Daily Devotion: The Acts of the Apostles - Paul Sails for Rome by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: Acts 27:14-25 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me." - Acts 27:25 KJV

Paul is finally on his way to Rome. Jesus had promised him that he would bear witness in Rome, and now that promise is being fulfilled—but the journey is anything but easy. A violent storm strikes the ship. For many days, the passengers see neither sun nor stars. The storm becomes so severe that “all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.”

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

Bible Reading: Acts 26:14-29 KJV  

 

Key Verse:  "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me." - Acts 26:18 KJV 

Paul's accusers 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.” He recounts his former life as a persecutor of Christians, his journey to Damascus, and his encounter with the risen Christ. Jesus had not merely rescued Paul from his past. He had given Paul a purpose.

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.