Transcript ACTS CHAPTER 24 & 25 - My Power House Website

Here Comes The Bribe
Viewing Acts Chapter 24 & 25
Prepared by: Soon Siak. August 2010
What a Riddle!
Two identical guys. But not twins.
Same mother & born on same day.
They must be lying but they
aren’t. How is that possible?
Two members of triplets lah! 
The judge (Felix) was hoping Paul
would bribe him in order to solve
the riddle of what to do about
Paul.
The Jews Accuse Paul before Felix
If life is like a courtroom, who do you most
identify with at this point in your life: the
person on trial, a lawyer, a judge, a
member of the jury, the court reporter, an
onlooker, or someone else? Why?
The Jews Accuse Paul before Felix
Paul had been hastily whisked out of town to
avoid a secret plot involving more than forty
people sworn to kill him (23:12-14). But he had to
wait around in protective custody until his
accusers arrived. When they got there (five days
later) and the trial began, what was one of the
first tactics of the prosecutor (v1-4)?
He blatantly tried to “butter up” the judge
Can you think of any similar tactics (flattery, etc.)
used by young people to try to get what they
want?
Try to impress teachers; giving complements,
hoping to receive them in return, etc.
The Jews Accuse Paul before Felix
When Ananias and his lawyer finally got finished
trying to impress the judge, what charges did
they bring against Paul (v5-9)? Were they true?
If not outright lies, they were exaggerated. Riots
had taken place in response to Paul’s teachings,
but he certainly didn’t stir up the people
intentionally. He had been accused of
desecrating the Jewish temple, but it wasn’t true.
And he was a leader of the Christian movement,
but “ringleader” was an inflammatory word.
When people have gotten upset with you, how
have they exaggerated the truth and made your
actions sound worse than they really were? How
have you done this?
What were the charges?
1.
He incited insurrection/riots.
2.
He was a heretic – against Mosaic
laws
3.
He committed sacrilege having
profaned (polluted) the temple.
(Pls see pg 85 e)
Paul’s defence before the governor, Felix
Paul’s Defence
What can you learn from Paul’s presentation
of his defence after these exaggerated
charges (v10-21)?
Point by point he calmly clarified the truth
about each charge. It does little good to lose
control or respond with non-productive
anger.
Take a look on page 86jkl – SPM1995B (main points of Paul’s
defence before Felix.)
The Trial Adjourned
Why wasn’t Paul’s case resolved right away
(v22-23)?
Felix first said he wanted to wait for the
commander who had previously rescued
Paul to arrive and testify.
Who was the commander/tribune?
(SPM2002A)
Claudius Lysias
Paul a Prisoner Two Years at Caesarea
But there was another reason. What was it
(v24-26)?
Felix was hoping Paul would offer him a big
bribe. Later, in their frequent talks, Paul had
several opportunities to present the Gospel.
Paul under house arrest
Who are they – Felix & Drusilla?
Drusilla -third and youngest daughter of
Herod Agrippa I. Felix, the Roman procurator
of Judea, induced her to leave her husband,
Azizus, the king of Emesa, and become his
wife. She was present with Felix when Paul
reasoned of “goodness, self-control, and Day
of Judgment to come" (Acts 24:24). She and
her son perished in the eruption of Mount
Vesuvius, A.D. 79.
Drusilla with her
son, perished in the
eruption of Mt.
Vesuvius during
the reign of
Emperor Titus in
79 A.D. when it
buried Pompeii and
its sister city,
Herculaneum
Plaster castings based on
the cavities formed by
decomposed bodies in the
hardened volcanic ash.
Paul a Prisoner Two Years at Caesarea
Since Paul never bribed Felix, the
governor never got around to making a
ruling on the case. Two years later Felix
was replaced (v27), and Paul remained in
prison. What kinds of spiritual “jobs” do
you tend to put off, hoping that someone
will do them for you or offer you a
“bribe” to do them?
SO WHAT?
Do you think it’s always wrong to take or receive bribes?
(Exo 23:8; Deut 16:19; 27:25)
Can you think of anything you do that encourages others to
bribe you in some way? If so, what should you do about it?
FEND YOURSELF!
Each group (same answer) should defend the reasonableness of its answer to the
rest of the group. You are allow to switch groups before the real answer is given.
The case of the Illegal Icelander.
