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A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold is as pictures of silver.(Prov.25:11) It is so important to speak the right words to people at the right time to produce the right results. When you think of apples of gold in pictures of silver, then you are thinking of wealth and excellence. When we speak wisdom into the lives of others we are making them wealthy. Therefore we must seek God for He is the source of all wisdom and He will give us just the right words needed at the right time.
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#And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself. Acts 27:3
Sidon was a maritime city of Phoenicia of Hebrew origin (Tsiydown) a place in Palestine. In Aramaic also to fish; hence properly taking its name from its abundance of fish. Sidon was a very ancient Phoenician city formerly distinguished for wealth and traffic, situated near the Mediterranean on the borders of Judaea; it had been assigned to the tribe of Asher Joshua 19:28, So Julius was courteous to Paul and could see that he needed to refresh himself with his Christian brothers. As iron sharpens iron Paul is able to be mentored on this journey. Thus he was entreated by Julius. We do not know if Julius was a Christian but he is showing signs of being saved by showing this courtesy to Paul. The scripture tells us to do good to all men, especially those of the household of faith. Perhaps they took time out to do some fishing and fellowship with one another in the faith. What a blessing when brothers dwell together in unity and that is what was happening on this missionary journey.
#And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. Acts 27:2
The Greek word for Adramyttium is Adramyttenos was a seaport of Mysia, a place in Asia Minor. So Paul launched to sail by the coasts of Asia, with one Aristarchus, who was a Macedonian of Thessalonica. He was the best leader of the Christian church in Thessalonica and a fellow captive of Paul Colossians 4:10 Philemon 1:24, an inhabitant of Macedonian 2 Cor. 9:2,4 So we see the Lord is working providentially with Paul by allowing him to be on this ship with Aristarchus to preach the gospel to the prisoners on the ship and the sailors. God always has us at the right place at the right time to spread the good news of the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Today we are facing turbulent times in our churches, and marriages. As apostasy is prevalent in the church and many are falling away from the faith giving heed to doctrines of demons and forbidding them to marry. Polyamory is practiced when couples are swapping partners and having open marriages. This is evident as this is why the institution of marriage is under assault. We have to stand on the doctrines of Christ and let the world know that a true marriage is between a man and a woman. The scripture says let every man have his own wife and every woman her own husband. This was to prevent promiscuity from being practiced in the land as it is today. So we have to be ready to be persecuted for our faith and even ostracized by families. Jesus said just before His second coming they would be as they were in the days of Noah, as they were marrying and giving in marriage. This is just what is happening today and it tells us that we must be witness to the truth of the gospel that sets men free from their bondage.
#And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band. Acts 27:1
The Greek word for centurion is Hekatontarches which is a captain of one hundred men. So Agrippa and Festus determined that they should send Paul and certain other prisoners to sail into Italy, with one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band. This is going to set up another epic battle for Paul on the old ship of Zion. Fear not for God will help us and strengthen us where ever He sends us and if God is for us who can be against us? Even Julius with his hundred men cannot thwart the plan of God for His children. Our prayers go out to all the people of Florida who lost almost everything in hurricane Ian in the gulf of Mexico. Jesus warned us before the coming of the Day of the Lord there would be signs in the sun, moon, and stars with the sea roaring and upon the earth distress of nations with perplexities. Climate change is causing hurricanes to be more ferocious. Jesus told us when we see these things to look up for our redemption draweth nigh. For it would be as the birth pains of a woman in travail. I know that when a woman is about to give birth her labor pains come within every five minutes. The rapidity of the birth pains on earth, tells us that we are in the beginnings of sorrow just before the coming of the Lord. So my brothers and sisters set your affections on things above and hold unto God's unchanging hand for He will see us through all of these trials and tribulations.
#And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up and the governor and Bernice and they that sat with them: Acts 26:30
The Greek word for spoken is Epo which means to answer or bid a command. Thus Paul has answered the questions about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ for which he is in bond for sentenced to death. Then king Agrippa rose up and the governor and Bernice all sat with them. Contemplating what to do with this innocent man. And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or bonds. Then said Agrippa unto Festus, this man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar. The Greek word for the phrase set at liberty is Apolyo which means to set free or release. Figuratively it means to forgive, dismiss, or divorce. I am not at liberty to marry another woman until my estranged wife will grant me a divorce. So I understand what Paul is going through hoping to be set at liberty to serve the Lord without bonds. Paul talked about divorce in I Cor 7 and he said if the unbelieving spouse departs, or leaves the marriage, then the believer is no longer bound to the marriage as this is biblical grounds for divorce. The law calls this abandonment which the law says is done when a spouse leaves the other spouse for a year or greater. The Lord wants us to live in peace with one another and for the children to be sanctified. I have waited over six years now and my spouse refuses to reconcile to the marriage or grant me the divorce that I lawfully deserve. So who should I appeal to? Paul was in this same dilemma and he chose to appeal to Caesar. I can appeal to the family courts and seek to file divorce on my own now that I have been abandoned. I am praying to the Lord for wisdom in what to do for the scripture says it is better to marry than to burn in lust. The children have been sanctified from the marriage and are married themselves. So now there is little recourse but to go ahead and seek a divorce.
