The Arrest and Trial of Sha’ul of Tarsus
He is primarily known as the Apostle Paul—that is his Gentile name. But his Hebrew name was Sha’ul (Saul). He was a Jew, trained as a Pharisee, born in the major city of Tarsus. His training was by the hand of Gamaliel, a highly respected teacher of the Law. Following the tradition of his training, Sha’ul began to be irritated by those proclaiming Yeshua of Nazareth as the Messiah. This did not fit the thinking of those he fellowshipped with. Demonstrating his zeal for his Jewish brethren, he proceeded to persecute the followers of Yeshua, arresting and imprisoning them. He was well on his way to “moving up the ranks” and building a reputation for “standing up for the Law” until he journeyed to Damascus.
Along the way, Yeshua confronted Sha’ul by a bright light and a voice that sounded like thunder to those nearby. Yeshua asked why he was persecuting Him. Sha’ul was stunned by this encounter and temporarily lost his sight, but he recovered it again after a visit from a believer named Ananias, who was a devout man by the standard of the Law and had an excellent reputation among the Jews there.
Ananias also spoke a prophecy over Saul.
And he said, “The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear an utterance from His mouth. For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard.” Acts 22:14-15
Sha’ul discovered that Yeshua of Nazareth was the Righteous One and that he would then testify of Him. Sha’ul of Tarsus, the man who was given letters of authority to persecute the believers, suddenly called on the Name of Yeshua for salvation and was baptized to wash away his sins. Little did he know that he would eventually be the one writing many letters to help the believers of Yeshua in their faith and walk.
Because of Sha’ul’s background as a Pharisee and persecutor of believers, it is not difficult to understand that the believing community was hesitant to welcome him as a brother in the faith, even after hearing his testimony. He needed the other Apostles to receive and endorse him. For the Jewish community and the council of elders, Sha’ul’s conversion to faith in Yeshua was a “traitorous act” that infuriated them. Sha’ul was by all standards being groomed for greater leadership among them. His transition must have left them bewildered and shaking their heads. “How could he have done this?”
After Sha’ul recovered his sight, he returned to Jerusalem from Damascus and went to the temple. Yeshua again spoke to Sha’ul and instructed him to escape from Jerusalem and go away to the Gentile areas.
18and I saw Him saying to me, “Make haste, and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about Me… 21Go! For I will send you far away to the Gentiles.” Acts 22:18, 21
After many years of training with other brethren including Shimon (Peter), Yakov (James), and Yochanan (John), Sha’ul joined other disciples like Bartholomew, John Mark, and Luke to teach in Gentile communities throughout the areas we know today as Lebanon, Turkey, and Greece.
The book of Acts, written by Luke, shares this information with us about the beginning of Sha’ul’s call and ministry. But after a series of ministry trips, Sha’ul then set his mind to go to Jerusalem, having stayed away for many years, and testify directly to his Jewish brethren. He knew God wanted him to witness directly to them about Yeshua the Nazarene as he had been told. This was a very serious decision with dire consequences.
Luke gives us a strong narrative in the book of Acts of Sha’ul’s journey to Jerusalem, including the counsel he received during this journey. The council opposed his trip but Sha’ul was driven to complete it. As we all know, Sha’ul’s trip to Jerusalem led to his arrest, detention by the Romans, and his trial before the Roman and Jewish authorities.
Testimony in a trial is subject to the penalty of perjury. When one testifies, he is to speak the truth, the whole truth, and the nothing but the truth. These standards existed even back when Sha’ul went to trial. Luke recorded his testimony exactly. It is this testimony that reveals who Sha’ul was and the truth of what he believed.
While Sha’ul (Paul) wrote many things about his faith, we can glean from his teaching his heart toward the faith. Some have said that his teaching speaks against the Law, emphasizing faith over the Law. I disagree with that conclusion. I believe faith is not in conflict with the Law as taught by Moses and Sha’ul. Furthermore, I believe the Church has dismissed the man Sha’ul, the believing Jew who believed in the Messiah and kept the Law. They have replaced him with the man named Paul to set Christianity and the Church on a path God never intended. Therefore, I want us to review Sha’ul’s sworn testimony at this trial because it rises above opinions about him. It stands with much more force to determine his position. His sworn testimony was not given to those looking to agree with him; it was given to those who were directly opposed. Therefore, it is truthful testimony forged in the furnace of accusations and judgment. His testimony at his trial takes precedence over any church father’s opinion about the man “Paul.”
