Review:

• Jacob (Israel) and his family of 70 people transferred to Egypt with Joseph.
• Jacob moved from Canaan to Egypt about 1876 B.C., during the reign of Pharaoh Senusert III (Sesostris, ca. 1878-1871).
• His predecessor, Senusert II (1894-1878), would have been the man whose dream Joseph interpreted and who made Joseph his 1st in command.
• Moses, who lived from about 1525 to 1405 B.C., wrote Exodus (17:14; 24:4; 34:4, 27-29).
• Exodus embraces about 431 years of history, from the arrival of Jacob and his family in Egypt (ca. 1876 B.C.) to the erection of the Tabernacle in the wilderness of Sinai (ca. 1445 B.C.).
• However, 1:1-7 is a review of Jacob's family.
• If we eliminate this section, the narrative resumes the story of the Israelites where Genesis ends, after Joseph's death.
• About 364 years elapsed between Joseph's death and the Tabernacle's building.
• The bulk of the book (chs. 3—40) deals with only two of those years, the year before and the year after the Exodus from Egypt.
• The Exodus event is the focus of this book.
• The Israelites lived in Egypt 430 years (12:40).
• Genesis 15:13 has the rounded number "400 years" as the total time of Israel's oppression in Egypt.
• It may be helpful to remember that about 400 years elapsed between the end of Malachi and the beginning of Matthew and that about 400 years elapsed between the end of Genesis and the beginning of Exodus.
• The deliverance of Israel out of Egypt by Yahweh in the Old Testament is parallel in importance to the resurrection of Christ in the New Testament.
• The historicity of these events is a critical foundation for adequately understanding the rest of the Bible.

 
ISRAEL OPPRESSED IN EGYPT
EXODUS 1
1 These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob; each came with his family:

• NASB ’95 – “Now” – We couldn’t have Exodus without Genesis.

2 Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah;
3 Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin;
4 Dan and Naphtali; Gad and Asher.
5 The total number of Jacob’s descendants was seventy;, Joseph was already in Egypt.
6 Joseph and all his brothers and all that generation eventually died. 7 But the Israelites were fruitful, increased rapidly, multiplied, and became extremely numerous so that the land was filled with them.

• His purpose was to contrast the small number of Israelites that entered Egypt, with the large number that existed when Moses was born, which was about two million individuals (cf. 12:37; 38:26; Num. 1:45-47). 603,550 men

8 A new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power in Egypt.

• The "new king" may have been Ahmose (Gr. Amosis), who founded the eighteenth dynasty and the New Kingdom Period and ruled from 1570 to 1546 B.C.
• However, the identity of this new king, Israel's oppressor, was not important enough for the writer to identify by name.
• His emphasis was instead on the oppression of the Israelites, the awful condition out of which God would redeem His people.

9 He said to his people, “Look, the Israelite people are more numerous and powerful than we are. 10 Come, let’s deal shrewdly with them; otherwise they will multiply further, and when war breaks out, they will join our enemies, fight against us, and leave the country.” 11 So the Egyptians assigned taskmasters over the Israelites to oppress them with forced labor. They built Pithom and Rameses as supply cities for Pharaoh. 12 But the more they oppressed them, the more they multiplied and spread so that the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites. 13 They worked the Israelites ruthlessly 14 and made their lives bitter with difficult labor in brick and mortar and in all kinds of fieldwork. They ruthlessly imposed all this work on them.[1]

• The first plan (plan A) was to make the Hebrews toil hard in manual labor.
• Normally a population grows more slowly under oppression than in prosperous times.
• However, the opposite took place in the case of the Israelites ("the more they oppressed them, the more they multiplied," v. 12).
• Physical oppression also tends to crush the spirit, and in this objective the Egyptians were somewhat successful (2:23-24).
• Tell vv. 15-22 - second plan (plan B)
• Pharaoh instructed the midwives to kill all the male babies born to a Hebrew woman.
• The midwives feared God and did not do this.
• When confronted by Pharaoh, they responded, “The Hebrew women are stronger than the Egyptian women and birth their children on their own before we can get there.”
• They lied to Pharaoh.
• God blessed the midwives, and they multiplied.
• Third plan (plan C) - Pharaoh then instructs the Hebrews to have all the male babies thrown into the Nile after birth.

 
MOSES’S BIRTH AND ADOPTION
EXODUS 2
1 Now a man from the family of Levi married a Levite woman.

• At this point Scripture's aim is to inform us that from an ordinary man, … and from an ordinary woman, … whose names there was no need to mention [at this point – 6:20], God raised up a redeemer unto his people.

2 The woman became pregnant and gave birth to a son; when she saw that he was beautiful, she hid him for three months. 3 But when she could no longer hide him, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with asphalt and pitch. She placed the child in it and set it among the reeds by the bank of the Nile. 4 Then his sister stood at a distance in order to see what would happen to him.

• Miriam is Moses’ only sister in the Bible that is mentioned by name.

5 Pharaoh’s daughter went down to bathe at the Nile while her servant girls walked along the riverbank. She saw the basket among the reeds, sent her slave girl, took it, 6 opened it, and saw him, the child—and there he was, a little boy, crying. She felt sorry for him and said, “This is one of the Hebrew boys.”
7 Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Should I go and call a Hebrew woman who is nursing to nurse the boy for you?”
8 “Go,” Pharaoh’s daughter told her. So the girl went and called the boy’s mother. 9 Then Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child and nurse him for me, and I will pay your wages.” So the woman took the boy and nursed him. 10 When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses, “Because,” she said, “I drew him out of the water.” [2]
 

