As we discovered last week, after his return from his third missionary journey, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, sensing that he would encounter much opposition. As soon as he arrived on the temple steps and began sharing Christ with those who had gathered, his suspicions became reality. After his defense in the Temple, the people rushed upon him, dragging him out of the temple. As they were seeking to kill him, the Roman commander was notified of the riot and rescued Paul, telling him that he would be taken the next day to the chief priests and the entire Council to continue his defense.
When Paul arrived before the Council, he noticed that some of those present were Sadducees (who didn’t believe in the resurrection of the dead) and some were Pharisees (as Paul was, who believed in the resurrection of the dead). With this in mind, Paul began to speak, saying,
“Brethren, I am a Pharisee and a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for the hope and resurrection of the dead” (Acts 23:6)!
With this statement, the Pharisees and Sadducees began arguing with one another and the dissention became so heated that the Roman commander came and returned Paul back to the barracks. It was then that the Lord spoke to Paul saying,
“Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My name at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also” (Acts 23:11).
With this statement (a promise from God), Paul knew that he would eventually end up in Rome. While in the barracks, a plot was uncovered indicating that over 40 Jews had formed a conspiracy, plotting to kill Paul. In fact, they had made a vow that they would not eat nor drink until they had done so (I wonder how long it took them to break their vow, as Paul lived another 5 years or so). At any rate, the soldiers feared for Paul’s life and dispatched seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to accompany Paul to Caesarea (out on the northern Mediterranean coast). Paul would soon meet with Felix, the governor of the province. Upon his arrival, they kept Paul in Herod’s official residence while he waited for his hearing before Felix.
After five days, the high priest, some of the elders, and other Jews arrived from Jerusalem and brought charges against Paul in front of Felix, saying,
“We have found this many to be a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes (Acts 24:5).
At this point, Paul was allowed to speak,
“According to the Way which they call a sect, I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law, and what is written in the Prophets; having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. In view of this, I also do my utmost to maintain a blameless conscience both before God and before men (Acts 24:14-16).
It was at this point that Paul made it clear to Felix as to why he was brought to him to stand trial,
“It is because of the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today” (Acts 24:21).
Notice Paul’s consistent emphasis upon then necessity of the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. When Paul said this, Felix decided to delay any decision on Paul’s guilt or innocence. Later, Felix’s wife, Drusilla (a Jewess), wanted to hear Paul speak about having “faith in Christ.” After Paul shared with those present, speaking of “righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come,” Felix became “frightened” and once again postponed any decision about Paul until a later time. In fact, Paul was kept in custody, but with a lot of freedom, as Felix permitted any of Paul’s friends to come and minister to him. Interestingly, by God’s providence, it was another two years before Paul would meet Festus, the governor who was to replace Felix.
This “two-year window” allowed Luke (one of Paul’s traveling companions) to be dispatched by Paul to go throughout Israel to record eyewitness accounts of all those who had had an encounter with Jesus and to put it all in writing. Because of the prophetic statement that God gave to Paul, both Paul and Luke knew that Paul was going to Rome at some time, and that he would need an attorney. Who was that attorney? Let’s look at the opening verses of the Gospel of Luke,
“Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us….it seemed fitting for me, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you might know the exact truth about the things you have been taught” (Luke 1:1-4).
Many believe (and I am one of them) that Theophilus was Paul’s defense attorney who was waiting for him to arrive in Rome for his trial before Nero. Luke wanted to record his account of the life of Jesus so that Theophilus would have all the essential information about Jesus so that he could provide a solid defense for Paul as to why he was traveling throughout the Roman Empire sharing the “Good News” of Jesus Christ. This is one reason why I love reading the Gospel of Luke, as it provides “eyewitness accounts” of Jesus’ life and ministry, providing Theophilus all he would need to defend Paul after he arrived in Rome.
Next week, we will conclude our series as Paul will meet before both Festus and then Agrippa, providing one last defense before he left for Rome. I hope that you will join me next week. May God bless you during this Advent season as we remember the real reason for the season!
