Felix, governor of Judea for the Roman Empire:
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. 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. 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. 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. 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. But after two years, Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.-Acts 24:22-27***Over 700 years after Levi and Judah were born to Jacob (Israel) and his 1st wife Leah, and Benjamin was born to Jacob and his 2nd wife Rachel, Samuel the priest, prophet and judge was born into the tribe of Levi. When Samuel was elderly, the Lord God sent Samuel to anoint Saul, from the tribe of Benjamin, to reign as king over the Israelites in the Promised Land. Saul did not obey commands of the Lord God. While Saul reigned, the Lord God sent Samuel to anoint David, from the tribe of Judah, to reign as king. Over 1,000 years after David became the 2nd king to reign over all of the Israelites, Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, was born. Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit in the womb of Mary, a virgin, and Jesus was born into the tribe of Judah to Mary and her husband Joseph when Mary was a virgin. Approximately 30 years after Jesus was born to Joseph and Mary, Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River by Mary's relative John the Baptist, from the tribe of Levi. The Holy Spirit descended as a dove and lit upon Jesus, and the Lord God in heaven audibly acknowledged his Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the desert wilderness. For 40 days Jesus fasted and was tempted. Afterwards, Jesus was tended to by angels, and Jesus went to the area near John the Baptist, and John the Baptist proclaimed Jesus to be the Lamb of God taking away the sin of the world. In Galilee, Jesus told specific Israelite men to follow him, and Jesus began to preach, teach and perform miracles among the Israelites. Less than 3 1/2 years after Jesus was baptized, Jesus was betrayed, arrested, crucified, buried in a tomb, resurrected, and returned to heaven. Paul (Saul) was from the tribe of Benjamin. Paul did not believe Jesus to be the Christ. Throughout Jerusalem, Paul persecuted and imprisoned any Israelite man or woman who believed Jesus to be the Christ of God. When Paul was journeying to the synagogues in Damascus in Syria to find, bind and take to Jerusalem any Israelite believers he found, Paul and those with him saw a light from heaven flash around them. Paul heard the voice of Jesus speaking to him, and Paul spoke to Jesus and obeyed Jesus. In Damascus, Paul was baptized. From thenceforward, Paul the apostle journeyed and wrote divinely inspired letters, teaching the good news of Jesus the Christ and everlasting life to Israelites and Gentiles, people not born into the Israelite tribes. In Caesarea, Agabus the prophet spoke of events to occur in Jerusalem. Yet, Paul continued his journey thitherward. Paul was seized in Jerusalem and beaten by his fellow Israelites. After Roman commander Claudius Lysias became aware of the goings-on and arrived with soldiers and centurions, Paul was arrested, placed in chains and allowed to speak to the crowd. Paul was put in the castle barracks and about to be flogged and interrogated when he identified himself as a Roman citizen. Lysias set Paul before the Sanhedrin council, the high court of the Israelites (Hebrews/Jews), and Paul purposely caused a division when he spoke. Lysias ordered his men to put Paul in the barracks again. Jesus appeared to Paul and told Paul to be of good cheer and to testify of him in Rome. At least 40 Israelites vowed to kill Paul. Paul's nephew learned of their plans and warned Paul and Lysias. Lysias sent Paul, accompanied by soldiers, horsemen and spearmen, to Governor Felix in Caesarea. The horsemen went with Paul for the entire length of the trip. Upon arrival in Caesarea, Felix placed Paul in custody and said that he would hear Paul when the accusers arrived, and would decide the case when Lysias arrived. Moreover, Felix allowed Paul a degree of freedom and frequent opportunities for private conversations, hoping to benefit financially.-Genesis 11:26-50:26, Exodus, Numbers 20:1-29, 27:12-23, Deuteronomy 31:1-30, 32:44-52, 34:1-12, Joshua 1:1-4:23, 23:1-24:33, Judges 1:1-2:23, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles 1:1-34, 2:1-17, 3:1-24, 6:1-81, 8:1-40, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts 1:1-26, 6:1-8:4, 9:1-31, 11:19-28:31, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus
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