Acts 23-25

Acts 23

Paul begins defending himself before the Sanhedrin.

• He says: “I have lived my life before God in all good conscience…”
• The high priest Ananias son of Nedebaeus orders Paul to be struck.
  • Paul responds“God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall!”
• When told Ananias is the high priest, Paul quotes Exodus
  • “You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.” (Maybe sarcasm?) 

Paul recognizes within the council:

• some are Sadducees
• some are Pharisees

He cleverly declares he is a Pharisee himself and “It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”

• A major dispute erupts as he knows  the Sadducees denied resurrection and Pharisees affirmed it
• The argument becomes so violent that Roman soldiers remove Paul for protection.

Paul is placed in the barracks. 

In the night, the Lord stands by Paul and says “Take courage…”

Jesus promises:

• Paul testified in Jerusalem
• he will also testify in Rome

More than 40 Jews form a conspiracy to vow not to eat/drink until Paul is dead. Paul’s nephew learns of the plot and warns Roman authorities.

The Roman commander Claudius Lysias sends Paul to Caesarea under heavy guard (200 soldiers, 70 horsemen, 200 spearman!)

Paul is transferred to Governor Felix

A letter from the commander explains Paul has committed no crime deserving death. Paul remains in Herod’s headquarters awaiting trial.

Acts 24

The high priest and leaders arrive with lawyer Tertullus. They first flatter Roman governor (Felix). They then accuse Paul of:

• stirring riots
• leading a sect
  • Christianity is called “the sect of the Nazarenes.”
• profaning the temple

Paul explains:

• he came to worship
• he did not incite riots

Paul admits:

• he follows “the Way”
• he believes the Scriptures (Law)
• he believes in resurrection

Antonius Felix postpones judgment. He gives Paul some freedom while still in custody.

Felix and wife Drusilla hear Paul speak about:

• faith in Christ
• righteousness
• self-control
• coming judgment

He becomes frightened, but he repeatedly talks with Paul hoping for a bribe.

Paul remains imprisoned for two years

Acts 25

New governor Porcius Festus arrives.

Jewish leaders again request Paul be brought to Jerusalem

• Secretly they plan another ambush.
• Festus refuses and keeps proceedings in Caesarea.

Jewish leaders bring accusations they cannot prove. Paul maintains innocence.

• Festus asks whether Paul will go to Jerusalem.
• Paul responds “I appeal to Caesar.”
  • As a Roman citizen, Paul invokes his legal right to imperial trial before Caesar.
• Festus agrees “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.”

King Herod Agrippa II  (of some northern territories) and Bernice visit Festus. Festus explains Paul’s case.

• The dispute centers on “a certain Jesus, who was dead, but whom Paul asserted to be alive.”
• The resurrection remains the central controversy.
• Agrippa wants to hear Paul personally.

A grand public hearing is arranged. Agrippa and Bernice enter with military officials and prominent men

Festus admits a problem: he has no clear charges to send to Caesar.

Application

We see God protecting Paul throughout his travels. He stands by him in prison, protects him from mobs, and gives him wisdom and courage to stand up to leaders. What could we accomplish if we truly believed Jesus was standing by our side?