Tuesday Devo
Scripture:
Acts 23
31 So that night, as ordered, the soldiers took Paul as far as Antipatris. 32 They returned to the fortress the next morning, while the mounted troops took him on to Caesarea. 33 When they arrived in Caesarea, they presented Paul and the letter to Governor Felix. 34 He read it and then asked Paul what province he was from. “Cilicia,” Paul answered.
35 “I will hear your case myself when your accusers arrive,” the governor told him. Then the governor ordered him kept in the prison at Herod’s headquarters.
31 So that night, as ordered, the soldiers took Paul as far as Antipatris. 32 They returned to the fortress the next morning, while the mounted troops took him on to Caesarea. 33 When they arrived in Caesarea, they presented Paul and the letter to Governor Felix. 34 He read it and then asked Paul what province he was from. “Cilicia,” Paul answered.
35 “I will hear your case myself when your accusers arrive,” the governor told him. Then the governor ordered him kept in the prison at Herod’s headquarters.
Commentary:
23:31 Antipatris was 35 of the 62 miles (56 of the 100 km) by road from Jerusalem to Caesarea (v. 33), a difficult but not impossible distance for soldiers to march in the cool of the night. Only the 70 “horsemen” (v. 32) continued to Caesarea. Antipatris (ancient Aphek in Sharon, identified with Tell Ras el-Ain) was rebuilt under Herod the Great in the first century b.c. and renamed for his father Antipater. Herodian-era shops, pavement, Roman coins, and a fortress have been uncovered in excavations at Aphek. On the city of Caesarea, see note on 8:40.
23:34 At this time Judea and Cilicia were both a part of the Roman province of Syria. Since Felix administered a portion of that province and Paul’s home was within it, Felix determined that Paul’s case was within his jurisdiction.
23:35 Herod’s praetorium was one of his palaces and served as the quarters of the Roman governor.
23:34 At this time Judea and Cilicia were both a part of the Roman province of Syria. Since Felix administered a portion of that province and Paul’s home was within it, Felix determined that Paul’s case was within his jurisdiction.
23:35 Herod’s praetorium was one of his palaces and served as the quarters of the Roman governor.
Questions:
- In verse 31, Paul is escorted to Caesarea and presented to Felix. God is getting done what He said He would do in Acts 9:15 and 23:11. God promised Paul that he would eventually preach in Rome! This means that even though time and time again Paul's life has been threatened, God provided a way of protection for him. God ALWAYS comes through on His promises. He has to, because His is faithful. How much do you trust in what God has promised? Do your actions and attitudes back this up?
- Read the following from Isaiah 46: "9 Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. 10 Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish. 11 I will call a swift bird of prey from the east— a leader from a distant land to come and do my bidding. I have said what I would do, and I will do it." If you truly believed what God is saying here, how much confidence in Him should that create in you? How much peace should it bring?
Pray:
- That you would learn to trust in God and what He has promised.
- That your life would be marked with peace that comes from that trust.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
3. Why did Jesus have to die on the cross? Since “all have sinned” and the “wages of sin is death,” Jesus had to die on the cross to pay the fine for my sin so I could be right with God.
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
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