• We left off with Paul in prison in Caesarea at Herod’s Palace where his friends were able to visit him.

Acts 24:27 -  After two years had passed, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix, and because Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, he left Paul in prison.[1]
 
APPEAL TO CAESAR
ACTS 25

• Spring, 60 AD
• Two years in prison with the thought of death lingering over his head.
• But he also trusted God and remembered that in Acts 23:11 – Jesus stood over Paul and said, “Have courage! For as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so it is necessary for you to testify in Rome.”[2]

1 Three days after Festus arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea.

• Knowing how important it was for him to get along well with the Jewish leaders, Festus lost no time in visiting the holy city and paying his respects; and the leaders lost no time in bringing up Paul’s case.
• The new high priest was Ishmael; he had replaced Jonathan who had been killed by Felix.
• Ishmael wanted to resurrect the plot of two years before and remove Paul once and for all.[3]

2 The chief priests and the leaders of the Jews presented their case against Paul to him; and they appealed, 3 asking for a favor against Paul, that Festus summon him to Jerusalem. They were, in fact, preparing an ambush along the road to kill him. 4 Festus, however, answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was about to go there shortly. 5 “Therefore,” he said, “let those of you who have authority go down with me and accuse him, if he has done anything wrong.”

• Was this Festus’ wisdom or was this the Lord’s plan to protect Paul?

6 When he had spent not more than eight or ten days among them, he went down to Caesarea. The next day, seated at the tribunal (judgment seat, “bema seat”), he commanded Paul to be brought in. 7 When he arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him and brought many serious charges that they were not able to prove. 8 Then Paul made his defense: “Neither against the Jewish law, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I sinned in any way.”
9 But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, replied to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to be tried before me there on these charges?”
10 Paul replied, “I am standing at Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as even you yourself know very well. 11 If then I did anything wrong and am deserving of death, I am not trying to escape death; but if there is nothing to what these men accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!”

• A Roman judge could not move a case to another court without the consent of the accused, and Paul refused to go!
• Instead, he claimed the right of every Roman citizen to appeal to Caesar.[4]
• He knew his fate at the hands of leadership in Jerusalem and also knew that he would have protection for his trip to Rome.
• With one statement, he paved his way to safety and greatly disappointed the Sanhedrin.

12 Then after Festus conferred with his council, he replied, “You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you will go.”

• Festus is legally bound to write a report to Caesar and send it with Paul to Rome.
• But Festus doesn’t have anything to charge Paul with base upon what he has heard from the Sanhedrin.
• He agrees to send Paul to Nero to be judged.

 
KING AGRIPPA AND BERNICE VISIT FESTUS
13 Several days later, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived in Caesarea and paid a courtesy call on Festus.

• This youthful king, the last of the Herodians to rule, was the great-grandson of the Herod who killed the Bethlehem babes, and the son of the Herod who killed the Apostle James (Acts 12).
• Acts 12:23 - At once an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give the glory to God, and he was eaten by worms and died.[5]
• The fact that his sister lived with him created a great deal of suspicion on the part of the Jewish people, for their Law clearly condemned incest (Lev. 18:1–18; 20:11–21).
• Rome had given Herod Agrippa II legal jurisdiction over the temple in Jerusalem, so it was logical that Festus share Paul’s case with him.[6]

14 Since they were staying there several days, Festus presented Paul’s case to the king, saying, “There’s a man who was left as a prisoner by Felix. 15 When I was in Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews presented their case and asked that he be condemned. 16 I answered them that it is not the Roman custom to give someone up before the accused faces the accusers and has an opportunity for a defense against the charges. 17 So when they had assembled here, I did not delay. The next day I took my seat at the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought in. 18 The accusers stood up but brought no charge against him of the evils I was expecting. 19 Instead they had some disagreements with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, a dead man Paul claimed to be alive. 20 Since I was at a loss in a dispute over such things, I asked him if he wanted to go to Jerusalem and be tried there regarding these matters. 21 But when Paul appealed to be held for trial by the Emperor (Nero), I ordered him to be kept in custody until I could send him to Caesar.”
22 Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear the man myself.”
“Tomorrow you will hear him,” he replied.

• Herod was much more knowledgeable of Jewish law than Festus.
• He had lived in the area and dealt with many Jewish situations already.
• Perhaps he could help Festus come up with the crime to charge Paul with before he is sent to Rome.

 
PAUL BEFORE AGRIPPA
23 So the next day, Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the auditorium with the military commanders and prominent men of the city.

