Metaphysical Bible Interpretation of Act Chapter 24
Metaphysically Interpreting Acts 24:1-9
24:1And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with certain elders, and with an orator, one Tertullus; and they informed the governor against Paul. 24:2And when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying,
Seeing that by thee we enjoy much peace, and that by the providence evils are corrected for this nation, 24:3we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 24:4But, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I entreat thee to hear us of thy clemency a few words.24:5For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: 24:6who moreover assayed to profane the temple: on whom also we laid hold: and we would have judged him according to our law.24:7But the chief captain Lysias came, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,24:8commanding his accusers to come before thee. from whom thou wilt be able, by examining him thyself, to take knowledge of all these things whereof we accuse him.24:9And the Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that these things were so.
Metaphysically Interpreting Acts 24:10-23
24:10And when the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, Paul answered,
Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I cheerfully make my defense: 24:11Seeing that thou canst take knowledge that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem: 24:12and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city. 24:13Neither can they prove to thee the things whereof they now accuse me. 24:14But this I confess unto thee, that after the Way which they call a sect, so serve I the God of our fathers, believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets; 24:15having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for, that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust. 24:16Herein I also exercise myself to have a conscience void of offence toward God and men always. 24:17Now after some years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings: 24:18amidst which they found me purified in the temple, with no crowd, nor yet with tumult: but there were certain Jews from Asia-- 24:19who ought to have been here before thee, and to make accusation, if they had aught against me. 24:20Or else let these men themselves say what wrong-doing they found when I stood before the council, 24:21except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question before you this day.24:22But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will determine your matter. 24:23And he gave order to the centurion that he should be kept in charge, and should have indulgence; and not to forbid any of his friends to minister unto him.
October 17, 1897: Acts 24:10-25
Paul before the Roman Tribunal represents man's spiritually quickened nature before the governing thought of his own carnal consciousness. Preconceived religious ideas make the complaint and ask the aid of mortal authority to sustain their position. This is a picture of the conflict that goes on in every mind that receives the Word of Truth. The Jews are the conservative ideas of a religious character and the Romans the governing motives of things temporal. A new idea has but few friends, when it first enters the mind and its path is thorny. It is disowned by the religious and put in chains by the temporal. The question is, how shall these be demonstrated over? In no other way but by believing literally in the “law and the prophets.” Traditional religion believes in the law and the prophets as historical, while to living religion the quickening spirit of Christ has appeared and those historical records are “a resurrection of the dead.”
Paul says the Jews called his belief in the fulfillment of the law and the prophets “heresy.” This is the way ideas “evolute”; the old ideas become effete through dwelling upon things past, and have to be gradually shelved by giving place to true ideas that ... lay hold on the omnipresent Principle of life.
When we have grasped the idea that Christ lives here and now, and only waits our acknowledgment to make himself manifest in our lives, we have taken that first step in the demonstration. Then Christ literally appears to us in spirit; he stands by us and says, “Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.” (Acts 23:11) Every spiritual Demonstration depends upon our acknowledgment of the Christ as the real self.
When we acknowledge ourselves to be anything less than spiritually perfect, we are taking side with the adversary and we will surely find the Christ light growing dimmer and dimmer. Our testimony must ever be that Christ is resurrected from the dead, that the law and the prophets is now manifest In the Christ shining through us. We are the Son of Man; Christ is man, Christ is our father; he forms us through our recognition of his presence and power. As Jesus said, “If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.” We are to bear witness always of the Christ we spiritually are. If we acknowledge any of the shortcomings that appear on the plane of things formed, we are bearing false witness; we are crucifying the Christ.
Bearing testimony to the resurrection of Christ, as Paul so strenuously exemplified, may for a time put us under the ban of environing thoughts, but the day of our triumph is sure to come, for there is but one power eternal, the power of the living Christ.
– UNITY magazine.
