ON TRIAL everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 “But, THE GREAT ADVENTURE that I may not weary you any further, I beg you to grant us, by Derek Westmoreland 11-17-19 your kindness, a brief hearing. Flattery of the judge was common and customary in 1st century Turn to: Title: Judea; and Tertullus, being the chosen lawyer, was an expert at Three weeks ago, we learned of a plot to kill Paul. 40 Jews it. He praised the governor for peace throughout his province made an oath to not eat until Paul was dead. In response to the which was used to win the governor’s favor. What mattered threat, the Roman commander moved Paul north to Caesarea most to the Romans was peace. If a governor could not keep st (map: Jerusalem to Caesarea 1 century; leave up until prayer.) peace then the governor would be replaced. Tertullus flatters where the governor of the province resided. There the governor governor Felix with comments about peace. named Felix read a letter sent by the Roman commander and agreed to hear the arguments regarding Paul. Paul has now been 2. The direct accusations held as a prisoner awaiting trial for five days. Today we read of After flattering the governor, Tertullus issued three charges the trial before Felix, for his accusers have now arrived in against Paul. One was a personal charge, one was a political Caesarea. charge, and the third was a doctrinal charge. Let’s address these charges one by one. We will read the text as we proceed through the message. Pray: 1. Personal charge Verse 5- “For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow I. CHRISTIANITY IS ATTACKED who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the Verse 1- After five days the high priest Ananias came down with world, some elders, with an attorney named Tertullus (tuhr-tuhlʹuhs), This charge is very similar to the charge the Jewish Council Ananias was the high priest of the Jews. Paul had previously brought against Jesus some 30 years prior. stood before him and the Jewish Council, as recorded in Acts In Luke 23:1-2a, 5 it reads, Then the whole body of them got up 23:1-11. and brought Him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse Now Ananias, and some elders from among the Jews, arrive in Him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation… 5 Caesarea with Tertullus. Tertullus is the attorney and this is the ...they kept on insisting, saying, “He stirs up the people, first mention of him in the book of Acts. Let’s see what Tertullus says. The personal charge against Jesus is now the charge they bring against Paul. And notice that the personal charge is subjective. 1. The flattering introduction Stirring up people and misleading people are opinions that can Verses 1-4- After five days the high priest Ananias came down be easily exaggerated. Paul had not done what they accused him with some elders, with an attorney named Tertullus, and they of. brought charges to the governor against Paul. 2 After Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying to the 2. Political charge governor, “Since we have through you attained much peace, Verse 5- “For we have found this man a real pest and a and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. this nation, 3 we acknowledge this in every way and

Tertullus presented as an entire new and dangerous Tertullus argued that all of his accusations would be confirmed sect and that Paul was a main leader of the movement. Should by Felix as he personally examined Paul; and the others that this charge stick, then the entire Christian community would be came with him gave their hearty agreement. considered a threat to the Roman empire. Let’s see if Paul agreed with the claims of Tertullus.