Sha’ul’s final trip to Jerusalem gave him the opportunity to visit his brethren along the way. At each stop, prophecy was given to him warning him of danger ahead. In particular, he was told that he would be bound and jailed. Yet, Paul knew it was his destiny to offer testimony to kings and leaders.
Follow along as we examine the trip to Jerusalem and how he was then arrested.
When we had parted from them and had set sail, we ran a straight course to Cos and the next day to Rhodes and from there to Patara; and having found a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. When we came in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left, we kept sailing to Syria and landed at Tyre; for there the ship was to unload its cargo. After looking up the disciples, we stayed there seven days; and they kept telling Paul through the Spirit not to set foot in Jerusalem. Acts 21:1-4
Luke, the writer of the book of Acts, recounts this particular trip with some detail. You should take note of something rather fascinating at this point. Yeshua has told Sha’ul that it was his destiny to be a witness of Him and to go to the Gentiles. He fulfilled taking the message to the Gentiles. Now, Sha’ul is going back to Jerusalem, but the Spirit through others is telling him “not to set foot in Jerusalem.” Is Sha’ul disobeying the Lord or is it more accurate that the Spirit was warning Sha’ul of what will happen. Look at the next stop on his way to Jerusalem.
When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and after greeting the brethren, we stayed with them for a day. On the next day we left and came to Caesarea, and entering the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, we stayed with him. Now this man had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses. As we were staying there for some days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, "This is what the Holy Spirit says: 'In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'" When we had heard this, we as well as the local residents began begging him not to go up to Jerusalem. Acts 21:7-12
This second message to Sha’ul from the Spirit seems more like a warning and the brethren seem to be taking application to the warning by advising Paul to not go up to Jerusalem.
Sha’ul’s response does not represent a denial of the warning; instead, he endorses it and speaks of it as God’s will for his life.
Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Yeshua." And since he would not be persuaded, we fell silent, remarking, "The will of the Lord be done!" After these days we got ready and started on our way up to Jerusalem. Acts 21:13-15
Sha’ul then made his way from the coastline of Israel at Caesarea to Jerusalem. With him were several brethren including a particular brother. His name was Mnason. He was a Gentile from Cyprus who had a house in Jerusalem where Sha’ul and his entourage could stay for lodging.
Some of the disciples from Caesarea also came with us, taking us to Mnason of Cyprus, a disciple of long standing with whom we were to lodge. After we arrived in Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. And the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. After he had greeted them, he began to relate one by one the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. Acts 21:16-19
Before we go further, let us ask a rather simple question. Why does Luke think it is significant to point out this particular Gentile believer and that Sha’ul would stay in his house? We know Sha’ul is the apostle to Gentiles and had excellent relationships with Gentile believers. That may explain the friendship and invitation, but why is this fact included in the narrative and part of God’s word for us today? Hold that question; we will answer it at the end.
The Apostle Ya’akov (called James) was the leader of the brethren in Jerusalem. It was in his presence and with other believing Jewish brethren that they rejoiced to see Sha’ul. They also had a joyous testimony to share with Sha’ul about what God was doing in the land of Israel.
And when they [James and the other Jewish believers] heard it they began glorifying God; and they said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law; Acts 21:20
Why would Sha’ul be excited to hear how his Jewish brethren had become believers in Messiah Yeshua, which then caused them to become zealous for the Law? Didn’t Sha’ul teach us that Yeshua came to change all of that? Aren’t we justified by faith, not the Law? Doesn’t the Church replace Israel now in God’s plan?
The obvious answer is NO! Sha’ul was pleased to hear how his brethren were coming to the Lord and walking out their faith in the Law. But we need to wade through some misconceptions about Sha’ul, as part of the basis for why the church fathers call him “Paul.” Those misconceptions are defined by Ya’akov (James) at this same meeting.