October 17, 1909: Acts 24:10-27
Paul wrote in Rom. 6:16, “Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves as servants unto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey?” In claiming the protection of Roman citizenship, when he was arrested, Paul found the truth here stated exemplified in his experience. He gave his case to the Romans and took it out of the hands of God. The result of his servitude is shown in the years of imprisonment which be had to endure. When he and Silas were in prison and prayed and sang psalms, the doors were opened and they were immediately set free. That was wholehearted dependence, and the results show what powerful agencies were brought to bear as a result of that concentration.
Nearly every follower of the Christ has to meet this temptation to call upon the temporal law in time of great trial. It is difficult to decide just how to act in certain cases, where the justice of the cause seems so clear under the law of the land. It seems almost fanatical to stand by the law of the Spirit and do nothing in a temporal way, when the mortal way is so plain and easy. But the “law's delay” is proverbial. A lady had this experience: Her father's estate was unjustly claimed by imposters. The claim was so preposterous that she supposed the court would, at the very first hearing, dismiss the suit which had been instituted with apparently no foundation. But she was kept in court for fifteen years and the whole estate swallowed up. She was a nervous wreck also, the result of strain and indignation. She said it would have been far better had she given them the whole property in the beginning. Jesus said “If any man would go to law with thee, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.”
It is absolutely impossible for man to be set free from the hard conditions that bind him by appealing to temporal helps. All the ills that beset us have their origin in the mind. There is no other source, and we must go to that source to make permanent adjustment. If we are not getting our rights, it is because we are not declaring God our advocate? The daily press again and again proclaims a discovery that is a sure cure for this or that disease, but as the days go by we hear no more of it; the material remedy did not do the work. It will always be so. The belief that matter can heal matter is absurd. Mind moves matter and the moulding power of the world will be found only in mind.
Paul was a good advocate and pleaded his cause eloquently, but the wily Felix said “Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season I will call for thee.” Paul was put off in this way for two years, then transferred to Rome, where his imprisonment was continued.
– UNITY magazine.
Sunday. March 21 1915: Acts 24:10-16
Paul imprisoned at Caesarea symbolizes Truth confined to the intellect. It seems paradoxical to say that so great and powerful a thing as Truth can be confined or hampered by so small and weak a thing as the intellect, yet observation and experience proves that it can. In this connection we should distinguish between a Statement of Truth, which Paul represents, and the Whole Truth, which is the Holy Ghost. The statement of Truth goes before and opens the mind for the advent of the larger realization to follow. Elijah in the Old Testament and John the Baptist in the New Testament represent this forerunner “making straight the way of the Lord.”
– UNITY magazine.
Sunday, November 13, 1921: Acts 24:10-27
What is the metaphysical meaning of Paul’s imprisonment in Caesarea? Caesar means imperious, dominant, dictatorial; Paul, representing the Truth, imprisoned at Caesarea, indicates that the dominating force of the will had confined the expression of Truth to the intellectual realm.
What does Felix, the Roman governor, represent? Felix represents the twin faculties, the will and the understanding, functioning in mortal consciousness. Paul’s words of Truth did not move the relaxation of the will, but disturbed the understanding, which was “terrified.”
Although Truth may be limited to the intellect, is it wholly suppressed? No. While it is confined to the realms of the intellect, it still retains its freedom of action. Paul “reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come.”
What is the meaning of the unusual freedom given Paul by Felix, who told the centurion to allow Paul’s friends to visit him, and gave him other indulgence? When we speak the Truth, even though it be from an intellectual standpoint, we open the way for larger expression. John the Baptist made straight the way of the Lord intellectually. Afterwards came Jesus, who redeemed soul and body, the whole man.
What is it that held Felix from receiving a larger expression of Truth? The expectation that money would be given him by Paul. The mind dominated by earthly ambitions is very apt to seek Truth for the money there is in it. For this reason, every disciple of Truth should seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; then all these things shall be added.
