Paul’s 3 rd Missionary Journey

To go or not to go…. Tyre – Through the Spirit they urged Paul not to go on to Jerusalem (4) Agabus – The Holy Spirit says, “In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles” (11) ?????

To go or not to go…. Luke – We…pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. (12) ?????

To go or not to go…. Paul – Now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. (20:22-23) ?????

To go or not to go…. Companions – When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.” (21:14) ?????

Jerusalem! The brothers received us warmly. (17) They praised God! (20) However…. (20)

The Lie They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. (21)

Question: Was it right for James to ask Paul to help with this vow?

Question: Was it right for Paul to agree to help with this vow?

Important: James was clear that he was not trying to bind the Law on Gentiles. (25)

The Temple Riot 12 years before the revolt Series of bad Roman Leaders

Herod’s Temple in the 1 st Century

“No foreigner is to enter within the forecourt and the balustrade around the sanctuary. Whoever is caught will have himself to blame for his subsequent death.”

Found at the entrance to the Court of the Women 4 ½ foot wall Latin & Greek

Herod’s Temple in the 1 st Century

The Temple Riot Instigated by Asian Jews (27) Accused Paul of desecrating the Temple Tried to kill Paul

The Fortress Antonia and the Temple

The Temple Riot Romans arrived Confusion (34) Carried by soldiers (35) Away with him! (Lk. 23:18)

The Commander Do you speak Greek? (37) Aren’t you the Egyptian? (38) Paul, “I Am a Jew.” Allowed to speak

Paul’s Defense In Aramaic Very Jewish

Jewish Elements Brothers and fathers (1) I am a Jew (3) Brought up in this city (3) Gamaliel (3) – Most famous Rabbi in 1 st Century

Jewish Elements Just as zealous (3) Persecuted the Way (4) Jesus of Nazareth (8) Ananias – A devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews (12)

End of Defense Your martyr Stephen (20) Go, I will send you far away to the Gentiles (21)

The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. (22:22)

The Response Rid the earth of him! (22) Threw off their cloaks (23) Flinging dust in the air (23)

The Commander Directed that Paul be flogged. (24) The same beating Jesus received – a form of torture & interrogation

Roman Citizen Born a citizen (Acts 22:28) Mentioned by Luke – never by Paul in his letters

Roman Citizen Only 5 million of 50 million inhabitants of the empire were citizens (10%)

The Commander The Commander almost made a terrible mistake. Roman Citizens could not be flogged until after conviction

The Commander Commander released Paul and called a meeting of the Sanhedrin

The Commander Commander Claudius Lysias released Paul and called a meeting of the Sanhedrin

Sanhedrin Ruling Council of Jews Both Pharisees & Sadducees

Pharisees & Sadducees ResurrectionNo Resurrection

Strategy Divide & Conquer! I am a Pharisee!

Strategy I am on trial because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead. (6)

Strategy The Pharisees defended Paul! (The enemy of my enemy is my friend.)

The Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome. (23:11)

Occurred at a low time for Paul – much like Corinth (Acts 18:9) “Take courage!” is spoken only by Jesus in the N.T.

Conspiracy More than 40 men Vow – Not to eat or drink till Paul was dead Took plan to the chief priests and elders

Conspiracy Plan was discovered by Paul’s nephew who lived in Jerusalem Told Paul Told Claudius Lysias

Go Tonight! 1,000 soldiers were stationed in Jerusalem 470 were sent to protect Paul

Governor Felix Procurator of Judea (A.D ) A freed slave Freedman Rank (a Proconsul was of Senatorial Rank)

Governor Felix Immoral (married 3 times), cruel Tacitus – indulging in every kind of cruelty and lust, exercised the power of a king in the spirit of a slave.

Claudius Lysias, To His Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings This man was seized by the Jews and they were about to kill him, but I came…

…I came with my troops and rescued him, for I had learned that he was a Roman citizen. ☺ (A little bit of re-writing history!)

Governor Felix Felix agreed to hear Paul’s case when his accusers from Jerusalem arrived.

Flavius Josephus In Judea matters were constantly going from bad to worse. For the country was again infested with bands of brigands and imposters who deceived the mob.

Flavius Josephus Not a day passed, however, but that Felix captured and put to death many of these impostors and brigands. (Josephus. Antiquities )

The Charges Troublemaker Ringleader of the Nazarene sect Tried (!) to desecrate the temple

Paul’s Defense Twelve Days Ago I went up…to worship Not arguing…or stirring up a crowd No proof!

I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets…

…and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

Governor Felix Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way (22) Had a Jewish wife Decided to wait for Claudius Lysias

Paul the Prisoner He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs. (23)

Drusilla Youngest daughter of Agrippa I (Acts 12) Married at 14 Beautiful

Drusilla Felix “stole” her from her husband at 16 Promised her “felicity” (happiness) if she came away with Felix Felix’s 3 rd wife

Sermon to Felix and Drusilla Faith in Christ Jesus Righteousness Self-Control Judgment Felix – Afraid!

Sermon to Felix and Drusilla When I find it convenient, I will send for you. Hoping for a bribe

Sermon to Felix and Drusilla Left Paul in prison for 2 years as a favor to the Jews

How many people heard the Gospel because Paul was falsely accused by the Jews in Jerusalem?