Acts 24 - BibleStudy.ph

These are the original teaching notes from this passage.

Divine Protection…
- The Sanhedrin…
  - When Paul was brought before the SANHEDRIN – he argued he had done nothing wrong…
  - He had lived as a GOOD citizen – and with a GOOD conscience before God…
  - In response the High Priest Ananias ordered him to be struck on the mouth…
  - Paul called him a WHITE washed tomb – because he broke the law by striking Paul…
  - Paul realized that through his outburst he lost any chance of a fair trial…
  - But since he KNEW the SANHEDRIN was made of up both SADDUCEES and PHARISEES…
  - He SHOUTED to the Council that he was being judged because of his hope in the RESURRECTION…
  - IMMEDIATELY it caused DIVISION – and the commander had to rush [ἁρπάζω] in to remove Paul!
- Plot against Paul…
  - The next night the Lord stood by Paul and told him to be of GOOD cheer…
  - He had testified of Jesus in Jerusalem – now God was going to send him to Rome…
  - When it was day – FORTY Jews took an oath not to eat or drink till Paul was dead…
  - But the nephew of Paul overheard their plot [divine intervention]
  - And was able to tell the commander that the Jews planned to kill Paul…
  - That very night the commander send 470 soldiers to bring Paul safely to Caesarea…
  - He sent along a letter to Governor Felix saying Paul had done nothing worthy of prison or death…
  - Paul was to wait there for his accusers to come from Jerusalem – and stand trial again!
1^st – Second trial… vs. 1-9
- 1^st – The Prosecutor… vs. 1-3
  - Tertullus… vs. 1
  - Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders.
  - And a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul!
  - Five days after the daring MIDNIGHT military escort of Paul to Caesarea…
  - The High Priest Ananias came from Jerusalem with the elders [πρεσβύτερος]
  - Most likely limited to SADDUCEES – and not the PHARISEES [many of whom sided with Paul]
  - They hired a Roman LAWYER [ῥήτωρ] named TERTULLUS [third]
  - Because having failed to deal with the problem internally – they now went to a secular COURT!
  - The Church in Corinth had problems – but rather than dealing with them internally…
  - They were suing each other – going to the secular COURTS – I Corinthians 6:1
  - Paul told the church they will one day judge ANGELS – they could handle their own problems…
  - There is NEVER a good reason to take a brother or sister in the Lord to COURT!
  - When [not if] we have problems in the church…
  - We are NOT to go to the world [courts] looking for JUSTICE – that would be a BAD witness…
  - Instead we are to handle the problems WITHIN the church…
  - And if need be – rather than go to COURT – we should just accept being WRONGED!
  - I Corinthians 6:7 – “[Do not] go to law… Why do you not rather accept wrong.”
  - Flattery… vs. 2-3
  - When he was called upon Tertullus began his accusation saying: Seeing through you.
  - We enjoy great peace – and prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight.
  - We accept it always and in all places – most noble Felix – with all thankfulness!
  - FELIX called upon TERTULLUS to begin his ACCUSATION…
  - ACCUSATION [κατηγορέω] – where we get the word CATEGORY [list of crimes]
  - Rather than start with what Paul had done – he began with FLATTERY…
  - As a result of FELIX leadership – Judea had experienced great PEACE [εἰρήνη]
  - And he had REFORMED [διόρθωμα] the nation…
  - Therefore – always [πᾶς] in all places – they received the wisdom of the most excellent Felix!
  - The TRUTH was the opposite – Felix was a cruel and reckless leader…
  - His period of office was full of trouble [not peace] – because of his greed and corruption…
  - He was eventually removed from office because of RIOTS…
  - He had his soldiers attack a Jewish mob and many Jews were killed….
  - The Jews made a formal complaint [to Nero] ending the EIGHT year rules turbulent rule!
  - Psalm 12:2 – “With flattering lips and a double heart they speak!”
  - Be careful when people say really nice things about us…
  - They are usually either trying to SELL us something [take advantage]
  - Or they are trying to HIDE something [hatred in their heart]
  - Instead LISTEN to those who are willing to tell us the TRUTH!
- 2^nd – The Accusations… vs. 4-6
  - Rebellion … vs. 4-5
  - Nevertheless not to be tedious to you any further – I beg you to hear by your courtesy.
  - A few words from us. For we have found this man a plague.
  - A creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world!
