To be posted...

• 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.

THE DEATH OF JESUS
Matthew 27:45 – 28:10
45 From noon until three in the afternoon, darkness came over the whole land., 46 About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Elí, Elí, lemá sabachtháni?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
47 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling for Elijah.”
48 Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and offered him a drink. 49 But the rest said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
50 But Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit. 51 Suddenly, the curtain of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom, the earth quaked, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs were also opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53 And they came out of the tombs after his resurrection, entered the holy city, and appeared to many.
54 When the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”
55 Many women who had followed Jesus from Galilee and looked after him were there, watching from a distance. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
 
THE BURIAL OF JESUS
57 When it was evening, a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph came, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 He approached Pilate and asked for Jesus’s body. Then Pilate ordered that it be released. 59 So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in clean, fine linen, 60 and placed it in his new tomb, which he had cut into the rock. He left after rolling a great stone against the entrance of the tomb. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were seated there, facing the tomb.
 
THE CLOSELY GUARDED TOMB
62 The next day, which followed the preparation day, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember that while this deceiver was still alive he said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So give orders that the tomb be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come, steal him, and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead,’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.”
65 “You have a guard of soldiers,” Pilate told them. “Go and make it as secure as you know how.” 66 They went and secured the tomb by setting a seal on the stone and placing the guards.
 
RESURRECTION MORNING
Matthew 28
1 After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards were so shaken by fear of him that they became like dead men.
5 The angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here. For he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see him there.’ Listen, I have told you.”
8 So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell his disciples the news. 9 Just then Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” They came up, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus told them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”[1]
 
Video – Israel ‘22
 

• One of my favorite times of the year is spring.
• I love that feeling of the stirrings of new life that arises when first the tiniest spring flowers like snowdrops or aconites fight their way through the winter frosts, to be followed by crocuses, daffodils and apple blossom.
• There is something in the human psyche that responds to new life.
• In some ways, the resurrection of Jesus chimes in with this response to new life.
• Just as spring flowers intimate that winter is passing and summer is round the corner, so also Jesus’ resurrection points us to the fact that the old order is passing and new creation is just about to happen.
• The major difference between their rising to new life and Jesus’ rising is that their new life is cyclical, interwoven with death, whereas Jesus’ is not. Jesus rose to new life and will never die again.
• The difference between what happened to Jesus and what happened to Lazarus is vast because just like the spring flowers Lazarus died again, and awaits another resurrection.
• Jesus did not die again, nor ever will; Jesus rose not to the same life—as Lazarus did—but to a different life in which death no longer features.
• Technically, what happened to Lazarus was not resurrection (rising to a new eternal life) but revivification (rising to a renewed old life).
• Jesus’ resurrection is more than just that he was dead and now is alive, since this could be said of Lazarus and many others who were miraculously raised in the Bible.
• What is ‘more’ about Jesus’ resurrection is that he will never die again.
• Jesus had risen from the dead but no one else had; Jesus had risen from the dead but the world was, apparently, no different from the way it had been before: the Romans still occupied Palestine, the poor were still poor, Israel still down-trodden.[2]

 

• There are 3 groups of people at Pinheads today:
  1) Those who are just curious about what is happening here… on an Easter Sunday Morning.
  2) Those who don’t believe in resurrection.
  3) Those who do believe in resurrection.
• Have you ever given thought to the idea that what separates you from the rest of the world is your belief in the idea of resurrection?
• We have almost worked our way through the history of the New Testament Church in the Bible.
• Paul is imprisoned and being sent to Rome, for what reason?
• Simply because he believes in the resurrection of Jesus and is telling people about this great news.

 

• Belief in the resurrection is an act of rebellion against the evil, corruption and oppression that can so easily swamp us.
• Believing in the resurrection can be a refusal to accept that the world is as it is, that it can never change and that we must accept it simply as it is.
• Believing in the resurrection can and should transform not only how we view the world, but how we live in it.
• We naturally become people in whom others can see new life, and people who introduce that new life wherever the world is stifling and life-denying.
• Resurrection makes a difference not only to Jesus and the earliest disciples but also to us, as we live out our lives day by day.[3]

 

• Jesus’ resurrection points us to a new way of looking at the world, a new way of being that changes who we are and how we live in the world.
• The only way to escape from our identity in Adam was by dying.
• When Jesus died, he made a way of escaping from identity in Adam, and by rising again he opened up a new identity, a Christ identity shaped, not by Adam and who he was, but by Christ and who he was.
• Our baptism marks that pattern of dying and rising with Christ which allows us a new corporate identity now infected, not with Adam’s imperfections, but with Christ’s perfections.
• You have to believe in resurrection because you have been resurrected!
• Galatians 2:20-21 - I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.[4]
• We talk about identity in Christ every week here at Pinheads. Why is that so important?
• Everything about who we are, what we think and what we do is now infected with Christ and, as a result, our lives should be entirely transformed.[5]
• But at the same time, there is an evil in this world that wants to tell us a different story/narrative.
• And for some reason, no matter how many times you keep hearing that we are new creation, we keep coming back to the idea that is a great message but I just don’t “feel” it right now.
• That is because it is not a “feeling”.
• You being a new creation, is a reality based upon Truth.
• I will spend the rest of my days reminding you about the Truth of you who you really are.

