Acts 24:1-9
¹ And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. ² And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, ³ Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. ⁴ Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.
TRANSCRIPT
I greet all of you in the blessed name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our text for tonight’s message is taken from Acts 24 verse 1 to 9. Have you ever shared the gospel with someone again and again? You spent a lot of time with that person, but only to see the person rejecting the gospel and remain an unbeliever throughout the remaining years of his or her life. It is most tragic right? Throughout the Bible, we see many people who have wasted and missed the opportunity concerning salvation. In the Old Testament, the Israelites saw miracles after miracles -the opening of the Red Sea, the manna that came down from Heaven, the water that came out of the rock. They saw all those miracles and yet, they rebelled against God and died in the wilderness, missing the opportunity to enter the promised land.
In the New Testament, if you remember, the philosophers at Mass Hill in Athens, Acts 17. They had the opportunity to hear how Paul gave a wonderful defence of Christianity but at the end of the day, some mocked and laughed at him whilst others proudly said to him ‘we will hear from you again regarding this matter’. But after Paul left Athens, he never returned. The philosophers never got the opportunity to hear the gospel again, or at least the Bible does not tell us of any such opportunity. Jesus himself told of the parable of the wise and foolish virgins. How he described the five foolish virgins had wasted and missed the opportunity. But the most classic example of wasted opportunity would be Judas Iscariot, who lived and ministered with the Lord Jesus Christ during his earthly ministry. He could have been one of the twelve Apostles. He could have been one of the leaders in the New Testament church, one of the great preachers. His name could have been inscribed on the foundation stones in the New Jerusalem. But he threw that opportunity away all because of thirty pieces of silver.
In Acts 24, we are going to learn about one man who had also wasted and missed the opportunity concerning salvation. It was none other than the Roman and Governor, Felix. In many ways, he was very similar to Judas Iscariot. Judas lived with the Lord Jesus for more than three years, Felix had Paul living in his palace for about two years. Judas had many opportunities to talk with Jesus and ask questions, in Acts 24 verse 26 the Bible tells us that very often Felix would send for Paul and commune with him, which means communicated with him. Judas betrayed the Son of God for money, verse 26 tells us that Felix hoped that Paul could bribe him with money. Judas betrayed the Lord to the Jewish authorities, Felix feared the Jewish authorities, therefore he betrayed Paul by refusing to release him despite his innocence. You can see they are very similar. So, chapter 24 was primarily focused on the Roman Governor, Felix. Remember the chief captain, Claudius Lysias, had specially arranged for Paul to be brough to Caesarea. He had informed the Roman Governor, Felix, about Paul’s situation. Felix wanted to wait for Paul’s accusers to arrive before he would try his case. Therefore, in this passage, we are going to learn about the accusers, the Jewish leaders presenting their case before Felix, then subsequently Paul would have to defend himself against those accusations.
As Felix was listening to those charges, and defences, he was in admittedly exposed to the gospel. How do we know? If you look at verse 21 of this chapter, the Bible tells us that Paul spoke and explained about the resurrection and Christianity, so much so that verse 22 says when Felix heard these things, he had a more perfect knowledge of that way, a more thorough of that way, referring to Christ or Christianity. In verse 24, he even sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. In other words, he listened as Paul talked about believing in the Messiah. That was why a moment ago I said this man, Felix, had wasted and missed the opportunity concerning salvation.
My friends, if there is one important lesson for us to learn about this man, Felix, it would be ‘today is the day of Salvation.’ Please do not say ‘well, I still have tomorrow.’ Tomorrow may never come. Tonight, we will only be looking at the first nine verses and the focus will be on the accusers, the Jewish leaders. The title is ‘The Accusers Before the Roman Governor Felix.’
I. They were Determined
The first thing we learn about the accusers is that they were very determined. Let us begin with verse 1, “And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.” So five days later, Ananias with some of the elders arrived at Caesarea The word ‘descended’ was used because Jerusalem was on a higher plain, which means they descended from Jerusalem to go to the lower plain, which is Caesarea, and they brought with them an orator name Tertullus. An orator means a speaker, of an advocator. In our modern terms, we will call him an attorney or a lawyer, someone who will represent them to bring charges to the governor against Paul. That is what it means ‘informed the governor against Paul’.