• This same accusation has been around for two years.
• Everyone was very familiar with Paul’s plight.
• They wanted to see how the soap opera would end… or continue.
• Acts 9:15-16 - But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is my chosen instrument to take my name to Gentiles, kings, and Israelites. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”[7]

When Festus gave the command, Paul was brought in. 24 Then Festus said, “King Agrippa and all men present with us, you see this man. The whole Jewish community has appealed to me concerning him, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he should not live any longer. 25 I found that he had not done anything deserving of death, but when he himself appealed to the Emperor, I decided to send him. 26 I have nothing definite to write to my lord about him. Therefore, I have brought him before all of you, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after this examination is over, I may have something to write. 27 For it seems unreasonable to me to send a prisoner without indicating the charges against him.”
 
PAUL’S DEFENSE BEFORE AGRIPPA
26 Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense: 2 “I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 especially since you are very knowledgeable about all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.

• This is Paul’s longest speech in Acts.
• Pomp & circumstance… wedding… now listen to me.

1. Paul was a Pharisee

4 “All the Jews know my way of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own people and in Jerusalem. 5 They have known me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived as a Pharisee. (son of a Pharisee) 6 And now I stand on trial because of the hope in what God promised to our ancestors, 7 the promise our twelve tribes hope to reach as they earnestly serve him night and day. King Agrippa, I am being accused by the Jews because of this hope. 8 Why do any of you (plural… looking at the Pharisees)

• The Greeks, Romans and Sadducees did not believe in resurrection.

consider it incredible that God raises the dead? 9 In fact, I myself was convinced that it was necessary to do many things in opposition to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 I actually did this in Jerusalem, and I locked up many of the saints in prison, since I had received authority for that from the chief priests. When they were put to death, I was in agreement against them. 11 In all the synagogues I often punished them and tried to make them blaspheme. Since I was terribly enraged at them, I pursued them even to foreign cities.

• “I am the chief of all sinners.”

 
PAUL’S ACCOUNT OF HIS CONVERSION AND COMMISSION

1. Paul saw the Light

12 “I was traveling to Damascus under these circumstances with authority and a commission from the chief priests. 13 King Agrippa, while on the road at midday, I saw a light from heaven brighter than the sun, shining around me and those traveling with me.

• Blinded for three days.
• Lived in spiritual darkness as a Pharisee
• He walked in religion that killed (the Law)
• He didn’t realize what he knew so well was the instrument for him to see that he needed a Savior.
• And then he saw the Light (grace)

1. Paul heard a voice.

14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice speaking to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

• Like an animal that fights the prods.

15 “I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’
“And the Lord replied, ‘I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. 16 But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant (minister)

• An “under-rower” – a lowly servant on a galley ship.
• From being an honored leader to a humble subordinate worker.

and a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. 17 I will rescue you from your people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

• Rescued from religion to salvation.

1. Paul was not disobedient

19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. 20 Instead, I preached to those in Damascus first, and to those in Jerusalem and in all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works worthy of repentance. 21 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and were trying to kill me.

• It is because he equated the Gentiles with the Jews when it came to receiving salvation.

1. Paul continues to this day

22 To this very day, I have had help from God, and I stand and testify to both small and great, saying nothing other than what the prophets and Moses said would take place--23 that the Messiah would suffer, and that, as the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light to our people and to the Gentiles.”

• He said it… the word “Gentiles” and the place went nuts!
• Paul and the apostles only had the Old Testament to teach from.
• They used the Scripture to lead people to Jesus.
• Isaiah 49:6 - he says, “It is not enough for you to be my servant raising up the tribes of Jacob and restoring the protected ones of Israel. I will also make you a light for the nations, to be my salvation to the ends of the earth.”[8]​

 
AGRIPPA NOT QUITE PERSUADED
24 As he was saying these things in his defense, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You’re out of your mind, Paul! Too much study is driving you mad.”

• How could the governor plead ignorance?
• When Jesus was on trial, The Jewish Sanhedrin was involved and so was the Roman governor, Pilate.
• Jesus of Nazareth had been a famous public figure for at least three years, and huge crowds had followed Him.[9]
• There had to be a part of understanding on Festus’ part.
• Who would send a crazy man to the Emperor?
• Festus was being convicted.

25 But Paul replied, “I’m not out of my mind, most excellent Festus. On the contrary, I’m speaking words of truth and good judgment. 26 For the king knows about these matters, and I can speak boldly to him. For I am convinced that none of these things has escaped his notice, since this was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you believe.”

