Acts 24:1-27: "Paul on Trial Pt. 1"
After being rescued by Lysias the Roman commander from the Jews plot to kill Paul, he faces his accusers in front the governor Felix. Apparently, it was after five days that the Jews, along w/ their attorney Tertullus, came to Casaerea to try to get at Paul again. Interestingly, lawyers in the NT times were also conniving brown nosers as can be seen by his opening statement to Felix, "Since we have through you attained much peace, and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for this nation, we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness". If Paul's case would have been tried today, it would not have ever even made it to court. The judge would have laughed at the charges and dismissed this case before anyone even had a chance to hear the Jewish leaders. Tertullus has the audacity to start his charges with, "We have found this man a real pest." He also accuses Paul of, "a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world". This is of course unsubstantiated, as some of the Jews were becoming converts. If this charge were actually true, the Romans would have taken care of Paul much earlier than this. Tertullus is clearly using exaggeration, as he has to because he has no case.
The second charge is that he is, "a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes". To this Paul will later explain is a true statement, however, again this is not a real charge worthy of punishment.
The last charge is that he, "tried to desecrate the temple", which Paul will later refute. MacArthur commentates, "Attempting to give a veneer of legality to the savage attack of the mob, the Jews whitewashed their effort to kill him by claiming to have arrested Paul themselves. Unlike the hotheaded mob that had accused him of several blasphemies, however, the Sanhedrin was careful to accuse Paul only of attempting to desecrate the temple. There was no evidence that he had actually done so; if he had, the Jews had the right to handle the matter themselves, without hauling Paul before a Roman court".
This passage cements my picture of the Jews as whiny, blinded babies that just want their way and will do whatever it takes to get their way. They have lied, secretly plotted, and made up accusations against Paul to get him killed. In a bold, outright lie Tertullus twists the truth again and says that they were merely trying to, "judge him according to our own Law. But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands, ordering his accusers to come before you". This of course was completely inaccurate, as the only reason Lysias took Paul from them was to save his life.
We now get a wonderful glimpse into Paul's defense of himself and his actions once again. It is amazing that Paul never brings up the fact that the Jewish leaders had tried to kill him. I often wonder why Paul left this knowledge to himself. Paul takes on each accusation one by one.
First, he defends the accusation that he has caused riots and sedition, by exclaiming, " take note of the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship." Not to riot, or cause dissension, but to worship. He calmly explains that, "neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing a riot". Paul clearly explains, as has been the case with all the accusations that they could not prove any of their charges against him. It's like a little kid being asked why he hit another kid and he reasons, "because he is mean!" That is the childishness of the Jewish leaders.
With the second charge, Paul does admit to serving in a sect. Instead of referring to it as Tertullus does, he calls it the Way. "But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers." Paul probably inferiorated the Jewish leaders again with his comment as he tries to explain that he serves the God that the Jewish leaders claim to, except Paul recognizes Him as God, and they killed Him. MacArthur states, "He turned the tables on his adversaries, pointing out they were the real heretics. They did not truly worship God, since they rejected His Son". Paul further explains that he believed, "everything that is in accordance with the Law, and that is written in the Prophets". Again, Paul reiterates that he is blameless before God, as he had earlier in the council before the Sanhedrin. He is telling his detractors, that they are opposing God, by opposing him.
Paul rebuts his final allegation by explaining his visit to Jerusalem, "Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings". In no way had Paul come to stir up trouble, rather he had come to give to His brothers in Jerusalem. Never was Paul's motive to stir up strife or cause a fight. Rather, he would proclaim the truth to those who needed to hear it. Further explaining his actions in Jerusalem, he tells Felix of the Jewish leaders as, "they found me occupied in the temple, having been purified, without any crowd or uproar". Drawing from the idea of innocent before proven guilty, Paul calls out the Jews and asks for witnesses to his "so-called" destructive behavior. They "ought to have been present before you, and to make accusation, if they should have anything against me". MacArthur states, "This was a telling point in Paul's favor, because Roman law was very strong against accusers who abandoned their charges. That the eyewitnesses of Paul's alleged desecration of the temple failed to show up undermined the Sanhedrin's case". Paul challenges them again by asking to bring forth proof of what they found him guilty of in their case before the council in Jerusalem. Another victory for Paul. Paul clearly had refuted all charges, and the case should have been dismissed and Paul set free.
Felix decision had nothing to do with justice, but rather with public opinion and politics. Wanting to appease the Jews, but having nothing to punish Paul for because he knew of the Way and that Paul was not a revolutionary, he was in a predicament. He adjourns the case and stalls with his decision by wanting to consult with, "Lysias the commander [when he] comes down, I will decide your case".
By keeping Paul imprisoned he hoped to appease the Jews, however, knowing Paul was not guilty of any crime, he allowed Paul, "some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him". Basically, Felix had no backbone and could not stand up for himself so he tried to please both sides. In fact, both were unhappy about his spineless conclusion.