• Tell vv. 11-25
• Stephen’s Message in Acts 7:17-36
• 17 “As the time was approaching to fulfill the promise that God had made to Abraham, the people flourished and multiplied in Egypt 18 until a different king who did not know Joseph ruled over Egypt. 19 He dealt deceitfully with our race and oppressed our ancestors by making them abandon their infants outside so that they wouldn’t survive. 20 At this time Moses was born, and he was beautiful in God’s sight. He was cared for in his father’s home for three months. 21 When he was put outside, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted and raised him as her own son. 22 So Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in his speech and actions.
• 23 “When he was forty years old, he decided to visit his own people, the Israelites. 24 When he saw one of them being mistreated, he came to his rescue and avenged the oppressed man by striking down the Egyptian. 25 He assumed his people would understand that God would give them deliverance through him, but they did not understand. 26 The next day he showed up while they were fighting and tried to reconcile them peacefully, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why are you mistreating each other?’
• 27 “But the one who was mistreating his neighbor pushed Moses aside, saying: Who appointed you a ruler and a judge over us? 28 Do you want to kill me, the same way you killed the Egyptian yesterday?,
• 29 “When he heard this, Moses fled and became an exile in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons. 30 After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in the flame of a burning bush. 31 When Moses saw it, he was amazed at the sight. As he was approaching to look at it, the voice of the Lord came: 32 I am the God of your ancestors—the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob., Moses began to tremble and did not dare to look.
• 33 “The Lord said to him: Take off the sandals from your feet, because the place where you are standing is holy ground. 34 I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt; I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. And now, come, I will send you to Egypt.,
• 35 “This Moses, whom they rejected when they said, Who appointed you a ruler and a judge?—this one God sent as a ruler and a deliverer through the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 This man led them out and performed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, at the Red Sea, and in the wilderness for forty years.[3]

 
MOSES AND THE BURNING BUSH
EXODUS 3
1 Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 Then the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire within a bush. As Moses looked, he saw that the bush was on fire but was not consumed. 3 So Moses thought, “I must go over and look at this remarkable sight. Why isn’t the bush burning up?”
4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from the bush, “Moses, Moses!”
“Here I am,” he answered.

• This was the first time that God had revealed Himself to Moses, or anyone else as far as Scripture records, for over 430 years.

5 “Do not come closer,” he said. “Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” 6 Then he continued, “I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God.

• Clarifying that He was the God who had been and who always would be—the same God that their forefathers worshipped

7 Then the Lord said, “I have observed the misery of my people in Egypt, and have heard them crying out because of their oppressors. I know about their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and to bring them from that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the territory of the Canaanites, Hethites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. 9 So because the Israelites’ cry for help has come to me, and I have also seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them, 10 therefore, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh so that you may lead my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.”
11 But Moses asked God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”
12 He answered, “I will certainly be with you, and this will be the sign to you that I am the one who sent you: when you bring the people out of Egypt, you will all worship God at this mountain.”
13 Then Moses asked God, “If I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what should I tell them?”
14 God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.

• "I am that I am" means "God will reveal Himself in His actions through history."

This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the Israelites: The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is my name forever; this is how I am to be remembered in every generation.
16 “Go and assemble the elders of Israel and say to them: The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has appeared to me and said: I have paid close attention to you and to what has been done to you in Egypt. 17 And I have promised you that I will bring you up from the misery of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, Hethites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—a land flowing with milk and honey. 18 They will listen to what you say. Then you, along with the elders of Israel, must go to the king of Egypt and say to him: The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Now please let us go on a three-day trip into the wilderness so that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God.
19 “However, I know that the king of Egypt will not allow you to go, even under force from a strong hand. 20 But when I stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all my miracles that I will perform in it, after that, he will let you go. 21 And I will give these people such favor with the Egyptians that when you go, you will not go empty-handed. 22 Each woman will ask her neighbor and any woman staying in her house for silver and gold jewelry, and clothing, and you will put them on your sons and daughters. So you will plunder the Egyptians.”[4]
 

• The outstanding contribution of this book is the revelation that Yahweh is the sovereign God who provides deliverance for man from the slavery in which he finds himself.
• Jesus has delivered His Church from the slavery of sin.
• Jesus’ death & resurrection rescued us from the penalty of sin and even from the power of sin.
• Jesus has rescued us from doing our own works, and the Spirit constantly encourages us to rest in Him.

[1] Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Ex 1:1–14.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Ex 2:1–10.
[3] Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Ac 7:17–36.
[4] Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Ex 3:1–22.

JUNE 29, 67 AD - Paul and Peter Are Martyred

• According to early church tradition, this is the day that Paul is beheaded.
• MAP – Paul Beheaded

December 69 AD

• Vespasian is officially proclaimed Emperor of Rome.

70 AD

• Vespasian is occupied in Alexandria.
• MAP – Vespasian in Alexandria
• While he is away from Rome, he puts his elder son, Titus, in charge of military affairs.
• His younger son, Domitian, is given authority to act as Ceasar to the Empire.
• Domitian exiles John, the apostle, to the Isle of Patmos for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
• MAP – John on Patmos
• Because church tradition says that Domitian exiled John to the Island of Patmos, many scholars have dated the Book of Revelation to be during Domitian’s reign as Roman Emperor in the 90s.
• However, Domitian served temporarily as Emperor in A.D. 70 when his father was away from Rome.
• The little known fact of Domitian’s temporary reign complicates the dating of Revelation.
• John is sentenced to labor in the mines of the island. (The Island of Patmos is eight miles long and five miles wide and sits 50 miles southwest of Ephesus.)
• MAP - Ephesus

