Acts 24

In Acts 24 we pick up the story with Paul and a group of Jewish elders bringing charges against Paul before Felix, a governor of Rome. The Jewish elders accuse Paul of stirring up riots, being a ringleader of the sect known as the Nazarenes (v5) and even desecrating their temple (v6).

What Paul does here is he responds calmly and with great composure in what is a difficult situation. Felix would've taken some of these charges really seriously, notably the stirring up of riots. Felix listens to both the Jewish elders and Paul and decides to keep Paul in protective custody and allow a measure of freedom. He allowed friends to visit him and take care of his needs.

“We live with the same power that Jesus relied on and walked with - The Holy Spirit”

Felix had the power of life and death and yet Paul gets the opportunity to speak to him about faith in Christ Jesus (v24).

What is remarkable about this series of events is that Paul gets an opportunity to preach the gospel to someone of great influence. It would be like us sitting down with Donald Trump or Theresa May and being able to share our faith with them on a personal level. How amazing would that be?

“Pray that the Holy Spirit would empower you to do something incredible”

My takeaway from all of this is that we should feel empowered in those situations that are not ideal or we don't feel confident in. We live with the same power that Jesus relied on and walked with - The Holy Spirit. His promise is this in John 14:12 "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do, and greater works than these will he do". Before a big meeting, a confrontation or a moment of anxiety pray that the Holy Spirit would empower you to do something incredible.