Acts “A New Beginning”

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ActsActs“A New Beginning”“A New Beginning”

Lesson 19, Part 1Lesson 19, Part 1The First Legal Test of the GospelThe First Legal Test of the Gospel

Acts 22:22 - 23:35Acts 22:22 - 23:35

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The First Legal Test of the GospelThe First Legal Test of the GospelActs 22:22 - 23:35Acts 22:22 - 23:35

1.1. Some basic relationships existed between Some basic relationships existed between Roman law and Jewish law at this time: Roman law and Jewish law at this time:

a.a. The Romans maintained final authority The Romans maintained final authority in all legal matters; in all legal matters;

b.b. The Romans sometimes allowed the Jews The Romans sometimes allowed the Jews to make recommendations about to make recommendations about matters that involved Jewish law [e.g., matters that involved Jewish law [e.g., Pilate’s disposition of Jesus to Herod Pilate’s disposition of Jesus to Herod (Luke 23:7,15)]. (Luke 23:7,15)].

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1.1. Some basic relationships existed between Roman law Some basic relationships existed between Roman law and Jewish law at this time: and Jewish law at this time:

c.c. At other times the Romans did not allow for Jewish At other times the Romans did not allow for Jewish input into decisions [e.g., Gallio’s treatment of input into decisions [e.g., Gallio’s treatment of Paul’s enemies at Corinth (Acts 18:12-16)]. Paul’s enemies at Corinth (Acts 18:12-16)].

d.d. The Romans personally executed any verdicts The Romans personally executed any verdicts reached about legal matters. reached about legal matters. [See Matthew 27:22-31.] [See Matthew 27:22-31.]

e.e. Roman law superseded all Jewish law. Where Roman law superseded all Jewish law. Where there were conflicts, Roman law there were conflicts, Roman law alwaysalways prevailed. prevailed.

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2.2. Some prominent Roman laws were in place in Some prominent Roman laws were in place in Palestine during Paul’s lifetime. They were Palestine during Paul’s lifetime. They were enforced in varying degrees at different times: enforced in varying degrees at different times:

a.a. Peace must be preserved in the provinces Peace must be preserved in the provinces of the empire at all costs. [See Acts 19:40.] of the empire at all costs. [See Acts 19:40.]

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Some Prominent Roman laws Some Prominent Roman laws Acts 22:22 - 23:35Acts 22:22 - 23:35

b.b. The rights of Roman citizens must be The rights of Roman citizens must be guaranteed under all circumstances. guaranteed under all circumstances.

1)1) Valerian [508 B.C.] and Portian [300 B.C.] laws Valerian [508 B.C.] and Portian [300 B.C.] laws stipulated that: stipulated that: (a) No magistrate had the right to bind, scourge, or kill (a) No magistrate had the right to bind, scourge, or kill

any any untrieduntried Roman citizen; Roman citizen; (b) No Roman citizen could be executed except by (b) No Roman citizen could be executed except by

formal trial and the vote of a general assembly of formal trial and the vote of a general assembly of the people; the people;

(c) A simple statement of citizenship was sufficient to (c) A simple statement of citizenship was sufficient to halt legal proceedings until the people could make halt legal proceedings until the people could make a lawful decision through specific procedures; a lawful decision through specific procedures;

(d) Many powers of the people were assumed by the (d) Many powers of the people were assumed by the emperor following an appeal to Caesar. emperor following an appeal to Caesar.

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Some Prominent Roman laws Some Prominent Roman laws Acts 22:22 - 23:35Acts 22:22 - 23:35

b.b. The rights of Roman citizens must be The rights of Roman citizens must be guaranteed under all circumstances. guaranteed under all circumstances.

2)2) The legal implications of these laws were important The legal implications of these laws were important for Roman citizens: for Roman citizens: (a) No punishment could be administered without (a) No punishment could be administered without

specific charges being made against the specific charges being made against the defendant; defendant;

(b) Protection was assured from all unlawful actions (b) Protection was assured from all unlawful actions during the legal process; during the legal process;

(c) Provision was to be made for a fair hearing on all (c) Provision was to be made for a fair hearing on all charges against a defendant. charges against a defendant.