Olga Stensrud lives in a two-bedroom flat in Reyjavik, Iceland, with her dog,
Fifi and her cat, Fluffy. One day, she’s sipping a cup of fresh-brewed coffee when
she hears a knock on her door. When she answers it, a police officer says, “you’re
under arrest.” Why?
a. Coffee is illegal in Iceland; b. No single person is allowed to live in a twobedroom apartment; c. No pets are allowed in apartment dwellings. d. It’s illegal
to own a dog in Iceland.
Answer: d ! Who does the best job defending his or her answer? 
Paul Before Festus
In this chapter Paul gets another chance to defend
himself against his accusers… What are some
injustices you’ve heard about in history class at
school? Which one bothers you most?
After being picked up for causing a disturbance
(21:33), Paul had to keep presenting his case to a
number of people: the crowd who had tried to beat
him to death (21:40); the Jewish Sanhedrin (22:30),
and Felix, the Roman governor (24:1,2), to name a
few. More than two years had passed (24:27). Put
yourself in Paul’s place; what thoughts are going
through your head? How are you feeling?
You’re probably a bit frustrated at how slow
progress is. Maybe you’re tempted to reach a
settlement soon, so that you can be free again.
Paul Before Festus
With the installation of a new Roman
governor, Paul had to start from
scratch. The Jewish leaders tried to
get Festus to transfer the trial to
Jerusalem (v3). Why?
They didn’t just want Paul tried – they
wanted him dead (23:12-13)
Paul Before Festus
“I appeal to Caesar.” Describe the
trial when Paul made this
statement (v11)? SPM1998B
Assignment:
Page 89 Question 5, 6, 7
Why did Paul want his
trial in Rome? Pg 88 jk
Ruins at Rome
Paul Before Festus
Why do you think Paul appealed to Caesar’s
court?
Perhaps because if Paul could successfully
defend himself in a high Roman court, other
teachers of Christianity would have the
opportunity to speak openly. This would also
help the Romans to know the differences
between Christianity and Judaism.
Festus had shown partiality in making the
proposition.
He did not intend to expose himself to the
danger of assassination.
Rights of a Roman Citizen
1.
2.
3.
Paul claimed his right of Roman
citizenship on three occasions (pg84).
At Philippi (16:37);
At Jerusalem, where the chief captain
would examine him by scourging
(22:24);
When before Festus he appealed unto
Caesar (25:10-11).
SPM 1998, 2002, 2009
Plots to Assassinate Paul
1.
2.
3.
4.
State the places
At Damascus (9:23-24); soon after his
conversion;
At Corinth (20:3); on his third missionary
trip;
At Jerusalem (23:21); on his third
missionary trip;
At Caesarea (25:3); during his trial by
Festus.
SPM 2010 ??? 
Agrippa Visits Festus
What opportunity came Paul’s way in v1322?
The Romans were beginning to talk about
him. When King Agrippa visited Festus,
Paul was a natural discussion topic.
Consequently, Agrippa wanted to hear
what Paul had to say.
Assembly of the Court
What are some opportunities God has given
you to share your faith with other people?
Discuss how sometimes people who we
assume aren’t interested may actually want
to hear what we have to say.
Why was Festus glad to have Agrippa
around (v23-27)?
Festus had no convenient way to explain
why he was sending Paul’s case to Caesar.
Agrippa’s presence would lend more
credibility as Festus contacted the Roman
leader.
Who are they – Agrippa II & Bernice?
Bernice, eldest daughter of Herod Agrippa I,
sister of Herod Agrippa II and of Drusilla. One
of the most unprincipled women of the time.
Married to her uncle Herod, King of Chalcis.
After his death, lived with brother Agrippa II.
Married Polemon, King of Cilicia. Marriage
dissolved. Returned to her brother. Jealous of
Drusilla bcos of her beauty. Later mistress of
Titus. Assisted Vespasian (Titus’ Father) to
be emperor.
Paul Before
Agrippa, Bernice
and Festus.
Assembly of the Court
On the scale of 1 (least) to 10
(most), how scared do you think
you would be in Paul’s situation?
How scared do you think Paul was?
SO WHAT?
Write/draw anything you might be afraid of and also write
down words to describe your fears. Then work out as a
group to list some methods/antidotes to overcome these
fears.
When we learn to depend entirely on God, fear takes a
backseat to speaking up for Him. If Paul were to focus on
his fears, he would not be likely to be very effective.