When I have a convenient time
Felix delayed — “when I have a convenient time.” Festus wanted favor with the Jews, so Paul appealed to Caesar.
Lesson 9 · Course 55
Acts Continued
Vow in the Temple, Felix–Festus–Agrippa, Rome, and the Prison/Pastoral letters.
At a glance
Summary
Vow in the Temple, Felix–Festus–Agrippa, Rome, and the Prison/Pastoral letters. In Jerusalem Paul delivered a financial gift so large it took a wagon, then paid the purification expenses of four men and took a vow with them. He used freedom with wisdom to…
Auto-graded 6/10 on attempt 1. Essays not graded yet. Attempts used: 1 of 3 — a second attempt is not assumed. Review the four misses below before any retry.
Big ideas
What to teach and remember
- In Jerusalem Paul delivered a financial gift so large it took a wagon, then paid the purification expenses of four men and took a vow with them. He used freedom with wisdom to quiet the rumor that he taught Jews to forsake Moses — without changing the gospel.
- It is wise not to become a martyr when it is not necessary. Paul spoke to the commander in Greek, to the crowd in Hebrew, and claimed Roman citizenship before they could scourge an uncondemned man (Acts 22:25).
- Before the Sanhedrin, High Priest Ananias had Paul struck. This was not their first meeting. Paul then divided Pharisees and Sadducees over the resurrection, and the Lord promised he would also witness in Rome.
- Paul was held in prison under Felix, Festus, and Agrippa. Felix delayed — “when I have a convenient time.” Festus wanted favor with the Jews, so Paul appealed to Caesar. Agrippa said, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”
- In Rome Paul was considered a political prisoner: house arrest with a soldier, two years in his own rented house, preaching the kingdom with confidence, no one forbidding him. Acts ends unfinished — the gospel still moving toward the uttermost part of the earth.
- Prison letters from Rome (about 62 A.D.): Ephesians was meant to be circulated among churches; Philippi’s problem was not doctrinal error but disunity; Colossians was written while Paul was a prisoner; Philemon was a rich Christian master, not a poor slave — Onesimus was the runaway.
- The Pastoral Epistles (1–2 Timothy, Titus) train young ministers in doctrine, church order, and godly character. Second Timothy is Paul’s last letter from his last imprisonment: preach the Word; endure hardship; come soon.
Key terms
People, places, and words that matter
Paul's vow in the Temple
Paul’s vow shows that Christian freedom should be used with wisdom and love. He was willing to follow a Jewish purification custom and pay the expenses for…
Five lessons from Paul's ministry in Rome
Five lessons from Paul’s ministry in Rome: (1) Paul continued serving while under house arrest, with only a soldier guarding him. (2) He met with the Jewish…
Pastoral Epistles (1–2 Timothy, Titus)
Dr. Towns teaches that the Pastoral Epistles are Paul’s letters about church leadership and the work of young ministers. First Timothy was written to Timothy…
Paul
Paul is held in prison under Felix, Festus, and Agrippa
Rome Paul
Rome Paul is considered a political prisoner: house arrest with a soldier, two years in his own rented house, pre
Ephesians
Ephesians is meant to be circulated among churches; Philippi’s problem was not doctrinal error but disunity; Colo
Structure
Outline / timeline
- Paul's vow in the Temple
- Five lessons from Paul's ministry in Rome
- Pastoral Epistles (1–2 Timothy, Titus)
Must remember
Facts to keep straight
| Quiz score | 60% (1 attempt) |
|---|---|
| Audience | Timothy at Ephesus, Paul’s true son in the faith |
| Date | 62 A.D.): Ephesians was meant to be c |
| Key claim | In Jerusalem Paul delivered a financial gift so large it took a wagon, then paid the purification expenses of four men and took a vow with… |
| Key claim | It is wise not to become a martyr when it is not necessary. Paul spoke to the commander in Greek, to the crowd in Hebrew, and claimed Roman… |
| Key claim | Before the Sanhedrin, High Priest Ananias had Paul struck. This was not their first meeting. Paul then divided Pharisees and Sadducees over… |
| Miss drill 1 | True: Paul's financial gift to the church was so large, it took a wagon to deliver it. — Miss — Jay-R chose False. The workbook: the gift was so large it took… |
| Miss drill 2 | False: When Paul stood before the Sanhedrin, he met the High Priest, Ananias, for the first time. — Miss — Jay-R chose True. Moodle: False. This was not a… |
Compare
Side-by-side contrasts
Pharisees and Sadducees
- Paul then divided Pharisees and Sadducees over the resurrection, and the Lord promised he would also witness in Rome.
