The Prison Epistles: Setting the Stage By Rich Jacobs, M.D.

Transcription

1 Four letters ( epistles ) were written by Paul while he was in prison the first time in Rome possibly from 61 to 63 AD. Tychicus delivered Paul s letters to the Colossians, Ephesians, and to Philemon (Colossians 4:7-9; Ephesians 6:21). The book of Philippians says that it was written by Paul during his Roman imprisonment, but that he hoped to be released soon (Philippians 1:7; 12-18; 2:23). Paul spent two years in this first Roman confinement. He was found not guilty by Emperor Claudius and was released from captivity. The prison The Epistle Cities epistles are 1. Ephesians 2. Philippians 3. Colossians 4. Philemon - lived in Colossae Paul s journey to a Roman prison began in Jerusalem. When the seven days were almost over, the Jews from Asia, upon seeing him (Paul) in the temple, began to stir up all the crowd and laid hands on him, crying out, Men of Israel, come to our aid! This is the man who preaches to all men everywhere against our people and the Law and this place; and besides he has even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place. For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. Then all the city was provoked, and the people rushed together, and taking hold of Paul they dragged him out of the temple, and immediately the doors were shut. While they were seeking to kill him, a report came up to the commander of the Roman cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. At once he took along some soldiers and centurions and ran down to them; and when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. Then the commander came up and took hold of him (Paul), and ordered him to be abound with two chains; and he began asking who he was and what he had done. Acts 21: Paul returned to Jerusalem at Pentecost, following a fruitful ministry in Asia Minor and Europe. It is now about 23 years after his Damascus road conversion. Enroute to Jerusalem, Paul stopped in Caesarea. While there, Agabus prophesied that Jews in Jerusalem would cause Paul to be imprisoned (Acts 21:10, 11). In Jerusalem, Paul met with James and church elders, who affirmed him and his ministry to the gentiles. They warned Paul it was rumored that he was teaching the 1 of 8

2 gentile Jews to forsake Moses and the Jewish customs and to not circumcise their children. (Acts 21:19-21) The elders recommended that Paul demonstrate his respect for the Law publicly in the Temple by submitting to the customary seven days of ceremonial cleansing practiced by Jews who have traveled abroad and returned to Jerusalem. They also recommended that Paul pay for the Nazirite vows (Numbers 6:1-21) of four other impoverished men, which was regarded as a charitable act of piety and an outward sign of respect for the Mosaic Law. Paul agreed to their plan. After several days, Paul was manhandled and beaten by a mob and had to be rescued by Roman soldiers under the command of Tribune Claudius Lysias (Acts 23:26), who arrested Paul, suspecting him as a troublemaker. 1. What happened to Paul in the Temple when he sought to demonstrate his respect for the Jewish law? Why do you think it happened? 2. What allegations were made against Paul? Who made them? Were these allegations true? Why do you think they made them? 3. How did Paul s accusers treat him? Do you think this conduct was lawful under the Mosaic or Roman law? How do you reconcile their complaints against Paul with their actions? Explain. 4. How was Paul s experience in the Temple similar to Christ s experience there? Do you think there any correlation between these two events. Explain. 5. If centurions command 100 men and the commander brought soldiers and some centurions to quiet the crowd, what does this tell you about the size of this mob? Does the size of the uprising seem proportional to the alleged provocation? What do you learn from this? Bible verses to ponder: Do you think these verses could be relevant to Paul s experience in the Temple? Explain. Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. 1 John 3:4... for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14 But when they stretched him out with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman and uncondemned? When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and told him, saying, What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman. The commander came and said to him, Tell me, are you a Roman? And he said, Yes. The commander answered, I acquired this citizenship with a large sum of money. And Paul said, But I was actually born a citizen. Therefore those who were about to examine him immediately let go of him; and 2 of 8

