When I awoke this morning a scripture was in my mind that though quite simply stated contained some of the most brilliant enlightenment ever brought to my mind by God. The scripture was Acts 24:14. The apostle Paul had been brought before Governor Felix and the High Priest Ananias was given free reign to question Paul. The questions asked Paul by Ananias prompted Paul to give this most enlightening answer: “But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they (these Jews) call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, BELIEVING ALL THINGS WHICH ARE WRITTEN IN THE LAW AND IN THE PROPHETS.” I then pointed out that Ananias could have then said to Paul, “Do you mean you agree and concur with the law of God that states clearly that we are to remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy?” And Paul would have answered, “I certainly do!” And, since Paul stated that he believed all things written in the prophets as well, Ananias could then have asked him, “Do you also agree with the prophet Isaiah where he writes “it shall come to pass that from one Sabbath to another all flesh, Jews, Gentiles and Christians alike, shall honor the Sabbath day in the new heavens and earth?” (See Isaiah 66:22-23). Paul would have answered, “I believe that wholeheartedly!”
Ananias might have looked at Paul with narrowed gaze, wondering if this apostle was merely agreeing with the Hebrew scriptures to save his own hide. He might have pressed a little further and asked, “What is your opinion where the prophet Isaiah says we are to stop trampling on God’s holy day, and that we are to call the Sabbath a delight, the holy day of the Lord, and shall thus honor Him?” (See Isaiah 58:13-14). I have no doubt Paul’s immediate reply would have been, “This is what I teach in every place I speak forth the mind of God to my hearers.”
Ananias might have then said, “This Jesus, whom you Christians call Lord, said that men are to live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Am I right?” Paul would have said, “That is correct.” Ananias might have countered, “Over and over again Isaiah and the other prophets said, ‘Thus saith the Lord’ as they made their pronouncements. Isn’t that correct?” Paul would have said, “Most certainly.” “Then you are a Sabbath keeper?” asked Ananias. Paul’s reply would have been, “I am indeed and shall be till I draw my last breath.” Had Ananias said, “What is this I hear of your followers gathering to hear you preach one last time on a Sunday?” (See Acts 20). Paul would have said, “So what? That doesn’t change the Sabbath. How do you take that to mean that we didn’t hallow the previous day, God’s holy Sabbath?” Ananias might have then looked at Governor Felix and said, “No more questions, your honor.”
Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley