Chapter 24 Discussion

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Chapter 24 Discussion

• Chapter 24 Verses 1-21
• Who was Tertullus?
• Little is known about him, but Tertullus was
  probably a typical product of rhetorical
  education during the Second Sophistic. He seems
  to have been a professional public speaker who
  argued legal cases for a fee. He knew the
  conventions and manner of speaking at the Roman
  court. His Latin name indicates that he may have
  spoken Latin and was probably a Roman citizen. In
  his speech, Tertullus aligned himself with the
  leaders of the Jews and claimed to be an
  eyewitness to the events, but that was probably a
  rhetorical
• In vs 2-4 what was Tertullus doing?
• Man-Pleasing Flattery - Tertullus attempts to win
  favor though flattery. So Tertullus's first
  insult is to Felix by implying he can influence
  his decision by playing on his pride. He was
  furthermore being duplicitous in that he and the
  rest of the Jews knew of the plan to murder Paul
  demonstrated that they did not trust the Romans
  system of justice. Far from being thankful of
  Roman occupation Israel was well known as a
  rebellious territory.

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Chapter 24 Discussion

• Chapter 24 Verses 1-21
• In vs 5 what was the accusation made of Paul?
• Accusation Paul is seditious
• In vs 6 what was the accusation made of Paul?
• Accusation Paul defiled the temple - This was a
  straight out lie.
• In vs 7 how does Tertullus insult the Roman
  commander Lysias
• here he accuses the Roman commander of
  misbehavior and violence,
• What commandment do the Jews commit in vs 9
• Bearing false witness against your neighbor is a
  violation of the 9th commandment. So in assenting
  to these accusations the Jews show themselves in
  opposition to the Law of Moses which they claim
  to so zealously uphold.

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Chapter 24 Discussion

• Chapter 24 Verses 1 - 21
• In vs 10 what position does Paul take Arogance
  or deference?
• In deference Paul acknowledges Felix's
  credentials as a judge and legitimate authority
  in this case showing himself submissive to
  legitimate authority as he had behaved throughout
  the empire.
• In vs 11-12 Paul explains what he was doing in
  the the temple in Jerusalem. Is this different
  than what he did in other cities?
• While it is true that in entering many cities
  Paul would first go the synagogue to debate with
  the Jews, that was not his mission in Jerusalem.
  He did not go there to argue with the Jewish
  unbelievers. He went to the temple to show that
  he was still a practicing Jew by his behavior. 
• In vs 13 what evidence has been given against
  Paul?
• The only evidence they had against him was the
  false testimony of the Jews. 

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Chapter 24 Discussion

• Chapter 24 Verses 1- 21
• In vs 14-15 Paul acknowledges himself a
  Christian, but says this is not inconsistent with
  being a Jew? Explain!
• His beliefs are consistent with traditional
  Judaism, the resurrection from the dead being an
  essential element to the hope he professed, as
  was spoken of by the prophets.
• Should we believe in all things which that are
  written in the law and in the prophets?
• READ VERSE 14! Discuss!
• In vs 16 Here is an essential key to living the
  Christian life. What is it?
• FOLLOW YOUR CONSCIENCE. As one follows Christ,
  one's conscience is gradually healed. For the
  Christian, the Bible contains primarily general
  principles. The Spirit gives more specific
  guidance in its interaction with the intuition,
  the heart, the mind and the conscience.

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Chapter 24 Discussion

• Chapter 24 Verses 1- 21
• In vs 17-18 Why did Paul come to Jerusalem?
• Paul goes on to reveal that rather than come to
  Jerusalem to divide, he came with a generous gift
  to provide for the practical needs of the nation.
  Yes it is true he gave it to the Jewish
  Christians, but they are after all Jews and
  citizens of Jerusalem. Then he reveals that it
  was foreigners (Jews from other nations) who
  falsely accused him. In this way Paul tried to
  show himself as a good citizen and his accusers
  as outsiders.

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Chapter 24 Discussion

• Chapter 24 Verses 22 - 27
• Compare Felix to someone?
• Felix may be likened to Herod Antipas who
  imprisoned John the Baptist. Felix appears a
  rather moderate character taking a sought of
  middle of the road position. Though being more
  familiar with Christianity he appears relatively
  apathetic neither being overly hostile nor
  embracing its truths.
• The most interesting and applicable verse in this
  section is verse 25.
• As with many apathetic fence-sitters, Felix
  lacked conviction of sin. He lacked the fear of
  God. But in speaking to him of issues of
  righteous behavior and self-control and God's
  judgment Paul helped to develop these in
  preparation for him to receive the gospel.
  (Self-control is seldom preached today, for it
  deals with

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Chapter 25 Discussion

• Chapter 25 Verses 1 - 12
• Why are the Jews still so passionate about
  killing Paul after 2 years?
• Interesting that even after two years of Paul
  being locked up in prison the Jews were still
  trying to kill him. Apparently he was still
  exerting influence on the growth of Christianity
  even imprisoned. One's fruitfulness is not
  necessarily proportional to one's freedom. Much
  has been accomplished by those with limited
  resources and limited freedoms.
• Paul operates within the Roman system of
  government under which God had placed him. Why?
• Appealing to Caesar was not contrary to the
  Christian faith, for Caesar had been appointed as
  a legitimate authority figure by God. His appeal
  to Caesar was right in line with the Lord's
  direction in Acts 23 "for as thou hast testified
  of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness
  also at Rome." Thus Paul finally played this
  trump card exerting his right as a Roman citizen
  in order to fulfill the Lord's purpose.

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Chapter 25 Discussion

• Chapter 25 Verses 1 - 12
• Discuss the death penalty-do you agree with it?
• Paul appears also to be a death penalty advocate
  as he reveals in verse 11. And so also does the
  thief on the cross who said, "We are punished
  justly, for we are getting what our deeds
  deserve." Luke 2341 And while the Law of Moses
  of course also advocates the death penalty, yet
  what is interesting in these cases is that they
  are exercised not under a Mosaic Theocracy, but
  rather under a pagan system of government in
  accordance with their laws.

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Chapter 25 Discussion

• Chapter 25 Verses 13 - 27
• The king spoken of here was Herod Agrippa II,
  being appointed king by the Emperor. Agrippa had
  authority to appoint the high priest and it was
  rumored he also was carrying on an incestuous
  affair with his sister Bernice.  
• Why did Paul seek help from Herod Agrippa?
• Rather he simply sought information to send along
  so as not to appear negligent in his duties to
  the Emperor, and who better to obtain that
  information than the king of the Jews?