…and they [the believing Jews who are zealous for the Law] have been told about you, that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs. What, then, is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come. Therefore, do this that we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; take them and purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads; and all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law. Acts 21:21-24
There was a false rumor spread by the unbelieving Jews that Sha’ul (to them, the traitor) had left his faith in the God of Abraham, the teachings of Moses, and the customs of Israel and was promoting Yeshua the Nazarene to the Gentiles. Also, many Jewish believers were being told that they were also in error (like Paul) to leave the Torah. The only defense these Jewish believers had against this falsehood was to have a clear testimony of keeping the Law (being zealous for the Law) themselves and waiting for the day when Sha’ul could give a comprehensive testimony that would exonerate himself and them.
The testimony of Ya’akov would clear up this problem for the Jewish believers. Sha’ul’s testimony of keeping the Law would never again be questioned. They would know that the false rumor against Sha’ul was just that—false.
Sha’ul was asked to go to the Temple, and bring four believing Jews who were completing Nazarite vows just like Sha’ul. He was to pay their expenses and fulfill the commandment of the Nazarite vow. This included shaving their hair, specific offerings, and a seven-day ritual. Of all of the Temple rituals and personal devotion to God according to the Law, there is none greater than the Law of the Nazarite vow. Doing this would prove once and for all that Sha’ul of Tarsus “walked orderly, keeping the Law.”
Let us consider this a bit further. If Paul really is the guy who “started Christianity” and led all believers away from the customs of Moses and the Law promoting the future Church, then his going to the temple that day would have been deceitful. It would have been sinful. He would have been lying to his own brethren, doing as they asked but believing something else. But if this is Sha’ul, the believing Jew, who was commissioned to teach the Gentiles and to separate out the error of the Pharisees from the teaching of the Law, then this was exactly the right thing to do. Sha’ul was showing that his faith in the Messiah was consistent with the law of Moses and not at odds with the commandments.
Let’s be intellectually honest about this. The church fathers have used the teachings of “Paul” to separate themselves from the Jews and Israel to establish the church. They have left the curses in the Scriptures for Israel and claimed every blessing for themselves. To this day, your average church pastor espouses this teaching. Some try to explain their argument by saying that the “moral law” is still intact but that the ceremonial law is no longer valid. Sha’ul’s testimony of completing the Nazarite vow in the temple completely contradicts the person of “Paul” that the Church espouses. He was keeping all of the Law including the “ceremonial” commandments they dismiss.
Remembering that Sha’ul was commissioned as the apostle to the Gentiles, how are we to then understand what part of the Law is to be taught to non-Jews (Gentiles)? Are they to “walk orderly, keeping the Law” too? The answer is given in this same conversation.
But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote, having decided that they should abstain from meat sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from fornication. Acts 21:25
This statement originates back to Acts Chapter 15, when the question of whether Gentile believers are to keep the Law or not. The Pharisaic believers said they had to do so to be saved. Sha’ul argued that salvation was by faith. Shimon (Peter) agreed with him saying that everyone (Jew and Gentile) is saved by faith and how God used him first to lead some Gentiles to salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts chapter 10). What was concluded from this conference was -- the Law was to be taught to the Gentiles once they were saved, but not for salvation. The specific declaration was put into a formal letter (called the letter to the Gentiles) coming from the Apostles and the council of believers in Jerusalem. It is summarized in three points: to abstain from idolatry, eating the detestable, and perverse sin (transgression of the Law).
Any Torah teacher will tell you that Ya’akov is referring to the teaching in Leviticus chapter 17 and 18, which is called the “heart of the Law.” Ya’akov called these essentials. If these commandments are not followed, then a Gentile cannot enter the fellowship of other believers for further instruction. Ya’akov was referring to the instruction of Moses when he concluded this matter in Acts chapter 15.
For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath. Acts 15:21
Remember, Sha’ul and the apostles are acting on what the Messiah taught them. Yeshua stated emphatically “For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” John 5:46-47
Let us look further into what happened to Sha’ul when he went to the temple the next day.
