts Luke shared how Paul told Felix, “let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me”, where we read:
Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me,
while I stood before the council,
The verse begins, “Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, ...” Luke began with the words, “or else let these same here say” which means “or either allow and permit the selfsame people who are in front and in the presence of Felix utter, declare and proclaim”, “if they have found” or “whether they have noticed, discovered or discerned ” “any evil doing in me” which means “a certain or particular misdeed, wrong or iniquity within me, Paul”. Luke shared how “Paul” told “Felix” to have the Jewish people who were in his presence and accusing him to declare whether they observed him doing some wrong or iniquity.
The verse goes on to say, “... while I stood before the council, ...” Luke continued with the words, “while I stood” which means “during the time I, Paul, was standing, established and was fixed” “before the council” or “in front and in the presence of the Sanhedrin which was the great council at Jerusalem consisting of the seventy one members including scribes, elders, prominent members of the high priestly families and the high priest and the president of the assembly”. Luke shared how “Paul” told “Felix” to have members of the “Sanhedrin” to which he belonged to bring accusations of wrongdoing against him during the time he was a member of that “great council”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Paul” encouraged “Felix” to have members of the “Sanhedrin” and his accusers to tell of his “wrongdoing” while he was a part of their group. At one time, before his conversion to Christianity, “Paul” was a member of the “Sanhedrin”, and he aligned with their practices and activities completely. He knew they would have nothing to say, and therefore he challenged “Felix” to call them or any other witnesses to share how he violated the law of God and their rules. “Paul” was determined to make a stand for Jesus Christ, and whenever he had occasion to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others, he did. Those who yield themselves to Jesus will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. This truth has eternal consequences, and anyone who carefully studies this defense of “Paul” should surrender to Jesus and allow Him to secure their future throughout all eternity.
Next time Luke shares how Paul tells Felix, “touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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