Another Kangaroo Court

Introduction

continuing our story of Paul in custody of the Romans

Last week we talked about the providence of God in the trials and suffering of life

This week -

The gospel is not just how we are saved, but how we live and our message to humanity while we live in a corrupt world that hates us.

We will see today how Paul defends himself against the charges against him and at the same time share the gospel with those who need it

his imprisonment does not stop his gospel living life

it is more than making good of a bad situation

it is who he is

Thought of John Bunyan this week

Pastor in England imprisoned for disobeying, teaching contrary to the church of England

not Paul Bunyan, a fictitious lumberjack with a big blue ox

Bunyan’s Prison Meditations Prison Mediations

I am, indeed, in prison now

In body, but my mind

Is free to study Christ, and how

Unto me he is kind.

6. For though men keep my outward man

Within their locks and bars,

Yet by the faith of Christ I can

Mount higher than the stars.

Acts 24 CSB

1 Five days later Ananias the high priest came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. These men presented their case against Paul to the governor. 2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus began to accuse him and said, “We enjoy great peace because of you, and reforms are taking place for the benefit of this nation because of your foresight. 3 We acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with utmost gratitude. 4 But, so that I will not burden you any further, I request that you would be kind enough to give us a brief hearing. 5 For we have found this man to be a plague, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the Roman world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 He even tried to desecrate the temple, and so we apprehended him. By examining him yourself you will be able to discern the truth about these charges we are bringing against him.” 9 The Jews also joined in the attack, alleging that these things were true. 10 When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied, “Because I know you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I am glad to offer my defense in what concerns me. 11 You can verify for yourself that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem. 12 They didn’t find me arguing with anyone or causing a disturbance among the crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or anywhere in the city. 13 Neither can they prove the charges they are now making against me. 14 But I admit this to you: I worship the God of my ancestors according to the Way, which they call a sect, believing everything that is in accordance with the law and written in the prophets. 15 I have a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection, both of the righteous and the unrighteous. 16 I always strive to have a clear conscience toward God and men. 17 After many years, I came to bring charitable gifts and offerings to my people. 18 While I was doing this, some Jews from Asia found me ritually purified in the temple, without a crowd and without any uproar. 19 It is they who ought to be here before you to bring charges, if they have anything against me. 20 Or let these men here state what wrongdoing they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin, 21 other than this one statement I shouted while standing among them, ‘Today I am on trial before you concerning the resurrection of the dead.’ ” 22 Since Felix was well informed about the Way, he adjourned the hearing, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 He ordered that the centurion keep Paul under guard, though he could have some freedom, and that he should not prevent any of his friends from meeting his needs. 24 Several days later, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him on the subject of faith in Christ Jesus. 25 Now as he spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became afraid and replied, “Leave for now, but when I have an opportunity I’ll call for you.” 26 At the same time he was also hoping that Paul would offer him money. So he sent for him quite often and conversed with him. 27 After two years had passed, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix, and because Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, he left Paul in prison.

Pray

Multitudes Against Paul

When the world stands against us for standing with Christ is it not a little thing

Satan will throw everything at you

Paul is getting multiple charges from multiple people in front of Roman Governor

Acts 24:1–9 CSB

1 Five days later Ananias the high priest came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. These men presented their case against Paul to the governor. 2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus began to accuse him and said, “We enjoy great peace because of you, and reforms are taking place for the benefit of this nation because of your foresight. 3 We acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with utmost gratitude. 4 But, so that I will not burden you any further, I request that you would be kind enough to give us a brief hearing. 5 For we have found this man to be a plague, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the Roman world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 He even tried to desecrate the temple, and so we apprehended him. By examining him yourself you will be able to discern the truth about these charges we are bringing against him.” 9 The Jews also joined in the attack, alleging that these things were true.

Paul has stood before the Sanhedrin before

now they are in a formal Roman court proceeding

the jews have brought a professional lawyer

Tertullus gives standard opening remarks

his is over the top - like a slick politician - dripping with hypocrisy

peace did not come from Felix, there was not peace, Felix was removed two years later for a lack of peace and because he was so fierce to the jews, this was done be Nero

even goes so far as saying peace was because of his foresight

foresight = providence

his control of all things

all of these accusers, none of them there on the day he was arrested

none of them saw the initial arrest

Paul was facing a multitude of charges

He is a plague

like the bubonic plague

this is what they thought of christians in society

they’re infecting everyone

He is the ringleader of a cult

He has desecrated the temple

This should not surprise us that they are going after Paul like this

Those who are against Christ are following Satan

that is what Paul tells the Ephesians we all were before God’s grace was lavished on us

Satan hates us as well

are we worthy of an attack

A Singularity of Truth

With all the lies put against Paul, the ultimate way to come back was the truth

one cannot help but see the parallel between Jesus and Paul in front of the Sanhedrin

