Acts Facts Part 4 Preview

Our Acts Facts portion of the Acts Series continues on Patreon.   If you want to see the full list of facts, head on over and sign up for $2 to help us continue spreading the message of Jesus.  Today's sneak peek comes from Acts Chapter 23.  This is yet another great chapter on dealing with adversity, mostly on the idea of not losing sight of your purpose in the midst of trials.   Check it out, tell us your thoughts and consider assisting us as we advance the cause of Christ.  Thanks and God Bless!

Acts 23:

Historical Facts: Paul stands before the council of priests (1), including Ananias. Ananias was high priest during much of the persecution of the early church. Paul is confirmed to go to Rome by God (11). Paul is sent to the governor of the region, Felix (24), a cruel and ruthless ruler.

Character Facts: Paul was a polarizing figure at this point. Pharisees did not want him to die because they were concerned that he had really been called by God (9). The Sadducees wanted him dead and even had several men go on a hunger strike/fast to gain the opportunity to kill him (12-13). The high priests looked at him as an agent of chaos and a disruptor of their order (1-4). The Romans simply wanted him out of their hands (22-24). However, God’s view of Paul was that he was his servant doing well (11).

Scriptural Facts: God’s words to Paul probably brought him back to the sons of Korah’s Psalm 46 (v.1-2), David’s Psalm 109 (v. 31) and Isaiah’s prophetic assurance in chapters 41 (vv. 10, 14) and 43 (v. 2). Having the same reassurance that God gave to his people. Paul was not forsaken in his endeavor and God would walk with him through the waters of his troubles, leading him to a greater opportunity.

Spiritual Truth: Paul could have easily looked on his situation in Jerusalem and wondered why God had led him here. However, through the assurances of God, he saw that this was a pathway to greater things in God’s Kingdom. We may not understand the storms we face, but can rest assured that God’s plan and guiding hand will see us through to His purpose.

We hope you've enjoyed this precursor to our devotions. Those devotions launch next Wednesday, August 16th with a deep dive into Acts 1 and 2. We'll discover just how this Christianity thing got started and what that means to all of us today. This post will be right here on Compass and free to all, though we may have a little something extra posted on the Patreon Page later in the week!