• How could he say “no” with Sanhedrin standing in front of him?
• He needed to be on good standing with the Jews.

28 Agrippa said to Paul, “Are you going to persuade me to become a Christian so easily?”

• Festus dismissed Paul by calling him crazy.
• Agrippa basically said, “Do you think your little story is going to cause me to trust in Jesus?”

29 “I wish before God,” replied Paul, “that whether easily or with difficulty, not only you but all who listen to me today might become as I am—except for these chains.”

• Paul was passionately trying for Festus and Agrippa to hear his words and come to salvation.
• To a point where they both were uncomfortable and decided to end this escapade.

30 The king, the governor, Bernice, and those sitting with them got up, 31 and when they had left they talked with each other and said, “This man is not doing anything to deserve death or imprisonment.”
32 Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been released if he had not appealed to Caesar.”[10]

• Paul knew he had to get to Rome.

[1] Christian Standard Bible (Ac 24:27). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (Ac 23:11). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 503). Victor Books.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 503). Victor Books.
[5] Christian Standard Bible (Ac 12:23). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 503). Victor Books
[7] Christian Standard Bible (Ac 9:15–16). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] Christian Standard Bible (Is 49:6). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 506). Victor Books.
[10] Christian Standard Bible (Ac 25:1–26:32). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.

• We left last week with Paul in the hands of the Roman soldiers and in their barracks.
• He had been captured (actually rescued) by the Romans because the Jews were trying to kill him.
• They had not actual evidence against Paul.
• Paul stood before the Sanhedrin and presented the Gospel to them one more time… and they still wanted to kill him.
• Paul’s life had been in danger from the very beginning of his ministry, when he witnessed for Christ in Damascus (Acts 9:22–25).
• During his first visit to Jerusalem after his conversion, the Hellenistic Jews tried to kill him (Acts 9:29).
• The Jews drove him out of Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:50–51) and threatened to stone him in Iconium (Acts 14:5).
• Paul was stoned in Lystra (Acts 14:19–20); and in Corinth, the Jews tried to get him arrested (Acts 18:12–17).
• In Ephesus, the Jews had a plot to kill him (Acts 20:19), and they even planned to kill him at sea (Acts 20:3).
• Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 2:14–16 take on special meaning when you consider all that Paul suffered at the hands of his own countrymen.[1]
• The man literally spent his ministry years teaching the Gospel of Jesus and escaping for his life.
• Once again, we find him in the same predicament.

 
THE PLOT AGAINST PAUL
ACTS 23
12 When it was morning, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. 13 There were more than forty who had formed this plot. 14 These men went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves under a solemn curse that we won’t eat anything until we have killed Paul.

• At Paul’s conversion, the Lord had told him that he would suffer, but He had also promised that He would deliver him from his enemies (Acts 9:15–16; 26:16–17).
• Paul held on to that promise all of his life, and God was faithful.[2]

15 So now you, along with the Sanhedrin, make a request to the commander that he bring him down to you as if you were going to investigate his case more thoroughly. But, before he gets near, we are ready to kill him.”
16 But the son of Paul’s sister, hearing about their ambush, came and entered the barracks and reported it to Paul.

• This is the only mention of Paul’s sister and nephew in the Scripture.
• We know from verse 6 that Paul said he is the son of Pharisees so his Dad was a Pharisee.
• Therefore, his sister was deeply connected in the shenanigans of the Pharisees.

17 Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander (Claudius Lysias), because he has something to report to him.”
18 So he took him, brought him to the commander, and said, “The prisoner Paul called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, because he has something to tell you.”
19 The commander took him by the hand, led him aside, and inquired privately, “What is it you have to report to me?”
20 “The Jews,” he said, “have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the Sanhedrin tomorrow, as though they are going to hold a somewhat more careful inquiry about him. 21 Don’t let them persuade you, because there are more than forty of them lying in ambush—men who have bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they have killed him. Now they are ready, waiting for your consent.”
22 So the commander dismissed the young man and instructed him, “Don’t tell anyone that you have informed me about this.”