  - Having given the obligatory FLATTERY to the governor…
  - TERTULLUS knew better then to waste his VALUABLE time – so he got to ACCUSATIONS…
  - FIRST – they had found Paul to be a PLAGUE [λοιμός]
  - Because he caused things to become UNSTABLE [rebellion] wherever he went in the world…
  - While it was true Paul always seems to be in the middle of RIOTS…
  - It was NOT Paul that caused them – the message of the Gospel did!
  - Matthew 10:34 – “I did not come to bring peace but a sword.”
  - Since NOT everyone wants to hear the Gospel – it becomes a SWORD that DIVIDES…
  - We can talk about almost any subject and people will RESPECT our opinion…
  - But the moment we bring up Jesus – His name has a POLARIZING effect…
  - People are either for Him – or they are AGAINST Him – Luke 11:23
  - Ringleader… vs. 5
  - And a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes!
  - SECOND – Paul was the LEADER [πρῶτος] of the SECT [αἵρεσις] of the Nazarenes…
  - Nazarenes – a title given to those who followed the teaching of Jesus of Nazareth…
  - SECT [αἵρεσις] – from the root word to make a CHOICE [αἱρέω]!
  - Paul was wise to be FIRST in line to CHOOSE to follow Jesus…
  - Because everyone must make a CHOICE concerning the Lord…
  - At His name every knee will BOW – but we must choose WHEN – Romans 14:11
  - Do we CHOOSE to bow today in salvation – or later in JUDGEMENT!
  - Defiled… vs. 6
  - He even tried to profane the temple and we seized him!
  - THIRD – Paul continually [imperfect] tempted [πειράζω] others to profane the TEMPLE…
  - Referring to the incident that had gotten Paul arrested in the first place…
  - But Paul had NOT taken any Gentiles into the Temple…
  - The Jews saw Paul with a Gentile – ASSUMED he brought him into the Temple – Acts 21:29
  - Imagine being upset because someone brought an unbeliever to church…
  - That is NOT a crime – it is exactly what we should ALL be doing!
  - Sadly many treat the church as if it is a HOLY place [sinners not allowed]
  - Rather than a HEALING place where sinners come to hear about GRACE…
  - It does NOT matter who walks through the doors – they are welcome…
  - Because the message of the Gospel is NOT about GOOD people going to heaven…
  - It is about a GOOD God who came down to save SINNERS!
- 3^rd – The Sentence… vs. 6-9
  - Our Law… vs. 6
  - And wanted to judge him according to our law!
  - TERTULLUS stated – the Jews had intended to JUDGE Paul according to THEIR law [νόμος]
  - The truth was there was a MOB that tried to beat him to death [not in the law] – Acts 21:31
  - The end of verse 6 – verse 7 – and the beginning of verse 8 are NOT found in all translations…
  - This is NOT a difference in Bible translations – it is a difference in manuscripts…
  - There are TWO main Greek texts that all Bibles are translated from [TR and MGNT]
  - While these verses are found in hundreds of Greek texts [TR]
  - The few older texts that do NOT include them [MGNT] are the basis for modern translations!
  - Agreement… vs. 7-9
  - But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands.
  - Commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain.
  - All these things which we accuse him. The Jews also assented maintaining these things were so!
  - But the Roman commander Lysias came and violently took Paul away…
  - He then commanded the ACCUSERS [κατήγορος] to come to Caesarea to present their case…
  - So here they were to present their case so FELIX could KNOW [ἐπιγινώσκω] what Paul did…
  - Because only he had the POWER [δύναμαι] to JUDGE [ἀνακρίνω] him…
  - The other Jews joined in the attack – declaring everything Tertullus said was true!
  - Felix might have been convinced by the Jews – but he was wise enough to hear both sides…
  - Because the DEVIL [διάβολος] is also called the ACCUSER [κατήγορος] – Revelation 12:10
  - We need to be careful when someone accuses another person…
  - It might be they are just playing the part of the DEVIL – bringing false accusations…
  - We must NOT just listen to one side – take the time to HEAR both sides of the story!
  - Proverbs 18:17 – “The first to speak in court sounds right until the cross-examination begins.”
2^nd – The Defense… vs. 10-21
- 1^st – The Facts… vs. 10-16
  - Many years… vs. 10
  - Then Paul after the governor had nodded to him to speak answered:
  - Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation.
  - I do the more cheerfully answer for myself!
  - When Paul was given the NOD to give his DEFENSE…
  - Rather than open up with FLATTERY – he simply stated the FACTS…
  - FELIX had been the Roman judge [κριτής] over Judah for many years [six years]
  - Therefore he KNEW the politics of the SANHEDRIN – and the history of Christianity…
  - Making Paul CONFIDENT to give his defense [ἀπολογέομαι] before him!