November 22, 1925: Acts 24:10-16
What is the metaphysical meaning of Paul’s imprisonment in Caesarea? Caesar means imperious, dominant, dictatorial. Paul (representing the word of Truth), imprisoned at Caesarea, indicates that the dominating force of the will had confined the expression of the word of Truth to the intellectual realm.
What does Felix, the Roman governor, represent? Felix represents the twin faculties, the will and the understanding, functioning in mortal consciousness. Paul's words of Truth did not move the will, but disturbed the understanding, which was “terrified.”
Although Truth may be limited to the intellect, is it wholly suppressed thereby? No. While it is confined to the realms of the intellect, Truth still retains its freedom of action. Paul “reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come.”
What is the meaning of verse 10: “And when the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, Paul answered”? Felix, representing the will and the understanding of the natural man, must invite Truth before it will begin its quickening work in consciousness.
Felix put off the day of further inquiry into Truth. What was the result? Felix was deposed as governor (for bribery) and he met with a tragic death. This is illustrative of the tendency of the one who refuses to inquire into Truth and continues to try to demonstrate in sense consciousness. “For the wages of sin is death.”
Sunday, December 10, 1933: Acts 24:10-28
What does Paul’s imprisonment at Caesarea symbolize? Paul represents a certain active power of Truth, and Caesarea represents the dominant world power, the intellect. Paul imprisoned at Caesarea symbolizes Truth confined to the intellect.
Should we distinguish between a statement of Truth and the whole Truth? Yes. The whole Truth is represented by the Holy Spirit, God’s word in action. The mission of a statement of Truth (here represented by Paul) is to go before and open the mind to the larger realization. Just as John the Baptist is the forerunner who makes “straight the way of the Lord,” so in today's lesson Paul is the forerunner of the Holy Spirit.
When a new statement of Truth is introduced into consciousness, what is the first impulse of the religious mind? The first impulse of the mind is to quench the statement of Truth that seems to run counter to its cherished religious convictions and traditions. However, the law of self-preservation rescues the Truth statement, and it is confined to the intellectual realm, but not suppressed. Paul “reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come.”
When a statement of Truth is really once admitted into the mind, what results? A statement of Truth, once admitted into the mind, stimulates it to accept greater truths.
In this lesson what does Felix represent? Felix represents the sense consciousness, which believes the manifest world to be the whole of existence. The sense consciousness poses as judge, and decides all matters from the standpoint of personality and personal profit.
Is Truth ever riotous? No. It does not argue or dispute, or cause any disturbance in the temple, but quietly conforms to the law of righteousness and works on the basis of Principle.
June 4, 1939: Acts 24:14-16
How did Paul identify himself with the Christ? Paul acknowledged his allegiance to the way of the Christ as a fulfillment of the Jewish faith in law, prophecy, and resurrection life. The way of Christ included all his old faith and irradiated it.
What is the word of Truth in respect to conscience? Conscience is an important factor in man's entrance into resurrection life, therefore the word of Truth declares that it must be kept “void of offence toward God and men always.”' Otherwise the hope of the resurrection will not be realized.
Metaphysically Interpreting Acts 24:24-27
24:24But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus. 24:25And as he reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, Go thy way for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me. 24:26He hoped withal that money would be given him of Paul: wherefore also he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
24:27But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.
March 21, 1915: Acts 24:24-26
The first attitude of the religious mind is to kill out this new Statement of Truth, which seems to run counter to its cherished convictions and traditional customs. But the Law of Self-Preservation, represented, by the Roman hierarchy, rescues it, and it is confined to that realm, but not suppressed, as Paul “reasoned of righteousness and temperance, and judgment to come.”
We find that a Statement of Truth once admitted into the mind keeps up its agitation of greater truths to follow. Felix is that thoroughly mortal consciousness that believes the world that appears is the all of existence. It poses as judge, and decides all matters from the standpoint of personality and personal profit. Felix listened to the exhortations of Paul, “hoping that money would be given him.” It is not uncommon to find people who hang onto Truth, hoping that they can in some way make money out of it.
