Indictments were made against Paul for teaching “The Way” in the temple. It would be a similar situation if someone were to go and teach the New Testament at a Jewish synagogue in Indianapolis.

Paul is given many opportunities to witness as he is brought before many authorities. He takes advantage of these opportunities. Do we as Believers in Jesus take advantage of every opportunity to witness for Him?

When Paul addressed Felix, the governor of Judea, concerning righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was obviously upset and sent Paul away. Hmmm, sounds as if Paul was getting dangerously "close to home". Was Felix being convicted? Obviously Felix cared more about getting the bribe than being uncomfortable with Paul's discourses. Isn't it ironic that in order to get the bribe, Felix had to listen to Paul's words. Secular history indicates that it was the Jews who prompted Felix's recall to Rome. Could the Jews have been concerned that Felix was beginning to believe what Paul was saying?

When Paul spoke before King Agrippa, he mentions that he lived as a child in another country. We know from Scripture that Paul was a citizen of Rome. That doesn't mean he was born and lived previously in Rome. He was born in Tarsus located in the Roman province of Cilicia, modern day Turkey. Citizenship outside of Italy was an honor reserved for people who made great contributions to the Empire. So, we may conclude that Paul's parents were people of influence and perhaps even moderate wealth. His father was a Pharisee of pure and unmixed Jewish blood.

Tarsus, the city of Paul's birth combined both Roman and Greek (politics of Rome and Greek culture). It was the seat of a famous university, higher in reputation even than the universities of Athens and Alexandria. Paul spent his childhood here. No doubt he left his home during early adolescence and went to Jerusalem for his formal education in the most prominent rabbinical schools of the day.  He was taught by Gamaliel in Jerusalem. Again, the apostle Paul had some very impressive credentials.

Acts 26:29
Paul replied, "Short time or long-- I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains."

Paul was praying for those of us who are reading and listening to this Scripture today. Do you think that Paul had any idea of the billions of people who would be influenced by his words???

Some things to ponder:
We are not in literal “chains” like Paul was, but are there some “chains” that bind us from teaching and witnessing and giving testimony about Jesus? What might some of those “chains” be? How can we break those “chains”?