The Roman Siege of Jerusalem May-August 70

• The population of Jerusalem is now 600,000.
• MAP - Jerusalem
• Titus, the son of Emperor Vespasian, marches into Jerusalem with his troops and overtakes the city.
• The Roman army breaches the first and second walls of Jerusalem.
• Mass execution of the escapees begins.
• There are up to 500 crucifixions per day outside the city.
• According to Josephus, The Romans chopped down so many trees to make crosses that they completely stripped the hills of Jerusalem of the woods that covered them.
• Famine begins within Jerusalem.
• As the famine takes its toll, some of the Jews resort to infanticide and cannibalism to survive.
• The Romans destroy the Tower of Antonia and are shocked at the conditions inside the city, including the cannibalism.
• The Romans take the temple and the city.
• They enter the temple and set it afire by a reckless Roman torch.
• The temple is desecrated and utterly destroyed.
• Remembering Jesus’ warning in Luke 21:20-24, the Christians have already fled the city.
• Eusebius, the church historian wrote how the Christians were supernaturally warned by the Lord to flee Jerusalem before the bloodbath began.
• Many of them moved to the Greek city of Pella in the region of Perea, east of the Jordan River (the Transjordan).
• MAP – Pella in Perea
• No less than one million perish in the seige and over 90,000 are led into captivity.
• The Jerusalem church is dispersed again.
• The Jewish Christians are now forced to sit down and eat with their “unclean,” Law-free Gentile brethren in the Gentile churches that Paul and his coworkers have planted all throughout the Roman Empire.
• A few stubborn ones founded the Ebionite heresy, which rejected Paul’s writings, the virgin birth, Christ’s Divinity, and espoused that all followers of Jesus must follow the Law of Moses.

 
The Church After 70 AD

• John, the apostle, is released from his banishment on the Island of Patmos.
• He moves back to Ephesus where he lives out the rest of his life.
• John dies of natural causes in A.D. 98 at the age of 100.
• The apostasy that Paul and Peter prophecied about continues to flourish.
• Silas brings the gospel to the Island of Rhodes.
• MAP – Island of Rhodes
• He later moves to Northern Greece where he dies.
• Philip, one of the Twelve apostles, has a powerful ministry in Carthage, North Africa.
• MAP - Carthage
• He then travels to Asia Minor where he converts the wife of a Roman governor (proconsul).
• In retaliation, the governor has Philip arrested and cruelly put to death.
• Matthew (also called Levi), one of the Twelve, opens doors to the gospel in Persia, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
• MAP – Persia & Ethiopia
• He is killed with a spear in Nadabah, Ethiopia.
• Matthias, the apostle who replaced Judas Iscariot, preaches Christ in Asia Minor and Syria.
• MAP - Syria
• He is burned to death in Syria.
• Other traditions say he was stoned to death and beheaded in Jerusalem by the Jews, he was killed with a lance or axe by the Jews, or he was crucified by the Romans.
• Thomas (also called Didymus), one of the Twelve, brings the gospel to Syria and India.
• MAP - India
• He preaches to Parthians, Medes, and Persians.
• Thomas is stabbed to death by Brahman priests in Mylapore, India in A.D. 72.
• MAP – Parthians & Medes
• Barnabas is martyred in Salamis, Cyprus in 73 AD.
• MAP - Salamis
• Simon the Zealot and Judas (also called Thaddeus), two of the twelve apostles, bring the gospel to Great Britain.
• MAP – Great Britain
• They then go to Persia to proclaim Christ where they are torn apart by a Persian mob in 79 AD.
• James, the apostle and son of Alphaeus, also preaches the gospel in Persia where he is beaten and stoned to death by the Jews at the age of 94.
• In 96 AD, Titus dies on the Island of Crete.
• MAP - Crete
• Timothy dies a year later in Ephesus.
• He is stoned to death after protesting the festivities in honor of the pagan goddess Diana (Artemis).
• Following the death of the apostles and their coworkers, the light and glow of the first-century church begins to fade.
• Man-made systems and humanly-devised traditions slowly evolve to replace her glory and dim her light.
• Yet God does not give up on His eternal purpose.
• Throughout the centuries, the Lord progressively works toward restoring her pristine simplicity and glory… until the time that she—the ekklesia—the community of the King—the Bride of Christ, has made herself ready for her Bridegroom.[1]

[1] Viola, Frank. The Untold Story of the New Testament Church: An Extraordinary Guide to Understanding the New Testament. Destiny Image. Kindle Edition.

• We left off with Paul crashing into a sandbank off the shore of Malta.
• The ship is destroyed but all 276 people on board survived, just as an angel told Paul.
• Show Maps

 
MALTA’S HOSPITALITY
ACTS 28
1 Once safely ashore, we then learned that the island was called Malta (means refuge).

• Malta is 18 miles long and 8 miles wide.
• Located 60 miles south of Sicily.

2 The local people showed us extraordinary kindness.

• If you didn’t speak Greek, then you were considered “barbarian”.

They lit a fire and took us all in, since it was raining and cold. 3 As Paul gathered a bundle of brushwood and put it on the fire,

• Paul was the reason they all survived.
• They should have placed him high on a pedestal.
• But he was a servant of Jesus Christ.

a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. 4 When the local people saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “This man, no doubt, is a murderer. Even though he has escaped the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.”

• Luke records chronologically.
• So they are saying this while the snake is still hanging on to Paul’s hand.

5 But he shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 They expected that he would begin to swell up or suddenly drop dead. After they waited a long time and saw nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.

• Similar to what happened in Lystra – Acts 14:6-18)
• Paul healed a man who hadn’t walked since birth and the locals thought he was some Greek god.

 
MINISTRY IN MALTA
7 Now in the area around that place was an estate belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius (pub-lee-ose), who welcomed us and entertained us hospitably for three days. 8 Publius’s father was in bed suffering from fever and dysentery (OK Google: bloody diarrhea). Paul went to him, and praying and laying his hands on him, he healed him. 9 After this, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. 10 So they heaped many honors on us, and when we sailed, they gave us what we needed.

