#1609 Acts 24 Scrubbing Off Flattery

 

Now after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders, with an attorney named Tertullus, and they brought charges to the governor against Paul. 2 And after Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying,

“As we have attained much peace through you—and because by your provision reforms are being carried out for this nation— 3 we welcome this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 But, that I may not weary you any further, I plead with you by your forbearance to hear us briefly. 5 For we have found this man 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. 6 And he even tried to desecrate the temple; and then we arrested him. [We wanted to judge him according to our own Law. 7 But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands, 8 ordering his accusers to come before you.] By examining him yourself concerning all these matters you will be able to ascertain the things of which we accuse him.” 9 And the Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.

10 And when the governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul answered:

“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense, 11 since you are able to ascertain the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 And neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor across the city did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing a riot. 13 Nor are they able to prove to you of what they are now accusing me. 14 But this I confess to you, that 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 that is written in the Prophets; 15 having a hope in God, for which these men are waiting, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. 16 In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a conscience without fault both before God and before men. 17 Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and offerings; 18 in which they found me, having been purified in the temple, without any crowd or uproar. But there were some Jews from Asia— 19 who ought to have been present before you and to make accusation, if they should have anything against me. 20 Or else let these men themselves tell what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the Sanhedrin, 21 other than for this one statement which I shouted out while standing among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.’”

22 But Felix, having a more accurate knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be kept in custody and yet have some rest, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him.

24 But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and summoned Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and answered, “Go away for the present, and when I find time I will call for you.” 26 At the same time, he was also hoping that money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to summon for him quite often and converse with him. 27 But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.  Acts 24

Acts 24

Vs. 1-2 With an attorney named Tertullus - Ananias was the high priest, and not much of one, a Sadducee who ignored the books after the Pentateuch, not believing in the resurrection, a liberal and a materialist. He must really hate Paul to come down to Caesarea and bring a lawyer. This attorney, Tertullus, is picked especially for his ability to speak, and it is nauseating. All these men, the 40 who have taken the vow, probably most of the Sanhedrin, which is the ruling 70 elders, and the high priest are conspiring against this one man. 

1For the choirmaster. Of David. In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain! 2For behold, the wicked bend their bows. They set their arrow on the string to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. 3If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”… Psalm 11: 1-3

Vs. 2b-4 As we have attained much peace through you - This is the sort of lawyer Tertullus is, a flatterer, and I have sat with a lawyer before who did or had his people do a lot of homework on me, even reading my blogs, knowing that I liked to fish, and then trying to appeal to me from a religious angle. It was gross, and it is here as well, for these men don't really care for Felix, and history doesn't reflect the lavish compliments this man is buttering him up with. Anyone who has a worked a minute in the corporate world would recognize his type. They are crediting him with the Pax Romana, or Roman peace, which was brought about by a firm and strong Roman military presence. The Jews didn't actually enjoy it, and so the compliments come from anywhere other than a good, sincere place. They really wanted Rome gone, and saw themselves as oppressed rather than reaping the benefits of a peaceful kingdom. It was in no way perfect, it was peace by force and mostly for it's citizens. 

…2They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart. 3May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue. 4They say, “With our tongues we will prevail. We own our lips—who can be our master?”… Psalm 12: 2-4

…27He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him. 28A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin. Proverbs 26: 27-28

…4By justice a king brings stability to the land, but a man who exacts tribute demolishes it. 5A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet. 6An evil man is caught by his own sin, but a righteous one sings and rejoices.… Proverbs 29: 4-6

…15to execute judgment on everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of every ungodly act of wickedness and every harsh word spoken against Him by ungodly sinners.” 16These men are discontented grumblers, following after their own lusts; their mouths spew arrogance; they flatter others for their own advantage. 17But you, beloved, remember what was foretold by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ… Jude 1: 15-17

On the other hand Robert Girard wrote, “Tertullus waxed eloquent about the ‘great peace’ the province had enjoyed under Felix. Actually, few periods in Judean history were marred by more unrest and terrorism. Tertullus told how grateful the people were for Felix’s ‘foresight.’ The years of A.D 52-59 when Felix was procurator were years of unparalleled government corruption!”

Wiersbe agrees with Girard writing " It was true that Felix had put down some revolts, but he had certainly not brought peace to the land. In fact, during the time Felix was suppressing robbers in his realm, he was also hiring robbers to murder the high priest Jonathan! So much for his reforms." - PA

Vs. 5-9 A fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world - In v. 4 he left off with not wanting to weary Felix, as though this isn't even worth his time, and it's a simple enough matter that they should be able to handle themselves. It's very deceitful, not only in painting a false picture of Paul as a villain, which includes some truth as to him being an Apostle of the Nazarene, but they weren't actually seeking to give him a fare trial, but had conspired to murder. If not for God's providence he would have already been lynched, not heard out, and justice is only perverted by these men. The truth when it's favorable to them, but the lie when it is more favorable than the truth. As far as dissension, well, like R.C. says,

Vs. 10-13 Causing a riot - Paul is right in this. It was Jews from Asia who recognized him and made false accusations. They are the ones that are responsible for encouraging the riot, but those who participate in such events should be held to individual accountability for their actions as well. Many didn't even know what they were rioting about, but people are such followers in general, so they joined in. 

