In every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude. – Acts 24:3
Once again, the Apostle Paul had been arrested. After being shuffled from one official to another, he appeared before Felix, the Roman governor of Judea. He was facing accusations made by Ananias, the high priest, and the elders among the Pharisees and Sadducees. Tertullus, their spokesman and a Gentile lawyer familiar with Roman law, was set to be the prosecutor. Commentator Dr. Bob Utley says Felix was known to be a cruel man who gained his position because of his brother, who had an in with the emperor’s mother. Being a Roman citizen had kept Paul from being executed prior to this time. This section of the book of the Acts of the Apostles is largely known for Paul’s testimony before Felix in which he shared his faith.
In today’s verse, Tertullus is making his opening statements. Out of submission before Felix, he flatters the governor for keeping the peace. Although the years of A.D. 52-59 were years of “unequalled government corruption,” Tertullus fawned over Felix. Theologian Warren Wiersbe writes, “It was true that Felix had put down some revolts, but he had certainly not brought peace to the land. In fact, during the time Felix was suppressing robbers in his realm, he was also hiring robbers to murder the high priest Jonathan! So much for his reforms.” But Tertullus knew flattering the judge was a good way to begin a trial, especially as Paul was being accused of disturbing such a great peace!
In contrast to the comments of Tertullus, which were insincere and an attempt to curry favor, the Bible contains a number of verses that credit God with truly keeping peace in the nations. “May the Lord bless His people with peace” (Psalm 29:11); “I will give peace to the land” (Leviticus 26:6); “He makes nations great, and he destroys them; he enlarges nations, and leads them away” (Job 12:23). For every day that the United States of America is at peace, give God thanks and acknowledge that it is His hand over it all. Pray for those in government who deal with peace issues, at home and abroad, that they might receive wisdom and discernment from the Lord.
Today’s Verse: Acts 24:3
in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Psalm 22:25-31
From you comes my praise in the great congregation;
my vows I will perform before those who fear him.
26 The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied;
those who seek him shall praise the Lord!
May your hearts live forever!
27 All the ends of the earth shall remember
and turn to the Lord,
and all the families of the nations
shall worship before you.
28 For kingship belongs to the Lord,
and he rules over the nations.
29 All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship;
before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,
even the one who could not keep himself alive.
30 Posterity shall serve him;
it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;
31 they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn,
that he has done it.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
