Acts 23:23-35 (CLICK HERE FOR BIBLE VERSES)
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is Acts 23:23-35. As usual, I encourage you to read the passage yourself first and see what you can glean with the Holy Spirit’s help, then read the GAME sharing below. Let’s go!
Acts 23:23-33 (NIV)
23 Then he called two of his centurions and ordered them, “Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight.
24 Provide mounts for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix.”
25 He wrote a letter as follows:
26 Claudius Lysias, To His Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings.
27 This man was seized by the Jews and they were about to kill him, but I came with my troops and rescued him, for I had learned that he is a Roman citizen.
28 I wanted to know why they were accusing him, so I brought him to their Sanhedrin.
29 I found that the accusation had to do with questions about their law, but there was no charge against him that deserved death or imprisonment.
30 When I was informed of a plot to be carried out against the man, I sent him to you at once. I also ordered his accusers to present to you their case against him.
31 So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul with them during the night and brought him as far as Antipatris.
32 The next day they let the cavalry go on with him, while they returned to the barracks.
33 When the cavalry arrived in Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and handed Paul over to him.
On verses 23-33: Claudius Lysius, the Roman commander in charge of Paul, wants to make sure that Paul is not killed prematurely and that Paul is taken safely to Caesarea to stand trial before Felix governor of Judea. To ensure Paul’s safety, the Roman commander mobilizes a huge detachment of soldiers, horsemen and spearmen to accompany Paul together with a formal letter explaining the situation.
Just as Paul had the protection of a huge army around him, so you, as a child of God, are protected by heaven’s armies. Through your faith in Jesus, you are “shielded by God’s power” (1 Peter 1:5). There is no trouble or harm that can come to you unless God allows it for His greater purpose. As Jesus Himself says in John 10:28-29: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”
Acts 23:34-35 (NIV)
34 The governor read the letter and asked what province he was from. Learning that he was from Cilicia,
35 he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers get here.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod’s palace.
On verses 34-35: Governor Felix reads Lysius’ letter and decides that since Paul is from Cilicia, which was within Felix’s jurisdiction, Felix would hear Paul’s case. In the verse that follow we’ll take a close look at Paul’s trial before Felix in Caesarea.
Thank You Father that, as Your child, I am protected by heaven’s armies and shielded by Your power. Thank You that You will fulfill Your purpose for my life and because I am protected by You, I will arrive safely when the time is right. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
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