V. 14 According to the Way - Jesus Christ referred to Himself as the Way, the Truth and the Life, and in saying that "no one comes to the Father but by Me", He was also declaring Himself as the only Way to be right with God. These thought they were right by works of the law, and or being related to Abraham, a birthright. Paul clarifies that he believes everything in accordance to the law, which these men say they believe, and the prophets, which the Sadducees don't believe in a literal sense. Paul sees Christ as the fulfillment of the law through His taking on humanity, being born of a woman, the Seed promised in Genesis. He also sees Christ as the Messiah, the fulfillment of prophecy, the Redeemer spoken of by Isaiah.  

…44Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the same town as Andrew and Peter. 45Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law, the One the prophets foretold— Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” 46“Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.… John 1: 44-46

20Therefore no one will be justified in His sight by works of the law. For the law merely brings awareness of sin. 21But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets. 22And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction,… Romans 3: 20-22

9Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 10And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem, and the bow of war will be broken. Then He will proclaim peace to the nations. His dominion will extend from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth.… Zechariah 9: 9-10

10Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced. They will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son. 11On that day the wailing in Jerusalem will be as great as the wailing of Hadad-rimmon in the plain of Megiddo.… Zechariah 12: 10-11

Vs. 15-16 Having a hope in God, for which these men are waiting - They want a Messiah, and Paul already has a relationship with Him. Jesus didn't come the way men would naturally want, especially since in our falleness we do not see ourselves as so detestable as to need a Savior. Jesus will return as a Lion, but in His first advent He fulfilled being the Lamb of God. 

…4Surely He took on our infirmities and carried our sorrows; yet we considered Him stricken by God, struck down and afflicted. 5But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. 6We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.… Isaiah 53: 4-6

Vs. 17-21 For the resurrection of the dead - The high priest is a Sadducee so he would not believe in this, and it led to some contention over an old debate between the Sad house and the Pharisees. The Pharisees, though doctrinally more sound, still didn't recognize the Messiah when He came. 

…19Your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in the dust! For your dew is like the dew of the morning, and the earth will bring forth her dead. 20Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourselves a little while until the wrath has passed. 21For behold, the LORD is coming out of His dwelling to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. The earth will reveal her bloodshed and will no longer conceal her slain.… Isaiah 26: 19-21

Vs. 22-23 Having a more accurate knowledge about the Way - He puts them off, which indicates that his experiences with the Way, which these Jews are calling a sect or cult, have not been offensive. Let your enemies be the screaming lunatics, chanting and repeating themselves, but you just tell the truth and trust God's providence. Felix doesn't seem to be one to make much of a decision, more of a reed than an oak, but at least he allows Paul to see his friends while they wait for the commanders testimony. 

But Felix, having a more exact (akribos) knowledge about the Way - More exact or more accurate than who or what? In context probably more accurate than the Jews in general but specifically the members of the Sanhedrin who were in the courtroom and through Tertullus were bringing the case against Paul for being a leader of the Way. If they had really had exact knowledge about the Way, they would not have persecuted the leader of the Way! Felix a pagan ruler knew more accurately about Christianity than the so-called religious leaders! How did Felix acquire this information? Luke does not say but we know that Philip the Evangelist lived in Caesarea and that there was a church in the city, so presumably from one or both of these sources. Drusila as a Jewess may have obtained some true knowledge of the way. - PA

Vs. 24-27 Heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus - Paul got to have a ministry wherever he went, here he shares with the governor and his wife. Sadly, when he spoke the whole counsel of God, about righteousness, self control, and God's coming judgment, Felix was scared off. Self control is a fruit of the spirit, and the unrepentant heart, though afraid, will not seek the remedy, but will often choose to run, close their ears or kill the messenger. Felix does not live a life of righteous restraint.

…3For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry. 4Because of this, they consider it strange of you not to plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion, and they heap abuse on you. 5But they will have to give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.… 1 Peter 4: 3-5

11Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same pattern of disobedience. 12For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.… Hebrews 4: 11-13

Marvin Vincent notes that these are "Three topics which bore directly upon the character of Felix. Tacitus says of him that he “exercised the authority of a king with the spirit of a slave;” and that, by reason of the powerful influence at his command, “he supposed he might perpetrate with impunity every kind of villany.” He had persuaded his wife Drusilla to forsake her husband and marry him. He had employed assassins to murder the high-priest Jonathan, and might well tremble at the preaching of the judgment to come. Temperance ( ἐγκράτεια ) is, properly, self-control; holding the passions in hand.

As Steven Cole says "The verb translated “discussing” means “to reason with.” Paul didn’t bypass their minds and go for heartwarming stories. He appealed through their minds to their consciences. The gospel should make people think, convicting their consciences, leading to a rational decision to trust in Christ. An emotional appeal that bypasses the mind may get decisions, but they will be flimsy, at best." (Sermon) - PA