A Determined Foe and a Fearless Disciple

Introduction

Paul has now been imprisoned in Caesarea for over two years time and has communed with powerful men and undoubtedly proclaimed Christ to many including Felix the governor who trembled under the weight of conviction but yet rejected Christ.

Now Felix has moved on and Porcius Festus has assumed power in the region.

Festus makes it a point to go to Jerusalem certainly with the intent of maintaining a positive relationship with the powerful and influential Jewish leaders.

Upon his arrival in Jerusalem he is met by the high priest and leaders of the Jewish faith.

Here we encounter a:

Determined Foe (Vs. 2-3)

Even after two years have passed, the Jewish leaders are still intent on the destruction of the apostle Paul. The religious leaders’ hatred for Paul has not softened at all and they are still conspiring to have Paul killed.

In this we can see that Satan never gives up his fight against the servants of God and will stop at nothing to “steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10)

One would think that Paul’s imprisonment would hat brought some measure of satisfaction to those who sought to put and end to his ministry but these will not be satisfied until Paul’s life has been taken.

As you and I faithfully serve the Lord, we must understand that the enemies of God, under Satan’s authority, will stop at nothing to put and end to our ministry and to stop us from serving God.

When we commit ourselves to serving Christ, we must recognize that we are now engaged in a battle with an enemy that will stop at nothing in their attempts to defeat us.

The Jewish leaders were willing to pursue any means necessary to end Paul’s life and ministry, but once again we see:

Divine Providence (Vs. 4-6)

Once again Paul is kept safe under Roman protection and his life is once again spared. It would not have been surprising at all for Festus to have allowed Paul to be brought to Jerusalem in order to please the Jewish leaders.

Festus could not have had any knowledge of the plot against Paul and yet he unknowingly spared Paul’s life by keeping him in Caesarea.

God still had much work for Paul to do and had already promised Paul that he would go to Rome to testify of Christ there.

No matter how determined our foes may be, God is yet able to deliver us from their plots and schemes to allow us to opportunity to fulfill His calling for our lives.

We must realize that not one of God’s faithful servants will be called home to Him before their time. God is well able to give us the opportunity to carry on the ministry that He has given to us in spite of the enemies’ attacks.

Undaunted Disciple (Vs. 7-12)

The apostle Paul was not willing to back down either and continued to defend himself against the false accusations which the Jewish leaders continued to hurl at him.

Paul would continue to effectively defend himself but he also recognized that he would not stand a chance if he were tried in the corrupt court in Jerusalem.

Paul knew that God’s plan for him was not yet finished so though he was not afraid to die he also desired to continue to live so that he could carry out the mission that God had given him.

Philippians 1:21–24 KJV 1900

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

This was written while Paul was imprisoned, likely somewhere in the general time frame in which we find ourselves in the book of Acts and this was Paul’s sentiment.

Paul was not afraid to die but he was also intent on staying alive so long as there was yet a work to do.

We who desire to be servants of God ought to have this very same mindset. We must be ready to face the enemy head on if necessary but also intent on completing the mission which God has given to us.

Paul ultimately appealed his case to Caesar which meant that he would be headed to Rome to answer the charges against him there.

This appeal would ultimately set Paul on a steady course for Rome where he knew he must go to testify of Christ there.

Conclusion

The enemies of Christ will not be deterred and will do all that they can to cause us to cease the work that God has called us to do. (Remember Nehemiah)

We must trust divine providence and recognize that no enemy shall prevail against us so long as there is yet a work to do.

We must match the determination of the enemy with a determination of our own to finish the work that God has called us to do whatever the cost in spite of the enemies’ attacks.