• Throughout the Book of Acts, Dr. Luke speaks favorably of the Roman military officers, beginning with Cornelius in Acts 10 and ending with Julius (Acts 27:1, 3, 43).
• There is no record in Acts of official Roman persecution against the church; the opposition was instigated by the unbelieving Jews.
• While the Empire had its share of corrupt political opportunists, for the most part, the military leaders were men of quality who respected the Roman law.[3]

 
TO CAESAREA BY NIGHT

• Claudius’ plan was simple and wise.
• He knew that he had to get Paul out of Jerusalem or there would be one murderous plot after another, and one of them just might succeed.
• He also knew that he had better determine the charges against Paul or he might be accused of illegally holding a Roman citizen.
• He could solve both problems by sending Paul to Caesarea and putting him under the authority of Felix, the Roman governor.[4]

23 He summoned two of his centurions and said, “Get two hundred soldiers ready with seventy cavalry and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight. 24 Also provide mounts to ride so that Paul may be brought safely to Felix the governor.”

• If Paul had been a private citizen, attempting to travel from Jerusalem to Caesarea (about sixty-five miles), he would have been an easy target for the conspirators.
• But God arranged for 470 Roman soldiers to protect him, almost half of the men in the temple garrison!
• Once again in his career, Paul was smuggled out of a city under cover of night (Acts 9:25; 17:10).[5]
• Paul spent only 7 days in Jerusalem.

25 He wrote the following letter:
26 Claudius Lysias,
To the most excellent governor Felix:
Greetings.
27 When this man had been seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them, I arrived with my troops and rescued him because I learned that he is a Roman citizen. 28 Wanting to know the charge they were accusing him of, I brought him down before their Sanhedrin. 29 I found out that the accusations were concerning questions of their law, and that there was no charge that merited death or imprisonment. 30 When I was informed that there was a plot against the man, I sent him to you right away. I also ordered his accusers to state their case against him in your presence.

• 7 “I”’s in this short letter.
• Verse 29 – Official statement that Romans didn’t consider being a “Christian” a crime.

31 So the soldiers took Paul during the night and brought him to Antipatris (auntee-paw-trees) as they were ordered.

• 37 miles through the night

32 The next day, they returned to the barracks, allowing the cavalry to go on with him.

• The 200 soldiers returned to the barracks.
• Another 27 miles with the cavalry since the dangerous part of the trip was over.

33 When these men entered Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him.

• Antonius Felix was governor (procurator) of Judea.
• He was married to Drusilla, a Jewess who was daughter of Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:1) and who left her husband to become Felix’s third wife.
• She was sister of Herod Agrippa II (Acts 25:13ff).
• The Roman historian Tacitus said that Felix “exercised the power of a king in the spirit of a slave.”
• Felix was called “a vulgar ruffian” and lived up to the name.[6]

34 After he read it, he asked what province he was from. When he learned he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will give you a hearing whenever your accusers also get here.” He ordered that he be kept under guard in Herod’s palace.

• Herod’s Palace video

 
THE ACCUSATION AGAINST PAUL
24 Five days later Ananias the high priest came down (you always come “down” from Jerusalem) with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus (tear-tull-us). 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.

• You always begin with flattery in hopes of winning the judge over.
• But why did it take so many men to safely bring Paul to Caesarea?
• The lawyer’s flattery was worth about as much as his accusations.

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,

• Accusation #1 – The Jews wanted to keep their traditions but Paul was saying they were unnecessary.

and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

• Accusation #2 – He was disturbing Roman peace.

6 He even tried to desecrate the temple, and so we apprehended him.

• Accusation #3 – By bringing a gentile into the inner court of the temple.

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.

• When you compare Luke’s account of Paul’s arrest (Acts 21:27–40) with the captain’s account (Acts 23:25–30) and the lawyer’s account (Acts 24:6–8), you can well understand why judges and juries can get confused.[7]
• Felix was going to believe Claudius’ letter before he believed anyone else.

 
PAUL’S DEFENSE BEFORE FELIX
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.

• Acknowledges Felix service but does not butter him up.

11 You can verify for yourself that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem.

• 7 days in Jerusalem and 5 days in Caesarea waiting for Ananias.
• Day 1—Paul arrived in Jerusalem (21:17)
• Day 2—Met with James and the elders (21:18)
• Day 3—In the temple with the Nazarites (21:26)
• Day 4—In the temple
• Day 5—In the temple
• Day 6—Arrested in the temple (21:27)
• Day 7—Met with the Jewish council (23:1–10)
• Day 8—Threatened; taken to Caesarea (23:12, 23)
• Day 9—Arrived in Caesarea (23:33)
• Day 10—Waited (Felix sent for the Jewish leaders)
• Day 11—Waited for the Jewish leaders to arrive
• Day 12—Waited—they arrived—hearing scheduled
• Day 13—The hearing conducted

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.