3 the commander also was afraid when he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had put him in chains. Acts 22:25-29 After he discovered that Paul was a Roman citizen, the Roman commander allowed Paul to address the mob. Paul shared the testimony of his persecution of the church, his Damascus road conversion, and his calling to minister to the gentiles. This almost created another riot. (Acts 21;39-22:23) This caused the commander to consider scourging Paul to obtain more information. Roman citizenship was prized. There were several ways to obtain it. (1) born to it, (2) buy it, (3) complete a prolonged period of Roman military service, (4) be a slave, freed from a Roman household, or (5) awarded by the Roman emperor. Paul was born in Tarsus, which was designated a free city by Rome. Though a Jew, this conferred Roman citizenship on Paul. Benefits of Roman citizenship included the right to own property, engage in legal contracts, stand for public office and vote in some assemblies, to sue, to due process in legal proceedings and in the courts including a right to appeal to Caesar, freedom from torture or harsh interrogation. A Roman citizen could not be executed unless found guilty of treason. 1. Do you think Paul s Roman citizenship was just a happy coincidence? Explain. 2. Why didn t the centurion scourge Paul? 3. Why did the commander let Paul go? 4. Why was the commander afraid? 5. How did these Roman soldiers behave compared to the Jewish crowd in the Temple? How do you account of this difference in behavior? Paul, looking intently at the Council, said, Brethren, I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day. The high priest Ananias commanded those standing beside him to strike him on the mouth.then Paul said to him, God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to try me according to the Law, and in violation of the Law order me to be struck? But the bystanders said, Do you revile God s high priest? And Paul said, I was not aware, brethren, that he was high priest; for it is written, YOU SHALL NOT SPEAK EVIL OF A RULER OF YOUR PEOPLE. Acts 23:1-5 When the commander discovered that Paul was a Roman citizen, he agreed to allow Paul to appear before his accusers, the Sanhedrin, perhaps hoping this would resolve the problem. The high priest of the Sanhedrin was Ananias, son of Nedebalos, who served in this role from 46 to 52 AD. Ananias was murdered by a mob during the First Jewish- Roman War, in about 66 AD. 3 of 8

4 1. Why do you think the high priest ordered someone to strike Paul on the mouth? 2. What do you think was improper about striking Paul in this situation? 3. Does Paul s treatment by the Sanhedrin remind you of their treatment of Christ Jesus? (Hint: See John 18:22) Explain. 4. What do you think of Paul s response to being hit? of his response when he discovered Ananias was high priest? And as a great dissension was developing, the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them and ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks. But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also. When it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. There were more than forty who formed this plot. They came to the chief priests and the elders and said, We have bound ourselves under a solemn oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. Acts 23:10-14 Paul s testimony to the Sanhedrin involved his witness to the resurrection of Christ. This caused an intense conflict to arise between the Sadducees, who were legal scribes who did not believe in the resurrection, and the Pharisees, who did believe in it. Paul also informed the Sanhedrin that he was a Pharisee who was being persecuted because of the hope of the resurrection. (Acts 23:6-9) 1. How did the Sanhedrin react to Paul s testimony? Does this tell you anything about the spirit(s) who controlled them? 2. How is the behavior of the Sanhedrin similar to that of the mob? Explain. 3. Contrast the spirit of the Sanhedrin and the mob to that of Paul. Does this help you discern the spirits during public political discourse, church disputes, or family arguments? Explain. 4. When did Jesus appear to Paul? What did Jesus say to Paul? Why do you think Christ appeared to him? 5. What did the Jews plan to do after Paul s meeting with Sanhedrin? Claudius Lysias, to the most excellent governor Felix, greetings. When this man was arrested by the Jews and was about to be slain by them, I came up to them with the troops and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman. And wanting to ascertain the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their Council; and I found him to be accused over questions about their Law, but under no accusation deserving death or imprisonment. When I was informed that there would be 4 of 8

5 a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, also instructing his accusers to bring charges against him before you. Acts 23:26-30 The Jewish conspirators against Paul were seeking to kill him, with the support and approval of the Sanhedrin. This plot was discovered by Paul s sister s son, who visited Paul and told him of it. Paul informed the Roman commander of the plot, causing the commander to send Paul with an armed guard of over 400 men to Governor Felix, in Caesarea a journey of over 60 miles. (Acts 23:13-33) Marcus Antonius Felix was Procurator of Samaria and Judea from 52 to 59 AD. His niece was married to Emperor Claudius; her son was Nero. The Roman historian, Tacitus, called Felix tyrannical. Felix was recalled by Nero in 59 AD. Marcus Antonius Felix 1. Why do you think Lysias sent Paul to Governor Felix, over 60 miles away? 2. If Lysias found no fault in Paul, why didn t he just let him go? 3. Do you see any parallels between this event and what happened to Christ during His trial by Pontius Pilate. 4. Does this copy of an official letter from a Roman tribune to a Roman Procurator tell you anything about the historical authenticity of the Bible? Explain. But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you. At the same time too, he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and converse with him. But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned. Acts 24:24-27 Paul was held under house arrest for two years, even though neither Lysias nor Felix could find any serious charges requiring punishment. Felix was recalled by Rome because of the corruption and anarchy associated with rule. He was replaced by Porcius Festus. 1. Why did Felix send for Paul often during Paul s two-year imprisonment? 2. Why did Felix become frightened when Paul spoke to him? Explain. 3. Why didn t Felix release Paul if he couldn t find any just cause to punish him? If Felix had no passion for justice, why didn t he just have Paul executed? 5 of 8

