Acts 24:1-23

                                                                     Acts 24:1-23

And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul. And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: “Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude. But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him. By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.” The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so. And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied: “Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city. Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings. While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia— they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’” But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.

Paul finally gets to stand trial before the Jewish accusers and be judged by Felix, the governor.  The Jews have a lawyer and several witnesses while Paul is left to defend himself and is not permitted any witnesses. In many ways this looks to be some sort of “kangaroo court.”  However, God is in control, and He is enabling Paul to stand trial and give an account for his actions.

 

JEW’S ACCUSATION: So, after a brief moment of flattering the judge that they most certainly deeply resented, the accusations were laid out against Paul.  They called him a plague, accused him of inciting crowds to riot, being a ringleader of a cult, and profaning the temple.  The Jews that were brought as witnesses were quick to affirm that all of this was true.  From their perspective these things were true.  The Gospel was undermining their comfortable way of life and threatening their financial stability.  As we seek to advance the Gospel to the nations, it is important to realize that it is an offensive message to whatever they currently believe.  Our purpose is not to please people but to show them how they can be saved from sin.  Those who reject the message will very likely consider us to be plagues, cult leaders, and profaners of whatever they currently believe.  

 

PAUL’S ANSWER: Paul very calmly demonstrates that he is innocent of all these accusations.  Since his arrival in Jerusalem was only such a short time ago, it seems ludicrous to claim he could be responsible for dismantling Judaism.  He expresses his respect for the teachings of the fathers and the Law and then demonstrates that he had been in the temple according to all the Law had specified and that he was, in essence, just minding his own business when the Jews from Asia jumped to incorrect conclusions and started the riot.  The two things that he confesses are to being a follower of the Way and a believer in the resurrection.  He makes what he believes clear but defends his attitudes and actions.  It is never wrong for us to defend ourselves.  However, we must make use of every opportunity to proclaim the Gospel and point to Jesus.

 

FELIX’S AVOIDANCE: Felix had the testimony of the council that saw Paul as innocent.  The Jews had nothing that could condemn Paul.  He could have easily set Paul free at this moment.  However, he is a politician and eager to please people and wants to be able to share the blame if something goes wrong.  He avoids making a decision on his own and decides to wait for the arrival of Lysias before deciding the case.  People pleasing is paralyzing to strong and effective leadership.  If we desire to be effective leaders, we must be willing to take responsibility for our decisions and not always live in fear of potential consequences or seek to be popular.

 

APPLICATION: Be prepared to be unpopular when proclaiming the truth of God’s Word.  Fearlessly advance the Gospel no matter how unpopular that may be.  Don’t allow the opinions of others or the fear of criticism paralyze your ability to make decisions you know to be right.