Acts 24 (Wednesday Evening Bible Study)

Acts 24

• Context:
  • Last time we saw where Paul was rescued by the Roman commander in Jerusalem when there was a real threat to kill Paul.  He had Paul taken to Caesarea where the Roman governor of the region was. He also wrote a letter explaining the situation surrounding Paul.  Paul was placed under guard even though he is a Roman citizen awaiting the charges from the Jewish leaders.  What  we get from Luke in chapter 24 reads like a court transcript.
• Acts 24:1-4
• 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.
  • Who is Paul’s case being presented to who is the judge here?
    • The Roman Governor Felix
  • Does it make a difference what judge hears your case?
  • Do we know what kind of man Felix was?
    • He had been born a slave and granted his freedom by the mother of the emperor.  He was not a good Governor; there were many problems while he governed and the Jews pretty much hated him.  He used brutal measures to suppress any opposition.
    • Tacitus the historians say of him…that he practiced every kind of cruelty and lust…sounds like an unprincipled man
  • What does Tertullus try to do right from the beginning?
    • See verse 3 Use of Flattery. Was what the lawyer said true?  No…the Jews did not appreciate the Roman Governor Felix. 
• Acts 24:5-9
• 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. 8 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.
  • What are the charges that Tertullus brings against Paul? 5-7
    • 1. Political sedition (troublemaker) riots 
    • 2. Heresy- ringleader of the Nazarene Sect
    • 3. Attempting to desecrate the temple
  • What do you think is the most serious charge according to the Romans?
    • The 1st one
  • Is there any truth to any of these?
    • Paul never tried to start a riot but a lot of unrest followed him because of the gospel. Paul was a leader in the church.
    • It was the Jews in places like Damascus, Jerusalem, Pisidian Antioch, Thessalonica, and Corinth that fomented public disturbance.
• Acts 24:10-16
• 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.
  • How does Paul answer the 1st charge?
    • Verses 11-13 My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. 13 And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me
  • How does Paul handle the heresy charge?  Does he admit to being a Christian? Verses 14-16
    • 14 However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, 15 and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. Paul had more in common with these Jews religious than was different.
  • What does Paul connect “The Way” to has he speaks?
    • The way is not new but the fulfillment of ancient hope of Israel. Christianity is real Judaism, it is of Abraham, Moses, David and tied to the Messiah.
  • What does Paul bring up that will happen?
    • The resurrection…by doing this Paul shows this has nothing to do with Roman law…but is a Jewish issue.
• Acts 24:17-21
• 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.’”
  • How does Paul handle the charge against desecrating the temple?
    • Verses 17-18  17 “After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings. 18 I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance.
    • If they would investigate why Paul was in the temple they would find he provided offerings for fellow Jews. Paul was not causing a revolt and he was the one attacked.
  • Does Paul point out who should be there?
    • Jews from Asia that started all this.
  • How do you think Paul did rebutting these 3 charges?
  • What does Paul assert as the real reason he is on trial?
    • The resurrection of the dead.  Who’s resurrection?  Jesus
• Acts 24:22-26
• 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.
  • Do you think Felix had any doubts about Paul’s innocence?
    • Felix new about the Way; he knew that this was a religious question that no Roman law been broken.  Also he knows Paul is not a criminal because what does he allow Paul to do?
  • Why did Felix leave Paul under arrest?
    • He is waiting for a bribe
  • Felix and Drusilla have this private meeting with Paul…why do you think Felix cut the interview short?
    • Sounds like his conscience was bothering him…he seduced Drusilla his 3rd wife from her husband
  • What happens most the time when people wait for a more convenient time to hear or respond to the gospel?
    • The convenient time never comes
• Acts 24:27
• 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.
  • Nero calls Felix back to Rome…Why would Felix want to do a favor for the Jews and leave Paul in prison?
    • I wonder if they paid him off or maybe he thought the Jews would report what a good governor he had been.  Felix was not the type of person who did something for nothing.
  • What do you think Paul did for two years under guard with people able to visit him?
• TAKE AWAY
  • Do we still find public officials that are corrupt?  What can we do about it?
    • Take advantage of opportunities to share the gospel.  Even while in prison it appears Paul used every opportunity to share the gospel.
  • What can we do for those who would wait for a more convenient time to respond to the gospel?
  • How should we respond when false chargers are brought against us?  With the truth