Then Paul took the men, and the next day, purifying himself along with them, went into the temple giving notice of the completion of the days of purification, until the sacrifice was offered for each one of them. When the seven days were almost over, the Jews from Asia, upon seeing him in the temple, began to stir up all the crowd and laid hands on him, crying out, "Men of Israel, come to our aid! This is the man who preaches to all men everywhere against our people and the Law and this place; and besides he has even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place." For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. [Lots of presumptions going on here] Then all the city was provoked, and the people rushed together, and taking hold of Paul they dragged him out of the temple, and immediately the doors were shut. While they were seeking to kill him, a report came up to the commander of the Roman cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. At once he took along some soldiers and centurions and ran down to them; and when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. Then the commander came up and took hold of him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains; and he began asking who he was and what he had done. But among the crowd some were shouting one thing and some another, and when he could not find out the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. When he got to the stairs, he was carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the mob; for the multitude of the people kept following them, shouting, "Away with him!" Acts 21:26-36
Sha’ul of Tarsus had almost completed the seven-day ritual of the Nazarite vow when some unbelieving Jews from the Gentile communities he had taught saw him in the Temple. They supposed that he had violated the Court of Israel by bringing in an Ephesian believer. A mob essentially arrested him and dragged him out of the Temple with the intent to beat him to death. Because of the uproar, the Romans came and took hold of him. There was a lot of confusion. The Roman commander wasn’t sure what was going on. As Sha’ul was being taken to the Roman barracks, he spoke to the commander.
As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the commander, "May I say something to you?" And he said, "Do you know Greek? Then you are not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?" But Paul said, "I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city; and I beg you, allow me to speak to the people." Acts 21:37-39
The Roman commander just learned several important facts about Sha’ul. One, he was a Jew who knew Greek, the common language of the Roman empire. Two, this Jew was not the criminal he thought he might have been based on the testimony from the mob he rescued him from. And, three, Sha’ul was a citizen from the city of Tarsus (a Roman city). He does not yet know that he is also a Roman citizen. Based on these new facts, the commander permitted Sha’ul to speak.
Before we hear Sha’ul, consider this: When you are arrested, anything you say from that moment “can and will be used against you in a court of law.” This principle of justice and due process originates from ancient times. Whatever Sha’ul says at this moment better be the truth, because it is now evidence that can be used against him. Sha’ul knew this before he spoke.
When he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the stairs, motioned to the people with his hand; and when there was a great hush, he spoke to them in the Hebrew dialect, saying, "Brethren and fathers, hear my defense which I now offer to you.” And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew dialect, they became even more quiet; and he said, "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons, as also the high priest and all the Council of the elders can testify. From them I also received letters to the brethren, and started off for Damascus in order to bring even those who were there to Jerusalem as prisoners to be punished. But it happened that as I was on my way, approaching Damascus about noontime, a very bright light suddenly flashed from heaven all around me, and I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Sha’ul, Sha’ul, why are you persecuting Me?' "And I answered, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said to me, 'I am Yeshua the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.' And those who were with me saw the light, to be sure, but did not understand the voice of the One who was speaking to me. And I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Get up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do.' But 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.” Acts 21:40-22:11
Sha’ul then recounted about Ananias, getting his sight back, going to Jerusalem, and then to the Gentiles’ regions. He recounted his testimony exactly as it happened. But the mob did not respond with questions or amazement to what God had done. Instead, they called for his harm!
They listened to him up to this statement, and then they raised their voices and said, "Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he should not be allowed to live!" And as they were crying out and throwing off their cloaks and tossing dust into the air, the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, stating that he should be examined by scourging so that he might find out the reason why they were shouting against him that way. Acts 22:22-24
Scourging a prisoner was the Roman way of extracting the truth out of him. The commander was resolved to determine what kind of criminal Sha’ul was to explain why the people of Jerusalem disliked him so much. But then something strange happened that caused the commander to take a different stance toward Sha’ul.
But when they stretched him out with thongs, Sha’ul said to the centurion who was standing by, "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman and uncondemned?" When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and told him, saying, "What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman." The commander came and said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman?" And he said, "Yes." The commander answered, "I acquired this citizenship with a large sum of money." And Sha’ul said, "But I was actually born a citizen." Therefore those who were about to examine him immediately let go of him; and the commander also was afraid when he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had put him in chains. Act 22:25-29
In Roman law, a Roman citizen had rights. Whereas a foreigner had no rights under Roman law, a citizen of Rome was a completely different matter. They were about to punish a citizen who had not be properly tried and found guilty of anything. That, in and of itself, was a violation of Roman law. At this point, the commander wanted to release Sha’ul, but he still needed to know what the conflict with the religious Jews was about.
