Acts #5 , The Imprisonment and Defense of Paul

2. Acts #5,The Imprisonment and Defense of Paul Paul and the Gospel go to Caesarea & then to Rome. Acts 21:17 - 28:31

3. This last section of Acts: • may indeed bring to a close the preaching tours / missionary journeys of Paul and those who traveled with him… • but it certainly doesn’t stop the spread of the Gospel for him or others! • Though arrested, he keeps right on preaching and writing of the good news of Jesus Christ & His Kingdom.

4. What we’ve seen so far in our study of Acts: • the Church come into existence on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. • the Church spread into Judea & Samaria through Philip’s preaching. • the Churchtransition to the Gentile world through Peter’s preaching. • the Church expand to the uttermost through Paul’s preaching. Acts 1:8

5. The Basic Outline/Synopsis of where we’re headed today: • Acts 21:15- 40 Paul’s vow and arrest by the Romans • Acts 22 His defense to the people • Acts 23 His defense before the Chief Priests and Sanhedrin Council; his escape to Caesarea • Acts 24 His defense before the Roman governor Felix • Acts 25 His defense to Festus- Felix’s successor • Acts 26 Paul before King Agrippa • Acts 27-28 The journey to Rome

6. Paul’s Trip back to Jerusalem • Previously, Paul has been hurrying to get back to Jerusalem by Pentecost. He addressed the Ephesian Elders at Miletus to avoid time that would be lost in Asia, 20:16. • While the ship unloaded its cargo, he spent a week in Tyre with the brethren who warned him not to go to Jerusalem, 21:3- 4. • Likewise, at Caesarea, the prophet Agabas (cf. 11:28)came down from Jerusalem a said he would be bound hand and foot, 21:10-14.

7. Paul’s Vow & Arrest by the Romans, Acts 21:15-40 • He is received gladly by the brethren, v.17. • In vv.18-21, James and the Elders express their concerns over accusations circulated by other Jews about Paul, vv.18-22. • They suggest he take a vow (and pay expenses for four other men also) to show the falsehood of the rumors, vv.24. • He did so, v.26. • It didn’t work, vv.27-32. • The Roman commander arrested Paul but allowed him to address the people, vv.33-40.

8. Paul’s Defense to the People, Acts 22 • His Hebrew dialect quieted the crowd, v.2 > 21:34-36. • He tells them of his former persecution of “this Way”, vv.3-5. • He tells them of his Damascus road experience, vv.6-11. • He tells them of his conversion by Ananias, vv.12-16. • He tells them of his heavenly vision: “Go! For I will send you far away to the Gentiles.”vv.17-21.

9. Paul’s Defense to the People, Acts 22 • This statement of God’s purpose for him (to go to the Gentiles)re-enraged the mob, vv.22-23. • The Roman commander almost has him beaten before Paul tells him of his Roman citizenship, vv.24-29(cf.21:39)…. • But still doesn’t know what exactly is going on among the Jews! v.30So….

10. Paul’s Defense to the Chief Priest & Council, Acts 23 • Improper Conduct- vv.1-5. • Paul’s perception and division of the Council, vv.6-10. • Paul is encouraged by the Lord, v.11. • The Plot and its foiling, vv.12-24. • Paul is taken to Felix (the governor) at Caesarea, vv.25-35.

11. Paul’s Defense to the Roman Governor- Felix, Acts 24 • The flattery and charges by Tertullus, vv.1-9. • Paul’s response: >stating of the facts, vv.10-11 >denial of the charges, vv.12-13 >admission of guilt: “according to the Way…. I do serve the God of our fathers”, vv.14-16. • A challenge offered by Paul: Where is my guilt? vv.17-21 • Felix delays, vv.22-23.

12. Paul’s Defense to the Roman Governor- Felix, Acts 24 • Paul’s address to Felix: “Righteousness”-was a corrupt governor, v.26 “Self-Control”- he had stolen Drusilla (his wife & daughter of Herod Agrippa) from her first husband, Azizus (the king of Emesa). & “Judgment to come”- According to Tacitus, Felix “with every kind of cruelty and lust, exercised the authority of a king with the temper of a slave”. • The End of Felix, v.27. History records that he was dismissed in disgrace and that he, Drusilla, and a son killed in the eruption of Mt. Vesuvious.

13. Paul’s Defense to the Roman Governor- Festus, Acts 25 • Old tricks tried again by the Jews, vv.1-5. • Festus capitulates, vv.6-9. • But Paul counters with the right of his Roman citizenship: Appeal to Caesar, vv.10-12. • Agrippa arrives, v.13. (This is Herod Agrippa II- son of I,12:1; and great-grandson of The Great,Matt.2:1. “Bernice” was his sister with whom he lived incestuously.) • Paul was not required to defend himself to them, but took the opportunity to preach.

14. Paul’s Defense to Agrippa, Acts 26 • He tells the same true story, vv.2-18. • And preaches the same true sermon of Jesus, vv.19-23. • Festus thinks he’s out of his mind, v.24. • But Paul pushes his point, vv.25-27. • And Agrippa “gets it”! v.28-32

15. The Journey to Rome- Shipwreck, Acts 27 • The bad weather and storm, vv.3-9 • Paul’s warning, v.10ff. • The storm, vv.14-20. • Paul’s encouragement, vv.21-26 • The shipwreck on Malta- 276 people brought safely through, vv.27- 44.

16. The Journey to Rome- Acts 28 • The events on Malta: -the kindness of the natives, v.2 -suspicions turned to worship, vv.3-6 -the miracles, vv.7-10. • Finally, to Rome, vv.11-29. • Paul is left under house arrestfor two years... doing what he had done since his conversion- “preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ” vv.30-31.

17. Conclusion: What have we seen in Acts? • The Church: -Established in Jerusalem, chps.1-2 -Persecuted & Purged, chps.3- 4 -Function in benevolence for its own, chp.6 -its first martyr, chp.7 -it Spread to Judea & Samaria, chp.8 -it Transition to include Gentiles, chps.9-10 & -it Expand to the Uttermost Part of the World, chps.11-28. This is the story of Acts- next, James.