The Accusaions

Eighth Friday after Pentecost

Lectionary Texts:

Friday:

2 Samuel 7:18-29

2 Samuel 8 

Saturday:

1 Chronicles 16

1 Chronicles 17

Friday is "Anything Can Happen on the Blog." This is blessedly a week when nothing is happening, at least for me. Consequently, we'll move a little farther ahead in our Acts Bible Study. Please read Acts 24:1-9.

There are some unasked questions with the last couple of Acts texts we've studied. Paul did visit James on his last trip to Jerusalem, but James is not there during the riot in Jerusalem and Paul's arrest. Where is he? Peter is entirely absent from Acts 15 on. Is he in Rome? Why does Luke not tell where he is? Timothy is back in Greece. Paul is alone.

The Temple authorities see Paul as a major threat. Why? The charges against him are vague and trumped up. The importance of Paul's arrest and trial is emphasized by Ananias, the high priest, coming from Jerusalem to Caesarea to be present for the trial. Normally, the high priest would never leave the city of Jerusalem. Ananias has brought with him his top lawyer, Tertullus, to argue the case.

The speeches of both Tertullus and Paul at this trial are brief. Luke is likely providing only a summary of the speeches. I once took a course on Cicero, the first century BC Roman Senator, lawyer/orator, and writer. We read a whole book of his murder trials. The trials were much longer than Luke's portrayal of Paul's trial here. 

Paul's trial was in all probability in Greek. It was the international language. Though Ananias likely did not speak Greek well, his lawyer Tertullus would. 

The accusations against Paul are threefold, going from vaguest to most specific. Tertullus begins with gracious and flattering comments about Governor Felix. The first charge against Paul is that he is a pestilent fellow and an agitator. It's too vague a charge for an American judge, but in many countries today, including China, Russia, Cuba, and Venezuela, many people are imprisoned for reasons just as vague. 

The second charge is that he is a ringleader of a new and dangerous sect, the Nazarenes. The word Christian was not yet in widespread use. Tertullus does not tell why this new sect was dangerous. Likely it is the Christian appeal to gentiles and their not demanding that gentiles who want to be Christians follow the Jewish Law. 

The third charge is profaning the Temple, apparently by bringing a gentile into it. The Jerusalem mob had accused Paul of that but did not have any evidence.

Verse 9 indicates that a number of Jews were present at this trial, all of whom were ready to testify against Paul. Tomorrow we will get Paul's response.

Lord God,

In our world where so many are now being arrested and imprisoned on baseless charges, we pray for the ultimate reign of justice and freedom throughout the world. In the name of him who was unjustly crucified. Amen. 

 

Faithfully,

Christian