Grace & Truth Church
Acts of Jesus through the Holy Spirit - wk 24
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- Acts 24As a quick refresh, Paul started out hunting down, arresting, and killing followers of “the Way,” or Christians, until he had an encounter on the road to Damascus where Jesus confronted him. After the encounter, Paul was radically transformed. Now instead of taking life, he was spreading the Gospel and leading people to new life. He went from place to place witnessing, first to the Jews, then to the Gentiles. This got the zealous Jews very upset, so they really wanted to get rid of Paul.They finally get their chance in Jerusalem, so some Jews from Asia attack him and stir up the crowd against Paul by spreading lies about what he was doing. Roman soldiers arrest Paul and essentially save him from the mob. The commander can’t figure out why the Jews want him dead so badly, but it’s clear that they are willing to destroy the city trying. So he sends Paul to Caesarea to face trial before the governor.Last time, I said that chapter twenty-three was a lot like watching an episode of “24”. If the last chapter was like an episode of that TV show, this chapter might be like an episode of “Matlock.” For the most part, that is largely how the rest of the book of Acts will be. Even so, there are some interesting things to talk about and learn from this chapter.Today we’ll take a look at some interesting details from this chapter and then talk about what this chapter could mean for us. First, let’s pray…PrayThis chapter could be summed up in as little as one sentence. “Paul stands before Felix and defends himself against the accusation of Ananias and the elders, then Felix drags his feet for two years as he continues to meet with Paul but never release him.”We can categorize this chapter into three separate sections. The focus of the first part is on the Jews claim to the governor of Paul’s crimes. The second is Paul’s defense. The third is the governor’s reaction to the situation. Let’s start from the top with the Jews.You might remember Ananias and the elders from the last chapter. Paul originally defended himself in front of them, but they started fighting amongst each other about the resurrection of the dead. This time they come a little more prepared. This time they have a sort of three part strategy. Let’s take a look at verse one…
Acts 24:1 NIV 1 Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor.Step one, this time get a lawyer! Paul’s case is outside of their control. They are going to have to engage the Roman system of government, so they get a lawyer who appears to know how to deal with the Romans. In fact, this lawyer was so famous that I was able to find a picture of him!Tertullus PhotoI’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself. His name made me think of Dana Carvey’s Turtle Businessman character. This guy wasn’t actually famous, that I am aware of, but he does perform steps two and three of the “corner Paul in Roman court” strategy…Acts 24:2–4 NIV 2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. 3 Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. 4 But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.Step two, PANDER! Kiss up to Felix!Felix PhotoMan, I’m on a roll today. Somebody stop me! Not only was what the turtle said to the cat an exaggeration, it was a lie! Kind historians say that as a freed slave of the imperial family, Felix never fully overcame his background, ruling like a king but with the mind of a slave. He was a bad ruler. According to John B. Polhill, “there was less peace in Judea during Felix’s administration than for any procurator… He had, in fact, made life miserable for the Jews…” Apparently he narrowly escaped the consequences of his tyranny and misrule, then disappears from history books.Step one, hire a lawyer who knows how to handle Rome. Step two, appeal to the governor’s ego. Step three, convince the governor that Paul and Christianity is a threat to Rome itself!Acts 24:5–8 NIV 5 “We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect 6 and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. 7 8 By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.”Stirring up civil unrest was a capital crime in Rome. That means that their legal strategy is to claim that Paul and his sect (which is Christianity as a whole) is a danger to the Roman Empire. We’ve talked a lot about similarities between Paul’s experience with Jesus’. This is another example because they used the same tactic against Jesus…Luke 23:2 NIV 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.”Jesus and His followers are trying to overthrow the government! Not only are they a threat to the Jews, but they are a threat to the nation and rule of Rome! That’s their strategy. Use the Roman legal system against Paul, appeal to Felix’s ego, and convince him that Christianity threatens Rome.Next, Paul responds to the accusations. He follows the same pattern, but is more restrained in his pandering. In Paul’s first argument, he points out the lack of evidence in his accuser’s claims…Acts 24:12 NIV 12 My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city.Paul’s second argument is something of a confession…Acts 24:14–16 NIV 14 However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, 15 and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.In other words, Paul is saying that Ananias and the elders have dragged Paul into court over a theological dispute, not a legal one.Paul’s third argument is that he was also ceremonially clean when he was in the temple courts presenting offerings. He wasn’t with a crowd or involved in any disturbance, but there are some Jews from the province of Asia who should be here.Acts 24:19 NIV 19 But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me.Paul is showing that the charges against him are false. According to Roman law, his accusers would have to be there to bring charges against him. Since Ananias and the elders are the only ones there, their complaint must be a theological one about resurrection. The Jews from Asia are not their, so for several reasons, Ananias and company can’t possibly bring charges against Paul for stirring up trouble in the city.It’s also worth noting that the Sanhedrin devolved into chaos, so no actual charges against Paul were made in the Jewish courts. So, if they don’t even know what to charge Paul with in a Jewish court, why are they bringing charges against him in a Roman one?This should be open and shut, but let’s see what Felix does after hearing their arguments…Acts 24:22–23 NIV 22 Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.” 