The message never changes

Acts • Sermon • Submitted 6 years ago

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Last week we left Paul being guarded by the Roman soldiers in Herod’s palace in Caesarea. He had been saved from Jewish mobs, twice, by the Roman commander of the Jerusalem regiment and the commander, Claudius Lysias had transferred Paul to the Roman governor of the region, Felix. So he’s beginning his journey to Rome. He’s being shuffled up the chain of command, but when he gets to Felix, he has to sit and wait for a while. We’ll see just how long in a little bit, but to start off he spends a few days under guard in Herod’s palace waiting for his accusers to show up as Claudius Lysias had ordered them to. Let’s pick up reading where we left off last week. We’ll begin from the first verse of chapter 24

Acts 24:1-

Acts 24:1–3 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.

Acts 24:1–4 CSB

Now I’m going to stop there for a moment to take a look at these first few verses. Paul sits and waits for 5 days until the high priest Ananias shows up with some of the other Jewish leaders. And of course they bring along a lawyer. The Bible tells us they presented their case against Paul to the governor and then Felix calls Paul into the room. Luke says that Tertullus begins to accuse Paul, but these first few verses aren’t really accusing Paul are they? It sounds much more to me like Tertullus is sucking up to Felix that accusing Paul. “Reforms are taking place for the benefit of this nation because of your foresight.” “Most excellent Felix.” “With utmost gratitude.” I don’t know about you, but when I read this it sounds to me like the stereotypical slimy lawyer who will say whatever they have to say to get their client off, or get the other person convicted depending on which side of the case they happen to be on that day. He’s not accusing Paul, at least not yet, he’s just playing to the governor’s ego and hoping that Felix is shallow and vain enough to just accept whatever else he says. So let’s see what else he has to say.

:5-

Acts 24:5–9 CSB

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.

Ahh, here are the accusations. “He’s a plague, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the Roman world.” “He’s a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.” “He tried to desecrate the temple.” So we have some accusations, but we have no details. He’s a plague and an agitator. OK, what exactly did he do to agitate the Jews? Well, we actually know what he did to agitate the Jews don’t we? He taught that Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sins on the cross which means that the sacrificial system of Temple Judaism doesn’t need to continue which cuts out their means of ill-gotten income. But Tertullus couldn’t very well give those types of details now could he? So he just gives the vague accusation, “He’s an agitator.” OK.

What about the accusation of being, “a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.” Well, that one is true. Jesus grew up in Nazareth so he was often referred to as a Nazarene. The Jewish religious leaders began to refer to his followers as Nazarenes also. Many of his earliest followers were from Nazareth, but the term had come to be used for anyone who followed Jesus no matter where they were from. Paul was a follower of Christ, and he was one of the leaders of the church, so he was literally one of the “ringleaders of the sect of the Nazarenes.” But so what? To Ananias and Tertullus and the other Jewish religious leaders this was a horrible accusation. But to Felix? So what? That would be like a Baptist going in front of the Governor of Connecticut and raising an accusation against a Catholic because they baptize by sprinkling instead of by immersion. The governor is going to look at the Baptist and say, “So what? There’s no law about how someone should be baptized.” It was the same here. There was no law against following Christ so to Felix this accusation was meaningless.

Then there’s the accusation of desecrating the temple, or more accurately trying to desecrate the temple. Never mind the fact that this one is totally made up, Tertullus doesn’t even accuse him of actually doing it, but of only attempting to. Remember back in chapter 21 Paul was accused of bringing Greeks into the Temple. According to Jewish Law only Jewish males could enter the temple so bringing a Greek Gentile in would have broken the religious law and defiled the Temple. But Paul never did that. He never brought a Greek Gentile into the Temple. Now Tertullus has dropped the accusation from actually defiling the Temple to simply attempting to. Still didn’t happen. And it’s still a matter of Jewish religious law that Felix wouldn’t care about. “So he brought someone into a building? Yeah, don’t care. Go away now.”

So that’s the case against Paul. Vague accusations with no details that the Roman governor has no concern with anyway. But the governor allows Paul to answer his accusers. Let’s see what Paul has to say.

Acts 24:10-

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 says, “Almost all of what they said is absolutely false. You can verify for yourself what really happened in the temple. They have no proof of anything they are accusing me of. The only thing they said that is true is that I am a follower of Christ.” But then Paul turns it around on them and since they were accusing him of breaking Jewish law and custom he points out that he is the one who is following the law and the prophets. Jesus fulfilled every prophecy that was given to the Jews through the centuries to point them to the Messiah that would save mankind. Jesus is that Messiah and the Jewish leaders, who studied the law and knew the prophecies rejected him. So Paul is saying that he’s actually upholding the law better than they are because he accepts the fulfillment of that law and the prophecies that came in the person of Jesus while the men accusing him do not. So Paul turns things on their head. He points out the vagueness of the accusations. He basically says, “Give us some details, and prove it.” So what does the governor do with this new testimony? Well let’s keep reading.

