Title Exposition on Acts-70
Contents
Act 70 06.7.5 in front of Villix (Wednesday Prayer Meeting)
Acts 24:1-23
Ananias, the high priest, had Tertullus the lawyer accuse Paul before the governor. But Paul wisely answered and refuted Tertullus's words. Let us see how the providence of God, in which justice triumphs over injustice, is guiding Paul.
I. Lawyer Durdulo started his argument with flattering words.
“Paul was called, and Tertullus accuses him, saying,” (verse 2).
1. He said that he is enjoying peace of mind because of the governor.
“Mr. Felix, we may enjoy peace through Dain---(verse 3).”
2. He said that the people's life improved because of the governor.
“---And we greatly give thanks in every way and in every place that this nation has been improved in many ways by your foresight” (verse 3).
What the colonialists clich d claim was that they made a lot of progress.
1). Even people are not easily deceived by flattering words.
2). The Lord is never deceived by flattering words.
3. He said he would keep it brief so as not to further annoy the governor.
“In order not to trouble you any more, we urge you to be patient and to listen” (verse 4).
Telling the truth is important, long and short is not a problem.
Ⅱ. Tertulus accused Paul in three ways.
1. Paul was called the instigator of turmoil like a plague.
“We saw that this man is like a pestilence, the one who stirs up all the Jews who are scattered throughout the world---(Verse 5).”
Rome did not condone only civil disorder. It was natural for Rome to rule a vast area. Tertullus was about to accuse Paul of this sensitive case.
2. Paul was called the chief of the Nazarene heresy.
“--He is the head of the Nazarene cult” (verse 5).
False Messiahs had incited the people to revolt. Therefore, even Rome, which was tolerant of the religions of other peoples, could not neglect the vigilance of religious figures. Especially because the Jewish false Messiah never passed quietly.
3. Paul called the temple blasphemy.
“And we arrested him, because he wanted to defile the temple” (verse 6).
The priests were Sadducees. The Sadducees were Roman collaborators. To blaspheme the temple was a violation of the priests' rights and laws.
Therefore, the violation of the rights and laws of the priests was resistance to the pro-Romans and was regarded as a prelude to rebellion against Rome.
Ⅲ.Paul told the truth in order to refute the accusation of Tertullus was false.
1. Paul said that he had only been to Jerusalem for twelve days.
“As you can see, it has only been twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship” (verse 11).
What Paul was trying to say was that the time had not come for him to come to Judea and cause any commotion.
2. Paul said that he had never argued in the temple or caused a commotion in the city.
“They did not see me arguing with anyone in the temple, or causing a disturbance in the synagogues or in the city” (verse 12).
3. Paul said that it was true that they had a belief called heresy.
“But this I confess to you, I serve the God of my fathers according to what they call heresy, and believe everything written in the law and in the prophets” (verse 14).
Paul said that he only had faith in the resurrection and that he kept the ordinances of the temple.
In doing so, Paul is stating for himself two things that could be problematic.
1).There were Jews from Asia, and they said they would have come here if they really wanted to make an accusation.
In fact, the problem started when Jews from Asia saw Paul in the temple and urged people to do it.
“When the seven days were almost full, when the Jews from Asia saw Paul in the temple, they urged all the crowd to seize him and cry out, “Men of Israel, help. and he brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place” (Acts 21:27-28).
But they said that Paul had brought Greeks into the temple (21:29), and they had misunderstood.
It is argued that the absence of those who will be accusers or strong witnesses indicates that their statements were false.
2).Paul said before the council, “--there is an inquiry concerning the resurrection of the dead-(v. 21)”.
Ⅳ. Governor Felix made the following decision.
1. It was said that Vilix knew more about Christ.
So it just shows that they didn't believe what they said.
It means you made a wise decision because you knew it.
2. Felix decided on two things.
1).Paul's trial is postponed.
He said he would wait until the chief who sent him here arrives.
It also means that the facts are clearly judged and judged.
2). Keep Paul, but give freedom.
“And commanded the centurion to guard Paul, but set him free, and do not forbid his friends to take care of him” (verse 23).
Lessons learned and application
1. Good and evil are mixed, but good and evil are distinct.
2. It is said to be an evil world, but truth and justice prevail.
3. Even if it is disadvantageous, the saints must not bend the truth and justice.