Acts 24:10–21 CSB

10 When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied, “Because I know you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I am glad to offer my defense in what concerns me. 11 You can verify for yourself that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem. 12 They didn’t find me arguing with anyone or causing a disturbance among the crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or anywhere in the city. 13 Neither can they prove the charges they are now making against me. 14 But I admit this to you: I worship the God of my ancestors according to the Way, which they call a sect, believing everything that is in accordance with the law and written in the prophets. 15 I have a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection, both of the righteous and the unrighteous. 16 I always strive to have a clear conscience toward God and men. 17 After many years, I came to bring charitable gifts and offerings to my people. 18 While I was doing this, some Jews from Asia found me ritually purified in the temple, without a crowd and without any uproar. 19 It is they who ought to be here before you to bring charges, if they have anything against me. 20 Or let these men here state what wrongdoing they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin, 21 other than this one statement I shouted while standing among them, ‘Today I am on trial before you concerning the resurrection of the dead.’ ”

Paul’s defense

I was not in Jerusalem long enough to start a revolt

only 12 days

I am not sure how long it takes to start a revolt, but less than two weeks does seem short

They did not find me causing trouble

none of these accuser witnessed me doing anything that they are accusing me of

Never desecrated the temple

He did not take Gentiles into the area meant only for Jews

they did not find him in the temple at all

the Jews from Asia found him, but they are not here to testify about what they saw

Paul does not dwell on these things, but goes on to the heart of the matter

this is how Satan likes to get us fired up

come at us with a multitude of things to keep us detracted from the real thing

Paul’s admission

I am a Jew who believes that Jesus is the messiah and they do not

this is the same faith that has been passed down from Abraham

this is the Jewish faith that has been fulfilled in the Jesus

this is not a different religion, a different flavor

We are not a sect, a cult, but we simply believe that Jesus is the messiah

this is who we are as well

we have no reason to hate anyone Jewish

Paul believes the same as the Pharisees standing next to him except one key single truth

Jesus is the messiah, the one who fulfills all the law requires

Jesus is the difference between Christians and Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Mormonism… the list goes on and on

Who is Jesus

He is the one who was prophesied to come from the Garden, the seed that would crush the head of the snake

He is the lamb that was slain to take away the sin of the world

He is God in the flesh who has come, and we have beheld his glory

all others will say that he is

a prophet

a good teacher

a historical figure

but as he asked his disciples, who do you say that he is

that question is the difference, the single truth that determines the eternal destination of your soul

only those who have submitted to him as Lord will be saved

all others will be told, depart, I never knew you

A Long Cruel Outcome

Paul should have been released

Felix placates the Jews

possibly because of all the flattery that Tertullus gave in his opening

possibly because he did have a peace problem and he was trying to keep it here

Acts 24:22–27 CSB

22 Since Felix was well informed about the Way, he adjourned the hearing, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 He ordered that the centurion keep Paul under guard, though he could have some freedom, and that he should not prevent any of his friends from meeting his needs. 24 Several days later, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and listened to him on the subject of faith in Christ Jesus. 25 Now as he spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became afraid and replied, “Leave for now, but when I have an opportunity I’ll call for you.” 26 At the same time he was also hoping that Paul would offer him money. So he sent for him quite often and conversed with him. 27 After two years had passed, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix, and because Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, he left Paul in prison.

The case is in recess until Felix can hear from the commander

but he already had, the letter said he found no guilt worthy of punishment

Paul gets the opportunity to share the gospel to Felix and his wife Drusilla

third wife, daughter of Herod Agrippa the first,

said to be a beautiful woman that Felix saw and had to have as a wife, though he already had a couple

She was not innocent herself, willingly divorced her husband to marry into power

so Paul preaches to them about righteousness, self control, and the judgment to come

appropriately, they seemingly did not have self control

but see the boldness that Paul had with the one who could decide his fate

why was he this bold, because Paul is loving

it would be cruel to beat around the bush out of fear for his own life

he knew that to be absent from the body is to be in the presence of God

he shared with them the truth in attempt to save their soul

This goes on for a couple of years

the cruelness in this is not Paul’s sharing of the truth, but that he is in this confinement at all

sure, he has some liberties

he is always in the presence of the guards,

friends can bring him food supplies and visit with him

this is the confinement typical for a Roman citizen

Many believe this is when Luke interviewed him and was able to get all the details from his travels

We do not follow Jesus based on consequences or outcomes

Paul shares the truth and we have no evidence they ever came to faith

does that make a difference

Paul is innocent but remains in prison for years

does he regret ever going to Jerusalem, would you

too often we follow and are obedient only when we feel secure in the outcome of what we are asked to do

I will share the gospel if I feel like they are ready to hear it

I will go to a difficult place if I know that the outcome will be worth it

Instead, we must march on knowing that Christ has won the victory

this world is not our home and we are fighting spiritual battles

Bunyan’s Prison Meditations Prison Mediations

I am, indeed, in prison now

In body, but my mind

Is free to study Christ, and how

Unto me he is kind.

6. For though men keep my outward man

Within their locks and bars,

Yet by the faith of Christ I can

Mount higher than the stars.

Discussion Questions

What were the main charges brought against Paul by Tertullus?

How did Paul defend himself against the accusations made by his accusers?

What reasoning does Paul provide to illustrate his innocence during the trial?

How did Paul's beliefs about Jesus differ from those of the Pharisees he was addressing?

What was Felix’s reaction to Paul’s discussions about righteousness and judgment?

What does Paul mean when he refers to his belief as being in accordance with the law and prophets?

What can we learn from Paul’s attitude toward his imprisonment and his approach to sharing the gospel?