• Wintered there for 3 months. 60-61 AD.
• Blessed with generous gifts because they had arrived with nothing.
• Matthew – Tax collector & disciple of Jesus

        Date: 58-62 AD
        Audience: Jews
        Location: Antioch
        Portrays Jesus as: King of Jews

• Mark – John Mark that traveled with Paul

        Date: 58-62 AD
        Audience: Romans
        Location: Rome
        Portrays Jesus as: The Servant of Jehovah

• Luke – Physician & traveler with Paul (wrote Acts)

        Written in chronological order.
        Date: 60-63 AD
        Audience: Greeks/Gentile/Theophilis
        Location: Rome
        Portrays Jesus as: The Son of Man

• John – written while exile in Patmos

        Date: 80-90 AD
        Audience: Jews
        Portrays Jesus as: Jesus, the Son of God
John wrote more about what Jesus said and who. He is, unlike the other Gospels who wrote about what Jesus did.
 
ROME AT LAST
11 After three months we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered at the island, with the Twin Gods as its figurehead. 12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed three days. 13 From there, after making a circuit along the coast, we reached Rhegium (ray-ee-om). After one day a south wind sprang up, and the second day we came to Puteoli (Puh-tee-o-lee).

• In Greek mythology, “Castor and Pollux” were the names of the twin sons of Zeus and were revered as the protectors of men on the sea.
• Many Roman ships bore their image as a plea for safety.
• Show map
• It was 80 miles to Syracuse, another 70 to Rhegium, and about 180 to Puteoli, the port of Naples.
• This time the “south wind” was exactly what they needed in order to make the voyage quickly and safely.[1]

14 There we found brothers and sisters and were invited to stay a week with them.

• Julius granted permission for this.

And so we came to Rome. 15 Now the brothers and sisters from there had heard the news about us and had come to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns.

• Julius and his party took the famous Appian Way and traveled 125 miles from Puteoli to Rome.
• The first group of Christians met Paul at the Forum of Appius, about 43 miles from Rome; and the second group met him at the Three Taverns, 10 miles nearer to the city.[2]

When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.

• It was like walking into Pinheads on a Sunday AM.
• His letter to Rome was written 4 years ago and he finally arrived.
• The Christians in Rome were waiting for his arrival. They just didn’t know it would be as a prisoner.

16 When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

• Paul finally arrives in Rome and is placed under house arrest.
• He lives in his own private lodging on the third floor of a Roman insula (apartment) and is chained by his wrist to a Roman guard.
• The guard is relieved every four hours.
• Each guard belongs to the Praetorian guard, the emperor’s personal bodyguards. (Philippians 1:13)
• Paul will quickly become a talking point among them.
• Thankfully, Paul is allowed to receive visitors.

 
PAUL’S FIRST INTERVIEW WITH ROMAN JEWS
17 After three days he called together the leaders of the Jews.

• Everywhere Paul went in Acts, he went to the Jews first.
• He traveled to all the synagogues.
• Now he has called for the all the leaders of the synagogues in Romes.

When they had gathered he said to them, “Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 After they examined me, they wanted to release me, since there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19 Because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar; even though I had no charge to bring against my people. 20 For this reason I’ve asked to see you and speak to you. In fact, it is for the hope of Israel that I’m wearing this chain.”

• The apostle made it clear that his appeal to Caesar must not be interpreted as an indictment against his nation.
• Actually, he was a prisoner on behalf of his nation and “the hope of Israel.”

21 Then they said to him, “We haven’t received any letters about you from Judea. None of the brothers has come and reported or spoken anything evil about you. 22 But we want to hear what your views are, since we know that people everywhere are speaking against this sect.”
 
THE RESPONSE TO PAUL’S MESSAGE
23 After arranging a day with him, many came to him at his lodging. From dawn to dusk he expounded and testified about the kingdom of God. He tried to persuade them about Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets.

• On the day appointed, Paul spent “from morning till evening” explaining the Scriptures and revealing Christ in the Law and the Prophets.
• He had “dialogued” this way with the Jews in one synagogue after another, and now he was sharing the Word with the leaders of many synagogues in Rome.[3]

24 Some were persuaded by what he said, but others did not believe.
25 Disagreeing among themselves, they began to leave after Paul made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah 26 when he said,
Go to these people and say:
You will always be listening,
but never understanding;
and you will always be looking,
but never perceiving.
27 For the hearts of these people
have grown callous,
their ears are hard of hearing,
and they have shut their eyes;
otherwise they might see with their eyes
and hear with their ears,
understand with their heart
and turn,
and I would heal them.  (Isaiah 6:9-10)​

• It is one thing to listen and quite something else to hear, and there is a great difference between seeing and perceiving.
• If anybody should have possessed spiritual understanding, it was these Jewish leaders, but their hearts were dull and hard.
• Too often those who enjoy the most spiritual privileges are not ready when they must make spiritual decisions.[4]

 
28 Therefore, let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”

• Paul always spoke the Truth in what he believed no matter who is audience was.
• But at some point, you walk away and speak to the people who will listen to you.
• This is one of the major themes of Acts, how the Gospel moved from the Jews to the Gentiles and from Jerusalem to Rome.[5]
  
  

PAUL’S MINISTRY UNHINDERED
30 Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house.

• He was responsible for his own rent money!

