Acts 24:1-27 KJV
1 And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.
2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,
3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.
5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.
7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,
8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
10 Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:
11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.
12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:
13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
17 Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
18 Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.
20 Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,
21 Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.
22 And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.
23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.
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, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
26 He hoped also that money 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.

The problem in the land of Jerusalem and surround areas because Christians came preaching and teaching in the temple because of their heritage. Paul was the one that was brought before Felix. Ananias the high Priest descended with the elders and certain orator/prosecuter Tertullus who informed the government of the problems with Paul. Informed them of the thankfulness of what the government did for the Jews. Now as a Christian reading this I have to stop and remember the option began at the time of Christ and continued on with those who would take up the cross of Jesus and would be persecuted.

If we look through the book of Acts the record of why Christians were being persecuted by Rome, because it made the Jews happy. Yet we also have to understand this is a feud happening. If we step into a church/temple not of our faith and began to preach within the walls do you think that people of the faith of that church or temple would be to happy. However there is another problem Christians see their faith as an extension of Judaism and not necessarily in disagreement to their faith beyond the idea that the Messiah had already come and his name was Jesus/Emmanuel. However the things they do agree on is the law of the Old Testament. Paul could say this without hesitation, because God's laws do not change if we follow the laws of God about faith and not necessarily cultural laws.

I heard once the one thing most believers do agree on is the book of Genesis and after that it becomes a murky mess of soap and water. Now why soap because the word of God is the best cleaning agent out there in our world. Many people when reading the Bible can say I agree with why God did certain things even if it effects badly on their own culture. Yet when it comes to government it is something different. See when you on the government side you may find your opponents on government side in regards to respect too. Yet culturally be at war with the government leader who is religiously on the side of their constituents. Paul would come before Flexis even with freedom bounded before the governmental leaders.

Paul faith and action would be in question. Paul recorded of his minister in Acts gives no one any reason for Paul to be in chains. Some would call him a liar as far as the reason he needs to be in chains. I wonder why they thought he should be in chains, because he disrupted the temple, which we know this is true, that Paul went in teaching the Gospel even when visiting and worshipping in the temples. His heritage was after all Jewish, but he was a Christian man, and yet he went in witnessing to the Jews about the fact their Messiah had come. Now you think if you missed the date of your Messiah coming you would be upset too or even angry that someone would think you know not the time of his appearing.

Today in the Christian world there are those that comes in to churches as wolves only seek to destroy it and their others coming solely to worship or to learn more about their own faith in God. Temple was aware of wolves that would come in to try and destroy their faith. Jews were in areas ministering outside of Israel. Paul was excited about his faith in God. Maybe so much that he had not thought how others would receive the news of Jesus. This news would cause uproar wherever Paul went. However think on it something wonderful had happened to him, his own testimony of a brilliant light that blinded him and Christ spoke to him, and then he received his sight back. How could he not be excited. How could he not be to the point he had to share it with someone. The one that blinded Paul name was Jesus. Yet he had been a Jew who persecuted the Christians and now he knew in his heart the Messiah had come, because of his own experience. He was a priest by education in the Jewish faith. By faith he was a Christian. This disturbed Jewish leaders all over the place. Yet Paul could stand before his government as persecutor, believer and in chains to the persecution of his faith. Flexis wife was Jewish, Flexis faith unknown but he was willing to put ropes on him because of his wife's faith.

Our government has a role to play in our world to be better then Rome and not only hear it all out, but to know the truth of the whole situations and to judge fairly even when it their own people. It the tough role our government plays in the world. If the government be wrong then they be judge for it or at least corrected, and informed if caught again their activity be judged by our laws.

Rome should of had the book thrown out them for showing impartiality when Paul was present before Rome and the Jews, because he was given liberty while they wait for testimony from another. Where should faith be express in someone else worship center in America or outside in the city streets, other gathering places and homes. With freedom comes responsibility to know the difference. Many people believe the Holy Bible but not all believe it the same way. If you do not agree with a pastor or church leader ask to speak to them privately. People do walk into the wrong place of worship and worship God and Christ Jesus and know the Holy Spirit because of the word of God speaks truth, but there are many different doctrines. The question is do you have a reason for your convictions? If a minister will not speak with you on the subject, he might not be educated enough to answer certain questions, but allow the Bible to be your measuring stick.

Stop the persecution of those who might not believe the same as you. Teach love more then hate. Teach how to discuss differences and how, when, and where they should be addressed. Scripturally speak there is a way to have discourse. Christians finally got into power in Roman only for the Temple to be destroyed without the understanding of its importance to the Christian faith. Why because of their many deities in their culture. The idea of one sovereign God did not exist in their culture. Religion should not be a place or deciding factor of war. It should be only a discussion. There bigger issues in our world at stake of trying to prove who is right and who is wrong. Does our action speak about a God that not abusive. Sometimes there is a fine line between abuse, anger, frustration in the privacy of a home. Home should be a place of free expression or agreement to disagree.

Churches and temples were often the meeting places of small towns and villages. Most governments have meetings places for the people now without using a church for education and governmental issues. Or should we say the church no longer needs a government building to worship unless first beginning and need a meeting place. Cultures changes and involving.

Yet Paul in his day was ethusaistic about his call in ministry and that Jesus was the Messiah. He probably gave little thought about social issue it was causing. If he could live in our modern world would he apologize for disruption? Maybe. Paul did start churches in places he went.

What my point our thanksgiving should be to God and our willingness to work with leaders in government to solve problems should be greater. However if you have a religious group that causing problems there maybe a reason they causing it, that might even be criminal activity. Paul actions were not criminal only questionable. No one knows if Paul ever gained his freedom completely. What we know his he caused a stir that would change the Roman world and lead many to Christ. Was it worth his persecution? One has to ask, if you going to get in trouble can you do it because you were testifying about Jesus in a place that had not heard the good news.

when I look at scripture and I thank God that I was told about Jesus coming, but I ask Lord do we has a people need to stir up a crowd outside the law for you? Do we have to endure persecution. The answer Lord even your Son went to the cross for the same issues of Paul. Then the words it is better to obey God then man and I think of Daniel, shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. I think of Gideon and his stand on faith. There time of persecution because we sit idly by and allowed the world voice to be louder then those of faith. There is a time when the Lamb will lay down with the Lion. That time is now in our world of sin, that same world that born again Christians came out of. Our freedom to worship is in many countries, our ability to witness is free in many places and yet not around the world completely. The apostles, disciples and Paul were all persecuted for faith. Apostles, disciples and Paul's time was extremely different. The persecution now is target of our faith and abuse because we believe in God.

Let us show more love to help other nations to understand we are not threating to their way of life as well as within our own country, that we are on the side of peace and non abusive measures. That decision to receive Christ as individual and it's need at the minimum to be allowed to be presented to those outside our faith that will listen and make decisions about Jesus out of their own free will. Our freedom in America is a gift of God, and their will always be those in option.

Dear Heavenly Father help us to strive to live for you in a non destructive manner, but a manner of peace and safety, but not afraid to take a stand like Christ, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and abednego, Gideon, apostles, disciples and Paul especially in times of option to faith in you. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

I know this is not the typical Thanksgiving Eve message, but something we need to be thankful for is our freedom to express our faith. That is one of my greatest joys as well as something I am truly thankful for. Faith is individual but many churches and Christians are in unity of faith.

Continual Scripture Study: Isaiah 11:6-10 KJV
6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
7 And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.
9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
10 And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

Isaiah 65:25 KJV
25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.