Acts 24:2–23 CSB

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.

Acts 24:22–23 CSB

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.

Acts 24:22-

So Felix puts off the Jewish leaders. He says, “Let’s wait till the commander comes down from Jerusalem and then I’ll decide what needs to be done here.”

So Felix puts off the Jewish leaders. He says, “Let’s wait till the commander comes down from Jerusalem and then I’ll decide what needs to be done here.” Felix keeps Paul under guard, but remember last week I talked about it being a very strange prison that Paul was being held in there in Jerusalem? Well, it’s the same here in Caesarea. Paul is under guard, but it says he has some freedom and his friends can visit him and meet his needs. Again, I think its more of a protective custody to make sure the Jews don’t kill Paul.

Acts 24:24-

Acts 24:24–26 CSB

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.

A few days later Felix calls Paul in, without his Jewish accusers this time and Luke tells us that Felix, “listened to him on the subject of faith in Christ Jesus.” So Paul witnesses to Felix. He shares the gospel with him. And what is Felix’s response? Luke tells us he got scared and sent Paul away, but promises to call for him again. The power of the gospel was getting to Felix and he didn’t like it. He sent Paul away so he didn’t have to hear it anymore right then. But he was also a greedy man. At that time it was common for prisoners to offer a bribe to officials in order to get out of prison. Felix was hoping that Paul would bribe him so he kept calling him back and talking to him. But Paul was right where he wanted to be. Remember Paul is supposed to be going to Rome and what better way to get there than to be escorted by the Roman government. So Paul isn’t offering any bribes. He’s sharing the gospel and Luke doesn’t tell us this, but he’s beginning to write some of the letters to the churches that he had helped to plant.

Acts 24:27 CSB

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.

Acts 24:27

Two years! Paul sat in the “prison” in Caesarea for two years being called in periodically to talk with Felix. And eventually Felix was succeeded as governor by Porcius Festus. But Felix left Paul right where he was. And just like last week, we’re going to leave Paul there, in his prison in Herod’s palace in Caesarea.

But as always, we need to ask ourselves what this passage has to say to us today. Well, I realize this is using another example from history, and not from today, but I want to share a story with you.

In Oxford, England stands a striking statue of three men burned at the stake there in October of 1555: Thomas Cramner, Thomas Ridley, and Hugh Latimer, three of the most visible victims of Queen Mary’s persecution. Latimer had been twice imprisoned for the faith in the latter years of the reign of Henry the VIII for his stance.

Holman New Testament Commentary: Acts I. Introduction: Hugh Latimer before Henry VIII

In Oxford, England, which I visited recently, stands a striking statue of three men burned at the stake there in October of 1555: Thomas Cramner, Thomas Ridley, and Hugh Latimer, three of the most visible victims of Queen Mary’s persecution. Latimer had been twice imprisoned for the faith in the latter years of Henry’s reign, but he had remained a staunch defender of the Reformed doctrine of justification. He once wrote, “If I see the blood of Christ with the eye of my soul, that is true faith that his blood was shed for me.”

Most famous for his preaching at St. Paul’s Cross, Latimer was called before the king one day and demanded to offer public apology for what Henry found offensive in Latimer’s message. As the story goes, he read the same text he had used the previous Sunday and then said aloud,

Hugh Latimer, dost thou know before whom thou art this day to speak? To the high and mighty monarch, the king’s most excellent majesty, who can take away thy life if thou offendest: therefore, take heed that thou speakest not a word that may displease. But then consider well, Hugh, dost thou not know from whence thou comest—upon whose message thou art sent? Even by the great and mighty God, who is all-present and who beholdeth all thy ways, and who is able to cast thy soul into hell! Therefore, take care that thou deliverest thy message faithfully.

With that, Latimer began the same sermon he had preached to his congregation.

Most famous for his preaching at St. Paul’s Cross, Latimer was called before the king one day and demanded to offer public apology for something King Henry found offensive in Latimer’s message. As the story goes, the king read the same text Latimer had used the previous Sunday and then said aloud,

With that, Latimer began the same sermon he had preached to his congregation.

The king made sure that Latimer knew that he was offended and that he had the power to take Latimer’s life. But then he went on to remind him that the message he preached came not from him but from God and that he should take care to preach the message faithfully. Now King Henry probably meant this as further warning against offending him, but Latimer took him at his word and preached the exact same message that hand offended the king the first time he heard it. And that’s what I want us to get fro this story, and from the passage we read this morning. Hugh Latimer when he was standing before the King of England, the apostle Paul when he was standing before the officially appointed Roman governor, they had the same reaction. The message never changed. They were both falsely accused, but they both held on to their faith and they both preached the same message. That’s what we need to take from this passage this morning. Times change. New leaders come and go. The culture may change around us. But the message of the gospel is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Christ was crucified. He died in our place to pay for our sins. He was buried, but on the third day he rose again and anyone who places their faith in him and asks God to forgive their sins will be saved and spend eternity with God. The message never changes.