Grace Bible Church Gillette, Wyoming

1. Five days was a relatively short time to assemble the priests as well as a lawyer in order to appear before Felix. They were unwilling to have this trial dismissed.

2. Ananias the high priest, the one who had Paul struck on the face, came with them (Act 23:1-2).

3. Tertullus, was introduced by Luke as an attorney. The Greek word is rêtōr from which we get our English word rhetoric or rhetorician. It means an orator in court, an advocate or attorney.

4. These attorneys were familiar with Roman Law as well as the judicial manner of making arguments and the skillful manipulation of half-truths.

II. TERTULLUS THE PROSECUTOR

A. Tertullus Began with Flattery for Felix (2)

1. It was normal in ancient trials as well as modern day trials to begin with a respectable address to the Judge. However, Tertullus does so with great exaggeration.

2. First he praised Felix for the attainments of peace called “reforms” during his rule for both Jews and Romans.

3. The problem was that Felix brought more instability than peace. Felix instituted a forceful peace by strict measures against both guilty and innocent individuals, punishing “a multitude not to be enumerated” (Josephus, Wars of the Jews).

4. Though he brought some peace through ceaseless warfare against the Sicarii, “he was more hurtful than them all” (Tacitus). In fact, he had some of these assassins on his payroll and at his instigation; they murdered the high priest Jonathon in the Temple.

B. Tertullus Openly Compliments Felix (3)

1. Tertullus thanked Felix, the “most excellent”, for all that he had accomplished in every way and everywhere. Outside of Felix’s warfare against the Sicarii, history has failed to mention all (or anything) that Felix had accomplished.

2. The Sanhedrin must have truly desired Paul’s conviction to be able to sit through all the layers of rhetorical smoke.

C. Tertullus Attempted not to Weary Felix (4)

1. In a bit of common rhetorical artwork, Tertullus grants Felix the humility of not being wearied by hearing all his accolades. Perhaps the Sanhedrin could bear it no longer.

2. Nevertheless, Tertullus introduced his case informing Felix it was going to be brief, cut, and dried.

D. Accusation #1 – Sedition (5a)

1. Tertullus’ first accusation against Paul was the crime of sedition. The indictment of sedition was a serious crime. It was called “Treason” and was included in Table 9 of the “Twelve Tables” of Roman Law. Sedition was the incitement of rebellion against Rome and its citizens.

2. Tertullus stated that Paul was a “real pest.” Unfortunately, the NASB does not capture the full meaning of the word. The KJV comes closer in this instance being translated “a pestilent fellow” or the ESV as “a plague.” The Greek word is loimos and literally means a dangerous plague or disease, i.e. pestilence. In reference to a person, it means he is dangerous to public welfare and a menace to society.

3. Paul was accused of stirring up dissension. “Dissension” was (stasis - stand) taking a position or stand of rebellion and insurrection. Incidentally, the insurrectionist named Barabbas was preferred and released over Jesus (Mar 15:7).

4. The apostles were careful to teach believers not to be guilty of insurrection but to be model citizens (Rom 13:1-7; 1Pe 2:13-15).

E. Accusation #2 – Sectarianism (5b)

1. Tertullus’ second accusation was that Paul was guilty of Sectarianism, causing violence between sects or group (“sect” of the Nazarenes vs. Jewish people)

2. In this case, Paul was accused of stirring up “all the Jews through the world.” There could have been something to this accusation had Tertullus brought evidence of all the trouble Paul had caused throughout Asia Minor.

3. However, had Tertullus brought evidence from another province, Felix would have sent Paul’s case to another jurisdiction. In all reality, Paul simply preached the Gospel but it was the Jews that became insolent at the message.

4. Paul was identified as the “ringleader” (prōtostatês – stands first, leader) of the Nazarenes. Christians were called “Nazarenes” because they were followers of Christ the “Nazarene” (Mat 2:23; Mar 10:47). But it was also a pejorative term because Nazareth was seen as a despicable place (Joh 1:46 cf. Luk 1:26-27).

F. Accusation #3 – Sacrilege (6)

1. Tertullus’ third accusation against Paul was that of “Sacrilege” for desecrating the Temple.

2. Tertullus’ case was that Paul violated Roman Law and Jewish Law, in regard to the Temple. They accused Paul of bringing Trophimus, a Gentile, into the Temple (cf. Act 21:27-29).They desired to have Paul back in their own Jewish Court to sentence him to death.

3. Desecration of the Temple is the one law in which the Romans allowed the Jews to carry out the death penalty. A sign on the gates of the Temple stated that any Gentiles who entered were responsible for his own death.

G. Accusation #4 – Suppression (7-8)

1. Tertullus’ fourth accusation appeared to have been against the Roman Commander, Claudius Lysias, who suppressed the Jews from carrying out their own Law. They claimed that Lysias took Paul out of their custody (7) and ordered the accusers to appear before Felix (8).

2. However, some of the early manuscripts do not contain the last part of vs. 6, all of vs. 7, and the first part of vs. 8.

3. Whether or not these verses were included in the original, it once again shows how Tertullus stretched the truth (cf. Act 21:31-34).

H. The Jews affirmed Tertullus’ accusations (9)

1. Most likely, the Sanhedrin informed Tertullus of these skewed facts, so of course they were in hearty agreement with his case. It’s funny how the plot between the Sicarii and the Sanhedrin never made it into Tertullus’ case.

III. OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATION

A. Providence of God – One might suggest that if God’s providence is at work in Paul’s life, then why does he have so much trouble. On the other hand, one might answer that God’s providence is observed in getting Paul out of so much trouble.

B. Flattery vs. Encouragement – Flattery is complimenting someone with selfish motives for something they did not do. It could also apply to something they did do. Believers are instructed not to flatter (Job 32:21; Psa 5:9; 1Th 2:4-6). Believers are also instructed not to be susceptible to flattery (Pro 2:16; 7:5, 21; 29:5; Rom 16:18; Jude 14-16). Encouragement on the other hand, is positive affirmation, no matter how small, that seeks to edify another (1Th 5:11, 14; Heb 10:24-25; Rom 15:4-5).

C. Jesus is the Believer’s Advocate – We are taught in Scripture that Jesus is the believer’s Advocate in the event that the believer sins (1Jo 2:1). “Advocate” is the Greek word paraklêtos which means one called alongside. Jesus comes alongside the believer with the defense that He Himself paid for the believer’s sins (1Jo 2:2). The believer’s Advocate is far greater than a mere rhetorician.

Grace Bible Church · 4000 E. Collins Rd · PO Box #3762 · Gillette, WY · (307) 686-1516