(d) The right of appeal to a higher court was (d) The right of appeal to a higher court was available to contest the decision of a lower court. available to contest the decision of a lower court.

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[This information, #1 and #2, may be found in [This information, #1 and #2, may be found in Conybeare and Howson, Conybeare and Howson, The Life and Epistles of The Life and Epistles of St. PaulSt. Paul, pp. 239, 589-598) and in , pp. 239, 589-598) and in Westminster Westminster Dictionary of the BibleDictionary of the Bible, pp. 517-518.] , pp. 517-518.]

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3.3. These were the laws that controlled the events These were the laws that controlled the events surrounding Paul during the rest of the book of surrounding Paul during the rest of the book of Acts. Of course, it is obvious that Acts. Of course, it is obvious that GodGod was was actually in control and was using these Roman actually in control and was using these Roman laws to shape circumstances to conform to His laws to shape circumstances to conform to His plan for Paul’s life and work in His kingdom. plan for Paul’s life and work in His kingdom. [See Galatians 4:4; Romans 13:4.] [See Galatians 4:4; Romans 13:4.]

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4.4. The gospel, not just Paul, was on trial in these The gospel, not just Paul, was on trial in these chapters. Could its precepts be satisfied amid chapters. Could its precepts be satisfied amid very difficult obstacles? very difficult obstacles?

a.a. The gospel encourages Christians to live The gospel encourages Christians to live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18); peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18);

b.b. Christians must “repay no one evil for evil” Christians must “repay no one evil for evil” (Romans 12:17); (Romans 12:17);

c.c. Every disciple must demonstrate honor to Every disciple must demonstrate honor to the ruling authorities (1Peter 2:17). the ruling authorities (1Peter 2:17).

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1.1. The Jews tried to discredit Paul and his gospel The Jews tried to discredit Paul and his gospel by the use of Roman “law” [See Acts 16:21.], by the use of Roman “law” [See Acts 16:21.], but the final verdict from a fair trial would be: but the final verdict from a fair trial would be: “Nothing...worthy of death or of any bonds” “Nothing...worthy of death or of any bonds” (Acts 23:29). (Acts 23:29).

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Some Roman Laws That Helped Paul Some Roman Laws That Helped Paul Acts 22:22 - 23:35Acts 22:22 - 23:35

6.6. Some of the Roman laws that came into play Some of the Roman laws that came into play regarding Paul’s Roman citizenship were: regarding Paul’s Roman citizenship were:

a.a. The peace must be preservedThe peace must be preserved (21:30-33; 22:22-24). (21:30-33; 22:22-24). The commander took immediate action to The commander took immediate action to address the unruly situation caused by the address the unruly situation caused by the angry mob. The Jews were in a frenzy, and angry mob. The Jews were in a frenzy, and trouble could easily spread throughout the trouble could easily spread throughout the entire city.entire city.

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b.b. Specific charges must be lodged against an Specific charges must be lodged against an accused personaccused person (22:24,30). (22:24,30). The uproar confused Lysias (Acts 21:34). The The uproar confused Lysias (Acts 21:34). The Jews wanted Paul to be executed (vs. 22), but Jews wanted Paul to be executed (vs. 22), but Lysias failed to comprehend Paul’s Hebrew-Lysias failed to comprehend Paul’s Hebrew-language defense and its implications. The language defense and its implications. The charges were actually about “their law” (Acts charges were actually about “their law” (Acts 23:29) and not about some Roman law that 23:29) and not about some Roman law that would justify imposing a penalty on Paul. would justify imposing a penalty on Paul. Scourging was inflicted (vs. 24) to gather Scourging was inflicted (vs. 24) to gather information [by confession of the prisoner], information [by confession of the prisoner], not for punishment. Guilt was usually not for punishment. Guilt was usually presumed against any “outsider.” presumed against any “outsider.”