And he welcomed all who visited him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. [6]

• During these two years in Rome, Paul wrote Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon.
• He expected to be released (Phil. 1:23–27; 2:24; Phile. 22) and most students agree that he was.
• During this time, he had Timothy with him (Phil. 1:1; 2:19; Col. 1:1), as well as John Mark, Luke, Aristarchus, Epaphras, Justus, and Demas (Col. 4:10–14; Phile. 24).
• He also met Philemon’s runaway slave Onesimus and led him to faith in Christ (Phile. 10–21).
• Epaphroditus brought a gift to him from the Philippian church and almost died ministering to Paul (Phil. 2:25–30; 4:18).
• Tychicus was Paul’s “mailman” who delivered Ephesians (Eph. 6:21), Colossians, and Philemon (Col. 4:7–9).
• Dr. Luke ended his book before Paul’s case had been heard, so he could not give us the results of the trial.
• We have every reason to believe that Paul was indeed released and that he resumed his ministry, probably traveling as far as Spain (Rom. 15:24, 28).
• During this period (a.d. 63–66/67), he wrote letters to Timothy and Titus.
• He left Titus in Crete (Titus 1:5), Trophimus sick in Miletus (2 Tim. 4:20), and Timothy in Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:3).
• He planned to meet some of his helpers at Nicopolis (Titus 3:12–13) after he had visited some of the churches he had established.
• Wherever he went, he sought to bring Jews and Gentiles to faith in Jesus Christ.
• He was arrested again, probably about the year 67, and this time his situation was changed drastically.
• He did not live in a house, but was chained in a prison and treated like a criminal (2 Tim. 1:16; 2:9).
• Winter was coming, and he asked Timothy to bring him his cloak (2 Tim. 4:13).
• But the saddest thing about this second imprisonment was his being forsaken by the believers in Rome (2 Tim. 4:16–17).
• The great apostle to the Gentiles was abandoned by the very people he came to assist.
• Even Demas forsook him, and only Luke was with him (2 Tim. 4:10–11).
• The family of Onesiphorus ministered to his needs (2 Tim. 1:16–18), but he longed for Timothy and Mark to come to be at his side (2 Tim. 1:4; 4:9, 21).
• Paul knew that the end was coming (2 Tim. 4:6–8).

Tradition tells us that he was beheaded at Rome in 67/68 AD.[7]

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 510). Victor Books.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 511). Victor Books.
[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 511). Victor Books.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 511). Victor Books.
[5] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 511). Victor Books.
[6] Christian Standard Bible (Ac 28:1-31). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, pp. 511–512). Victor Books.

• We left off with Paul before King Agrippa, but he had already appealed to Caesar in order to save his life.
• Map from Jerusalem to Caesarea
• Slides of Herod’s Palace

SAILING FOR ROME
ACTS 27 - 60 AD
1 When it was decided that we were to sail to Italy,

• Luke had not included himself since Acts 21:18
• Paul was facing his Jewish counterparts in Jerusalem
• Luke was Paul’s personal physician

they handed over Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion named Julius, of the Imperial Regiment.

• Unlike “other prisoners”, Paul was not being sent to Rome to die but to go to trial.
• Imagine Paul sharing Jesus with these prisoners before they were to die.

2 When we had boarded a ship of Adramyttium (audra-me-tium), we put to sea, intending to sail to ports along the coast of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us. (Paul’s personal attendant) (Colossians 4:10 – fellow prisoner) 3 The next day we put in at Sidon (see-done) (80 miles in one day), and Julius treated Paul kindly and allowed him to go to his friends to receive their care. 4 When we had put out to sea from there, we sailed along the northern coast of Cyprus because the winds were against us. 5 After sailing through the open sea off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we reached Myra in Lycia. 6 There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and put us on board.

• Julius abandoned the slower coastal ship and put Paul and the others on board this large grain ship from Egypt that carried 276 passengers (Acts 27:37–38).
• Rome depended on Egypt for much of its grain supply, and the Roman government gave special consideration to those who ran these ships.[1]

7 Sailing slowly for many days, with difficulty we arrived off Cnidus (ny-dus) (130 miles). Since the wind did not allow us to approach it, we sailed along the south side of Crete off Salmone (sal mo-nee). 8 With still more difficulty we sailed along the coast and came to a place called Fair Havens near the city of Lasea.

• Map from Caesarea to Fair Havens

 
PAUL’S ADVICE IGNORED
9 By now much time had passed, and the voyage was already dangerous. Since the Day of Atonement, was already over, Paul gave his advice 10 and told them, “Men, I can see that this voyage is headed toward disaster and heavy loss, not only of the cargo and the ship but also of our lives.”

• The Day of Atonement, which fell in September/October; and every sailor knew that sailing was difficult from mid-September to mid-November, and impossible from mid-November to February.[2]
• God had given wisdom and direction to Paul.
• 2 Corinthians 11:25 – Paul had already experienced 3 shipwrecks.
• But he was viewed as a back-seat driver.
• So naturally they chose to go against God’s will.

11 But the centurion paid attention to the captain and the owner of the ship rather than to what Paul said. 12 Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided to set sail from there, hoping somehow to reach Phoenix, a harbor on Crete facing the southwest and northwest, and to winter there.

• What were the factors that governed Julius’ decision?
• To begin with, Fair Havens was not a comfortable place to settle down because it was too open to the winter storms.
• Phoenix had a more sheltered harbor.
• Julius also listened to the “expert advice” of the pilot and captain (“master and owner”) of the ship.
• They advised that the ship head for Phoenix as fast as possible.
• Surely they could cover forty miles safely, and already they had lost too much time.
• When Julius added up the votes, it was three to one that the ship set sail.
• After all, the majority cannot be wrong, especially when it includes the experts![3]

 
STORM-TOSSED SHIP
13 When a gentle south wind sprang up, they thought they had achieved their purpose.

• Julius and the captain probably smiled at Paul.

They weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. 14 But before long, a fierce wind called the “northeaster” rushed down from the island.

• The actual Greek word translates to “typhoon”.

15 Since the ship was caught and unable to head into the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along.

• Drifted, because they couldn’t steer, 23 miles to the south.

16 After running under the shelter of a little island called Cauda, we were barely able to get control of the skiff (the little boat was towed behind the bigger ship).

• Map of Fair Havens to Malta

17 After hoisting it up, they used ropes and tackle and girded the ship.

• Literally, wrapped the ship in chains and ropes to keep it from falling apart.

Fearing they would run aground on the Syrtis,

• Body of water that was full of sand bars.

they lowered the drift-anchor, and in this way they were driven along. 18 Because we were being severely battered by the storm, they began to jettison the cargo the next day. 19 On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 For many days neither sun nor stars appeared, and the severe storm kept raging.

