8-8-2014 Acts 23:12-35
S. 12
And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves
under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had
killed Paul.13 And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.14
And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound
ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain
Paul.15 Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he
bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more
perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill
him.16 And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and
entered into the castle, and told Paul.17 Then Paul called one of the
centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for
he hath a certain thing to tell him.18 So he took him, and brought him to the
chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to
bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee.19 Then the
chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and
asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me?20 And he said, The Jews have
agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the
council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly.21 But do
not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty
men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor
drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise
from thee.22 So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged
him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.23 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;24 And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on,
and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.25 And he wrote a letter after this
manner:26 Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth
greeting.27 This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of
them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was
a Roman.28 And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I
brought him forth into their council:29 Whom I perceived to be accused of questions
of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of
bonds.30 And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I
sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say
before thee what they had against him. Farewell.31 Then the soldiers, as it was
commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris.32 On the
morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:33
Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor,
presented Paul also before him.34 And when the governor had read the letter, he
asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia; 35
I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded
him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.
O. Paul,
as a prisoner, starts his trip to Rome after a plot to kill him is revealed to
the arresting captain.
A. God
will protect us as we labor for him and live a life pleasing in his sight. I
will not fear the enemy, with all his clamor and intimidation, my God is my safety,
my shield and my supply.
P Father;
I worship you today as my “everything” and my “all”. I trust in you to keep me
through every trouble and trial. I will declare you as Lord. Amen.