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c.c. Protection must be given to a defendant from Protection must be given to a defendant from unlawful acts by othersunlawful acts by others (vs.25-29). (vs.25-29). Expecting to be scourged, Paul resorted to the Expecting to be scourged, Paul resorted to the protection of Roman law (vs. 25b). His claim was protection of Roman law (vs. 25b). His claim was unchallenged, because a false claim of citizenship unchallenged, because a false claim of citizenship could bring a death penalty to the claimant (vs. could bring a death penalty to the claimant (vs. 26-29). Details of Paul’s “citizenship by birth” are 26-29). Details of Paul’s “citizenship by birth” are not entirely clear, but his status was evidently not entirely clear, but his status was evidently superior to a purchased citizenship such as Lysias superior to a purchased citizenship such as Lysias possessed. When Paul made his claim, the possessed. When Paul made his claim, the scourgers “departed” [in a hurry, no doubt!] and scourgers “departed” [in a hurry, no doubt!] and Lysias was “afraid” because the Roman law had Lysias was “afraid” because the Roman law had been broken when this Roman citizen had been been broken when this Roman citizen had been bound without good cause (vs. 29). bound without good cause (vs. 29).

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End of Lesson 19, Part 1End of Lesson 19, Part 1

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ActsActs“A New Beginning”“A New Beginning”

Lesson 19, Part 2Lesson 19, Part 2The First Legal Test of the GospelThe First Legal Test of the Gospel

Acts 22:22 - 23:35Acts 22:22 - 23:35

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From the last study....From the last study....

6.6. Some of the Roman laws that came into play Some of the Roman laws that came into play regarding Paul’s Roman citizenship were: regarding Paul’s Roman citizenship were:

a.a. The peace must be preservedThe peace must be preserved

b.b. Specific charges must be lodged against an Specific charges must be lodged against an accused personaccused person

c.c. Protection must be given to a defendant Protection must be given to a defendant from unlawful acts by othersfrom unlawful acts by others

Now, today’s lesson....Now, today’s lesson....

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Some Roman Laws That Helped PaulSome Roman Laws That Helped PaulActs 22:22 - 23:35Acts 22:22 - 23:35

d.d. A fair hearing of all charges against a A fair hearing of all charges against a defendant must be provided to a defendantdefendant must be provided to a defendant (vs. 30ff.). (vs. 30ff.). The Jewish leaders were The Jewish leaders were commandedcommanded to to appear and accuse Paul of his crimes. Paul, appear and accuse Paul of his crimes. Paul, however, took the initiative of a “good however, took the initiative of a “good conscience before God” (vs. 21), which was conscience before God” (vs. 21), which was important to the Jews but not to the Romans. important to the Jews but not to the Romans. The Jewish high priest ordered a reprisal The Jewish high priest ordered a reprisal against Paul without hearing his defense (vs. against Paul without hearing his defense (vs. 2). The Law for which the high priest was so 2). The Law for which the high priest was so jealous forbade any act that constituted jealous forbade any act that constituted “unjust judgment” (Leviticus 19:15). “unjust judgment” (Leviticus 19:15).

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d.d. A fair hearing of all charges against a A fair hearing of all charges against a defendant must be provided to a defendantdefendant must be provided to a defendant (vs. 30ff.). (vs. 30ff.). (Continued)(Continued)

Paul was anxious to be seen as a student Paul was anxious to be seen as a student and respecter of the Law and so he quoted and respecter of the Law and so he quoted from the Law (vs. 3,5). Perhaps even the from the Law (vs. 3,5). Perhaps even the Romans would be impressed that a man Romans would be impressed that a man who was accused of breaking the Jews’ law who was accused of breaking the Jews’ law would seek the protection of the very law would seek the protection of the very law for which his accusers charged he had no for which his accusers charged he had no respect. respect.

