Acts 23:12-22 The Plan to Kill Paul

The Plan to Kill Paul
Acts 23:12-22

Intro Questions

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These are some of the frivolous lawsuits filed by convicted prisoners across the United States (which are subsidized by taxpayers).

~ A death-row inmate sues corrections officials for taking away his Gameboy electronic game. (Donald Edward Beaty v. Bury)

~ Inmate, calling himself a sports fanatic, complains that, as a result of cruel and unusual punishment, he was forced to miss the NFL playoffs -- especially the "classic games" between Miami and San Diego, San Diego and Pittsburgh, and Dallas and San Francisco. (Arkansas)

~ Inmate complains because his meal allegedly was in poor condition. He claims his sandwich was soggy and his cookie was broken. (Brittaker v. Rowland)

~ Inmate who murdered five people sues after lightning knocks out the prison's TV satellite dish and he must watch network programs, which he says contain violence, profanity, and other objectionable material. (Jackson v. Barton)

~ Inmate sues to be served fruit juice at meals and three pancakes instead of two. (Spradley v. Rathman)

~ Inmate sues to be given Reeboks, Adidas, Pony, or Avia hightops rather than the inferior brand sneakers issued by the prison. (Brown v. Singletary)

~ Inmate sues for not receiving his scheduled parole hearing, though he was out on escape when the hearing was to be held. (Young v. Murphy)

~ Inmate claims discrimination because he was not given a Department of Corrections raincoat like other inmates. (Walker v. DOC)

~ Inmate sues to be served fresh rather than reconstituted milk. (Gerteisen v. Bowers)

~ Inmate sues for right to conduct martial arts sparring and full-contact fighting as part of his religion. (Gibson v. Miller)

~ Inmate sues because he was required to eat off of a paper plate. (Procup v. Strickland, et al)

~ Inmate -- who has filed more than 140 actions in state and federal court -- sues over finding gristle in his turkey leg. (Attwood v. Bowers)

We get quite a different picture of a prisoner in the New Testament by the name of Paul.  While he wasn't afraid to demand his rights (Acts 22:25; 25:11), neither was Paul one to whine and complain and mope while in prison (and he hadn't even committed a crime!).  Listen to this positive statement which comes from Paul's pen as he sat in chains:

"Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.  As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly..... And because of this I rejoice.  Yes, and I will continue to rejoice." (Philippians 1:12-14, 18b).

This passage is an encouragement to me in those times when it seems that life is treating me unfairly.  If Paul could maintain such a positive spirit and joy in the midst of such difficulty, surely I can do the same. There is much to be thankful for!

Have a great day!

Alan Smith

White House Church of Christ

White House, Tennessee  37188

Acts 22:22-23:11 Paul Reveals His Roman Citizenship

Paul Reveals His Roman Citizenship
Acts 22:22-23:11

Intro Questions

#God                                    #People    #Time         #Place        #Obedient faith            #Sin             #Key Idea

Paul and the Roman Tribune

22Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.” 23And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, 24the tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this. 25But when they had stretched him out for the whips,^d Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?” 26When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.” 27So the tribune came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” And he said, “Yes.” 28The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.” 29So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.

Paul Before the Council

30But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.

 Chapter 23

1And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” 2And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” 4Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God’s high priest?” 5And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

6Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” 7And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?” 10And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.

11The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

 

Hashtags
#Paul
#the tribune
#centurion
#the Jews
# Ananias – high priest
#Sadducees
#Pharisees

Places
#barracks
#Jerusalem
#Rome

Topics
#Citizenship
#Dissension between Pharisees and Sadducees
God standing by Paul

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CHARACTERISTICS OF AUTHORITIES ACTS 23–26

By Mark Scott & Mark E. Moore

I.             Ananias, the High Priest:

1.            Held office 48–59 A.D.

2.            He was insolent and quick-tempered.

3.            He was hated by the Jews for his pro-Roman leanings.

4.            Known for liberal use of violence.

5.            Confiscated temple tithes.

6.            Rebelled in 66 A.D., was sought and assassinated by the Jews.

II.          Antonius Felix (cf. Josephus, Wars, 2.12.8–18.7; Antiquities, 20.7.1–8.9):

1.            Born and raised as a slave in Caesar's house.  Freed by Antonia, mother of Claudius.

2.            His brother, Pallas, became a favorite advisor the Emperor Claudius. Thus Felix became the "corrupt favorite" of Claudius.