For those days, it was illegal to establish a new religion in II. THE CHRISTIAN DEFENDS HIMSELF Rome without approval. If Paul was indeed the leader of a new Verses 10-11- When the governor had nodded for him to speak, sect, he would be in violation of Roman law; therefore, the Paul responded: “Knowing that for many years you have been a governor would have taken this charge very seriously. judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense, 11 since you can take note of the fact that no more than twelve days ago I 3. Doctrinal charge went up to Jerusalem to worship. Verses 6-9- “And he even tried to desecrate the temple; and Paul began his defense by demonstrating respect for the then we arrested him. [We wanted to judge him according to governor and then reminding the governor of what he had just our own Law. 7 “But Lysias the commander came along, and done less than two weeks prior. As Paul gives his defense, he with much violence took him out of our hands, 8 ordering his responds to each of the three charges leveled against him by accusers to come before you.] By examining him yourself Tertullus and the charges leveled against him by the Asian concerning all these matters you will be able to ascertain the Jews. things of which we accuse him.” 9 The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so. 1. Paul addresses the charges by Tertullus This third charge was tricky for Tertullus, for he was appealing 1) The Personal Charge to the Roman governor while claiming that the Roman Verses 12-13- “Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, commander Claudius Lysias intervened when he should not nor in the city itself did they find me carrying on a discussion have. with anyone or causing a riot. 13 “Nor can they prove to you the charges of which they now accuse me. In those days, the Romans had given the Jews the right to Paul refutes the accusation that he caused a riot. enforce Jewish law within the Temple grounds. The Jews had Paul had been found in the temple 12 days before because he made it law to forbid Gentiles from entering the Temple. In was there to pay the costs of four Jews who had taken the Acts 21:28, the Jews from the province of Asia had come to Nazarite vow. The temple records would have been able to Jerusalem and claimed that Paul brought a Gentile into the confirm this truth. Paul wholeheartedly rejected this charge. Temple. This accusation was a lie, but had it stuck, Felix would have been obligated to give over jurisdiction to the 2) Political Charge Jewish Council which would have ended in Paul’s death. Verses 14-16- “But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, Tertullus argued that if it had not been for the commander’s believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that poor judgment, the Jews would have tried Paul according to is written in the Prophets; 15 having a hope in God, which these Jewish law and Felix would never have been burdened with this men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a case. resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16 “In view

of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men. 2. Paul addresses charges by the Jewish Council Paul did not shy away from what he believed and who he believed Verses 20-21- “Or else let these men themselves tell what in. Jesus referred to Himself as the Way in John 14:6, so Paul was misdeed they found when I stood before the Council, 21 other happy to be identified as a follower of the Way, a follower of than for this one statement which I shouted out while standing Christ. among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial Paul then claimed that he believed in the inerrancy of the Old before you today.’ ” Testament for he said, believing everything that is in accordance Paul had testified to the accusations by Tertullus. Now he aims with the Law and that is written in the Prophets. Paul believed in at the primary charge of the high priest and the elders. the worldwide flood, the parting of the Red Sea, and that Jonah They wanted him dead simply because of his Christian faith; was swallowed by a big fish. He was in full agreement with the simply because he believed Jesus to be the Messiah that died Jewish Scriptures; and Paul argued that those Scriptures were on the cross and resurrected on the third day. fulfilled in Christ Jesus. While the Sadducees rejected all resurrections, the Pharisaical

Tertullus portrayed Paul as the leader of a new sect; but Paul did Jews did believe in resurrections and certainly in their future not see it that way. He did not see himself and other Jewish resurrection from the dead. This, Paul and the Pharisees agreed Christians as former Jews, but as fulfilled Jews. Jews that realized on. It was simply Paul’s belief that Jesus resurrected from the that the prophesies of the Messiah from the Old Testament were dead that caused them to oppose him. In other words, fulfilled in Christ Jesus. Christianity was on trial that day!

3) Doctrinal Charge The Jews came to Caesarea and accused Paul of being anti- Here Paul refutes the charge by Tertullus and thus the Asian Jewish and anti-Roman, but they could not prove their charges. Jews, that he had desecrated the temple. Paul brought this to the forefront by challenging them to tell of Verses 17-19- “Now after several years I came to bring alms to what misdeed he had committed. my nation and to present offerings; 18 in which they found me III. THE CHRISTIAN IS HELD WITHOUT VERDICT occupied in the temple, having been purified, without any crowd Verses 22-23- But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about or uproar. But there were some Jews from Asia—19 who ought the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the commander to have been present before you and to make accusation, if they comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he gave orders should have anything against me. to the centurion for him to be kept in custody and yet have some Paul had refuted the false claims by Tertullus and then he freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering refuted the false claims by the Asian Jews. Roman law to him. required that the accusers be present to make their The verdict by Felix was to postpone the final verdict. He could accusation at the trial. If they failed to show up, then the have decided the case but, for fear of the Jews, he put the charges were to be dropped. Ananias did not have the Asian burden on Claudius Lysias, the commander to testify. As far as Jews with him; therefore, the case should be dismissed. Felix we know, the testimony was never given, and probably because knew this and Felix had the letter from the Roman commander the governor never actually asked for the commander to come that also argued that Paul was innocent. and testify.