Felix then shows us his further ignorance by missing out on one of the greatest opportunities in the world. He spent the next 2 years with Paul, speaking with him and hearing of the things of the Way, and never responding to the call of Christ in his life. "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...he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come". However, obviously convicted by what Paul was saying, but not willing to repent from his sinful ways he, became frightened and exclaimed, "Go away for the present, and when I find time, I will summon you". What a waste of time to hear from one of the Godliest men to ever live, and not respond to the gospel. Felix clearly showed himself to again, have no backbone!
The second charge is that he is, "a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes". To this Paul will later explain is a true statement, however, again this is not a real charge worthy of punishment.
The last charge is that he, "tried to desecrate the temple", which Paul will later refute. MacArthur commentates, "Attempting to give a veneer of legality to the savage attack of the mob, the Jews whitewashed their effort to kill him by claiming to have arrested Paul themselves. Unlike the hotheaded mob that had accused him of several blasphemies, however, the Sanhedrin was careful to accuse Paul only of attempting to desecrate the temple. There was no evidence that he had actually done so; if he had, the Jews had the right to handle the matter themselves, without hauling Paul before a Roman court".
This passage cements my picture of the Jews as whiny, blinded babies that just want their way and will do whatever it takes to get their way. They have lied, secretly plotted, and made up accusations against Paul to get him killed. In a bold, outright lie Tertullus twists the truth again and says that they were merely trying to, "judge him according to our own Law. But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands, ordering his accusers to come before you". This of course was completely inaccurate, as the only reason Lysias took Paul from them was to save his life.
We now get a wonderful glimpse into Paul's defense of himself and his actions once again. It is amazing that Paul never brings up the fact that the Jewish leaders had tried to kill him. I often wonder why Paul left this knowledge to himself. Paul takes on each accusation one by one.
First, he defends the accusation that he has caused riots and sedition, by exclaiming, " take note of the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship." Not to riot, or cause dissension, but to worship. He calmly explains that, "neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing a riot". Paul clearly explains, as has been the case with all the accusations that they could not prove any of their charges against him. It's like a little kid being asked why he hit another kid and he reasons, "because he is mean!" That is the childishness of the Jewish leaders.
With the second charge, Paul does admit to serving in a sect. Instead of referring to it as Tertullus does, he calls it the Way. "But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers." Paul probably inferiorated the Jewish leaders again with his comment as he tries to explain that he serves the God that the Jewish leaders claim to, except Paul recognizes Him as God, and they killed Him. MacArthur states, "He turned the tables on his adversaries, pointing out they were the real heretics. They did not truly worship God, since they rejected His Son". Paul further explains that he believed, "everything that is in accordance with the Law, and that is written in the Prophets". Again, Paul reiterates that he is blameless before God, as he had earlier in the council before the Sanhedrin. He is telling his detractors, that they are opposing God, by opposing him.
Paul rebuts his final allegation by explaining his visit to Jerusalem, "Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings". In no way had Paul come to stir up trouble, rather he had come to give to His brothers in Jerusalem. Never was Paul's motive to stir up strife or cause a fight. Rather, he would proclaim the truth to those who needed to hear it. Further explaining his actions in Jerusalem, he tells Felix of the Jewish leaders as, "they found me occupied in the temple, having been purified, without any crowd or uproar". Drawing from the idea of innocent before proven guilty, Paul calls out the Jews and asks for witnesses to his "so-called" destructive behavior. They "ought to have been present before you, and to make accusation, if they should have anything against me". MacArthur states, "This was a telling point in Paul's favor, because Roman law was very strong against accusers who abandoned their charges. That the eyewitnesses of Paul's alleged desecration of the temple failed to show up undermined the Sanhedrin's case". Paul challenges them again by asking to bring forth proof of what they found him guilty of in their case before the council in Jerusalem. Another victory for Paul. Paul clearly had refuted all charges, and the case should have been dismissed and Paul set free.
Felix decision had nothing to do with justice, but rather with public opinion and politics. Wanting to appease the Jews, but having nothing to punish Paul for because he knew of the Way and that Paul was not a revolutionary, he was in a predicament. He adjourns the case and stalls with his decision by wanting to consult with, "Lysias the commander [when he] comes down, I will decide your case".
By keeping Paul imprisoned he hoped to appease the Jews, however, knowing Paul was not guilty of any crime, he allowed Paul, "some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him". Basically, Felix had no backbone and could not stand up for himself so he tried to please both sides. In fact, both were unhappy about his spineless conclusion.
Felix then shows us his further ignorance by missing out on one of the greatest opportunities in the world. He spent the next 2 years with Paul, speaking with him and hearing of the things of the Way, and never responding to the call of Christ in his life. "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...he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come". However, obviously convicted by what Paul was saying, but not willing to repent from his sinful ways he, became frightened and exclaimed, "Go away for the present, and when I find time, I will summon you". What a waste of time to hear from one of the Godliest men to ever live, and not respond to the gospel. Felix clearly showed himself to again, have no backbone!
posted by amesfam | 4:41 PM
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