The Accusation, The Facts, and The Judgement

The Accusation

Paul had been brought to Caesarea for his protection against the plot to kill him in Jerusalem. While he was there the high priest, other high Jewish officials, and an attorney named Tertullus came to bring charges against Paul. It was a well thought out legal strategy. They accused him of being a trouble maker that stirs up dissension (sedition) violation of Roman law, being the ring leader of a sect (sectarianism) violation of Jewish Law, and desecrating the temple (desecration) violation of God’s law. They had their basis covered on all charges to find Paul guilty of something.

Let’s take a look at the legal strategy and why they believed it was going to be effective.

Sedition

One of the main goals of the Roman government was to maintain peace in every providence. It was the governing officials job to make sure there was no mob or uprising in their providence. If there was then the Governor could be removed from his position of authority and eve executed. This was a very serious charge.

Notice that the accusation was broad in that they stated that Paul stirred up dissension throughout the world. This however did not bode well fro their case. They needed to specify where an uprising occured and the case would have to be tried in that providence. Since the uprising did not happen in Caesarea the case could not be tried there.

Felix was well aware of the Pharisees hostility against Christianity and saw through the false accusation of sedition.

The Lord will protect us against false accusations when it comes to rulings against the governing authorities when we are innocent. 1 Pet. 2:13-17

1 Peter 2:13–17 (NASB95)

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

The truth will be shown when we are obedient to our governing authorities.

Sectarianism

The Jews charged Paul with heading up a group that was going to overthrow the Jewish nation. They accused him of leading a sect of the Nazarene. They were calling Paul a follower of Jesus.

This would have also been a problem for Rome because though they were enemies of one another they learned how to live mutually among one another. They were implying that if they were overthrown by the sect of the Nazarene they would lose the harmony they had.

Desecration

The Jews tried to accuse Paul of desecrating the temple by bringing a Gentile into the temple. There was no evidence to show that Paul had done this. They believed that he had brought a Gentile into the temple because they saw Paul with Trophimus the Greek. Acts 21:29

Acts 21:29 NASB95

For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.

Paul had not brought a Greek into the temple. He knew better than to do this. If he had done this the Jews could have tried him and found him guilty without bringing this to the court of Rome.

The Sanhedrin from Jerusalem were trying to get rid of Paul because they saw him as a threat to their authority, luxurious lifestyle, and religious tradition.

The Facts (Defense)

Paul had an opportunity to defend himself when Felix gave him the nod. He stated the facts which were: I came to worship, Christianity is not against the Jews but for the Jews, and I came to bring a gift collected from Gentiles. Paul knew the accusations against him were false. He just stated the truthful facts.

I came to worship

Paul being a Jew was doing what he was suppose to do and that was go to the temple to worship. He went so far as to go through a purification ceremony because he had been with Gentiles. Acts 24:11-13

Acts 24:11–13 (NASB95)

since you can take note of the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. “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. “Nor can they prove to you the charges of which they now accuse me.

Acts 24:18 NASB95

in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been purified, without any crowd or uproar. But there were some Jews from Asia—

Paul did not come to stir up a riot. He came to worship and tell people about Jesus. The Jews saw this as an attempt to cause a riot. This is not what Paul was doing, but instead it was the Jews who were trying to stir up the riot.

Folks we must also understand that when we worship and tell people about Jesus the world is going to accuse us of being trouble-makers. They will make false accusations against us as well. I personally am facing this now.

Christianity is not against the Jews, but for the Jews

Acts 24:14–16 NASB95

“But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. “In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.

Paul did not deny that he was a follower of Christ. He did deny that being a follower of Christ did not threaten or diminish him being a practicing Jew. He stated that he believed everything in accordance with the law and the Prophets. He was not discarding the Jewish tradition but following it and enhancing it with the truth of Christ.

He stated he had a hope in God which the Jews cherished themselves, but did not have because they did not believe in the resurrection of Jesus.

He knew that in Christ he had a blameless conscience before God and man because he was forgiven of his sin in Christ.

Friends we too can have a blameless conscience through faith in Christ!

Paul Brought a Gift

To show that Christianity was not against the jews but for the Jews, Paul had collected an offering from every church he started to bring to the people of Jerusalem to help with their poverty. Acts 24:17

Acts 24:17 NASB95

“Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings;

Paul was no threat to the Jewish nation. He wanted to help them thrive by providing for them materially and spiritually.

This is what the church should be about today. We do not need to be against sinners we need to seek to help save them. We do this by understanding them and sharing truth with them. This is the best gift we can give. We see this in the conclusion of this message.

The Judgement!

Felix decided to postpone judgement until Lysias arrived. Acts 24:22

Acts 24:22 NASB95

But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.”

He saw through the false accusations and wanted to know what really happened from the roman eyewitness Lysias.

However Felix wanted to know more about Jesus so he would often call for Paul to teach him. Acts 24:24

Acts 24:24 NASB95

But 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.

Paul had an opportunity to share Jesus with Felix and did not hold back the true gospel. As a matter of fact it scared Felix and he sent Paul away. Acts 24:25

Acts 24:25 NASB95

But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you.”

Felix was a terrible sinner and when Paul confronted Felix with righteousness, self-control, and judgement he couldn’t stand it. Rather than repenting of sin he sent Paul away. His evil was so bad that he was trying to extort money from Paul for his release instead of releasing him because of his innocence.

Folks we may face the same reaction from others when we share the gospel. We may even lose the relationship. It is worth the risk. At least we have given them the best thing they can have. THE TRUTH!