But on the next day, wishing to know for certain why he had been accused by the Jews, he released him and ordered the chief priests and all the Council to assemble, and brought Sha’ul down and set him before them. Acts 22:30
Sha’ul is now in the assembly before the religious leadership of the Jews. In fact, the High Priest of those days was a man named Ananias (a different man from Damascus), and he attended this assembly to hear Sha’ul out.
Sha’ul, looking intently at the Council, said, "Brethren, I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day." The high priest Ananias commanded those standing beside him to strike him on the mouth. Then Sha’ul said to him, "God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to try me according to the Law, and in violation of the Law order me to be struck?" But the bystanders said, "Do you revile God's high priest?" And Sha’ul said, "I was not aware, brethren, that he was high priest; for it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT SPEAK EVIL OF A RULER OF YOUR PEOPLE.'" But perceiving that one group were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, Paul began crying out in the Council, "Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for the hope and resurrection of the dead!" As he said this, there occurred a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. And there occurred a great uproar; and some of the scribes of the Pharisaic party stood up and began to argue heatedly, saying, "We find nothing wrong with this man; suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?" And as a great dissension was developing, the commander was afraid Sha’ul would be torn to pieces by them and ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks. Acts 23:1-10
There are a couple of interesting things that happened in this assembly that we should take note of. First, Sha’ul says that everything he has done in his faith concerning Yeshua was in “good conscience.” What exactly does that mean? Sha’ul is saying that everything he has taught and what he believes is consistent with the standards set forth in the Law and the commandments of God. He is challenging them that they will find no sin in his life!
When Ananias ordered Sha’ul to be struck, he himself was sinning against the Law. Why would this High Priest act in such a perverse manner? The answer becomes obvious in the remaining dialogue. Ananias was a Sadducee and this was an opportunity to embarrass Sha’ul, the Pharisee, in front of other Pharisees. The High Priest was exploiting Sha’ul for political gain.
Sha’ul’s fellow Pharisees came to his aid declaring, “We find nothing wrong with this man; suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?”
Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection and life after death. They also believed that Malachi was the last prophet and that God no longer spoke directly with anyone. The whole idea of a messiah walking about as a man, being resurrected, angels, or the working of the Spirit of God was not acceptable. The Pharisees, on the other hand, did believe in such things. Sha’ul had testified that the resurrected Messiah had spoken to him and directed him to come and testify to them. The Sadducees couldn’t stand for any of it. The Pharisees didn’t believe in the Messiah Yeshua, but they couldn’t deny a fellow Pharisee saying God had spoken to him by the Spirit or an angel.
Sha’ul was still in the custody of the Romans (for his protection) when Yeshua comes to him for the third time and speaks directly to him.
But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, "Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also." Acts 23:11
Messiah Yeshua first told Sha’ul that he would one day testify to his own brethren, to the rulers and leaders of his nation. Now Yeshua is saying that Sha’ul had accomplished that task and now he would go the leaders of the Gentile world—in Rome.
But wait! What exactly did he testify to them? Did he say, “The Messiah has come to us and directed us to do away with the temple system and synagogue service? Did he say we are changing the day of worship from Sabbath to Sunday to highlight the resurrection? Did he say you can now eat pig and shrimp and the laws of kosher are meaningless? Did he say we will have new festivals to worship God by replacing Passover with “Resurrection Sunday” and Hanukkah with “Christmas?” Did he say that the Torah, including all of those temple service things, need not be taught any longer? Did Sha’ul say, “You need to follow the letters I have written and will write to be called the Word of God, which will be better for your spiritual instruction instead of the Law and the Prophets?”
The answer to all of these questions and those like them are an emphatic “NO!” Sha’ul’s testimony that Yeshua approved of was, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God just as you all are today.” And, “Brethren, I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day.”
Sha’ul walked orderly, keeping the Law. He testified that Yeshua the Nazarene was the fulfillment of the Messianic prophecies, that He had been resurrected, and that He was alive and was directing him to testify about Him.
This was too much for the Jews in Jerusalem to handle. Sha’ul’s testimony was too powerful and had to be stopped before it spread.
When it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. There were more than forty who formed this plot. They came to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have bound ourselves under a solemn oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. Now therefore, you and the Council notify the commander to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case by a more thorough investigation; and we for our part are ready to slay him before he comes near the place." Act 23:12-15
You have to ask yourself at this point: who are the righteous in this matter? Are they the devout Jews in Jerusalem along with the chief priests and elders of the temple? They want to silence the testimony of Sha’ul even to point of murder and conspiracy to commit murder. The only righteous here are the Romans who are trying to prevent Sha’ul’s unlawful death.