23 He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.Apparently Felix knows that the commander is the only one who can shed light on the trial. It almost looks like Paul is trying to stir up confusion and disagreement to keep from being convicted, but that is not what he is doing. Paul is opening the door to witnessing for Christ! This is where things get interesting! Let’s read the rest of the chapter, then talk about it…Acts 24:24–27 NIV 24 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” 26 At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. 27 When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.This is an interesting interchange. Paul has the opportunity to share the Gospel with Felix and his wife, Drusilla. She was the daughter of Herod Agrippa I. He hated the Christians and persecuted them in Jerusalem. He is the one who arrested Peter to then lose him when the angel of the Lord freed him from prison (Acts 12:6-11). How crazy is that! All of this has led to Paul witnessing to the son-in-law and daughter of one of Christianity’s biggest enemies!We have no idea why Felix was curious enough to speak to Paul further regarding Jesus, but we do know that his wife, Drusilla, was Jewish. Maybe Felix told her about Paul’s highly theological case. Maybe they had a conversation about Jewish law. Maybe they were curious about the statement Paul made during his defense when he told Felix, “I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.”I am just speculating about the reason, but what I am curious about is the fact that Paul didn’t shy away from the hot seat! He was bold and brilliant. Rather than trying to get out of trouble or simply go along with the trial, Paul leans into the dangerous stuff in a very calculated and intelligent way. He uses it as an opportunity to share the Gospel! He was determined to get Felix, his wife, and anyone else who would listen saved! He carefully shaped his statements to accomplish this goal.To Paul, being a Christian wasn’t just a set of morals and guidelines for how to live his life. It was THE WAY. Period. At this point, followers of Christ had been given many names. The Jews called them a sect. Gentiles called them followers of Christ and Christians. Paul clearly states that he is a follower of “the Way!”Acts 24:14 NIV 14 However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way…The idea comes from the Old Testament. We’ve briefly discussed it before, but the Hebrew word, “halakhah” means “to walk.” It refers to walking out God’s law in your life. The way the Jews would walk out their obedience of God’s teachings is what’s called “mitzvot.” That is the Hebrew word for “deeds.” The Jews refer to a person’s deeds as the fruit on the tree of their walk. “Ha-derekh” is a Hebrew word that refers to “the way.” The connection is that “the way” “to walk” is determined by God’s commands.Hopefully that’s not too confusing, but the point is that all of these concepts are connected in Jewish tradition and Old Testament writings. Here are some examples…Psalm 1:1–6 NIV 1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers… 6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.Deuteronomy 5:33 ESV 33 You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess.Deuteronomy 10:12 ESV 12 “And now, Israel, 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,Isaiah 2:3 NIV 3 Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.There are plenty more, here is a quick list of some if you want to study this deeper…Genesis 18:19, Deuteronomy 8:6, Deuteronomy 11:22, Psalm 119:1-3, Proverbs 2:7, Proverbs 2:20, Micah 4:2Another obvious connection is Jesus. He calls Himself “The Way” in John 14:6…John 14:6 NIV 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.Not only is Paul connecting all of these concepts of walking in the ways of the Lord, resurrection of the dead, Jesus’ resurrection, and Jesus being “The Way,” he is living it! Nate Sala says it this way…“Faithful disciples don’t see their trials as problems to be avoided but as divine opportunities to bear witness to Christ.” -Nate SalaIt’s difficult to put ourselves in Paul’s shoes because we have been blessed to never have been literally placed on trial for being a Christian, but I think we can still scale his story to our every day stories and apply it in many ways. Everything from massive fights within the family, or political arguments with our friends to our reaction when the carhop gets our order wrong at Sonic. The way we choose to walk in those moments bear witness to something. Is it Christ?Do our actions and reactions bear witness to life or death? Does the way that we walk lead to opportunities to share the Gospel? It’s not that each interaction should end with you walking someone through the Roman road or some other Gospel track. For example, if you see someone trip and fall you shouldn’t run over to them while they are rolling around on the ground holding their knee and say, “Do you know that Jesus loves you and died for your sins!”The challenge is that we should be more calculated in our statements. Paul didn’t start witnessing to Felix during the trial, but he did say things that obviously made Felix come back and ask questions. Then, in a more intimate setting, Paul had an opportunity to share the Good News with both Felix and his wife.I am not saying that their is one correct way to respond to each situation or one answer that we can give to people and our job is to figure out what it is. I don’t think it’s meant to be that difficult. I think the point is that we become more calculated. That we realize that each statement and each action has the potential to open the door of salvation for someone, and react accordingly.Today was a little shorter than normal, but is there anything you would like to share?Pray Acts 24:1NLT
Acts 24:2–4NLT
Acts 24:5–8NLT
Luke 23:2NLT
Acts 24:12NLT
Acts 24:14–16NLT
Acts 24:19NLT
Acts 24:22–23NLT
Acts 24:24–27NLT
Acts 24:14NLT
Psalm 1:1–6NLT
Deuteronomy 5:33NLT
Deuteronomy 10:12NLT
Isaiah 2:3NLT
John 14:6NLT