Why do we say they were very determined? Take a moment and consider this, they had to find an attorney, right? And then they had to bring the case together, compiled the case against Paul, they had to travel sixty-five miles from Jerusalem to Caesarea, about one hundred and four kilometres, further than from Oakleigh to Geelong. Can you imagine the distance? They took only five days to do all these things. That tells us how fast, diligent, committed, well-prepared and determined they were. To be determined means to decide on something with a strong resolution not to change, or to pursue after something and not give up. But they were determined for the wrong reason and purpose. Do you realise that like the Jewish leaders, some people can be very determined, but for the wrong reasons and purpose. They can be very determined to do evil, they can be very determined to sin, to be malicious. They may appear to be very eager about things happening around them, things pertaining to you, your family, the church. The moment they hear something happening, they are very quick to pick up and then they will call around and ask ‘did you hear what happened to so and so? Why not we meet up to discuss about this matter?’ They are determined to be involved. You think they are concerned – no they are not. They just want to destroy, to gossip, to spread rumours and all kinds of false accusations. People can be very determined for the wrong reason and purpose. Christians must never behave like that.
Regarding this matter about determination, last Sunday I was speaking with a worshipper, and he was sharing with me something about the determination of the vast majority. He said something very interesting, and I agreed with him. Not these exact words, I am paraphrasing what he said, ‘the vast majority is very determined to be successful,’ he said. They would do everything they can in the pursuit of better education, better careers, better housing, better investment etc, they can be very determined but at the end of the day, they are just a little bit better than the rest. At the end of the day, they and their lives are just a little bit more comfortable than the rest. They can get to travel a few more places than the rest. That’s all. Naked you come, naked you go. So much about our determination does not mean that we should not be determined at all. Determination is good – but it must be for the right reason and purpose. You and I should be determined for spiritual things, for things heavenly, for things eternal.
My friends, be determined to honour and glorify the Lord, all the days of our lives. Be determined in evangelism, do not give up, no matter how many times you are rejected. Be determined to serve the Lord, others many give up, others may throw in the towel, you do not give up. All these are things that will last for all eternity. Be determined for the right reasons and purpose. Unlike the Jewish leaders, they can be very fast, diligent, committed, well prepared, determined. But all for the wrong reasons. For evil purposes – to destroy and kill the Apostle Paul.
II. They were Wicked
Our second point is ‘they were wicked.’ Ananias was one of the most corrupt high priests in the history of Israel. Josephus, the Jewish historian, said ‘he will steal from all the other priests, the tithes and offerings which belonged to them. Any priest who resisted, he would beat up that priest. In AD 66, he was killed by the Jewish people when they rebelled against Rome. The elders were the key leaders of the Sanhedrin council, they were religious leaders of Israel, so all these people came to Caesarea personally for one purpose and one purpose only, to accuse Paul. That tells us how angry and frustrated they were with Paul, but more importantly they saw him as a serious threat to their authority. Most likely, Tertullus was hired because he was well versed in the Roman law. But if the Jewish leaders were truthful and factual, they need not hire an expert attorney to represent them, right? All they needed to do was speak the truth. I believe as a Roman citizen; the Apostle Paul would have the right to hire an attorney too. But he did not do that, he represented himself. He simply spoke the truth.
Very often people would use lawyers to help them twist and turn, manoeuvre the facts in order to win the case. I’m not saying all lawyers are dishonest, or we should not engage a lawyer. If it is necessary to help us with all the legalities, we have to engage a lawyer and many lawyers are honest. But the point is that that is part of their training – to look for loopholes to help their clients get out of a tight situation. And often times, at the expense of the truth. Although we did not know much about Tertullus but through how he presented the case, we can learn some details about him.