The only way this plot was stopped was by a fateful coincidence of Sha’ul’s nephew hearing the plot and reporting it to Sha’ul and then to the Roman Commander. The intrigue here is palpable.
So the commander let the young man go, instructing him, "Tell no one that you have notified me of these things." And he called to him two of the centurions and said, "Get two hundred soldiers ready by the third hour of the night to proceed to Caesarea, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen." They were also to provide mounts to put Paul on and bring him safely to Felix the governor. Acts 23:22-24
The Roman Commander also sent a letter to Felix explaining what had transpired up to that point. It read as follows:
"Claudius Lysias, to the most excellent governor Felix, greetings. When this man was arrested by the Jews and was about to be slain by them, I came up to them with the troops and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman. And wanting to ascertain the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their Council; and I found him to be accused over questions about their Law, but under no accusation deserving death or imprisonment. When I was informed that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, also instructing his accusers to bring charges against him before you." Act 23:26-30
This letter serves as a summary of the arrest and trial of Sha’ul at this point. There is no charge against Sha’ul by Roman law. He is not charged with causing a riot or disturbance; he is not charged with a violation of any civil law. The accusations against him are based on a theological dispute and falsehoods of his teaching against the Law of Moses.
Felix determined that Sha’ul is a citizen of the region of Cilicia where Herod is the “King of the Jews.” Felix then confined Sha’ul at Herod’s Praetorium.
Felix then set up a meeting to again hear the accusations against Sha’ul by the High Priest and Jewish leaders.
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. After Sha’ul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying to the governor, "Since we have through you attained much peace, and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for this nation, we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. But, that I may not weary you any further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing. 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. And he even tried to desecrate the temple; and then we arrested him. [We wanted to judge him according to our own Law. But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands, 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." The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so. Acts 24:1-9
Sha’ul’s trial has now reached a more serious level. The Jews have brought a real lawyer with them to say all the right things, including lathering the Roman governor with praises. He summarizes the case against Sha’ul saying that he had caused great dissension among the Jews all over the world and that he was a “pest” and one the ring leaders of those who believe in Yeshua the Nazarene.
That’s it! That was the case against Sha’ul. Tertullus then says that Sha’ul will expose himself and his wrongdoing when he speaks.
Now it is Sha’ul’s turn to speak.
When the governor had nodded for him to speak, Sha’ul responded: "Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense, since you can take note of the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing a riot. Nor can they prove to you the charges of which they now accuse me. But this I admit 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; having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men. Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings; in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been purified, without any crowd or uproar. But there were some Jews from Asia -- who ought to have been present before you and to make accusation, if they should have anything against me. Or else let these men themselves tell what misdeed they found when I stood before the Council, 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.'" Acts 24:10-21
Sha’ul also respectfully recognizes the authority of Felix the governor and submits his defense to him. Sha’ul asserts that he was arrested twelve days earlier not because he was in the Temple teaching anyone or trying to convince anyone of anything. He was there to worship God. He explains that no one had a problem with his presence until other Jews from Asia caused an uproar. Sha’ul says that if he is to be charged for that uproar, then those particular witnesses should be present, but they are not. Simply said, there is no witness or testimony of anyone to support the charge of “stirring up dissension among the Jews in the world.
The accusation that he is “pest” and ringleader of the Way is then answered. Sha’ul admits that he a follower of that teaching. He then defines the teaching of the Way (the teaching of Messiah Yeshua). The teaching of the Way is “believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.”
Sha’ul then states his faith in the simples way: “I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.”
Sha’ul addresses the only witnesses present from the meeting in Jerusalem overseen by the Roman Commander Lysias. He challenges those present to find fault with his statement about the resurrection that the High Priest and the other Sadducees had a dispute with.
We should again take note of Sha’ul’s testimony as it relates to “walking orderly and keeping the Law.” I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
Again, I pose the question. Who is this Paul who wrote the letter to the Galatians and the other letters telling the believers in Yeshua not to follow the Law and the Prophets, who promoted “covenantal theology” where the new replaces the old, or the doing away with the customs of Moses? I hear the man Sha’ul testifying truthfully and this “Paul” whom the Church promotes is a fictitious fake.