#And Paul said I would to God, that not only thou but also all that hear me this day, were both almost and altogether such as I am, except these bonds. Acts 26:29
The Greek word for all together is Ek which is the dative of a person, in the person, soul, thought of anyone. So Paul is in awe of king Agrippa almost being persuaded to be a Christian that he wants anyone who heard the gospel message would come to the conclusion and accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. It lies hidden as it were in the bosom of God until it shall come forth to view. Eph. 3:9 is the passage that corresponds to this text and everyone is welcome to hear the Word of God and believe the report of the prophets as told in the scriptures and by Paul. With all the mentally ill people today struggling with their illness they need to hear that there is hope beyond the grave and that they do not have to contemplate suicide but faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ for restoration of life eternal. King Agrippa challenges us to move past almost to altogether ready to receive Jesus Christ the risen Savor. Paul does not want everyone to be in bonds as he is, but he knows that many are in bonds to sin until the truth sets them free. Jesus said if you abide in my words, then you are my disciples indeed and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. What a blessing to be set free from the curse of sin and death to life eternal and freedom to live within the bounds of the Christian life.
#Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. Acts 26:28
The Greek word for Almost is En which is a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time, or state) and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest. So this is the most profound reason why many people will not get to Heaven because they Almost became a Christian but instead rested on the position that they had plenty of time to decide on what primary case to take. Today is the day of salvation and when you hear His voice, that is the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, telling you to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and then hasten to His throne. Think of all the things that Almost never did, I tell you we would be the richest people if only Almost had become a reality. It is my prayer my brothers and sisters that you will not halt between two opinions. If God is God, then serve Him, otherwise, you will perish with Baal and all the other gods of the world. We do not find out in scripture anywhere if Agrippa finally made the decision to become a Christian. I hope he did for he was so close to the Kingdom. Jesus told us to seek first His Kingdom and righteousness and all these things would be added unto us.
#King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Acts 26:27
The Greek word for believest is Pisteuo which means to believe or entrust, i.e. Credit; by implication or put in trust with. Specifically in a moral and religious reference. Paul has laid out his cause for the gospel of Jesus Christ and now all that is needed for king Agrippa to have child-like faith. We know that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. So if you lack faith, then you need to read the Word of God every day and be a doer of the word and not just a hearer only deceiving yourselves. It is very common properly to have a faith directed unto believing or in faith to give oneself up to Jesus etc. So my beloved brothers and sisters have faith in God for all things are possible if only you will believe in Him. To have saving faith you must believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day.
#For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. Acts 26:26
The Greek word for knoweth is Epistamai which means to understand, i.e. Comprehend or be acquainted with. Thus Paul is speaking to Agrippa with the knowledge that he understands the doctrine that he is teaching him. Just like Isocrates, and Aristotle who were great orators with great ellipsis and analogously gained the attention of their hearers. For the scripture tells us not just to be hearers of the Word but doers. We go to Seminary to learn Hermanuetics so that we can interpret scriptures correctly, and Paul was well trained under Gamaliel but most importantly he had been with Jesus the risen Savior on the Damascus road who told him of the things that would befall him on his Christian journey. Paul is speaking freely, as the gospel was freely given to us, and it is important that we do not muzzle the ox that trod out the corn. Paul is persuaded that none of these things that he is preaching is hidden for this thing was not done in a corner. Jesus Christ died openly for our sins on the Cross, was buried, and rose on the third day according to the scriptures. Paul is a witness to this risen Savior for it is He that gave him the gift of his apostleship.
#But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. Acts 26:25
The Greek word for soberness is Sophrosyne which means soundness of mind and self-control. So Paul speaks in his defense that he is not mad or crazy, but is speaking the truth with all soundness of mind and self-control. This is the proof that Paul is walking in the Spirit and bearing the fruits of the Spirit which is self-control. Just like the lame man at the pool of Bethesda was lame for thirty-eight years and Jesus said do you want to be whole? The man had been living in sin, but when Jesus saved him, he got up and walked after being lame and Jesus told him to go and stop sinning less a worse thing happens to him. This is what Paul is preaching in his defense that the Lord saved him on the Damascus road and now he has stopped sinning and is bearing fruits of righteousness for the Lord. So if you are bound with some kind of addictionn to sin, just cry out to the Lord Jesus save me, and He will save you and fill you with His Holy Spirit so that you can walk and be whole. No longer a victim but a victor.
#And as he had thus spoken for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; because of thine much learning doth make thee mad. Acts 26:24
The Greek word for mad is Eis which means against, among, as at backward. a preposition governing the accusative denoting entrance into, or direction and limit. Thus Festus had reached a limit with Paul for his learning. This was the highest compliment that he could have given Paul, for he indeed had been well trained under Gamaliel and could speak five languages. It was the Holy Spirit that was giving him the wisdom to speak just as the Lord Jesus had promised. This tells us that when we come before kings and magistrates the Lord will fight our battles and give us the words to speak for His glory. We today think as a man that is called mad is crazy, but not so this is how the Holy Spirit speaks through us. We must therefore be like Samuel in the Old Testament who said speak Lord for thy servant listens. When we listen to God speaking to us by the power of the Holy Spirit we will always have the right words to speak at the appointed time. It is my prayer that in these days of apostasy we will be in tune with the Spirit as He is speaking to us and say thus saith the Lord God.
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