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7.7. Concluding that he would never receive a fair hearing, Concluding that he would never receive a fair hearing, Paul perceived that his adversaries were divided into Paul perceived that his adversaries were divided into the competitive philosophical camps of Sadducees and the competitive philosophical camps of Sadducees and Pharisees (vs. 6). He recognized at once an Pharisees (vs. 6). He recognized at once an opportunity to rescue himself from a potentially life-opportunity to rescue himself from a potentially life-threatening situation. threatening situation.

a.a. These two Jewish parties were constantly These two Jewish parties were constantly embroiled in the hotly-contested questions about embroiled in the hotly-contested questions about the resurrection of the dead and other similar the resurrection of the dead and other similar issues. Pharisees defended the possibility of life issues. Pharisees defended the possibility of life after death; the Sadducees stoutly denied it. after death; the Sadducees stoutly denied it.

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b.b. Paul suddenly revealed that his personal Paul suddenly revealed that his personal position was derived from his Pharisee position was derived from his Pharisee heritage and that somehow the problems he heritage and that somehow the problems he was facing had sprung out of his convictions was facing had sprung out of his convictions about such fundamental truths. about such fundamental truths.

c.c. Of course, the Pharisees and Sadducees were Of course, the Pharisees and Sadducees were in agreement that Paul was guilty of despising in agreement that Paul was guilty of despising the Law and of forbidding Jews to observe its the Law and of forbidding Jews to observe its customs and traditions. So far as they were customs and traditions. So far as they were concerned, these were the departures from concerned, these were the departures from Judaism that had brought about the conflict Judaism that had brought about the conflict between them and the apostle. between them and the apostle.

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d.d. Antagonism toward the Sadducees was Antagonism toward the Sadducees was stronger in some of the Pharisees than stronger in some of the Pharisees than their ill will toward this preacher of a new their ill will toward this preacher of a new religion. The opportunity to strike a blow religion. The opportunity to strike a blow against their longtime religious against their longtime religious opponents was too good to pass up. opponents was too good to pass up.

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e.e. It is ludicrous that the scribes of the It is ludicrous that the scribes of the Pharisees so quickly abandoned their Pharisees so quickly abandoned their violent condemnation of Paul and instead violent condemnation of Paul and instead began to vigorously pronounce his began to vigorously pronounce his innocence of any “evil” for which he might innocence of any “evil” for which he might be punished. The only possible reason for be punished. The only possible reason for their unexpected behavior was that their their unexpected behavior was that their longstanding longstanding prejudicesprejudices against the against the Sadducees were much stronger than their Sadducees were much stronger than their convictionsconvictions about the things in their Law about the things in their Law (vs. 9). (vs. 9).

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f.f. Personal considerations often prove to Personal considerations often prove to be the real motivators of human action be the real motivators of human action rather than genuine religious rather than genuine religious convictions. It is likely that these scribes convictions. It is likely that these scribes had not really changed their feelings had not really changed their feelings about Paul but were simply willing to about Paul but were simply willing to take an insincere position in an effort to take an insincere position in an effort to embarrass others against whom they embarrass others against whom they had for a long time entertained an had for a long time entertained an unrelenting grudge. unrelenting grudge.

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g.g. The commander, aware of his duty to The commander, aware of his duty to maintain the peace of the city, snatched maintain the peace of the city, snatched Paul from the jaws of danger and Paul from the jaws of danger and hastened him away from hands that hastened him away from hands that sought to do him harm (vs. 10). sought to do him harm (vs. 10).

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AN INTERLUDE: AN INTERLUDE:

The Lord encouraged an apostle who could The Lord encouraged an apostle who could possibly become discouraged over a possibly become discouraged over a disappointing turn of events (vs. 11):disappointing turn of events (vs. 11):

a.a. Paul had been faithful as God’s spokesman Paul had been faithful as God’s spokesman in Jerusalem even in the face of great in Jerusalem even in the face of great danger to himself; danger to himself;

b.b. He would be rewarded for his faithfulness He would be rewarded for his faithfulness with something he had deeply desired to with something he had deeply desired to do -- preach the gospel in Rome (Romans do -- preach the gospel in Rome (Romans 19:21). 19:21).