Or, is Sha’ul a liar, a man who perjured himself to save his own skin. If he is a liar, then he should not be listened to and none of his teaching is valid for spiritual instruction. God does not speak through liars. Satan is the father of lies; God’s servants speak the truth by way of the Holy Spirit.
Felix, the Governor did not believe that Sha’ul was lying. He put off his accusers because he had heard of the teaching of the Way himself.
But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case." Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be kept in custody and yet have some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him. But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Sha’ul and heard him speak about faith in Messiah Yeshua. Acts 24:22-24
Lysias was a witness of the Jerusalem meeting and his testimony would confirm what Sha’ul had said. During the delay, Sha’ul found himself sharing his faith with Felix and his wife. Sha’ul’s journey was giving opportunity at every stage to testify of the Lord.
Felix the Governor was still in a predicament though. As the Roman governor, he had to maintain Roman law and order while keeping the political situation under control with the Jews in Jerusalem. Felix wanted to learn the things Sha’ul taught about “righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, but he was afraid for his circumstances and station in life.
Felix confined Sha’ul for two years until a new governor replaced him. He was succeeded by Porcius Festus. Again, the Jews asked the new governor for Sha’ul to be tried. Festus agreed to hear the matter for himself. Festus convened the court and ordered Sha’ul to be brought to the hearing.
After Sha’ul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him which they could not prove, while Sha’ul said in his own defense, "I have committed no offense either against the Law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar." But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, answered Sha’ul and said, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me on these charges?" But Sha’ul said, "I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also very well know. If, then, I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die; but if none of those things is true of which these men accuse me, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar." Acts 25:8-11
Sha’ul proved before a Gentile ruler that he had not taught against the Law or the Temple of the Jews, nor had he violated Roman law.
I have to ask again, why do Christians teach that “Paul” did teach against the Law and Temple of the Jews?
Festus offered Sha’ul a chance to walk free of the Jews by a trial in Jerusalem that he would preside over. Sha’ul then exercised his Roman right as a citizen; he appealed his case directly to Caesar in Rome. The decision was then set; he would go to Caesar just as Yeshua had instructed Sha’ul to do – go to Rome and testify of Me.
There were other events that followed, including a meeting with King Agrippa (the replacement for King Herod). Festus didn’t quite know what to say to Caesar and the reason for Sha’ul being sent to him. He hoped King Agrippa would help him to explain it all.
Sha’ul was brought before the King and offered his defense, recounting all that had happened up to that date. After the King heard his whole testimony, he exclaimed that Sha’ul must be losing his mind due to his extensive spiritual training. But Sha’ul testified to the King’s heart, confronting him with his own belief in the Prophets. The King responded.
Agrippa replied to Sha’ul, "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian." And Sha’ul said, "I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains." Acts 26:28-29
King Agrippa told Festus that Sha’ul should have been set free, but because he had appealed to Caesar, he would have to be sent.
Sha’ul was taken to Rome. Many things happened along the way. After he arrived, he stayed in a rented house teaching daily both the Jews there and the Gentiles. Some believed and some did not. The book of Acts concludes with these words.
And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching concerning the Lord Yeshua the Messiah with all openness, unhindered. Acst 28:30-31
Sha’ul completed the tasks given to him by Yeshua. He taught the Gentiles, he testified to those in Jerusalem, and he was a witness for Him in Rome.
As I conclude, I take you back to a certain Gentile believer who had a home in Jerusalem. When Sha’ul went to Jerusalem and was then arrested, I posed the question as to why this man named Mnason of Cyprus was even mentioned. He is only mentioned once in Scripture. Besides being a disciple for a long time from Cyprus and having a home in Jerusalem, who was he?
This question has intrigued Christian scholars for a long time. They believe that Mnason was a Hellenistic Jew who traveled and learned from Yeshua directly. He may have been part of the 70 disciples who were sent out by Yeshua to the cities of Israel. He may have been Luke’s source for writing the earlier chapters of the book of Acts. One thing is certain for sure: he was one of the descendants of Abraham doing the works of Abraham by showing hospitality to Sha’ul and Luke on their trip to Jerusalem. It doesn’t appear that he thought Yeshua or Sha’ul came to do away with the Law and Prophets either.