3.            Through Pallas' influence, Felix became the governor of the land extending from Jerusalem up to Cilicia, including Tarsus and Antioch.

i.            Appointed to rule Samaria in 48 A.D.

ii.          Appointed to govern Judea in 52 A.D.

4.            Insurrections and anarchy increased during his rule.

5.            Tacitus described him as, "A master of cruelty and lust who exercised the powers of a king with the spirit of a slave" (Annals, XII. 54; History, V. 9).

6.            Nero recalled him in A.D. 59.

7.            He married two women named Drusilla and in between these he married a princess:

i.            Drusilla #1: Granddaughter of Antony and Cleopatra.

ii.          Drusilla #2: Daughter of Herod Agrippa I.

(1)          At 15 she married King Azizus of Emesa, a petty state of Syria.

(2)          At 16 she married Felix, influenced by a Cypriot magician named Atmos.

(3)          During Paul's trial she is about 20. III. Drusilla:

1.            Daughter of Herod Agrippa I and sister of Agrippa II.

2.            As a teenager she married Azizus.

3.            She was captivated by Felix' ruthlessness and power.

4.            She wanted power and saw marriage to Felix as a way to climb the political ladder.

5.            Perhaps her conscience got the best of her—Acts 24:25.

IV. Festus:

1. Began rule in 60 A.D.  Died in 62 A.D.

2.  While he seems antagonistic towards Paul in Acts, the sources are kind to this ruler.

3. He desires to be a more just ruler than Felix.  This is evident in how swiftly he goes to Jerusalem. V. Herod Agrippa II:

1.            The son of Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12); he was 17 when is father died.

2.            Ruled with the status of a king for about 30 years; also controlled the temple.

3.            Did have Jewish blood, which could prove to be an advantage.

4.            His sister, Bernice, lived with him.  Some accused them of being incestuously involved (Tacitus, Hist. 2.2; Suetonius, Titus 7; Dio Cassius, 65.15; 66:18).

VI. Bernice:

1.            Sister of Herod Agrippa II.

2.            Was known as a bed-hopper.

                   She was the Jewish Cleopatra and the mistress of Titus, the Roman general.

                                                                       

Paul vs. the High Priest (Acts 23:5)

 

Paul replied, Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‗Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.‘

 

1.            Irony—"I did not know that the high priest acted in such a manner.‖

2.            Apology—"I'm sorry. I spoke in haste."

3.            Change in Priests—There were 28 high priests between 37 – 70 _A._D. Perhaps because he had been away for so long he was not aware of the most recent change in the high priest.

4.            Wrong Setting—Because Lysias had called this meeting, perhaps the Ananias did not have time to put on the proper robes of the high priest or was not sitting in the proper position.

5.            Vision—some have suggested that the room was dark and/or Paul's poor eyesight hindered him from seeing who it was who commanded the beating.

Usurpation of High Priest—Still others have suggested that Ananias usurped the position of High Priest and Paul suggested that he did not actually belong.

Acts 22:1-21 Paul's Defense

Paul's Defense
Acts 22:1-21

Intro Questions

#God                                    #People    #Time         #Place        #Obedient faith            #Sin             #Key Idea

Acts 22:1-21

 

1“Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.”

2And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said:

3“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. 4I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, 5as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.

6“As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. 7And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ 8And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ 9Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understandc the voice of the one who was speaking to me. 10And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ 11And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.