- Paul then divided Pharisees and Sadducees over the resurrection, and the Lord promised he would also witness in Rome.
For the pulpit
Sermon hooks
- In Rome Paul was considered a political prisoner: house arrest with a soldier, two years in his own rented house, preaching the kingdom with confidence, no one…
- The Pastoral Epistles (1–2 Timothy, Titus) train young ministers in doctrine, church order, and godly character.
- Second Timothy is Paul’s last letter from his last imprisonment: preach the Word; endure hardship; come soon.
- (4) His ministry was not stopped by chains; he received people in his rented house and preached with confidence.
Quiz drill
Quiz drill / review · open to practice · 10 items
Quiz score: 60% · 1 attempt
1. Paul's financial gift to the church was so large, it took a wagon to deliver it.
TrueMiss / partialMiss — Jay-R chose False. The workbook: the gift was so large it took a wagon. Moodle correct is True.
2. It is wise not to become a martyr when it is not necessary.
TruePaul claimed Roman citizenship before the scourge (Acts 22:25). The principle: do not become a martyr when it is not necessary.
3. When Paul stood before the Sanhedrin, he met the High Priest, Ananias, for the first time.
FalseMiss / partialMiss — Jay-R chose True. Moodle: False. This was not a first meeting. Paul said he did not realize the man who ordered him struck was the high priest (Acts 23:5) — that is not a first introduction.
4. Paul was held in prison under Felix, Festus, and Agrippa.
TrueMiss / partialMiss — Jay-R chose False. The lesson walks the hearings under Felix, Festus, and Agrippa while Paul remained a prisoner. Moodle correct is True.
5. In Rome, Paul was considered a political prisoner.
TrueMiss / partialMiss — Jay-R chose False. The workbook: he was a political prisoner — permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him (Acts 28:16). Moodle correct is True.
6. The book of Ephesians was intended to be circulated and read among churches.
TrueEphesians is a circular letter (Col. 4:16) — no personal references, no one local problem. Written to be read among the churches.
7. The big problem in Philippi, was doctrinal error.
FalsePhilippians has no serious doctrinal or lifestyle problem. The issue was disunity (Phil. 4:2–3).
8. The book of Colossians was written while Paul was a prisoner in Rome.
TrueColossians is a prison epistle, written from Rome about 62 A.D. and delivered with Ephesians and Philemon.
9. Philemon was a poor Christian slave.
FalsePhilemon was a rich Christian who owned slaves; the church met in his home. Onesimus was the runaway slave.
10. Second Timothy was Paul's last letter written from his last imprisonment.
TrueThe workbook heading: Paul writes his last letter from his last imprisonment. 2 Timothy is that letter.
Essay themes
If you preach or review
Paul's vow in the Temple
Paul’s vow shows that Christian freedom should be used with wisdom and love. He was willing to follow a Jewish purification custom and pay the expenses for four men, even though the gospel did not depend on that custom. He tried to remove a needless offense and keep peace with Jewish believers. At the same time, he did not change his message about Christ or earn salvation by the vow. We also learn not to seek suffering or become a martyr when it is not necessary. Serve people and witness faithfully, and trust God when suffering really comes.
Five lessons from Paul's ministry in Rome
Five lessons from Paul’s ministry in Rome: (1) Paul continued serving while under house arrest, with only a soldier guarding him. (2) He met with the Jewish leaders and explained God’s kingdom and Jesus from morning until evening. (3) There was no proven accusation from Judea against him. (4) His ministry was not stopped by chains; he received people in his rented house and preached with confidence. (5) Acts ends with the gospel still moving toward the uttermost part of the earth, so the church’s mission continues.
Pastoral Epistles (1–2 Timothy, Titus)
Dr. Towns teaches that the Pastoral Epistles are Paul’s letters about church leadership and the work of young ministers. First Timothy was written to Timothy at Ephesus, Paul’s true son in the faith. Paul gave him authority to correct false teachers, teach sound doctrine, and lead the church. Titus was sent to Crete to set the churches in order, appoint elders, and teach believers how to live. The letters speak about the qualifications and conduct of pastors and the good works expected from God’s people. Second Timothy was Paul’s last letter, written from his final imprisonment in Rome. Paul encouraged Timothy to endure hardship, keep preaching the Word, and come soon, bringing his cloak, books, and parchments. Together these letters call a pastor to faithful doctrine, godly character, and perseverance in ministry.