I. The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed

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1 I. The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed A. The Judge 1. Tiberius Antonius Felix (AD 52-59) a. Born a slave b. He and his brother, Pallas, freed by Antonia, mother of Emperor Claudius c. Pallas has close friendship with Claudius, and arranges government role for Felix as official under Cumanus d. When Cumanus deposed, Felix uses ruthless and shameful political intrigues to gain Cumanus office e. First slave in the history of Rome to become governor of a Roman province f. Known for brutality, cruelty, lust and scheming 1) Used repressive measures to quell violence in Jewish Jerusalem - crucifixion 2) Arranged assassinations (even in the Temple) of Jewish leaders he disliked by offering money 1 3) The Zealots are emerging (rebellion by violence), and his ruthless responses to any issue very likely heightened the violence, and sped up the Roman response of AD ) Nero has him recalled for his failure to deal with Jewish violence and only escapes death by intersession of Pallas. g. Seduced Drusilla with the help of his magician, Atomas, and lured her away from her husband, Azizus, King of Emesa B. The Accusers 1. Ananias 3 1) Youngest daughter of Agrippa I (struck down by God for accepting worship, Acts 12) 2) Granddaughter of Herod the Great (killed the baby boys in Bethlehem to try and kill the infant Jesus) 3) Known for her great beauty, ambition, and lust 4) Barely 20 years old a. high priest AD b. President of the Sanhedrin when Paul was brought before it c. Notorious reputation for greed d. Killed by Zealots AD 66 for pro-roman sympathies 2. Some elders most likely Sadducees in agreement with Ananias 3. Tertullus hired professional lawyer 1 Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, , Kregel Publications: Grand Rapids, Josephus, ibid. 3 New Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, edited by I. Howard Marshall, A.R. Millard, J.I. Packer, and D.J. Wiseman, IVP Academic: Downers Grove, 2008, p

2 C. The Accusation 1. Court Proceedings a. Members of the prosecution appear before the governor and present their case b. The Accused is summoned c. Prosecution makes accusations 1) The burden of proof lay with the accuser 2) He must confront the accused face-to-face d. Defendant responds to the charges e. Judge makes a ruling 1) He can procrastinate, postpone verdict 2) He can rule on the issue directly 2. The Accusers Speak a. Captatio benevolentiae 4 Tertullus uses expressive flattery to endeavor to capture the judge s good will.: (Stott, p. 359) 1) You are known everywhere for your peace and reforms 2) We are very grateful b. Paul is a plague (we would say, a cancer ) on the world 1) He stirs up dissention that could be considered political insurrection (ambiguous language is purposely used here that could infer either mild inhouse upheaval, or a serious revolt against Rome) 2) He is the ringleader of the Nazarenes (i) Implication 1: this sect is not approved or permitted by Judaism (ii) Implication 2: this sect is divisive (iii)unspoken Implication 1: The Way makes trouble among the Jews (iv) Unspoken Implication 2: The Way is based on a Jewish man with Messianic pretensions who was rejected by his own nation (v) Unspoken Implication 3: We are trying to separate Jewish Christianity from the Jewish religion and community. If they are separate, they are illegal to Rome. 3) He has violated the sanctity of the Temple (i) Spoken Implication : Paul defiled the most holy places by bringing in a Gentile (ii) Unspoken Implication: Even the Romans had agreed not violate Jewish separation requirements. This is beyond the pale. c. We arrested him 1) Implication 1: Paul is legally a Jewish temple-prisoner 2) Implication 2: Lysias snatched Paul from us and ordered his accusers to come to you 3) Implication 3: Lysias is the violent one. We were just making an orderly arrest 4 Winning of good will, t seek sympathy and support by showing respect 2

3 4) Implication 3: Lysias has no right to interfere. Therefore, whatever he said is useless information. d. When you examine him you will realize we are right. (General nodding from the accompanying elders) II. Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling A. Paul s defense begins with his Captatio benevolentiae 1. It is dignified, gracious, and brief 2. He is here to speak the truth, not flatter 3. For many years you have been a judge over this nation - you have been in office long enough to judge and understand the Jewish people. B. I haven t been in town long enough to foment an insurrection or a riot. I haven t even been engaged in public disputation C. My behavior is easy to verify D. The accusers can t prove their charges E. I came to Jerusalem for three reasons 1. To worship in the Temple 2. To present offerings for a ceremonial cleansing ceremony 3. To hand over an offering for the poor followers of The Way F. I am a follower of The Way 1. The Way worships the God of our fathers We worship the same God 2. The Way believes and agrees with all the Scriptures (the Law and the Prophets) We believe the same truths 3. The Way believes in the resurrection We share the same hope 4. Implication 1: The Way has direct continuity to the Old Testament and the beliefs of Judaism 5. Implication 2: Therefore, I am not a heretic or sectarian 6. Implication 3: It is the Sadducees that find me guilty with their theological dispute about the resurrection. G. Where are the Asian Jews that caused the riot? Why are they not here to accuse me? 1. Major Roman court faux pas. They should be here to accuse me face-to-face. 2. On this alone, the case should be thrown out of court. III. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way A. Felix s Earthly Dilemma 1. He cannot convict. a. Commander Lysias (speaking for Rome) has found no fault, no crime. He has, in fact, instead, rescued Paul in a most dramatic fashion from a dangerous plot. b. Paul is a Roman citizen by birth, which is a higher rank than either buying citizenship (Lysias), or having it bestowed on you (Felix). He must be handled carefully. 3