• Paul had previously made a promise with the Jewish elders that he would focus on the Gentiles and leave the Jews in Jerusalem alone.

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.

• Everything Paul was teaching was perfectly in line with the Old Testament Scripture.
• And Jesus has come as the expected Messiah.

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.

• The Jerusalem offering gathered by the Gentiles.

18 While I was doing this, some Jews from Asia found me ritually purified in the temple, without a crowd and without any uproar.

• Temple records show that Paul paid for himself and 4 others to be ritually purified.

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.’”

• Is the resurrection issue what they are arresting Paul for?
  ​
  

THE VERDICT POSTPONED
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.”

• Which he never did.

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.

• Agibus and others loved in this area.

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.

• Paul discipled Felix and his wife.

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.[8]

• Paul spent 2 years in prison in Caesarea.

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 496). Victor Books.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 496). Victor Books.
[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 496). Victor Books.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 496). Victor Books.
[5] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 496). Victor Books.
[6] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 497). Victor Books.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 499). Victor Books.
[8] Christian Standard Bible (Ac 23:12–24:27). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.

• We left off with Paul being bound up with 2 chains and taken to the top of the Roman soldier barracks at the Temple. (Antonia Fortress)

 
ACTS 21:40
40 After he had given permission,

• By Commander Claudius Lysias who was looking for a charge to write in his report)

Paul stood on the steps and motioned with his hand to the people. When there was a great hush, he addressed them in Aramaic: (Hebrew)
 
ACTS 22
1 “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense before you.” 2 When they heard that he was addressing them in Aramaic, they became even quieter. 3 He continued, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strictness of our ancestral law. I was zealous for God, just as all of you are today.

• Galatians 1:13-14 - For you have heard about my former way of life in Judaism: I intensely persecuted God’s church and tried to destroy it. 14 I advanced in Judaism beyond many contemporaries among my people, because I was extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors.[1]

4 I persecuted this Way (John 14:6) to the death, arresting and putting both men and women in jail, 5 as both the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about me. After I received letters from them to the brothers, I traveled to Damascus to arrest those who were there and bring them to Jerusalem to be punished.

• 1 Timothy 1:15 - This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them.[2]

 
PAUL’S TESTIMONY (Acts 9)
6 “As I was traveling and approaching Damascus, about noon an intense light from heaven suddenly flashed around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’
8 “I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’
“He said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, the one you are persecuting.’ 9 Now those who were with me saw the light, but they did not hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me.

• The crowd, who believes Jesus was an imposter Messiah, and the disciples stole his body from the tomb, was listening because they have always believed and were interested in miracles.
• Jesus revealed Himself to Paul and no one else in the party.
• Remember when you came to the realization that Jesus was the Messiah?

10 “I said, ‘What should I do, Lord?’
“The Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything that you have been assigned to do.’
11 “Since I couldn’t see because of the brightness of the light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and went into Damascus. 12 Someone named Ananias, a devout man according to the law, who had a good reputation with all the Jews living there, 13 came and stood by me and said, ‘Brother Saul, regain your sight.’ And in that very hour I looked up and saw him. 14 And he said, ‘The God of our ancestors has appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear the words from his mouth, 15 since you will be a witness for him to all people of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now, why are you delaying? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
17 “After I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw him telling me, ‘Hurry and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’
19 “But I said, ‘Lord, they know that in synagogue after synagogue I had those who believed in you imprisoned and beaten. 20 And when the blood of your witness Stephen was being shed, I stood there giving approval and guarding the clothes of those who killed him.’

• “I am the worst of sinners.”

21 “He said to me, ‘Go, because I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”
 
PAUL’S ROMAN PROTECTION
22 They listened to him up to this point. Then they raised their voices, shouting, “Wipe this man off the face of the earth! He should not be allowed to live!”

• As soon as Paul said the word “gentiles” they turned on him.
• If Putin had the same conversion experience today, people would still turn on him.

23 As they were yelling and flinging aside their garments and throwing dust into the air, 24 the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, directing that he be interrogated with the scourge to discover the reason they were shouting against him like this.

• Paul was speaking in Aramaic/Hebrew and the Roman soldiers could not understand him.
• They believed that Paul was instigating/antagonizing the crowd for some reason.
• The interrogation could result in crippling or near death just to get the truth out of Paul.

25 As they stretched him out for the lash, Paul said to the centurion standing by, “Is it legal for you to scourge a man who is a Roman citizen and is uncondemned?”

