Paul arrived in Jerusalem as planned and met the elders and James. He visited the temple for purification and offerings. When the seven days of ceremonies almost ended, Jews from Asia saw him in the temple and laid hands on him. The chief captain commanded to bind Paul with two chains. He was chained in the Jerusalem temple as prophesied by Agabus through the Holy Spirit. He had an opportunity to share his testimony, how the Lord visited him on his way to Damascus and spoke with him (Paul), saying, “… Make haste, get thee quickly out of Jerusalem; for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me” Acts 22:18.
The following day, the chief captain commanded the chief priests and all their council (Sanhedrim) to appear to hear Paul. Paul speaking to the members, said, “… Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question” Acts 23:6. As soon as he raised the issue of resurrection there was a division among the Pharisees who believed in resurrection and Sadducees who did not believe in the resurrection. The chief captain sensed danger and removed Paul to safety into the castle.
Soon a band of forty people took an oath not to eat or drink till they had killed Paul. (Acts 23:12).The chief captain sensed an impending danger to Paul’s life. He moved Paul to Caesarea on the same night. High Priest Ananias, elders, and a narrator descended to Caesarea to argue their case against Paul in the court of Governor Felix. Though Paul presented his case, Felix moved from Caesarea, leaving the issue unresolved. The new Governor Festus listened to Paul’s testimony and made no decision. Instead, he asked Paul whether he would present his case before Caesar. King Agrippa wanted to listen to Paul in Caesarea, and it gave Paul a turn to share again.
Paul finally arrived in Rome to present his case before Caesar. As Paul was permitted there to dwell by himself, he called Jews of Rome to his house and preached to them the Kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses and out of the Prophets, from morning to evening, (Acts 28:23).
Kingdom of God, in which the heavens rule the earth, and Israel’s share of ruling with Messiah in the earthly realm, was presented to them from Old Testament prophesies. In the series of testimonies at the Temple in Jerusalem, in the presence of Governors, Felix and Festus, King Agrippa at Caesarea, and the Jews and Caesar at Rome, we see Paul’s zeal to testify about Lord Jesus. One can also sense his desire for his nation to recognize Him. In all these places, the Jews did not receive the testimony concerning Jesus as foretold by the Lord.
0 Comments