Chapter 24

Chapter 24 is longer than many other chapters in Acts.

I don’t mean that it contains more words. I mean that it covers a period of about 2 years!

In the process of what must have been an incredibly frustrating part of Paul’s life, though, we get to read yet another amazing defence of himself and his faith. Let’s get into it.

Verses 1 – 9 outline the charges against Paul, brought by the well-known lawyer Tertullus. I suppose many people at the time would have looked at him and thought “You have no chance” given the legal talent arrayed against him.

But this is Paul. Remember, we’re talking about the guy who trash-talked the High Priest when the same slapped him in the face! And he isn’t going to be incarcerated by some legal hack, not our Paul!

So in verses 10 – 21, Paul stands up and gives his defence. This one concentrates firmly upon the resurrection.

Verses 24 – 27 outline the irritating two years to follow, in which the governor (Felix) continually questioned Paul, without actually making any decisions on Paul’s future. This was to last until Felix was replaced with Festus. The passage hints that the governor’s motive was an attempt to extract a bribe from Paul; if so, he obviously failed at that! Finally we read of the Governor’s time eventually ending as he is replaced with the (rather more talented) Festus.

So how do we behave differently having read this passage?

My own answer is this: as Christians we are going to deal with some times that are frustrating. God promises to answer our prayers, but he makes no promises about how fast He will be. In fact, God is often slow to answer by human standards, even though He always answers at just the right time.

It doesn’t matter, though, whether He answers quickly or slowly, we’re still called to do as He asks.

And really, it’s not like we’re often going to face imprisonment (even for one day) for matters of faith. Paul, by contrast, had to spend 2 entire years in prison!

So when we are in the dark pit that’s not of our own making, we need to be patient and wait on God. And if worst comes to worst we should remember that Paul didn’t crack in two years.