Episode 30 (July 29–August 4) “A Minister and a Witness”

Listen to Episode 30 (July 29–August 4) “A Minister and a Witness” here.


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This week we talk about staying true to our testimonies of Jesus Christ, how Goldilocks and the Three Bears can be like Paul's conversion story, and how we weather the storms of life.

Quotes/materials used in this episode:


The Living Christ:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2000/04/the-living-christ-the-testimony-of-the-apostles-the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints?lang=eng



What are some of the differences in the tellings of Paul's Conversion stories?
https://mdharrismd.com/2011/12/19/pauls-conversion-why-three-accounts-and-how-do-they-differ/


FROM CFM:


As Paul’s ministry clearly shows, difficulties in our lives are not a sign that God disapproves of the work we are doing. In fact, sometimes it is during the difficulties that we feel His support most strongly. It might be interesting to review what you’ve read recently about Paul’s ministry and list some of the things he endured (see, for example, Acts 14:19–20; 16:19–27; 21:31–34; 23:10–11; 27:13–25, 40–44). How did the Lord stand by him, and what does this teach you about your own efforts in the Lord’s service?

He got back up again.

Acts 14:19–20; Stone in Antioch and Iconium, but got back up again and walked to Derbe

16:19–27; Phillipi, casts out the demon from the girl, her masters get upset, Paul is beaten, whipped, put into prison, but sings and converts his jailer.

21:31–34; 29 (For they had seen before with him in the city aTrophimusan Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

30 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.

31 And as they went about to akill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an buproar.

32 Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief acaptain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.

33 Then the chief acaptain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.

34 And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the acastle.

35 And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.

36 For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.

37 And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?

38 Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?

39 But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of aTarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.

40 And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and abeckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great bsilence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue


23:10–11; 1 And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men andbrethren, I have lived in all good aconscience before God until this day.

2 And the high priest aAnanias commanded them that stood by him to bsmite him on the mouth.

3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou awhitedwall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

4 And they that stood by said, aRevilest thou God’s high priest?

5 Then said Paul, I awist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the bruler of thy people.

6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men andbrethren, I am a aPharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the bhopeand cresurrection of the dead I am called in question.

7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.

8 For the aSadducees say that there is no bresurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

9 And there arose a great cry: and the ascribes that were of the Pharisees’ part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an bangel hath spoken to him, let us not cfight against God.

10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.

11 And the night following the aLord bstood by him, and said, Be of good ccheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at dRome.


27:13–25, 40–44 Shipwreck

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Elder Orson F. Whitney said: “No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. … All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable. … It is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire.”




Paul V. Johnson, Oct 11 A pattern in the scriptures and in life shows that many times the darkest, most dangerous tests immediately precede remarkable events and tremendous growth. “After much tribulation come the blessings.”8 The children of Israel were trapped against the Red Sea before it was parted.9 Nephi faced danger, anger from his brothers, and multiple failures before he was able to procure the brass plates.10 Joseph Smith was overcome by an evil power so strong that it seemed he was doomed to utter destruction. When he was almost ready to sink into despair, he exerted himself to call upon God, and at that very moment he was visited by the Father and the Son.11 Often investigators face opposition and tribulation as they near baptism. Mothers know that the challenges of labor precede the miracle of birth. Time after time we see marvelous blessings on the heels of great trials.



The Apostle Paul taught, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”14 It is interesting that Paul uses the term “light affliction.” This comes from a person who was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, imprisoned, and who experienced many other trials.15 I doubt many of us would label our afflictions light. Yet in comparison to the blessings and growth we ultimately receive, both in this life and in eternity, our afflictions truly are light.
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Notes on the rulers- commentary from the EnduringWord.com Biblical Commentary:

Felix (and Drusilla):

FELIX: Antonius Felix began life as a slave. His brother Pallas was a friend of the emperor Claudius; through such influence, he rose in status – first as a child gaining freedom, and then through intrigue he became the first former slave to become a governor of a Roman province.

