Thursday, January 20 Take courage! . . . You must also bear witness in Rome.​—Acts 23:11.

[Áine]

Thursday, January 20

Take courage! . . . You must also bear witness in Rome.—Acts 23:11.

 

Jesus assured the apostle Paul that he would reach Rome. However, some Jews in Jerusalem planned to ambush Paul and kill him. When the Roman military commander Claudius Lysias learned about the plan, he came to Paul’s rescue. Quickly, Claudius sent Paul—protected by many soldiers—to Caesarea. There, Governor Felix ordered that Paul “be kept under guard in Herod’s palace.” Paul was out of the reach of the would-be murderers. (Acts 23:12-35) But Felix was succeeded as governor by Festus, who wanted “to gain favor with the Jews.” He asked Paul: “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and be judged before me there?” Paul knew that he would probably be killed in Jerusalem. He said: “I appeal to Caesar!” Festus told Paul: “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you will go.” In time, Paul would be in Rome—far out of the reach of the Jews who were seeking to kill

[Tortuga]

This is a good reminder that we can call on governments to protect us when necessary.

 

Highlights From the Book of Acts https://www.jw.org/finder?wtlocale=E&docid=2008368&srctype=wol&srcid=share&par=40

Edited January 19, 2022 by Tortuga

[New World Explorer]

13 hours ago, Anniebea said:

Claudius Lysias

Some interesting facts: Later, upon learning from Paul’s own nephew of a Jewish plot to kill the apostle, Claudius Lysias summoned two of his army officers and commanded them to get ready 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen, and 200 spearmen to leave for Caesarea at about 9:00 p.m. in order to take Paul to Governor Felix. (Ac 23:16-24) In compliance with Roman law, he also sent a statement of the case to Governor Felix. This letter, however, was not altogether factual. Although acknowledging Paul’s innocence, Claudius Lysias gave the impression that he had rescued Paul because of having learned that the apostle was a Roman, whereas in reality he had violated Paul’s citizenship rights by having him bound and even ordering that he be examined under scourgings.—Ac 23:25-30.