  - False accusations… vs. 11-13
  - Because you may ascertain it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
  - And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd.
  - Either in the synagogues or in the city.
  - Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me!
  - It had only been TWELVE days since he went to WORSHIP [not start a riot] in Jerusalem…
  - And his ACCUSERS did NOT find him ARGUING [διαλέγομαι] with ANYONE in the Temple…
  - Nor had he caused any REBELLION – either in a Synagogue or in the city…
  - Neither could the Jews PROVE any of the ACCUSATIONS [κατήγορος] they made against him!
  - Often as Christians we feel like we need to defend our faith…
  - As if there is something wrong with going to WORSHIP God…
  - The world treats us like we are criminals for wanting to put our faith in Jesus!
  - We are NOT the ones who are wrong – we do NOT need to answer for our faith…
  - It is the world that is BACKWARDS – we should be the ones asking them questions…
  - Why do you NOT go to church – how do you expect to get into heaven!
  - The Way… vs. 14
  - But this I confess to you – according to the Way which they call a sect.
  - So I worship the God of my fathers believing all things written in the Law and the Prophets!
  - Therefore Paul was NOT guilty of causing a REBELLION or DEFILING the Temple…
  - But he did CONFESS [ὁμολογέω] he followed the SECT [αἵρεσις] the Jews called the WAY…
  - SERVING [λατρεύω] the same God his Fathers did [not a sect]
  - Believing EVERYTHING [πᾶς] written in the Law and the PROPHETS!
  - For those who are PICKY eaters – BUFFETS are a great option…
  - There are a variety of food – they can pick what they want – and leave what they dislike!
  - The Bible is not a buffet – we CANNOT pick and choose what to believe…
  - We CANNOT decide to BELIEVE the parts that talk about GRACE…
  - Then REJECT the parts that warn about the CONSEQUENCES of sin…
  - The whole Bible is inspired by God – and we need to believe it all – II Timothy 3:16
  - The Resurrection… vs. 15-16
  - I have hope in God which they themselves also accept.
  - That there will be a resurrection of the dead – both of the just and the unjust.
  - This being so I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men!
  - The HOPE of Paul was the same as the Jews [not a sect]
  - There would be a RESURRECTION of the dead – both for the GOOD and BAD…
  - For this reason – that EVERYONE will one day stand before the LORD…
  - STIVE [ἀσκέω] – only here NT – to live a disciplined life [used of athletic training]
  - To always have a clean conscience towards God and men!
  - God will judge the JUST [δίκαιος] – the BEMA seat – II Corinthians 5:10
  - God will judge the UNJUST [ἄδικος] – White THRONE – Revelation 20:11-12
  - Knowing EVERYONE [no exceptions] – will be JUDGED [saved or condemned]
  - We should STIVE to live a life that shows them the HOPE of Jesus within us!
  - II Corinthians 5:11 – “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord – we persuade men!”
- 2^nd – The Details… vs. 17-21
  - No Witnesses… vs. 17-19
  - Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation.
  - In the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple.
  - Neither with a mob nor with tumult.
  - They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me!
  - Paul then went into the DETAILS of exactly what happened in Jerusalem…
  - He had been gone MANY years – but came with a financial GIFT for his nation – Romans 15:26
  - Certain Jews from Ephesus [Asia] found him PURIFIED [not defiling] in the TEMPLE…
  - He was NOT with a MOB – and was NOT causing a RIOT…
  - And if they HAD anything against Paul – and they wish they did [optative]
  - Then those Jews from Ephesus should have been here to ACCUSE [κατήγορος] him…
  - Their ABSENCE was PROOF the charges were FALSE!
  - No wrongdoing… vs. 20-21
  - Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me.
  - While I stood before the council – unless it is for this one statement which I cried out.
  - Standing among them: Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day!
  - Or if the Jews who were there in the COURT before Felix…
  - Since [indicative] they said they found he had done WRONG [ἀδίκημα]
  - Why had they NOT accused [κατήγορος] him before the COUNSEL [συνέδριον]
  - The ONE thing they could say – was that he CRIED out when he was there…
  - That because he believed in the RESURRECTION of the dead he was being JUDGED…
  - The FACT they could NOT convict Paul at his first TRIAL – meant the charges were FALSE!
