The man is an orator, according to the Greek noun a rhetorician, in essence a lawyer! “Tertullus” means, according to one lexicon, “triple hardened!” Is that also a statement concerning his heart?
He was employed by the Sanhedrin (the High Priest specifically) to “accuse” Paul before a Roman Governor named Felix.
His charges were threefold: (Remember that likely meaning of his name, based on the number “three!”)
“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.” Verses 5 and 6 of Acts 24; an insurrectionist (rebel) against Rome, the a member of an illegal cult (Christianity, the Nazarenes), and a desecrator/blasphemer of the Holy Temple!
But Paul here defended himself, vigorously!
He had boldly said earlier: “What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 21:13) … but has apparently decided not to be labeled with these “bogus” (though “serious”) accusations! He will refute them!
Good for Paul!
Not quite ready to die, after all! And we Christians are the richer for his decision, his defense that day! (Otherwise we would possess none of the precious “Prison Epistles” Paul later wrote!)
Tell us more, Luke: “Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered …” Acts 24:10, and what an “answer” this is!
A great defense of the Faith!
And a poignant Sermon, too!
Bold as well: “Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.” Verse 13!
Paul to Felix: “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 of offence toward God, and toward men.” Verses 14-16, a “good confession” indeed! (Here Paul is very much like our Lord: “Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession.” 1 Timothy 6:13)
“The Way,” one of the earliest names for Christianity!
So called because Jesus is “THE WAY!” John 14:6, the only Way! (“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”)
The result of this Sermon?
Surprisingly, Felix decides to hear more, in a different setting, apart from Paul’s accusers! With his Wife present, in fact!
And that we shall discuss next Lesson, Lord willing.
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
Oh, how I think Paul should have stayed out of Jerusalem and pursued his ministry at the “Apostle to the Gentiles!” My mind goes back to something the Lord told Paul long ago … “Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.” Acts 22:18, a command!
Or that Paul would have stayed committed to this plan: “From henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.” Acts 18:6
He literally gave his life for the Jews, in some ways! (“For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” And “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.” Romans 9:3 and Romans 10:1, King James Version.)
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