 

• Resurrection is not complete, however, without the ascension and Pentecost.
• The death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus and the sending of the Holy Spirit all come together as a seamless whole.
• The resurrection offers us transformation in Christ, the ascension gives us the motivation to act and Pentecost the ability to do it.
• The reason why the ascension was vital was that if the risen Christ had not ascended into heaven and was still on earth proclaiming the good news, healing the sick and befriending the poor and oppressed, then most of us would leave this work to him.
• We would become passive recipients of his ministry rather than active proclaimers of his message.
• After the resurrection, once they had grasped what had happened to Jesus, the disciples were in danger of slipping back into their previous form of existence.
• What they most needed was a vacuum, and this is what the ascension provided, a space that could only be filled if they picked up the challenge and took it on.
• The sending of the Spirit gave them the ability to do what otherwise they were incapable of doing.
• Filled with the Spirit they were able to comprehend the significance of the resurrection and to understand that Jesus’ ascension and command to proclaim the gospel sent them out into the world but, most important of all, the Spirit gave them the ability to do as Jesus commanded.
• Beyond their human limitations, fears and anxieties, the Spirit-filled disciples were at last able to do all that Jesus asked.

 

• Some people understand ‘living the resurrection’ to mean that we should be constantly (and, in my view, irritatingly) cheerful, whatever the ups and downs of life.
• This is far from the experience of the New Testament writers, who spoke often of real sufferings as a result of their life in Christ.
• What it really means is that we enter the hard times with our feet firmly planted on the rock, our souls anchored in the hope that Christ brings.
• This does not mean a lack of suffering or even that we do not feel suffering as much as others.
• To believe in resurrection is to believe that death is not all powerful, that beyond despair there is hope or, as Paul puts it…[6]
• Romans 8:37-39 - No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.[7]

[1] Christian Standard Bible (Mt 27:45–28:10). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Gooder, P. (2015). This Risen Existence: The Spirit of Easter (p. 5). Fortress Press.
[3] Gooder, P. (2015). This Risen Existence: The Spirit of Easter (p. 7). Fortress Press.
[4] Christian Standard Bible (Ga 2:20–21). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Gooder, P. (2015). This Risen Existence: The Spirit of Easter (p. 14). Fortress Press.
[6] Gooder, P. (2015). This Risen Existence: The Spirit of Easter (p. 17). Fortress Press.
[7] Christian Standard Bible (Ro 8:37–39). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.

Living hopefully and confidently in an uncertain time.
 
On March 22, 1984 Sam was a confident freshman and I was a smug grad student.  I gave him the favored team and 3 points for the pizza.  It was about the time I finished the last piece when I told him the game was tape delayed and I knew the score before the game started on local TV!

When you know stuff, like the outcome, confidence increases.

We live in an insecure, uncertain society which creates more insecurities and uncertainties.

The essence of my perception of the first 3 chapters of Joshua are summarized. 
 
Joshua would not have occurred without the life of and message of Moses.  His message would have been unnecessary without the life and message of Adam.  Adam’s message is, HE didn’t trust God, his faithlessness left all humanity with a flawed spiritual DNA called sin. 
 
It is not an action, but a thing.  The original design of life stopped at that moment!  Adam and Eve learned fear as did the animals and creation because of Adam!

Jesus died so we can have the thing extracted from our being!

Those 2 college students were confident in their roles and the limited range of our responsibilities as students.  But just a few months later real life would intervene, and they would each have to choose how to respond!

Foundational Ideas for Confidence

• There is one God.
• He expressed Himself in humanity as Jesus, 2000 years ago.
• He was assassinated by the political and religious powers of the day in the presence of many witnesses.
• He arose from the dead, lived a few days on earth & ascended to heaven in the presence of many witnesses.
• He came back to live His life through those who believe Him to be God, 50 days later.
• If you believe what I just said, you have eternal life and are invaluable to the God I just described.
• The smaller your god is, the more challenging the mental game of life will become for you.
• The larger your God becomes the more powerfully He will express Himself to you in Life.
  
  

This is my prayer for you – I pray the eyes of your being may be enlightened so you will know the hope of His calling, and the riches of the glory of His inheritance, which is YOU!

Joshua 1

• God GIVES (verses 2, 3, 6, 11, 13, 14, 15)
• He promises 1) I’m giving you, 2) No one stands in your way, 3) I will not fail or forsake you
• Be strong and courageous (verses 6, 7, 9)
  
  Joshua 2
• God’s enemies hearts melt (verses 9, 11, 24)
  
  Joshua 3
• Follow the Ark (God) (verses 3, 6, 11, 19)
• Be still, stand firm, Rest! (verses 8, 13, 14)

 
The followers of Jesus in the old covenant didn’t have the living presence of God in their spirits.  They had to borrow courage from the living God as the circumstances of life were presented.
 
The new covenant believers received the Spirit of God united with their spirits making them courageous beings.  Courage was a result of their being and not an act from their flesh.
 
Consider the idea of trusting God.  When His Spirit encourages you to do something which seems risky to the world, if you follow His lead, is it courageous?  If you trust His promises, is it risky or courageous?  These actions in a new covenant believer are simply the process of yielding to His Spirit’s directing.
 
When the old covenant believers in Joshua 1-3 recognized the promises God had offered, their simple response of obedience was all the courage necessary.  The courage to believe God was good for His word. 

If you know He gives to His loved ones.  If you know He cannot lie and His promises are trustworthy.  If you know He fights on your behalf, then life becomes a more confident journey.
 
A challenge is to know His promises.  It is to establish a deeper friendship with Him and know what He has already given or promised you!
 
A couple of absolutes that are foundations upon which I begin each day are:
 
1 John 5:11-13  -- I know I have eternal life
Ephesians 1:18  -- I know He values me greatly, like an inheritance.

• 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.