  - Article 3 – section 21 – of the constitution protects against DOUBLE jeopardy…
  - A person CANNOT be tried more than ONCE for a crime!
3^rd – No Justice… vs. 22-27
- 1^st – Pleasing men… vs. 22-23
  - Not Guilty… vs. 22
  - When Felix heard these things – having more accurate knowledge of the Way.
  - He adjourned the proceedings and said: When Lysias the commander comes down.
  - I will make a decision on your case!
  - It would seem FELIX was not convinced by the ACCUSERS of Paul…
  - He KNEW about Christianity [the Way] – and it lined up with the defense of Paul…
  - Yet NOT wanting to upset the Jewish leaders – he POSTPONED [Ἀνεβάλετο] his verdict…
  - Justifying he first wanted to hear from Lysias the commander!
  - Liberty… vs. 23
  - So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty.
  - And told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him!
  - Knowing that Paul was NOT guilty of any crime [but politically unwilling to let him go]
  - FELIX made sure to give instructions to the CENTURION guarding him…
  - Paul was to have freedom [custodia libera] – HOUSE arrest!
  - Many Pharisees believed that Jesus was the Christ…
  - But they were NOT willing to confess Him – they feared loosing their influence!
  - John 12:42 – “They LOVED [ἀγαπάω] the praise of men more than the praise of God.”
  - Those who seek to please men [politics] cannot make GODLY choices…
  - Because they are more concerned about the opinion of men – then the doing what is RIGHT!
- 2^nd – Terrified… vs. 24-25
  - Drusilla… vs. 24
  - After some days when Felix came with his wife Drusilla – who was Jewish.
  - He sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ!
  - After several days FELIX was with his wife DRUSILLA – and he called for Paul again!
  - DRUSILLA – was a descendent of Herod the Great – who tried to kill Jesus – Matthew 2:16
  - Her great uncle Herod Antipas – who killed John the Baptist – Matthew 14:10
  - She was the daughter of Herod Agrippa – who killed James – Acts 12:2
  - He brother Herod Agrippa II – who would judge Paul – Acts 26:1
  - She was a very beautiful girl – and was married to the king of Emesa at age 14…
  - But she would divorce him so that she could marry FELIX!
  - Reason… vs. 25
  - Now as he reasoned about righteousness – self-control – and the judgment to come.
  - Paul did NOT use the opportunity to DEFEND himself…
  - Instead took it as an opportunity to REASON [διαλέγομαι] with them about Jesus…
  - FIRST – about RIGHTEOUSNESS [δικαιοσύνη] – the standard God has for being GOOD…
  - And His standard is PERFECTION – never sinning once – Matthew 5:48
  - SECOND – about Self-control [ἐγκράτεια] – having power over sin…
  - But sadly this is where we FAIL – we are NOT able to overcome our sin nature – Romans 7:15
  - THIRD – about the JUDGEMENT to come [τοῦ κρίματος]
  - We will all have to stand before God one day and answer for our sins…
  - This message of Paul makes us wonder who was really on trial – him or Felix!
  - Not today… vs. 25
  - Felix was afraid and answered: Go away for now. When I have a convenient time I will call for you!
  - In response to REASON – FELIX was AFRAID [ἔμφοβος]
  - But rather than turning his FEAR into REPENTANCE…
  - He chose instead to try and make the messenger GO away for NOW [καιρός]
  - Justifying he would call for Paul again when the time was right!
  - The problem with putting of a choice when it comes to the Gospel…
  - Is that God does not give us any guarantees – tomorrow may not come!
  - II Corinthians 6:2 – “Behold now is the accepted time. Behold now is the day of salvation.”
- 3^rd – A bribe… vs. 26-27
  - Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul.
  - That he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him.
  - But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix.
  - And Felix – wanting to do the Jews a favor – left Paul bound!
  - Paul waited TWO years in prison there in Caesarea…
  - FELIX would call for him frequently to talk to him…
  - HOPING [ἐλπίζω] that Paul would BRIBE him to he could set Paul free…
  - Because if Paul paid – he could justify WHY he might [subjuntive] let him go…
  - But Paul NEVER paid – and eventually FELIX was replaced by FESTUS Porticus [pig]!
  - No doubt Paul knew that he could have PAID and been set FREE…
  - But that would NOT have been the RIGHT way – so instead he WAITED on the Lord!
  - The end never justifies the means – we CANNOT do the wrong things with a right heart…
  - We are trusting in ourselves if we justify the end by the means – NOT in the Lord…
  - It is just as important how we get there – as where we are going!