12“And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13came to me, and standing by me said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight.’ And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him. 14And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; 15for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. 16And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

17“When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance 18and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’ 19And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. 20And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ 21And he said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’”

Hashtags
#Saul AKA Paul
#the Jews
#Gamaliel
#both men and women
#those who were with me
#Stephen

Places
#Tarsus of Cilicia
#this city
#Damascus
# Jerusalem

Topics
#conversion
#obedience

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The Forensic Defense Speeches of Paul

(Acts 22:1-21; 26:1-23; cf. Malina & Neyrey, Paul, p. 91)

 

I.             Exordium (or Prooemium) (cf. Rh. Her. 1.4.6; Cicero, Inv. 1.15.20; Quintilian, Inst. Orat. 4.1.14). This prepares the hearers to be positively disposed and attentive to the defendant. The ―lawyer‖ should show that he is taking the case out of duty to family or honor or better out of a sense of patriotism (captatio benevolentiae). Good will can be derived from (Cicero, Orat. 2.43.182, 184, Loeb): 

A.          The person of the speaker – by speaking of our own deeds without arrogance, by prayers and petitions, by demonstrating hardships well endured. Name, Acts 21:38-39

1.            Nature -- Gender (Quintilian notes that males are more likely to commit robbery and females poisoning) & Ethnicity, Acts 22:3

2.            Manner of life, Acts 22:3-5; 26:4-5, 9-11

3.            Fortune, Acts 22:5; 26:9-12

4.            Habit, Acts 22:3

5.            Feeling, Acts 22:7-8, 11; 26:14-15

6.            Interest, Acts 22:3-4; 26:10-11, 19-20

7.            Purpose, Acts 22:15; 26:16-18

8.            Achievements, accidents, speech, Acts 22:6-11; 26:12-18

B.          The person of the opponent – by showing them to be mean, vicious, or cruel.

C.          The person of the judge – by flattering the hearers without being too obviously effusive.

D.          The case itself – if it is noble (for the group) rather than self-seeking.

II.           Statement of Facts (Narratio) (cf. Quintilian, Inst. Orat. 4.2.31). It is to prepare the mind of the judge (nst Orat. 4.2.4-5). It is comprised of:

A.          The main question at issue – What was done? Was it done rightly? (Acts 21:28; 24:5-8; contra 23:6, 29; 24:21; 25:18-19; 26:6-8)

B.          The line of defense

C.          The point for the judge‘s decision

D.          The foundation or basic argument for the defense (Inst. Orat. 3.11.6-7)

III. Proof (Probatio) 

A.          Eyewitness (e.g. Demosthenes, Against Eubulides 4; Philo, Spec. leg. 4.59;  Conf. 141). Paul served as an eyewitness to the resurrection, Acts 22:15; 26:16. This is considered ―irrefutable‖ evidence (tekmerion), (cf. Acts 1:3; 10:41 cf. Lk 24:37-43)

B.          Evidence from probability, examples, tokens, signs and maxims (Rh. Al.  36, 1442b; 391443a, 6). These can be used in conjunction with other facts to build a strong case. 

1.            Sign: The great light (Acts 22:6, 9; 26:13); abd Paul‘s blindness and healing (Acts 9:7-9, 17; 22:11,13) 

2.            Corroborating witnesses (Acts 22:9, 12; 26:13-14).

3.            General experience (Aristotle, Rh. Al. 7, 1428a; see Quintilian, Inst. Orat. 5.10.16-19).

C.          Witnesses and confessions that are obtained by torture (Aristotle, Rh. Al. 36, 1442b; 37). (cf. Acts 22:24). This was considered the strongest evidence.

D.          Evidence from the person‘s nature and character.

IV. Refutation and Peroration

A.          The refutation is the countering of the arguments of the opposition, generally involving some sort of attach on the opponent’s character, person, or social standing (Acts 4:13).

B.          The peroration is an attempt to elicit certain emotions from the audience/judge in order to secure a verdict in one‘s favor.