• They would typically sail based upon the sun, moon and stars.
• They had no direction.

Finally, all hope was fading that we would be saved.
21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul then stood up among them and said, “You men should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete and sustain this damage and loss. 22 Now I urge you to take courage, because there will be no loss of any of your lives, but only of the ship. 23 For last night an angel of the God I belong to and serve stood by me 24 and said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul. It is necessary for you to appear before Caesar. And indeed, God has graciously given you all those who are sailing with you.’ 25 So take courage, men, because I believe God that it will be just the way it was told to me. 26 But we have to run aground on some island.”

• A crisis does not make a person.
• A crisis shows what a person is made of, and it tends to bring true leadership to the fore.
• Paul gently rebuked the centurion, pilot, and captain for ignoring his warning.
• Soon they would discover that God had spared all of them only because of Paul.[4]
• V. 22-26 – Paul shared God’s Word with them

27 When the fourteenth night came, we were drifting in the Adriatic Sea, and about midnight the sailors thought they were approaching land.

• During the two weeks they had been at sea, the ship had been driven over 500 miles off course and was now adrift in the Adrian Sea.
• (It is now called the Ionian Sea and must not be confused with the Adriatic Sea.) As[5]

28 They took soundings and found it to be a hundred twenty feet deep; when they had sailed a little farther and sounded again, they found it to be ninety feet deep. 29 Then, fearing we might run aground on the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight to come. 30 Some sailors tried to escape from the ship; they had let down the skiff into the sea, pretending that they were going to put out anchors from the bow. 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut the ropes holding the skiff and let it drop away.

• V. 27-32 – Paul warned them

33 When it was about daylight, Paul urged them all to take food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have been waiting and going without food, having eaten nothing. 34 So I urge you to take some food. For this is for your survival, since none of you will lose a hair from your head.” 35 After he said these things and had taken some bread, he gave thanks to God in the presence of all of them, and after he broke it, he began to eat. 36 They all were encouraged and took food themselves. 37 In all there were 276 of us on the ship. 38 When they had eaten enough, they began to lighten the ship by throwing the grain overboard into the sea.

• V33-38 – Paul set a good example for them.
• Caring for one’s health is an important part of the Christian life, and even an apostle must not abuse his body.
• There are times when one dedicated believer can change the whole atmosphere of a situation simply by trusting God and making that faith visible.[6]

 
SHIPWRECK
39 When daylight came, they did not recognize the land but sighted a bay with a beach. They planned to run the ship ashore if they could. 40 After cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and headed for the beach. 41 But they struck a sandbar and ran the ship aground. The bow jammed fast and remained immovable, while the stern began to break up by the pounding of the waves.
42 The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners so that no one could swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion kept them from carrying out their plan because he wanted to save Paul, and so he ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. 44 The rest were to follow, some on planks and some on debris from the ship. In this way, everyone safely reached the shore. [7]

• V. 39-44 – Paul rescued them
• First of all, storms often come when we disobey the will of God. (Jonah is a good example of this truth.)
• However, it was not Paul who was at fault, but the centurion in charge of the ship.
• We sometimes suffer because of the unbelief of others.
• Second, storms have a way of revealing character.
• Some of the sailors selfishly tried to escape, others could only hope for the best; but Paul trusted God and obeyed His will.
• Third, even the worst storms cannot hide the face of God or hinder the purposes of God.
• Paul received the word of assurance that they needed, and God overruled so that His servant arrived safely in Rome.
• Finally, storms can give us opportunities to serve others and bear witness to Jesus Christ.
• Paul was the most valuable man on that ship!

He knew how to pray, he had faith in God, and he was in touch with the Almighty.[8]

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 508). Victor Books.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 508). Victor Books.
[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 508). Victor Books.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 509). Victor Books.
[5] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 509). Victor Books.
[6] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 509). Victor Books.
[7] Christian Standard Bible (Ac 27:1–44). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 510). Victor Books.

• 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.

• As Paul has been winding his way to the end of this letter, he is expressing a form of accountability that we are all familiar with.

 
FINAL WARNINGS AND EXHORTATIONS
2 CORINTHIANS 13
1 This is the third time I am coming to you.

• Acts 18:1-11 - This was the trip to Corinth in 50 AD when Paul founded the church.
• Remember, he stayed there for about eighteen months that time and ministered in the city.
• Paul wrote his 1st letter to the Church in Thessalonica during that stay.
• 2 Corinthians 2:1-2 - The second trip that he alludes to here was the painful visit in the spring of ad 54, growing out of Timothy’s visit, when he went over and he found that things were not going well.

Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

• Deuteronomy 19:15 - In context, this is as people are being taught about life in the promised land.

2 I gave a warning when I was present the second time, and now I give a warning while I am absent to those who sinned before and to all the rest: If I come again, I will not be lenient,

• Paul is expressing the idea of accountability here.
• He is warning them that he is coming to deal with those who are still refusing to repent of their sin.
• “You wait until your Dad gets home.”
• I’m coming to kick butt.
• I have used this approach many times over my years in ministry.

3 since you seek proof of Christ speaking in me.

• “You want to see Christ working in me? OK, I’ll show you!!!”

He is not weak in dealing with you, but powerful among you. 4 For he was crucified in weakness, but he lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by God’s power.

• OK… so what does this “accountability” look like when Paul actually comes to town?
• It looks like everything Paul has been teaching previously in this letter.
• He comes in weakness rather than his own fleshly strength.
• He comes in God’s strength… which is Romans 2:4 - Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?[1]
• Every time I come to a brother/sister in Jesus, I come with a humble heart.
• Will they give me their ear? Not if I come in condemnation… but in grace.
• I don’t avoid the hard conversation of their sin… it is what is… but I come with the Good News of forgiveness and repentance.

