Thoughts on the book of Acts (175) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2024

And he wrote a letter after this manner: Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting. This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman. And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council: Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds. And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell. Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris. On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle: Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him. And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia; I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.
Acts 23:25-35

Thoughts on the book of Acts (175)
The soldiers taking Paul to Caesarea had a letter to deliver in which the military tribune handed the case over to the Roman governor. The tribune's advantageous presentation of the latter's part in the matter was calculated to flatter. He actually wanted to have the apostle scourged and only then learned that Paul was a Roman citizen.
Otherwise, the tribune was anxious to present the matter fairly. He reported that his examination had established that the accusations against Paul had solely to do with disputes about the Jewish law and not with any criminal act.
The governor delayed the hearing until the apostle's accusers arrived. What could Paul expect from Felix? Felix was the first slave to become the governor of a Roman province at a later date. He was known to be unscrupulous. The historian Tacitus wrote of him: "He exercised his sovereign rights with the mentality of a slave." (to be continued next Sunday)
Today's reading: Ezekiel ch.9