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Other Roman LawsOther Roman LawsActs 22:22 - 23:35Acts 22:22 - 23:35

8.8. Other Roman laws that protected Paul during his Other Roman laws that protected Paul during his ordeal: ordeal:

a.a. Prohibition of punishment for unproved Prohibition of punishment for unproved charges against a defendantcharges against a defendant (vs. 12-24). (vs. 12-24).

1)1) A vicious plot was devised against Paul’s life by A vicious plot was devised against Paul’s life by more than forty of his enemies. It involved having more than forty of his enemies. It involved having Paul moved to a site where he could be examined Paul moved to a site where he could be examined by the council. During this move, he would be by the council. During this move, he would be ambushed by these assassins and killed (vs. 12-ambushed by these assassins and killed (vs. 12-15). 15).

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Other Roman Laws Other Roman Laws Acts 22:22 - 23:35Acts 22:22 - 23:35


2)2) The pernicious plot was exposed by Paul’s The pernicious plot was exposed by Paul’s young nephew (vs. 16-21); it was thwarted by young nephew (vs. 16-21); it was thwarted by the urgent actions taken by the commander of the urgent actions taken by the commander of the Roman garrison (vs. 22,23). the Roman garrison (vs. 22,23).

3)3) Paul’s enemies could not have anticipated such Paul’s enemies could not have anticipated such strenuous efforts by the Romans to protect an strenuous efforts by the Romans to protect an uncondemned citizen. uncondemned citizen.

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4)4) Four hundred and seventy soldiers, both Four hundred and seventy soldiers, both infantry and cavalry troops, assured Paul’s infantry and cavalry troops, assured Paul’s complete safety to Antripas. His further complete safety to Antripas. His further removal to Caesarea, Rome’s headquarters for removal to Caesarea, Rome’s headquarters for the security of Palestine, and his lodging in the security of Palestine, and his lodging in Herod’s own palace made certain that the Herod’s own palace made certain that the plotters would utterly fail in their determination plotters would utterly fail in their determination to destroy God’s apostle (vs. 23-33). God had to destroy God’s apostle (vs. 23-33). God had taken charge of Paul’s protection, and nothing taken charge of Paul’s protection, and nothing that men could do could keep him from his that men could do could keep him from his appointed mission (Acts 23: 11).appointed mission (Acts 23: 11).

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5)5) Paul evidently was treated with respect as an Paul evidently was treated with respect as an uncondemned man while in custody in uncondemned man while in custody in Caesarea (vs. 31-35). Caesarea (vs. 31-35).

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b.b. Defendants had the right of appeal for Defendants had the right of appeal for contested verdictscontested verdicts (vs. 24,25). (vs. 24,25).

1)1) The verdict by Lysias about Paul was: there The verdict by Lysias about Paul was: there was “nothing charged against him worthy of was “nothing charged against him worthy of death or chains” (vs. 29). death or chains” (vs. 29).

2)2) The plot of the Jews against Paul constituted The plot of the Jews against Paul constituted theirtheir informal appeal of Lysias’ decision not to informal appeal of Lysias’ decision not to allow them to have their way with his prisoner allow them to have their way with his prisoner (vs. 22:30; 23:10). (vs. 22:30; 23:10).

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b.b. Defendants had the right of appeal for Defendants had the right of appeal for contested verdictscontested verdicts (vs. 24,25). (vs. 24,25).

3)3) Lysias exercised Paul’s Lysias exercised Paul’s rightright for his protection for his protection at Caesarea (vs. 35). at Caesarea (vs. 35).

4)4) Another hearing would soon be held before Another hearing would soon be held before Felix the governor (vs. 30). This appeal Felix the governor (vs. 30). This appeal hearing will be investigated in chapter 24. hearing will be investigated in chapter 24.

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Acts “A New Beginning”