5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you yourselves not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless you fail the test.

• I am absolutely positive this is how Paul approached those who were still struggling with walking by faith.
• He reminded them of their identity in Christ.
• What does that mean that “Jesus is in you”?

6 And I hope you will recognize that we ourselves do not fail the test.

• If he comes with this exact message, he will be different than all the others who bringing condemnation.
• Then you can see that Christ is in us and we are listening to Him.

7 But we pray to God that you do nothing wrong—not that we may appear to pass the test, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear to fail.

• Paul is going to walk by his flesh some times, but don’t let that distract you from what he normally does and what he teaches.

8 For we can’t do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9 We rejoice when we are weak and you are strong. We also pray that you become fully mature.

• This is the journey of all believers.
• It is natural for us to respond to the Truth.
• We have been given the ability to discern truth even when lies have been disguised as truth.
• As we mature in our spiritual growth, we are able to see things in light of the Spirit that resides in us.
• You see what Paul… and this ministry does here.
• At the same time that we pointing out flesh patterns, we are expressing truth to them and confirming the faith they already have.
• We just keep reminding them who they really are.

10 This is why I am writing these things while absent, so that when I am there I may not have to deal harshly with you, in keeping with the authority the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.

• Paul would much rather have them see this truth in this letter rather than have to come and actually say it to their face.
• But sometimes you just have to have the face to face conversations.

11 Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice. Become mature, be encouraged, be of the same mind, be at peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.

• This letter is the result of dealing with a dysfunctional church but also encouraging them in their faith and maturity.

12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints send you greetings.

• This is a normal Middle Eastern greeting and goodbye.

13 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.[2]

• The fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
• This is a byproduct of walking by the Spirit together as a community.

 
PAUL IN MACEDONIA
ACTS 20
1 After the uproar was over, Paul sent for the disciples, encouraged them, and after saying farewell, departed to go to Macedonia. 2 And when he had passed through those areas (MAP - Illyricum – Romans 15:19) and offered them many words of encouragement, he came to Greece (Corinth) 3 and stayed three months.

• This would be the Winter of 57 AD
• He stayed as a guest of Gaius Titius Justus.
• We know this because during his stay in Corinth, he penned his letter to the church in Rome.
• He thanked Gaius for hosting him at the end of the letter.
• The letter to Rome was requested by Aquilla & Priscilla who are ministering in Rome.
• There are many foreigners coming and going from Rome and they had the opportunity to share the Gospel with them.
• They asked Paul to explain the Gospel clearly in his letter.
• They explain the tension between the Jews and the Gentiles (meat eating and holy days)
• Paul pens the letter to Church in Rome.

The Jews plotted against him when he was about to set sail for Syria (Antioch), and so he decided to go back through Macedonia. 4 He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.

• 7 men plus Luke (author)
• These 7 men had brought Paul the relief fund for Jerusalem from the respective churches.
• They wanted to accompany Paul to Jerusalem.
• All 8 men went to Phiippi and caught up with Luke.

5 These men went on ahead and waited for us in Troas, 6 but we (Paul & Luke) sailed away from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread. In five days (unfavorable winds) we reached them at Troas, where we spent seven days.

• Map of Troas

 
EUTYCHUS REVIVED AT TROAS
7 On the first day of the week (Sunday), we assembled to break bread.

• They meet on the 3rd floor of the insula/apartment.
• It’s lit with many torches and kind of smoky. (hot)

Paul spoke to them, and since he was about to depart the next day, he kept on talking until midnight. 8 There were many lamps in the room upstairs where we were assembled, 9 and a young man (8-14 years old) named Eutychus was sitting on a window sill and sank into a deep sleep as Paul kept on talking.

• Let’s actually blame it on the room conditions rather than Paul’s preaching.

When he was overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was picked up dead. 10 But Paul went down, bent over him, embraced him, and said, “Don’t be alarmed, because he’s alive.” 11 After going upstairs, breaking the bread, and eating,

• They fed the young boy!

Paul talked a long time until dawn. Then he left. 12 They brought the boy home alive and were greatly comforted.[3]

• What do you think Paul talked about for so long?

The same thing we talk about every Sunday!

[1] Christian Standard Bible (Ro 2:4). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (2 Co 13:1–13). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible (Ac 20:1–12). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.

• We start today with the 2nd part of Paul’s “Fool’s Speech”.
• Paul is continuing to explain his weakness.

 
PAUL AND THE FALSE APOSTLES
2 CORINTHIANS 11
32 In Damascus, a ruler under King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus in order to arrest me. 33 So I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped from his hands.[1]

• Paul had to escape the city in one of the lowest forms of exiting guarded city.
• There was no parade for Paul.

 
SUFFICIENT GRACE
2 Corinthians 12
1 Boasting is necessary. It is not profitable, but I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

• Paul was “boasting” in the previous verses because that is what the professional speakers did.
• But Paul chose to boast about his weaknesses rather than his strengths which is totally opposite of the talented speakers.
• But now Paul is actually boasting about something positive.

2 I know a man in Christ who was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know; God knows.

• Paul is referring to himself but speaking in 3rd person because he doesn’t want to talk about himself like the “super Apostles”/false teachers.
• The Jews of the day in apocalyptic literature believed that there was a heavenly Jerusalem, and that heavenly Jerusalem had a heavenly tabernacle or temple, and it was laid out like the earthly tabernacle or temple.
• In fact, Hebrews talks about this in Hebrews 8, saying that when Moses built the tabernacle, he did it on the basis of looking into heaven itself, seeing the heavenly tabernacle, and kind of sketching that out and using that as the design for the earthly tabernacle.
• So here, Paul is giving that kind of Jewish apocalyptic idea of making this trip to heaven, and it seems that when he describes this experience, he is snatched up into the very presence of God, right into the throne room of God in heaven.
• God also honored Paul by taking him to heaven, and then sending him back to the earth again.
• This marvelous experience had taken place fourteen years before the writing of this letter, which would place the experience in about the year 43 AD.
• This would be the period in Paul’s life between his departure for Tarsus (Acts 9:30) and his visit from Barnabas (Acts 11:25–26).
• There is no record of the details of this event, and it is useless for us to speculate.[2]
• That’s the significance of the third heaven.[3]

3 I know that this man—whether in the body or out of the body I don’t know; God knows--4 was caught up into paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a human being is not allowed to speak. 5 I will boast about this person, but not about myself, except of my weaknesses.

