Paul's Trials

Notes:

Outline:

Under Claudias’ Rule: Acts 23

Paul’s nephew discovers a plot to kill Paul

Nephew informs Claudias

Claudias Lysias protects Paul by sending him to Caesarea with a letter to Governor Felix. Finds no fault with Paul

Under Felix’ Rule

Felix: Governor of Judea

“Tacitus (Ann. 12.54; cf. Hist. 5.9) famously describes him as having ‘practised every kind of cruelty and lust, wielding the power of a king with all the instincts of a slave’. His term of office was marked by increasing insurgency throughout the province. He put down these uprisings ruthlessly, in a way that alienated more moderate Jews and led to further rebellion.” Peterson

5 days later, High Priest Ananias went down with Elders and lawyer named Tertullus.

Tertullus: Acts 24:5-8 “5 For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him. 8 By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.””

Other Jews joined in.

Paul defends himself:

Acts 24:12-13 “12 and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city. 13 Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me.”

BUT, vs. 14: “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.”

Felix: “But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias comes, I will decide your case.” (v. 22)

24:24-27: “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.

Under Festus’ Rule: Governor

We know less about Festus:

24:27 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.”

24:1-12

Festus then goes to Jerusalem, where Jewish leaders testified against Paul again. They wanted Paul transferred to Jerusalem so they can ambush him on the way and kill him.

Festus goes back to Caesarea, where he convened over a court again. Jews continue to falsely accuse Paul.

Paul defends himself, willing to die, but appeals to Caesar.

25:12: “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”

“Festus appears as a weak character, presenting himself as something of a victim in the situation. He declares Paul innocent of any crime deserving of death and implies that his appeal to Caesar was unnecessary, leaving Festus with an annoying problem.” Peterson

Agrippa: Paying respects as neighboring rulers.

Agrippa and Bernice come to Visit

Herod Agrippa II (AD 27-100) was the last ruler of the Herodian line.

Great Grandfather was Herod the Great

His father was Herod Agrippa I: Executed James in Acts 12. His grandfather was Herod the Great… He was educated in Rome in the court of Claudius and remained there until he was allowed to take charge of the region ruled by his uncle, Herod of Chalcis in AD 50 or 52...” Peterson

Herod Agrippa II: Controlled the Jewish priesthood

v.3: “You are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews.”

Father died in 44. “By the time Agrippa met Paul, his rule had...

25:14: Festus brought Paul’s case before the king

25:23: Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp

25:27: Festus: “For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to indicate the charges against him.”

Why is this important?

History is important!

Christianity didn’t happen in a vacuum!

Places, times, rulers, authorities.

None of these authorities and rulers and empires exist anymore!

What still exists from this passage?

The Church

Teaching about the resurrection

Paul’s “longest and theologically most explicit defence speech.” Peterson

Many of the themes we’ve covered in past sermons

How Paul defends him as a Jew

How fanatic he was as a persecutor of Christians

Third time Paul shares his conversion story.

How he contextualizes the Gospel to convince people...

Big Picture Reflections

Shift in Focus from “Kingdom” to “Resurrection.”

Too politically dangerous?

Paul is aware of his audience

Focus of Resurrection doesn’t negate theology of the Kingdom!

RESURRECTION IS ALL ABOUT KINGDOM!

Church Tradition: Resurrection INCLUDES and ASSUMES ASCENSION DAY.

RESURRECTION IS ALL ABOUT PURPOSE

Resurrection shapes everything

Fulfillment Theology:

v. 6: And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?”

Hope of the resurrection has always been promised!

It’s always been part of the plan!

It was always about resurrection.

Hope of resurrection FULFILLED!

CLICK

Hosea 6:1–2 “1 “Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up. 2 After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him.”

Ezekiel 37:13–14 “13 And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. 14 And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.””

Isaiah 25:8 “8 He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken.”

Isaiah 26:19 “19 Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! For your dew is a dew of light, and the earth will give birth to the dead.”

Daniel 12:1–2 “...But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.”

Why is this so important?

Resurrection has always been part of the plan!

Fulfillment Theology:

Hope was in the resurrection of the dead.

NOT in resurrection of a political nation of Israel

NOT the resurrection of a political ideology.

NOT the resurrection of the Temple.

Fulfillment Theology says Christ fulfilled EVERYTHING so that the church completely assumes the identity of “PEOPLE OF GOD.”

Practical side of Theology:

Fulfillment Theology, sometimes called Replacement Theology.

Story of Radio program

Replacement Theology leads to antisemitism:

Story of my Great Grandparents

Those Maniac Christians

Maniac Christians:

30 years

Atheism

Cannibalism: This is the Body of Christ

Insest: People calling themselves brother and sister, greeting one another with a holy kiss.

v. 14: “It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

Sharp stick to poke sheep.

This is hard stuff!