Lesson 4697

 (Lesson 4697)(12-14-24) Acts 24:1-23 

   “And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law. But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him. And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so. Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself: Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men. Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me. Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council, Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day. And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.” 

 

   Today’s quote relates that after five days, the high priest Ananias, along with elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, brought charges against Paul before Governor Felix. Tertullus accused Paul of being a troublemaker, a ringleader of the Nazarene sect, and profaning the temple. Paul responded, defending himself by stating that he had not caused any disturbance, neither in the temple nor in the synagogues, and that the charges were false. He admitted that he was a follower of the Way, which was falsely accused as a sect, but he denied all the accusations against him. Felix, who was familiar with the Way, postponed the trial, saying he would wait for the commander Lysias to arrive. He then ordered that Paul be kept under guard but given some freedom and allowed visits from his friends.  

NOTE: "The Way" referred to in Acts 24:14 and other parts of the New Testament was an early term used to describe the Christian faith and followers of Jesus Christ. It emphasized the belief that Jesus was the Messiah and the path to salvation. Early Christians identified themselves as followers of "the Way" because of Jesus' teachings about being the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). The term was used by both believers and non-believers to describe the movement, which was seen as a new and distinct religious path, separate from Judaism, though it initially grew out of Jewish traditions. ~