• It was unlawful for a Roman citizen to be flogged/scourged without a trial.

26 When the centurion heard this, he went and reported to the commander, saying, “What are you going to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.”
27 The commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?”
“Yes,” he said.
28 The commander replied, “I bought this citizenship for a large amount of money.”

• It was most likely a bribe because Roman citizenship could not be bought.

“But I was born a citizen,” Paul said.

•  Paul was a Roman citizen by birth, and Tarsus, where Paul was born, was a free city (see Acts 21:39).
• The Emperor Pompey made Cilicia a Roman province in 64 BC, and its capital, Tarsus, was a free city from the time of Augustus.
• Although it is unknown exactly how his parents became citizens of Rome, Paul was a Roman citizen by birth, which was a privilege many did not have.

29 So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately. The commander too was alarmed when he realized Paul was a Roman citizen and he had bound him.

• No doubt Claudius and his men were especially kind to Paul now that they knew he was a Roman citizen.
• God was using the great power of the Empire to protect His servant and eventually get him to Rome.[3]

 
PAUL BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN
30 The next day, since he wanted to find out exactly why Paul was being accused by the Jews,

• Claudius was still determined to find out the reason for him being beaten and arrested so he could fill out his report and also tell Paul why he was being arrested.

he released him and instructed the chief priests and all the Sanhedrin to convene. He brought Paul down and placed him before them.

• This group was composed of seventy (or seventy-one) of the leading Jewish teachers, with the high priest presiding.
• 1 High Priest (Ananias), 35 Pharisees and 35 Sadducees.
• It was their responsibility to interpret and apply the sacred Jewish Law to the affairs of the nation, and to try those who violated that Law.
• The Romans gave the council permission to impose capital punishment where the offense deserved it.[4]
• Commander Claudius and his men stayed for the trial because it would be unlawful for Paul to be hurt while in their authority and have no charges against him.

 
ACTS 23
1 Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers (identifying himself as a Jew), I have lived (as a Jewish citizen) my life before God in all good conscience to this day.”

• Paul has lived his life according to the Jewish Law.
• “Conscience” is one of Paul’s favorite words; he used it twice in Acts (23:1; 24:16) and twenty-one times in his letters.
• The word means “to know with, to know together.”
• Conscience is the inner “judge” or “witness” that approves when we do right and disapproves when we do wrong (Rom. 2:15).
• Conscience does not make the standards; it only applies the standards of the person, whether they are good or bad, right or wrong.
• Cain didn’t have any laws when he killed his brother… but he did have a conscience.
• Paul had persecuted the church and had even caused innocent people to die, so how could he claim to have a good conscience?
• He had lived up to the light that he had, and that is all that a good conscience requires.[5]

2 The high priest Ananias (not to be confused with Annas in Acts 4:6) ordered those who were standing next to him to strike him on the mouth.

• Jesus had been treated just the same.
• John 18:22 - When he had said these things, one of the officials standing by slapped Jesus, saying, “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” [6]

3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! You are sitting there judging me according to the law, and yet in violation of the law are you ordering me to be struck?”
4 Those standing nearby said, “Do you dare revile God’s high priest?”
5 “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest,” replied Paul.

• Paul had been on the road for 12+ years.
• Identifiers of the High Priest might not have been the same… or it was just late at night.

“For it is written, You must not speak evil of a ruler of your people.” (Exodus 22:28)

• When called to account for what he had said, Paul did not apologize.
• Rather, he showed respect for the office but not for the man.
• Ananias was indeed one of the most corrupt men ever to be named high priest.
• He stole tithes from the other priests and did all he could to increase his authority.
• He was known as a brutal man who cared more for Rome’s favor than for Israel’s welfare.
• Paul spoke prophetically, because God did indeed smite this wicked man.
• When the Jews revolted against Rome in the year 66, Ananias had to flee for his life because of his known sympathies with Rome.
• The Jewish guerrillas found him hiding in an aqueduct at Herod’s palace, and they killed him. It was a dishonorable death for a despicable man.[7]

6 When Paul realized that one part of them were Sadducees and the other part were Pharisees,

• This would be similar to being in a Senate meeting with Republicans and Democrats.

he cried out in the Sanhedrin, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am being judged because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead!” 7 When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say there is no resurrection, and neither angel nor spirit, but the Pharisees affirm them all.