6 4. Do you think there is any parallel between Herod Antipas fear of John the Baptist and Felix s reluctance to execute Paul? (Hint: See Mark 6:20) But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me on these charges? But Paul said, I am standing before Caesar s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also very well know. If, then, I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die; but if none of those things is true of which these men accuse me, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar. Then when Festus had conferred with his council, he answered, You have appealed to Caesar, to Caesar you shall go. Acts 25:9-12 Porcius Festus was Procurator of Judea from about 59 to 62 AD. He died after this short time in office. Festus inherited a kingdom in turmoil from Felix. There were bitter feuds between various Jewish factions and religious zealots, some of whom claimed to the Messiah, who were leading large bands of revolutionaries in guerrilla warfare against Rome. 1. Why did Festus ask Paul to go to Jerusalem to stand trial when he knew Paul s life was in danger there? 2. What was Paul s responses to Festus request? How did Festus respond to Paul? Why do you think he responded this way? Porcius Festus When King Agrippa and Bernice visited Caesarea, to pay their respects to Rome s new Procurator, Festus presented Paul s case before them. Festus said, King Agrippa, and all you gentlemen here present with us, you see this man about whom all the people of the Jews appealed to me, both at Jerusalem and here, loudly declaring that he ought not to live any longer. But I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death; and since he himself appealed to 1the Emperor, I decided to send him. Yet I have nothing definite about him to write to my lord. Therefore I have brought him before you all and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after the investigation has taken place, I may have something to write. For it seems absurd to me in sending a prisoner, not to indicate also the charges against him. Acts 25:24-27 King Agrippa was Marcus Julius Agrippa II ( AD), great grandson of Herod the Great. Rome granted King Agrippa the power to appoint the Jewish high priests, 6 of 8

7 custodianship of the Temple treasures and the high priest s vestments (Josephus Jewish Antiquities , 222). He was last of the Herodian line. Bernice was a year younger than Agrippa II. She was his sister and his wife, an incestuous relationship prohibited by both Mosaic and Roman Law, but was practiced by some Romans. 1. Why do you think Festus is bringing Paul s case before King Agrippa and Bernice? Agrippa II & Bernice 2. What conclusions did Festus reached after reviewing Paul s case and the charges made against him? 3. What problem did Festus have in sending Paul to Caesar, in Rome? Explain. The king stood up and the governor and Bernice, and those who were sitting with them, and when they had gone aside, they began talking to one another, saying, This man is not doing anything worthy of death or imprisonment. And Agrippa said to Festus, This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar. Acts 26: What judgment did Agrippa arrive at regarding Paul s case? 2. Do you think Paul s appeal to Caesar should have been a reason not to set him free, given the judgments arrived at independently by Lysias, Felix, Festus, and Agrippa? Explain. After more than 2 years in unjust imprisonment, Paul was finally sent to Rome to plead his case before Caesar. The events associated with his trip were as remarkable as his trial. Paul was placed on an Adramyttian ship, along with a number of other prisoners, in the guard of Julius, a centurion of the Augustan cohort (Acts 27:1) Aristarchus accompanied Paul on his journey (Acts 27:2) Paul changed to an Alexandrian ship in Myra, in Lycia (Acts 27:3-9) Paul s ship encounter a storm and rough seas near Crete. He recommended that the ship s cargo be jettisoned to save the ship, but the crew was unwilling to do so (Acts 27:10-11). As they continued their journey, they experienced increasing problems with wind and sea and had to jettison all their cargo and the ship s tackle, but were still in danger of sinking (Acts 27: 12-21) When all appeared lost, Paul addressed the crew. 7 of 8

8 Yet now I urge you to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, saying, Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you. Therefore, keep up your courage, men, for I believe God that it will turn out exactly as I have been told. But we must run aground on a certain island. Acts 27:22-26 The ship eventually foundered off the island of Malta. Some of the soldiers and crew wanted to kill the prisoners to prevent their escape, but for the sake of Paul, Centurion Julius prevented this. On Malta, Paul was bitten by a viper and lived. The natives, who witnessed this were so amazed, they thought Paul was a god. (Acts 28:3-6) Thereafter, Paul healed the father of a man named Publius of recurrent fever and dysentery, causing people from all over Malta to seek him for healing, (Acts 28:8, 9) After spending 3 winter months on Malta, Paul boarded another Alexandrian ship bound for Rome. (Acts 28:11) Paul was able to share his testimony with many believers and non-believers all along the route of his journey and for many days after arriving in Rome. Many Jews in Rome heard Paul s testimony and became Christians. (Acts 28:24) Ultimately, Paul s case was considered by Emperor Claudius. Paul was exonerated of all charges and given his freedom. The map, below, shows Paul s amazing journey to Rome 8 of 8