How does Acts 24:25 connect with other scriptures on righteousness and judgment? Setting the Scene Acts 24:25: “As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became afraid and said, ‘For now, leave me alone. When I find the time, I will send for you.’” Key Themes in Acts 24:25 • Righteousness – God’s perfect moral standard revealed and fulfilled in Christ • Self-control – the Spirit-enabled discipline that evidences repentance • The coming judgment – God’s fixed day when He will judge all through Jesus Christ (Acts 17:31) Scripture Connections on Righteousness • Genesis 15:6 – “Abram believed the LORD, and He credited it to him as righteousness.” The foundation: righteousness credited by faith. • Psalm 11:7 – “For the LORD is righteous; He loves justice.” God Himself is the measure Paul proclaims. • Isaiah 64:6 – Human righteousness is “filthy rags,” underscoring the need for God’s provision. • Romans 3:21-22 – “But now, apart from the Law, the righteousness of God has been revealed… through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” Paul’s courtroom message in Caesarea echoes his Roman letter. • 2 Corinthians 5:21 – “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” The only remedy Paul could hold before Felix. • Philippians 3:9 – Paul seeks to “be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ.” Scripture Connections on Self-Control • Proverbs 25:28 – “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.” Felix’s life of indulgence contrasts with Paul’s call. • Galatians 5:22-23 – Self-control is fruit of the Spirit, evidencing new birth. • 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 – Paul practices what he preaches, disciplining his body lest he be disqualified. • Titus 2:11-12 – Grace “trains us to renounce ungodliness… and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives.” Scripture Connections on Judgment • Acts 17:30-31 – Paul earlier in Athens: God “has set a day when He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man He has appointed.” Same message to Felix. • John 5:22-29 – “The Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son.” Paul’s Judge is the risen Christ. • Hebrews 9:27 – “It is appointed for men to die once, and after that to face judgment.” No escape clause for governors or slaves. • Matthew 25:31-46 – The Son of Man separates sheep and goats; eternal destinies fixed. • Revelation 20:11-15 – The Great White Throne underscores the certainty Paul proclaims. A Unified Biblical Message 1. God is perfectly righteous; His standard never shifts. 2. All fall short; human righteousness cannot satisfy (Romans 3:23). 3. Christ’s atoning work provides the only righteousness acceptable to God. 4. Saving faith produces Spirit-empowered self-control, evidencing new life. 5. A definite, inescapable judgment is set; acceptance or rejection of Christ determines eternal outcome. 6. Paul’s bold dialogue with Felix mirrors the consistent testimony of Scripture—from Genesis to Revelation—calling every hearer to receive God’s gift of righteousness before that coming day. |
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