• Paul redirected the issue from himself to the Sanhedrin.
• Paul was not speaking about resurrection in general… he was speaking the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
• He was proclaiming the Gospel to the Sanhedrin.

9 The shouting grew loud, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party got up and argued vehemently, “We find nothing evil in this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?”

• Since Paul believed in the resurrection of Jesus, he automatically fell to the side of the Pharisees, especially since he had been one in the past.

10 When the dispute became violent, the commander feared that Paul might be torn apart by them and ordered the troops to go down, take him away from them, and bring him into the barracks.

• The second time the Roman Empire came to rescue Paul from an angry crowd.

11 The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Have courage! For as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so it is necessary for you to testify in Rome.”[8]

• Rome? You mean, Paul is finally going to get to Rome… and not even on his own dime?
• The Lord’s message to Paul was one of courage. “Be of good cheer!” simply means “Take courage!”
• Jesus often spoke these words during His earthly ministry. He spoke them to the palsied man (Matt. 9:2) and to the woman who suffered with the hemorrhage (Matt. 9:22).
• He shouted them to the disciples in the storm (Matt. 14:27), and repeated them in the Upper Room (John 16:33).
• As God’s people, we can always take courage in times of difficulty because the Lord is with us and will see us through.[9]
  ​

[1] Christian Standard Bible (Ga 1:13–14). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (1 Ti 1:15). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 493). Victor Books.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 494). Victor Books.
[5] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 494). Victor Books.
[6] Christian Standard Bible (Jn 18:22). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 494). Victor Books.
[8] Christian Standard Bible (Ac 21:40–23:11). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 495). Victor Books.

• We left off last week with Paul and guys making their way to Jerusalem.
• They were constantly warned and prayed over concerning their return to Jerusalem.
• 1st Missionary Trip was 47-50 AD
• 2nd Missionary Trip was 50-53 AD
• 3rd Missionary Trip was 54-58 AD
• 12 years of church planting
• 12 years of being away from Jerusalem on a regular basis.
• Think about what all has occurred in our last 2 years with a pandemic and now the Ukraine/Russia war.
• So much change has occurred in 12 years.
• But Jesus has been gone for over 25 years.

 
 
CONFLICT OVER THE GENTILE MISSION
ACTS 21:15-39
15 After this we got ready and went up to Jerusalem.

• 64 mile trip (3 days walking)

16 Some of the disciples from Caesarea also went with us and brought us to Mnason of Cyprus (the little island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea), an early disciple, with whom we were to stay.

• Mnason was a gentile who was now living in Jerusalem with the Church.
• It made sense because of Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles and the men traveling with him.
• It would be unacceptable for the Jews to house the Gentiles.

17 When we reached Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters (the Church) welcomed us warmly. 18 The following day Paul went in with us to James (Jesus’ half-brother), and all the elders were present. 19 After greeting them, he reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.

• He is telling salvation stories, etc.
• He gives them the fund that was collected by the Gentiles for the Church in Jerusalem.
• Luke never mentions the fund in Acts.
• Paul never mentions it in the letters to come.
• Paul thought it was going to be unifier between the Jews and the Gentiles.
• It obviously didn’t have the effect that Paul thought it would.
• Paul was being obedient to the Spirit.
• I’m assuming they took the money.
• Paul was not responsible for the fund once it was given to the Church.

20 When they heard it, they glorified God and said, “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law.

• They glorified God about what Paul had told them but immediately began telling Paul about the conversions there in Jerusalem.
• They love Jesus… but they also are zealous for the Law.
• The Mosaic Law that was given to the Jews.

21 But they have been informed about you—that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to abandon Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or to live according to our customs.

• It is now obvious that the elders have heard rumors about Paul’s teachings and were prepared for his return to Jerusalem.
• After the warm greetings of fellowship, it is time to turn on Paul.

22 So what is to be done? They will certainly hear that you’ve come.

• So what are we supposed to do now that you are here and everyone believes all these rumors?
• They are expecting us to confront you and prove that these rumors are not true.

23 Therefore do what we tell you: We have four men who have made a vow (Nazarite). 24 Take these men, purify yourself along with them, and pay for them to get their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that what they were told about you amounts to nothing, but that you yourself are also careful about observing the law.

• This was purely Jewish rituals.

25 With regard to the Gentiles who have believed, we have written a letter containing our decision that they should keep themselves from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from what is strangled, and from sexual immorality.”

