Paul on Trial

Sermon Text: Acts 21:37-23:11

Intro

Hook: Wrongly Accused

Context: Acts 19:23-41 (Brief), Acts 21:27-36

Question: Paul is accused and arrested, but what’s his crime? And is he innocent or guilty?

Was it temple violation?

Was it the relaxing of the Jewish law and customs?

Was it a prejudice against the Jewish people?

“It was teaching Jews to abandon their ancestral laws and customs.” ESV Study Bible

Prayer

Scripture Reading: Acts 21:37-22:21

Body (Explain the solution)

Paul Before the Crowd

Assertion

In reply to the crowds accusation of blasphemy, Paul replies. He says, “I am innocent!” They say, “He is guilty!”

Evidence

Acts 21:37-22:22

Commentary

In his reply, he adds some firy comments, saying, Acts 22:18 “18 and saw [Jesus] saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’” and he also says, Acts 22:21 “21 And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ”

The Jews hate this. Why? “He should not be allowed to live.” Give an explanation of the supposed blasphemy.

So then, was Paul innocent or guilty? Was it wrong for him to share this news about Jesus? Was it wrong for him to share about their Messiah? Was it wrong for Jesus to send Paul to the Gentiles? Was it wrong for Jesus to reveal the stubborness of the Jews? Jesus, the Lord himself, said the Jews would not accept Paul’s testimony, that is to say that the Jews would not believe in Jesus as their Messiah. Get into the irony of this.

Paul Before the Commander

Assertion

To protect Paul from the ensuing violence and to clearly understand the reason for the Jews uproar, the commander (tribune) brings him into the barracks. In the barracks, they attempt to flog Paul to ensure he tells the truth, but Paul reveals that it would be unlawful, for he is a Roman citizen, and it is not right for Romans to flog other Romans without due cause. After all, Paul had not been tried.

Evidence

Acts 22:23-29

Commentary

The commander wanted to flog him to find out the truth.

From our understanding of Roman law, which you can find in a study Bible, it was against the law to flog a Roman citizen without a hearing. (Paraphrased from ESV Study Bible).

So then, is Paul innocent or guilty? What does the commander say? The commander cannot say, as he has not made up his mind. Thus v.30.

Paul Before the Council

Assertion

Paul is brought before the Sanhedrin. Supposedly this court would help the Commander find out the reason for the Jewish persecution. The Sanhedrin was comprised of Pharisees and Sadducees. Explain the difference.

Evidence

Acts 22:30-23:10

Commentary

What was the result? No consensus. So is he innocent or guilty?

*use anecdotes!*

(scripture, exposition, story)

Conclusion

Restate, Review, Reflect

The crowd says one thing, the ruler cannot make up his mind, the jewish council is divided. What is the reason for all of this? Is Paul on trial so that his innocence can be defended and he be freed? What’s the point of all of this?

(Return to Question) Answer: Acts 23:11

The accusers stand accused. They put Paul on trial, but he gives them a message which puts them on trial.

Call

A roman tribune was the commander of a cohort, here consisting of up to 1000 soliders, under the command of several centurions.