Paul’s Roman citizenship saves him from doom in Jerusalem with the Sanhedrin. Instead of possible death he is transferred to Caesarea to be tried in front of the sympathetic, yet politically astute governor Felix. The trial is adjourned awaiting the presence of the tribune from Jerusalem.
Paul is kept in custody but given some liberties while being ‘imprisoned’ in Herod’s palace. This goes on for two years when a new governor arrives. Felix does not release Paul as he wanted to ingratiate himself with the Jews:
Paul to Sanhedrin: “Brethren, I have conducted myself before God with a perfectly good conscience up to this day.”
Paul (in Sanhedrin): “Brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisees, it is about hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are no angels or spirits, whereas the Pharisees believe in both.
Pharisees: “We find no evil in this man; what if a spirit has really spoken to him, or an angel?
The Lord stood by Paul and said (to Paul): “Be steadfast; for just as thou hast borne witness to me in Jerusalem, bear witness in Rome also.”
There were more than forty that had made this conspiracy… “We have bound to ourselves under a great curse to taste nothing until we have killed Paul…”
The tribune to two centurions: “get ready… to mount Paul and take him in safety to Felix the governor (in Caesarea).”
The letter to Felix: …having learnt that he was a Roman… O found him accused about questions of their Law, but not of any crime deserving of death or imprisonment… I sent him to thee, directing his accusers also to state the case before thee. Farewell.”
Felix to Paul: “I will hear thee when thy accusers have come.”
And he ordered him to be kept in Herod’s palace.
Now five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some of the elders and one Tertullus, an attorney; and they presented their case against Paul before the governor.
Tertullus: “We have found this man a pest, and a promoter of seditions among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sedition of the Nazarene sect.”
Paul: “I shall answer for myself with good courage… neither in the temple did they find me disputing with anyone or creating a disturbance among the people, not in the synagogues, nor about the city; neither can they prove to thee the charges that they now make against me. But this I admit to thee, that according to the Way… that there be a resurrection of the just and unjust; and in this I too strive always to have a clear conscience before God and before men… or else let these men themselves say what they found wrong in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin… It is about the resurrection of the dead that I am being judged by you this day.”
Felix, however, having precise information about the Way, adjourned the trial, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.”
Felix instructed the centurion to keep Paul in custody but to allow him some liberty, and not to prevent any of his friends from looking after him.
Now some days later: Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard what he had to say about the faith in Christ Jesus. But as Paul talked of justice and chastity and the judgment to come, Felix became alarmed and answered: “For the present go thy way; but when I get an opportunity, I will send for thee.”
But after two years Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and as he wanted to ingratiate himself with the Jews, Felix left Paul in prison.
“The Way” is referenced numerous times in these passages while the Lord stood by Paul and told him: “Be steadfast; for just as thou hast borne witness to me in Jerusalem, bear witness in Rome also.”
Paul has faced the Sanhedrin; knows it is not really he but “The Way to Resurrection in Christ Jesus” that is on trial.
More importantly, the Lord has plans for Paul to witness in Rome…
Day 130: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; Paul faces Sanhedrin; the Way to Resurrection in Christ Jesus is on Trial.
Read and inspired by the New Testament, The Acts of The Apostles Chapters 23-24.
Bible Notes:
Saint Luke, the author of the third Gospel, wrote also this history of the primitive Church. Opening with the story of the Ascension and Pentecost, this book records the important events of the early Church: the mass conversions after Pentecost; the persecution by Herod; the conversion of Saint Paul; his three missionary journeys; his arrest and final trip to Rome
Acts Chapter 23: He is struck in the mouth; Dispute between Sadducees and Pharisees; A plot to murder Paul; The plot is discovered; Paul brought by night to Caesarea; The letter to Felix; Felix holds Paul in custody.
Paul to Sanhedrin: “Brethren, I have conducted myself before God with a perfectly good conscience up to this day.”
But the high priest Ananias ordered those who were standing by him to strike him in the mouth.
Paul: “God will strike thee, thou whitewashed wall. Dost thou sit there to try me by the Law, and in violation of the Law order me to be struck?
Bystanders: “Dost thou insult God’s high priest?”
Paul: “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘Thou shalt not speak evil of a ruler of thy people.’”
Paul (in Sanhedrin): “Brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisees, it is about hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are no angels or spirits, whereas the Pharisees believe in both.
Pharisees: “We find no evil in this man; what if a spirit has really spoken to him, or an angel?
The Lord stood by Paul and said (to Paul): “Be steadfast; for just as thou hast borne witness to me in Jerusalem, bear witness in Rome also.”
There were more than forty that had made this conspiracy… “We have bound to ourselves under a great curse to taste nothing until we have killed Paul…”
The tribune to two centurions: “get ready… to mount Paul and take him in safety to Felix the governor (in Caesarea).”
The letter to Felix: …having learnt that he was a Roman… O found him accused about questions of their Law, but not of any crime deserving of death or imprisonment… I sent him to thee, directing his accusers also to state the case before thee. Farewell.”
Felix to Paul: “I will hear thee when thy accusers have come.”
And he ordered him to be kept in Herod’s palace.
Acts Chapter 24: Paul’s accusers speak; Paul’s defense; Paul’s story of his arrest; Felix postpones his decision; Paul remains in jail two years.
Now five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some of the elders and one Tertullus, an attorney; and they presented their case against Paul before the governor.
Tertullus: “We have found this man a pest, and a promoter of seditions among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sedition of the Nazarene sect.”
Paul: “I shall answer for myself with good courage… neither in the temple did they find me disputing with anyone or creating a disturbance among the people, not in the synagogues, nor about the city; neither can they prove to thee the charges that they now make against me. But this I admit to thee, that according to the Way… that there be a resurrection of the just and unjust; and in this I too strive always to have a clear conscience before God and before men… or else let these men themselves say what they found wrong in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin… It is about the resurrection of the dead that I am being judged by you this day.”
Felix, however, having precise information about the Way, adjourned the trial, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.”
Felix instructed the centurion to keep Paul in custody but to allow him some liberty, and not to prevent any of his friends from looking after him.
Now some days later: Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard what he had to say about the faith in Christ Jesus. But as Paul talked of justice and chastity and the judgment to come, Felix became alarmed and answered: “For the present go thy way; but when I get an opportunity, I will send for thee.”
But after two years Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and as he wanted to ingratiate himself with the Jews, Felix left Paul in prison.
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