• Acts 15 - They were not worried about what Paul taught the Gentile believers, because the relationship of the Gentiles to the Law had been settled at the Jerusalem Conference (Acts 15).[1]
• This was between 1st & 2nd Missionary Journey.
• January 2020
• Paul gave them a few Jewish laws to give to the Gentiles to appease the Jews.

 
THE RIOT IN THE TEMPLE COMPLEX
26 So the next day, Paul took the men, having purified himself along with them, and entered the temple, announcing the completion of the purification days when the offering would be made for each of them.

• Paul went the through the rituals with the men but never had to take the vow (because it was done years ago).
• Whatever it takes for people to hear the Gospel.
• We can put up with a lot of unnecessities just to have the opportunity to share Truth.
• The same grace that gave the Gentiles freedom to abstain also gave the Jews freedom to observe.
• It seems incredible that Paul’s enemies would accuse him of these things, for all the evidence was against them.
• Paul had Timothy circumcised before taking him along on that second missionary journey (Acts 16:1–3).
• Paul had taken a Jewish vow while in Corinth (Acts 18:18), and it was his custom not to offend the Jews in any way by deliberately violating their customs or the Law of Moses (1 Cor. 9:19–23).
• However, rumors are not usually based on fact, but thrive on half-truths, prejudices, and outright lies.[2]

27 When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd, and seized him, 28 shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people, our law, and this place. What’s more, he also brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” 29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.

• In the temple, separating the court of the Gentiles from the other courts, stood a wall beyond which no Gentile was allowed to go.
• Picture of the Temple
• Ephesians 2:14 -  For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility.[3]
• On the wall was this solemn inscription: “No foreigner may enter within the barricade which surrounds the sanctuary and enclosure. Anyone who is caught so doing will have himself to blame for his ensuing death.”
• The Romans had granted the Jewish religious leaders authority to deal with anybody who broke this law, and this included the right of execution.
• This law plays an important role in what happened to Paul a week after he and the four Nazarites began their purification ceremonies.[4]
• So now we are listening to Jews who were dispersed (probably into Ephesus) and believe in Jesus but still practice Jewish Law.
• They have returned to Jerusalem for Pentecost.
• But they are obviously against Paul and establish a rumor they cannot prove… we call this fake news. Satan still uses the same tactics today.
• They saw Paul walking with Trophimus in the city so they assumed that he walked with Paul into the Temple. But they still had no proof.

30 The whole city was stirred up, and the people rushed together. They seized Paul, dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut.

• Boom!!! One false statement against Paul by a foreigner and the whole place went nuts!

31 As they were trying to kill him, word went up to the commander of the regiment that all Jerusalem was in chaos. 32 Taking along soldiers and centurions, he immediately ran down to them.

• This would be Commander Claudius Lysias (according to Acts 23:26)
• Centurions is plural so we know there were at least 2.
• Centurions are commanders of 100 soldiers so there were at least 200 Romans soldiers present.

Seeing the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33 Then the commander approached, took him into custody, and ordered him to be bound with two chains.

• Remember verse 10 last week when Agabus took Paul’s belt and dramatically tied his hands and feet with it?
• Two chains… one for his hands and one for his feet.
• The captain actually thought Paul was an Egyptian rebel who was wanted by the Romans for inciting a revolt. (vs. 38)

He asked who he was and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd were shouting one thing and some another. Since he was not able to get reliable information because of the uproar, he ordered him to be taken into the barracks.

• The original accusers were nowhere around.
• Everyone started shouting rumors.
• He ate a cheeseburger!
• Barracks – Antonia Fortress, where Herod kept up to 1,000 soldiers.

35 When Paul got to the steps (two flights), he had to be carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, 36 for the mass of people followed, yelling, “Get rid of him!”
 
PAUL’S DEFENSE BEFORE THE JERUSALEM MOB
37 As he was about to be brought into the barracks, Paul said to the commander, “Am I allowed to say something to you?”
He replied, “You know how to speak Greek? 38 Aren’t you the Egyptian who started a revolt some time ago and led four thousand men of the Assassins into the wilderness?”

• Now the commander realizes this is not the man who he thought Paul was.

39 Paul said, “I am a Jewish man from Tarsus of Cilicia, a citizen of an important city. Now I ask you, let me speak to the people.”[5]

• The commander allows Paul to speak… but not until next Sunday!

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 490). Victor Books
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, pp. 490–491). Victor Books.
[3] Christian Standard Bible (Eph 2:14). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 491). Victor Books.
[5] Christian Standard Bible (Ac 21:15–39). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.