III. They were False Accusers
So, our third point is ‘they were false accusers.’ Look at verse 2, “And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee” - this is a reference to Felix – “we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence”. Verse 3, “We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.” That was a typical way of flattering and complimenting a judge, which in this case was the Roman Governor, Felix. Actually, my friends, there was not much good that could be said about Felix. History tells us that Felix was a former slave. He rose into power because his brother, Pallas, the favourite slave of the emperor, Claudius. The Roman historian, Tacitus, recorded this about Felix. Very interestingly he said, ‘Felix exercised the power of a King with the mind of a slave’. What a terrible way to describe someone in authority. Just like someone who says, ‘he exercised the authority of being a church leader, but with the mind of a sinner.’ What a terrible way, right? Tertullus complained, not complained, he accused Paul but then when he turned to Felix, he complimented him for the great quietness or peace they had enjoyed under this government, and all the very worthy deeds he had done for the Jewish nation. Interestingly, history recorded none of those deeds. Nothing. In fact, two years from now, Felix would be removed from his office by Emperor Nero, to be replaced by Festus. So, when you read the next chapter, it will be on this new governor, Festus. Most likely, due to his incompetence, he (Felix) was removed.
Verse 4, “Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.” In other words ‘I do not want to trouble you any further, I just pray that by your kindness, you will grant us a brief hearing.’ Verse 5, ‘For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover” - a mover is someone who moves the people, stirs the heart of the people – “of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.” You can imagine how much the Jewish leaders hated Paul, calling him a pestilent fellow, a pest, a plague. You know, like a troublesome locust that ought to be crushed to death, just like the way you crush an insect, calling him a pestilent fellow, very troublesome, irritating.
They brought three charges against Paul, beginning with the first charge, that would be great interest to the Roman governor, that Paul had violated the Roman’s law. You may be asking ‘how did Paul violate the Roman’s law?’ You see, when he caused sedition amongst the Jewish people, who lived throughout the Roman empire, which is known as the Roman world. Since the Jews were under the Romans, anyone who cause sedition amongst the Jewish people they would have violated the Roman’s law; a very wicked and cunning way to falsely accuse Paul. Surely Rome will not tolerate anyone who caused sedition within their empire. That was exactly what happened in AD66 when the Jews in Jerusalem rebelled against the Roman authorities. What happened? Rome sent General Titus to brutally kill the Jews, destroy Jerusalem, including the temple in AD70. Surely, they knew that this charge would cause Paul his life. It is true that Paul was involved in several riots, so when you read through the book of Acts, which we have done until now. He had encountered several riots, but he was never the instigator, he was always the victim. It was a false accusation, false charge.
The second charge against Paul was that he had violated the Jewish law and that he was the ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. The word sect, the original word is from where we get the English word for heresy. A ringleader is a military term, meaning someone who stands in the front rank, someone who is at the front, leading this group of people. Jesus was from Nazareth; he was called a Nazarene. So, the word Nazarenes was actually a demeaning term used for his followers. In other words, Paul was the leader of this heretical group known as the Nazarenes. That was the second charge.
The third charge was that Paul has blasphemed the Jewish temple. Look at verse 6, “Who also hath gone about to profane the temple” – to blaspheme the temple – “ whom we took” – or arrested - “and would have judged according to our law.” All these three charges were false. Tertullus even went as far as to say that they had arrested Paul and would have judged him according to their own Jewish law, that was a terrible lie. Remember, they never had the intention to judge Paul at all, they wanted to kill him. It was the Romans who had saved his life, even when Paul was in the Roman’s barracks, they still wanted to kill him. The Jews, together with the chief priest and the elders, had forty men waiting to kill Paul. It was his nephew who overheard the plot, revealed it to Paul, and then Paul told the Centurion to bring the boy to the chief captain and that was how Paul’s life was saved. It was a terrible lie. They had no intention to judge him at all. Only one intention – that was to kill him.