i. But his slave mentality stayed with him. Tacitus, the Roman historian, described Felix as “a master of cruelty and lust who exercised the powers of a king with the spirit of a slave” (Historiae 5.9, cited in Longnecker).

ii. “The picture drawn by Tacitus of Felix’s public and private life is not a pretty one. Trading on the influences of his infamous brother [Pallas, a favorite of the emperor Claudius], he indulged in every license and excess, thinking ‘that he could do any evil act with impunity’


DRUSILLA: This woman was the sister of Herod Agrippa II and Bernice mentioned in Acts 25. Drusilla was beautiful, ambitious, and about 20 years old at this point. Felix seduced her away from her husband and made her his third wife.


24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.

25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, atemperance,(GR Self Control) and judgment to come, Felix btrembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

26 He hoped also that amoney should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.


Create a Note

Festus- history tells us Festus was a basically good man. He governed well, despite all the problems left him by Felix.

i. The statement, “after three days he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem” hints at the good and energetic leadership of Festus. Upon arriving at Caesarea, the capital of the Judean province, he immediately made the trip to Jerusalem, probably the most important city of the province.

Though he was a good man, Festus also understood that it was important for him to have and keep good a good relationship with the Jewish people of his province.

b. Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things? Festus found it difficult to decide the case. Paul’s standing as a Roman citizen apparently prevented Festus from commanding the trial to be moved to Jerusalem, so he asked Paul about this.

i. It’s interesting to wonder if Festus knew of the plot to murder Paul or not. If he did know, then he knowingly asked Paul to walk into an ambush and be murdered. If he did not know, then he merely thought that this would please the religious leaders to have the trial in Jerusalem.

c. So Paul said, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged…I appeal to Caesar.” Paul saw through the plot against his life. Perhaps it was through supernatural knowledge, or perhaps through God-given common sense and deduction. Therefore, he demanded to stand trial before Caesar.

i. Rightly and wisely, Paul wanted to avoid martyrdom if he could. He wasn’t afraid to face the lions, but he didn’t want to put his head in a lion’s mouth if he could avoid it.

ii. Paul’s appeal made sense. He was convinced that the evidence was on his side and that he could win in a fair trial. He also had reason to wonder if his current judge (Festus) was sympathetic to his accusers, the religious leaders among the Jews.

d. I appeal to Caesar: It was the right of every Roman citizen to have his case heard by Caesar himself, after initial trials and appeals failed to reach a satisfactory decision. This was in effect an appeal to the supreme court of the Roman Empire.

i. “God, who has appointed courts of law, also gives his people liberty to use them lawfully.” (Calvin, cited in Hughes)

ii. Paul appealed specifically to Caesar Nero, who was later an notorious enemy of Christians. But the first five years of his reign, under the influence of good men around him, Nero was regarded as a wise and just ruler. Paul had no reason at this time to believe that Nero would be anti-Christian.

Festus turns him over to King Agrippa 25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of adeath, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.




Create a Note

King Agrippa - the man whose great-grandfather had tried to kill Jesus as a baby; his grandfather had John the Baptist beheaded; his father had martyred the first apostle, James. Agrippa’s family history made him unlikely to receive Paul warmly. Herod Agrippa II ruled a client kingdom of the Roman Empire to the northeast of Festus’ province. Agrippa was known as an expert in Jewish customs and religious matters. He was of great influence because the emperor gave him the right to oversee the affairs of the temple in Jerusalem and the appointment of the high priest. Though he did not have jurisdiction over Paul in this case, his hearing of the matter would be helpful for Festus

24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee amad.

25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.

26 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.

27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou abelievest.

28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou apersuadest me to be a bChristian.

29 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.

30 And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:

31 And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of adeathor of bonds.

32 Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto aCæsar.

Paul gets an all expenses paid trip to Rome!
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You Say by Lauren Daigle