• Paul says the words are inexpressible because he does not want to focus on this story being about him and his experience.
• This is opposite of what the false teachers would have spoken about.
• The false teachers would have spoken about all the things they have experienced first-hand.
• It could also mean that God spoke words that could only be heard in heaven.
• If most people experienced this visit to heaven, they would have told people immediately.
• Paul waited 14 years to mention it.

6 For if I want to boast, I wouldn’t be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I will spare you, so that no one can credit me with something beyond what he sees in me or hears from me, 7 especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so that I would not exalt myself.

• The word “thorn” is actually referenced a few other times in the Scripture.
• In every case these refer to some form of opposition[4]
• It could have been a physical ailment: malaria, epilepsy or even an eye disease… or even a speech impediment.
• Possibly a psychological or mental health issue. Such as anxiety, depression or even sexual addiction.
• I personally believe that Paul is referring to his constant battle of teaching truth and being falsely accused by the Judaizers everywhere he went.
• When you look at this broader context in 11:22–12:10, if you’ll notice, the list is primarily talking about hardships involving persecution.[5]

8 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.”

• God did not give Paul an explanation, but He gave him a promise.

Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. 10 So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

• A beautiful ending to Paul’s “Fool’s Speech” is referring to his power is perfected in his weakness so the Good News could be advanced.
• When you get down to bottom and realize the only option you have is God… you are probably in a great spot.
• When you no longer have the ability to make the same unsuccessful choices… repeatedly…
• Then maybe it’s time to give up on you making the choices and let the holy living God who resides in you… to make your choices for you.

 
SIGNS OF AN APOSTLE
11 I have been a fool; you forced it on me. You ought to have commended me, since I am not in any way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.

• Paul is speaking to a minority in the Church at Corinth.
• The majority have already gotten on board with Paul.
• He’s just referring to a few people who have continued to listen to the false teachers.
• So Paul had to speak “foolishly” because that is what they have been attracted to.
• Paul is directly saying to them, “You should have already got in line and not made me deliver this foolish message.

12 The signs of an apostle were performed with unfailing endurance among you, including signs and wonders and miracles. 13 So in what way are you worse off than the other churches, except that I personally did not burden you? Forgive me for this wrong!

• What validated great speakers/teachers in the Corinth society (an even today) is the amount of money that was given to support their ministry.
• Paul did not do this.
• He did not take money from the Church in Corinth and they saw this as an insufficiency in Paul’s ministry.
• If he would have taken the money, he would have more credibility in society.

 
PAUL’S CONCERN FOR THE CORINTHIANS

• We can understand the whole structure of 2 Corinthians on the basis of them getting ready—getting ready by embracing his authentic ministry, getting ready by taking up the collection for Jerusalem, and getting ready by dealing with the false teachers in 10–13.[6]

14 Look, I am ready to come to you this third time. I will not burden you, since I am not seeking what is yours, but you. For children ought not save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

• Paul is not planning on changing his ministry ways.
• He wants to support and give to the Church at Corinth.

15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for you., If I love you more, am I to be loved less? 16 Now granted, I did not burden you; yet sly as I am, I took you in by deceit!

• Paul is being sarcastic here.
• He is actually saying that he did opposite of what the false teachers did.
• He did not use their tactics… which they thought were honest.

17 Did I take advantage of you by any of those I sent you? 18 I urged Titus to go, and I sent the brother with him. Titus didn’t take advantage of you, did he? Didn’t we walk in the same spirit and in the same footsteps?

• He sent others to minister to them as well and they patterned their ministry after Paul as well.
• Titus and others did not take anything from the Church at Corinth.
• Everything Paul and his team of ministers did was done with integrity.

19 Have you been thinking all along that we were defending ourselves to you? No, in the sight of God we are speaking in Christ, and everything, dear friends, is for building you up.

• Paul wanted to clarify that he was not defending his ministry or style of ministry.
• He was explaining how they have done ministry with authenticity and integrity.
• It was more about the ministry to the Church than it was about Paul’s personal ministry.

20 For I fear that perhaps when I come I will not find you to be what I want, and you may not find me to be what you want. Perhaps there will be quarreling, jealousy, angry outbursts, selfish ambitions, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.

• Paul is wanting the Church at Corinth to all be on the same page when he arrives.
• The Church is less than 5 years old.
• The Church is made up of many different house churches and many different teachings.
• He wanted them all in unison.

21 I fear that when I come my God will again humiliate me in your presence, and I will grieve for many who sinned before and have not repented of the moral impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality they practiced.[7]

• Paul is encouraging transparency and community.
• Moral impurity, sexual immorality and sensuality are not just Corinth’s issues.
• They seem to be every society’s issue.

This is a basic plea by Paul to stay focused on Jesus by the renewing of our minds.

[1] Christian Standard Bible (2 Co 11:1–33). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 673). Victor Books.
[3] Guthrie, G. H. (2018). NT337 Book Study: Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. Lexham Press.
[4] Guthrie, G. H. (2018). NT337 Book Study: Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. Lexham Press.
[5] Guthrie, G. H. (2018). NT337 Book Study: Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. Lexham Press.
[6] Guthrie, G. H. (2018). NT337 Book Study: Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians. Lexham Press.
[7] Christian Standard Bible (2 Co 12:1–21). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.