But now, he turned the story around and said ‘we would have judged him according to our Jewish law, and we would not have troubled you if only something did not happen, if only the situation would permit us’. My friends, have you ever encountered a particular incident that had already happened, it was after the fac, and that people would say all kinds of things. ‘If only I was there, if only you had approached me, if only the situation was different.’ It’s always ‘if only’ and it is always after the fact, not before the fact. Sometimes we need to differentiate between before the fact or after the fact. If it is before the fact, you forewarn me, you advise me – praise the Lord for your anticipation, wisdom, discernment. But if it is after the fact, the thing had already happened and then you keep on saying ‘if only this, if only that’ what is the purpose of saying these things. Some people are very prone to do that ‘If only, if only.’ So, always after the fact.
So Tertullus said ‘we would have judged Paul according to our Jewish law, we would not have trouble you, if only.’ Verse 7, “But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands. ” ‘If this situation, this thing did not happen, the chief captain Claudius Lysias, did not intervene, we would not have trouble you, we would have done all we can to judge him by our Jewish law, if only’. Actually, it was the other way around, it was Claudius Lysias who had saved Paul out of their violent hands, they wanted to kill him. Now they even had the audacity to accuse the chief captain that he was abusing his authority, he was using unnecessary force against them. Can you see when a person is so determined to lie, so determined to destroy someone, eh will resort to all kinds of lies and false accusations. He would not know how to stop too.
From Paul, he went onto talk about Claudius Lysias, now he involved the chief captain. Perhaps the only truthful thing Tertullus said was that the chief captain had commanded them to come to Caesarea and to bring their charges against Paul before the Roman Governor and that is found in verse 8. Look at verse 8, “Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.” Which means concerning all these things at we accuse Paul of, you will be able to ascertain that they are all true. Having said that, he rested his case. Verse 9, “And the Jews also assented” – with one accord, they agreed – “saying that these things were so.” These Jews will be none other than Ananias and all the elders, they joined this attack and confirmed that these things were true. So, they were partakers, they were partners of this terrible lie. My friends, if the accusers were so determined to destroy Paul, how do you think he would respond?
In the next passage, we will be learning how the Apostle Paul responded to people who are very determined to destroy him. Have you ever encountered anyone who is very determined to destroy you? Whether in your workplace, or even in the ministry. How do you respond? Although we are going to learn that when we come back, but for the moment, it is sufficient to say that if it effects the testimony of Jesus Christ, if it effects the truth of God’s word, if it effects our ministry, our church, then we have to defend at all costs even if it may cost our lives. We must defend. But, if it only effects our reputation, it only effects we ourselves, then my friends, the best step for us to take is to follow none other than our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Remember Jesus when he was reviled, he reviled not. When he was threatened, he threatened not again. So, I pray that we will learn this principle as well. If it effects my Lord, his church, his ministry, I will fight, I will defend at all costs, even if it may cost my life. But if it affects only me, my name, my reputation, my life, then I follow my Lord who will not revile back even though when he was reviled, threatened not, when he himself was threatened. So, when we come back, we will learn how the Apostle Paul based his response on the truth of God’s word. Let us pray.
Our Father in Heaven, we thank Thee for this opportunity to consider Acts 24 verse 1 to 9. These nine verses that we can learn even from the example of the false accusers, the Jewish leaders. Indeed, they are so determined to destroy the Apostle Paul. They are wicked, they are false accusers and what lessons can we learn that we may apply into our lives. As we live our lives on this earth, as we serve thee in Thine ministry, there may be people who are determined to destroy us, our work, our church, what should we do? We must defend, we must confront, we must deal with it very strongly. But if it pertains to ourselves, our reputation, oh Lord, we learn from our Lord Jesus. Indeed, there will always be false accusers, but our Lord is our judge. He will judge and we live the judgement to Him, and we let Him deal with all these false accusers. Help us oh Lord that we will be able to apply biblical truth into our lives, help us even as we study through the book of Acts, though it is a narrative study of the Apostles, yet we can draw biblical lessons, principles, that we may apply into our lives and we pray that Thou will give us much wisdom, discernment, most importantly, the determination to do the right thing for the right reason and for the right purpose, unlike the Jewish leaders who may be determined but all for the wrong purpose, for their own wicked ways. We give Thee thanks and we pray all this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
SERMON OUTLINE
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Paul's Arrest at JerusalemPaul's Arrest at JerusalemActs 21:27-39
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