Daily Devotion: The Acts of the Apostles - Paul Before Governor Festus by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Acts 25:7-12 KJV

Key Verse:  "For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Caesar." - Acts 25:11 KJV

Paul has now spent two years in prison under Governor Felix. Felix is replaced by Festus, and Paul's accusers immediately renew their efforts to have him condemned. They bring numerous serious accusations against him, but they cannot prove any of them. Paul calmly answers: “Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cæsar, have I offended any thing at all.”

Daily Devotion: The Acts of the Apostles - Paul Before Governor Felix by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Acts 24:15-27 KJV

Key Verse:  "And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee." - Acts 24:25 KJV

Paul has been brought to Caesarea, where he now stands before Felix, the Roman governor. His accusers have made serious charges against him, but Paul calmly defends himself. He explains that his faith is not a rejection of the Scriptures. Instead, he believes “all things which are written in the law and in the prophets.” Paul also declares his hope in the resurrection. But when Felix later summons Paul to speak privately about “the faith in Christ,” Paul does something remarkable.

Daily Devotion: The Acts of the Apostles - Paul Is Sent to Caesarea

Bible Reading: Acts 23:23-35 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night;" - Acts 23:35 KJV

Paul's situation becomes increasingly dangerous. A group of more than forty men make a solemn vow that they will neither eat nor drink until they have killed him. They develop a plan to ambush Paul while he is being brought before the council. But God had already promised Paul that he would testify in Rome. And now we see God's providence at work.

Daily Devotion: The Acts of the Apostles - Paul Before the Sanhedrin by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Acts 23:1-11 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome." - Acts 23:11 KJV

Paul has been arrested in Jerusalem and now stands before the Jewish council, the Sanhedrin. He begins by declaring: “I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” Paul is not claiming that he has never sinned. Rather, he is saying that he has sincerely sought to live faithfully before God according to what he understood to be true.

Daily Devotion: The Acts of the Apostles - Paul Is Arrested in the Temple

Bible Reading: Acts 21:30-40 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul." - Acts 21:32 KJV

Paul's arrival in Jerusalem has now taken a dramatic turn. He came to the city knowing that suffering awaited him. He had already been warned repeatedly, yet he remained determined to follow the Lord's leading. Now, while he is in the temple, some Jews from Asia recognize him and begin accusing him of teaching against the Jewish people, the Law, and the temple. They also falsely accuse him of bringing Gentiles into the temple.

Daily Devotion: The Acts of the Apostles - Paul Arrives in Jerusalem by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Acts 21:17-26 KJV 

Key Verse:  "And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry." - Acts 21:19 KJV

After a long journey, Paul finally arrives in Jerusalem. The believers receive him gladly, and Paul meets with James and the elders of the church. His first response is not to talk about himself or his hardships. Instead, he tells them “what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.” That phrase captures Paul's perspective beautifully.

Daily Devotion: The Acts of the Apostles - Paul Travels to Jerusalem by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Acts 21:4-14 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." - Acts 21:13 KJV

Paul is making his way toward Jerusalem, and the believers along the way are deeply concerned about what awaits him. At Tyre, the disciples warn him not to go. Later, the prophet Agabus gives an even more dramatic warning. He takes Paul's belt, binds his own hands and feet, and declares that Paul will be bound by the Jews in Jerusalem and delivered into the hands of the Gentiles.