Paul's Defense

Intro

Open with watching “Castle” and seeing all the different reaction to when people are asked to defend themselves

Inevitably, you learn something about people’s character when they defend themselves

As we pick up the story of Paul in Acts, it transitions into something like a cop show or courtroom drama

Time for another episode of “Law & Order: Special Apostles Unit” *show slide*

When we last left Paul, he was in Miletus meeting with the Ephesian elders, hurrying towards Jerusalem

He sailed from Miletus -> Cos -> Rhodes -> Patara -> Tyre

From Tyre he traveled south to Ptoemais -> Caesarea (stayed with Phillip)

Prophet named Agabus foretold of Paul’s imprisonment in Jerusalem

Brothers and sisters could not dissuade Paul from going (constrained by the Spirit)

First Defense: The Jews (Acts 22:1-21)

Paul arrives in Jerusalem and is warmly greeted by brothers and sisters in Christ

The Jerusalem elders encourage Paul to be ceremonially purified in the Temple to combat the talk that he is “forsaking Moses” and the Law

Paul agrees; is purified… but it does not calm everything down

His arrival is greeted differently by Jews from Asia

They stir up the crowd and accuse Paul of defiling the Temple by brining in a Greek (which he did not)

The mob drags him out of the Temple, beats him and is ready to kill him

At this point a Roman tribune (officer) grabs some soldiers to find out what all the fuss is about

He saves Paul from the mob, arrests him, but can’t find out what the accusations are because the crowd is in such a confused uproar

Before Paul is led away, he asks to speak to the people and give his first defense

Call up Kris Bachmeier to read Acts 22:1-21.

First defense: The Jews

Paul begins by defending his Jewish credentials

Jewish by birth; raised in Jerusalem; taught by Gamaliel; persecuted The Way

He then re-tells the dramatic story of his conversion

It was not an ordinary change of mind. This deeply devout Jew came to believe that Jesus was the Messiah through a miracle that could not be doubted

Paul finishes his defense by sharing how Jesus told him to go to the Gentiles

This struck a nerve with the crowd (it was why they were angry in the first place), and Paul is rushed away

What can we learn from Paul’s first defense?

Your life reveals the change; your story reveals the “why”

Everyone knew that Paul had radically changed; that wasn’t up for debate

In fact, the extreme difference was part of the reason everyone was so on edge

What Paul needed to make clear was the “why”

This was the information that the mob was missing (or misinformed)

An element of defense is to set the record straight

More importantly, the “why” of the story is what appeals to the heart

Not just information, but transformation

Talk about Rusty’s instructions about announcements / Advertising strategies by companies

What is your “why?” Why are you different? Why do you follow Jesus? Why do you live the way you do? Why do you make the sacrifices that you make? Why are your priorities different? Why?

A good place to start is asking yourself the question of “why?”

But if you ever hope to use your story to impact someone else’s life, make sure to include thy “why:” Not just information, but transformation

Second Defense: The Governor (Acts 24:10-27)

After Paul is taken to the Roman barracks, they get ready to interrogate him through flogging

It’s at this point he reveals he is a Roman citizen

Doesn’t sit on the trump card this time (unlike Philippi)!

Instead of a flogging, Paul is brought before the Sanhedrin and the Roman tribune to give his defense once more

But he uses his political savvy to sabotage the hearing

Plays Pharisees and Saducees against one another based on the belief of the resurrection of the dead

A group of Jews made an oath to neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul

Word of the planned ambush comes to the tribune, who decides to take Paul (under heavy escort) to Caesarea to see the Roman governor Felix

Remember the call of God on Paul’s life at the time of his conversion? (Cf. Acts 9:15).

He has made his defense before the children of Israel, now before the governor from Rome

Felix gives Paul a fair hearing worthy of a Roman citizen

He waits until Paul’s accusers can arrive from Jerusalem

Accuse him of stirring up riots and profaning the Temple

Felix then gives Paul the opportunity to speak and defend himself

Call up Charleen Barkman to read Acts 24:10 - 27.

Paul’s second defense was to the governor

Begins by asserting that he was acting peacefully in Jerusalem

Goes on to reveal that his accusers have no evidence of his profaning the Temple (since it did not happen)

But he does confess! He confesses to faith in Jesus Christ

Paul shares the Gospel with Felix and his court

He declares that he has a clear conscience before God and man, always speaking what he firmly believes to be true

Is there something to take away from Paul’s second defense?

The Way of Jesus is a way of truth and peace

People may have been incensed by the message of Paul, but never at the instigation of Paul

In this way he emulated Jesus; silent like a lamb to the slaughter as the mob yelled, “Crucify Him!”

There will always be hostility to the truth of the Gospel

Looks different today, but people will react to Jesus one way or another (example?)

But there is a growing trend of beligerence in the evangelical church

We have strayed from the peaceful, grassroots movement of the early church to instigating conflict through loud displays and attempts at political influence

Lots of examples of this through COVID and related restrictions

The way of Jesus is a way of truth and peace. NEVER back down from the truth, but NEVER invite or instigate conflict

Third Defense: The King (Acts 26:1-32)

Felix finds no reason to declare Paul guilty… but he also doesn’t let him go free

Like a true politician, he finds a murky middle ground: Doesn’t accuse Paul but doesn’t let him go, either (to placate the Jews)

This gives Paul many opportunities to speak with Felix and his wife Drusilla and share the Gospel with them

Luke says that Felix was looking for a bribe… no luck there

This goes on for 2 years!

Eventually Felix is replaced as governor by Festus

New governor = new appeal by Jewish religious leaders to re-open the case against Paul

It is during this new trial that Paul appeals to Caesar; he will be going to Rome (“to Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go” (v. 12)

Before Paul heads off to Rome, he makes his third defense in front of King Agrippa

Agrippa II (grandson of Herod the Great, son of Herod Agrippa who died in Acts 12)

A puppet king of the Romans, but a “king” nonetheless (RE: Paul’s calling)

Have ? come up and read Acts 26:1-32).

Pauls third defense: the King

Very similar to his defense in Jerusalem (Agrippa also a nominal Jew)

Jewish credentials -> shows hope in Christ to be the same hope the Jews are looking for -> conversion story

Festus interreupts: “you are out of your mind” (v. 24)

Agrippa also interjects: “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?”

Paul responds (to both, I believe): “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am - except these chains.” (v. 29)

The lesson = The gospel is good news for everyone

Paul is convinced that the good news of Jesus truly is for everyone

Jew, Gentile, governor and King

He is also convinced that following Jesus is the best possible conclusion for everyone

Here he is, sitting in chains for years, believing that he has the best possible life and hope (well, he doesn’t wish the chains)

A Roman governor and king are still wanting, and Paul knows what they need

What are you lacking? Where are you looking? Whether today or many days from now, I hope that all who hear me this day might become a child of God

Pray