Drusilla was a woman that lacked self-control. She had divorced The reality is, the governor already had the commander’s her husband to become Felix’s third wife, and though a Jewess, testimony; for the commander had already written that Paul was she lived as though God had never given the Ten not worthy of death or imprisonment. Commandments. Felix was a man that would lie to get ahead and The governor simply chose to ignore this, because it was not would even kill his enemies to promote himself. By addressing helpful in dealing with the Jews. righteousness and self-control, Paul was revealing to them their

Paul was not mistreated after the trial, but he also wasn’t free. guilt and thus their need of Christ.

He was constantly chained to a guard while he visited with his 3. The judgment to come friends that came to see him. Back in Acts 17:31 Paul said, “…God is now declaring to men

IV. PAUL SEIZES THE OPPORTUNITY that all people everywhere should repent, 31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness Verse 24- But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla (dro̅ o̅ - silʹuh), his wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. to all men by raising Him from the dead.” The Roman Governor was married to a Jew! A Jew that had a One day, the Father will judge the world. He will judge all people wicked background. according to the righteousness of Christ Jesus. At that time, the Her great grandfather was the Herod that tried to kill “little” Lord Jesus whom He appointed will confirm that He is either Jesus by having all the little boys in Bethlehem 2 years and your Savior or your Judge. under slaughtered. When your name is called, which will Jesus be: Savior or Judge.

Her great uncle was the one that had John the Baptist beheaded. Felix realized that he was unrighteous, lacked self-control, and Her father was the one that had the apostle James martyred. would soon be judged by almighty God. This frightened him! Now she wants to hear what the apostle Paul has to say. How did Felix respond to be being informed and frightened? What she heard was the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul was able to 1. Felix procrastinated testify of who Jesus was, what He did, and their need to place Verse 25b-27- Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for their faith in Him. Paul seized the opportunity to testify! the present, and when I find time I will summon you.” 26 At the

Verse 25- But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control same time too, he was hoping that money would be given him by and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and Let’s address each of these truths. converse with him. 27 But after two years had passed, Felix was 1. Righteousness succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a Paul spoke of righteousness which is the opposite of sinfulness. favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned. Governor Felix was frightened by the judgment to come, but The reality is, Felix and Drusilla were sinful; not righteous. How can one who is sinful be declared righteous? Only through Felix he would not repent and believe. Felix had rather receive a faith in Jesus who shed His blood for us. bribe then receive the free gift of eternal life.

2. Self-Control

Felix knew Paul was innocent; yet held him captive for two Felix knew the truth. He had heard and he may have even years due to not receiving a bribe and due to the fear of the believed that Jesus died for him and rose on the third day; but Jews; the fear of man. he would not turn from his sin and surrender his life to Jesus. I urge you to receive Jesus today. Receive Him while you have Felix put off repenting of sin and believing in Jesus because he time. Turn from your sin, confessing your sin, and turn to God thought he had time. The reality is, you don’t know if you by faith, surrendering your life to Him. have more time. 1) You don’t know how long you will live, and 2) You don’t know if God will convict you of sin ever again. John 6:44a- “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; Those who turn to God, do so because He draws them. He might never draw you again. Now is the time to repent and believe.

Dr. Clarence Macartney told a story about a meeting in hell. Satan called his four leading demons together and commanded them to think up a new lie that would trap more souls. “I have it!” one demon said. “I’ll go to earth and tell people there is no God.” “It will never work,” said Satan. “People can look around them and see that there is a God.” “I’ll go and tell them there is no heaven!” suggested a second demon, but Satan rejected that idea. “Everybody knows there is life after death and they want to go to heaven.” “Let’s tell them there is no hell!” said a third demon. “No, conscience tells them their sins will be judged,” said the devil. “We need a better lie than that.” Quietly, the fourth demon spoke. “I think I’ve solved your problem,” he said. “I’ll go to earth and tell everybody there is no hurry.”1

Don’t let this lie get you! Acts 17:30- God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent,

1 Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The exposition commentary (Vol. 1, pp. 500– 502). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.