4 2. He does not want to trouble the Jews. His position is precarious enough already. 3. He would take a bribe if offered. B. Felix s Solution 1. Procrastinate, postpone the decision 2. Paul stays in jail but has access to friends (custodia libera 5 ) 3. This protective custody lasts for over 2 years, the maximum time allowed 4. Plan to meet with Paul on a regular basis that looks like he is pursuing all angles of the case, but actually hoping for a bribe C. Felix s Heavenly Dilemma God s Divine Appointment 1. He and Drusilla meet with Paul 2. Paul boldly preaches the gospel in their context righteousness (or lack, thereof), self-control, and coming judgment a. The judge is being judged b. It is time to make a choice believing repentance or continuing rejection. (Hughes, p. 312) c. To believe would mean giving up Drusilla and probably quite a bit of his present lifestyle and power 3. Felix is overcome by great fear and conviction of sin D. Felix s Solution 1. He walks away from the truth. The scale trembled and hesitated for a moment, and then Felix said, Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you. In a very real sense, his soul died at that moment a tragedy of infinite proportions. (Hughes, p. 312) 2. He will continue to visit with Paul not to be convicted of sin or taught Scripture and truth, but with a hope of gaining money. IV. Blessed are all who take refuge in him A. Paul is protected from the Jewish assassins and his accusers B. He has two years to minister to, and be ministered to by believing friends C. Luke will have time to interview and gather research for the writing of Luke and Acts D. God has provided the way for Paul to fulfill his God-given mandate But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. (Acts 9:15) E. The immediate circumstances may seem to us a failure of God s mandate, but the Lord reigns! V. Implications for Us A. Our calling is to serve the Lord, not man 5 Free custody 4

5 1. God commands us to serve - Deuteronomy 10: 12 What does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 2. It is Christ who makes our service holy and acceptable - Hebrews 9:14 How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. 3. It is the Holy Spirit who makes our daily service possible John 14: And I will ask the Father and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be with you. B. There is no room for pride or fear 1. Because it is His work not ours, the results are always in His hands, not ours - Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will received the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 2. We cannot save a person by our works 3. We cannot prevent salvation by our works 4. We should never confuse our calling with God s intentions Bibliography Bock, Darrell L., Acts, Baker Commentary on the New Testament, Baker Academic: Grand Rapids, 2007 Boice, James Montgomery,.Acts, An Expositional Commentary, Baker Books: Grand Rapids, Bruce, F.F., The Book of the Acts, The New International Commentary on the New Testament, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.: Grand Rapids, reprinted Harrison, Everett F., Acts, Expanding the Church, Moody Press: Chicago, Hughes, R. Kent, Acts, The Church Afire, Preaching the Word Series, Crossway: Wheaton, Josephus, The New Complete Works, Translated by William Whiston, Kregel Publications: Grand Rapids, Marshall, I. Howard, A. R. Millard, J.I. Packard, and D.J. Wiseman, ed, New Bible Dictionary, third edition, IVP Academic: Downers Grove, latest reprint Milne, Bruce, Acts, Witnesses to Him, Focus on the Bible Series, Christian Focus: Great Britain, Stott, John R. W., The Message of Acts, IVP Academic: Downers Grove, Thomas, Derek W. H., Acts, Reformed Expository Commentary Series, P&R Publishing: Phillipsburg,

Acts Chapter 24 page 1 of 6 M.K. Scanlan. Acts Chapter 24

Acts Chapter 24 page 1 of 6 M.K. Scanlan. Acts Chapter 24 Acts Chapter 24 page 1 of 6 Acts Chapter 24 Paul had been rescued / arrested by the Romans, saving him from the Jews on two separate occasions. The Jews had kind of a trial set up as he was questioned