Truth is not riotous. It does not argue nor dispute, nor cause any disturbance in the temple. It quietly conforms to the law of righteousness as revealed by the Principle. This inner revelation of the Law comes to those who seek for it sincerely. The rule may not be described in intellectual terms. “Seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you.” This inner door is opened in various ways; all that is necessary is a receptivity and willingness to let go the old ways, the old thoughts. Felix was terrified at the revelations of his own shortcomings when the Truth reasoned of righteousness, temperance and the judgment to come, but said, “Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season I will call for thee.” He was not quite ready to give up the ambitions of personality.
One must be willing to give up the desires of the personal man in order to enter into the joys of the Universal. This is a hard thing to do. The whole life has been devoted to worldly aims and sensual attainments, and the thoughts are fairly glued and cemented to the material. Yet it can be done, and it must be done eventually. If one does not give up willingly, the law itself brings about that precipitation of error thoughts into the visible life that dissolves its temporal structures. It usually ends in a tragedy, as in the case of Felix, as recorded in history.
A man, whom the writer knows, was prosperous and apparently happy when the Truth was first presented to him. His first attitude was, “I do not need this; I have everything I require.” But the Truth kept up its exhortations in his mind and he let it work in a quiet way. He was not religious but honest. He began to ask the Lord to show him the Higher Law, and little by little there was an inner revelation, until now his whole life is given up to the work. He says he thought he was happy in the old way, but it was not to be compared to the joy of the new. It has taken him fifteen years to reach this place of security in Truth; so we see that it is not always a burst of glory that opens the door toward heaven.
– UNITY magazine.
November 22, 1925: Acts 24:22-25
Felix gave orders to the centurion that Paul should have indulgence and that his friends should be allowed to minister to him. What is the metaphysical interpretation? When we speak Truth, even though it be from an intellectual standpoint, we open the way for larger expression. John the Baptist made straight the way of the Lord, intellectually. Afterward came Jesus, who redeemed soul and body, the whole man.
What held Felix from receiving a larger expression of Truth? The expectation that money would be given him by Paul. The mind that is dominated by earthly ambitions is very likely to seek Truth for material gain. For this reason, every disciple of Truth should seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; then “all these things shall be added.”
Sunday, Decmber 2, 1928, Acts 24:24-27
What is the metaphysical meaning of Paul's imprisonment in Caesarea? The word Caesar means imperious, dominant, dictatorial. Paul (representing the word of Truth) imprisoned at Caesarea indicates that the dominating force of the will had confined the expression of the word of Truth to the intellectual realm.
What does Felix, the Roman governor, represent? Felix represents the twin faculties, the will and the understanding, functioning in mortal consciousness. Paul's words of Truth did not move the will, but disturbed the understanding, which was “terrified.”
Although Truth may be limited to the intellect, is it wholly suppressed thereby? No. Although Truth may be confined to the realms of the intellect, it still retains its freedom of action. Paul “reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come.”
Felix put off the day of further inquiry into Truth. What was the result? Felix was deposed as governor (for bribery) and he met with a tragic death. This is illustrative of the tendency of the person who refuses to inquire into Truth and continues to try to demonstrate in sense consciousness; “for the wages of sin is death.”
Felix gave orders to the centurion that Paul should have indulgence and that his friends should be allowed to minister to him. What is the metaphysical interpretation? When we speak Truth, even though it be from an intellectual standpoint, we open the way for larger expression. John the Baptist made “straight the way of the lord,” intellectually. Afterward came Jesus, who redeemed soul and body, the whole man.
What held Felix from receiving a larger expression of Truth? Felix limited his expression of Truth by his expectation that money would be given to him by Paul. The mind that is dominated by earthly ambitions is very likely to seek Truth for material gain. For this reason, every disciple of 'truth should seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, then “all these things shall be added.”
Transcribed by Lloyd Kinder on 12-31-2013
