Sha’ul’s Appears Before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa ~ Part 2

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We continue in the Book of Acts. Sha’ul’s Appears to the Roman Authorities beginning in Acts 24:10.

Sha’ul’s Statement in Defense

Sha’ul’s defense before Felix responds to each of Tertullus’ three points: (1) During his twelve days in Yerushalayim he incited no insurrection (vv. 5, 11–13), (2) his being a Natzrati, a follower of Yeshua from Natzeret, is no ground for complaint (vv. 6b, 14–16), and (3) he did nothing wrong, either in the Temple or elsewhere (vv. 6a, 16–18). Finally, he challenges his accusers to bring against him any charge that will stand up (vv. 19–21).

¹⁰ When the governor motioned for Sha’ul to speak, he replied, “I know that you have been judge over this nation for a number of years, so I am glad to make my defense. ¹³ Nor can they give any proof of the things of which they are accusing me.

Sha’ul raised no commotion in the Temple but went about his business quietly, in a manner consistent with his purpose of placating those Messianic Jews who were “zealots for the Torah” (Acts 21:20ff.). It would have been counterproductive for him to have done anything that did not demonstrate that he “stays in line and keeps the Torah” (Acts 21:24).

¹⁴ “But this I do admit to you: I worship the God of our fathers (Exodus 3:15) in accordance with the Way (which they call a sect). I continue to believe everything that accords with the Torah and everything written in the Prophets. ¹⁵ And I continue to have a hope in God—which they too accept—that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.

The Way is used in the same technical sense to refer to the beliefs and practices of Yeshua’s followers. The term implies that “the Way” is the right Way. “Which they call a sect” means that his accusers regard it as one way among several and a way they do not like. Sha’ul refers back to Tertullus’ use of the word “sect” and neutralizes any possible negative overtone. I worship the God of our fathers. This is precisely the response a present-day Messianic Jew makes to Jews who consider him apostate. The God we worship is the only God, Elohey-avoteynu, “the God of our fathers” (the phrase is found in the first blessing of the Amidah the central synagogue prayer). Likewise, today’s Messianic Jew, with Sha’ul, believes everything that accords with the Torah “as upheld by the Messiah” (see 1 Corinthians 9:21, Galatians 6:2) and everything written in the Prophets, including the prophecies pointing to Yeshua as the Messiah.

¹⁶ Indeed, it is because of this that I make a point of always having a clear conscience in the sight of both God and man.

Sha’ul makes a point of always having a clear conscience precisely because he has a clear awareness of coming judgment. (See 1 Corinthians 3:10–15, 9:25–27, and Philippians 3:12–17).

¹⁷ “After an absence of several years, I came to Yerushalayim to bring a charitable gift to my nation and to offer sacrifices.

To bring a charitable gift. Not mentioned in chapter 21, but confirmed by Sha’ul in his letters (Romans 15:25–31, 1 Corinthians 16:1–4, 2 Corinthians 8:1–9:15, and Galatians 2:10). The gift was not only for Messianic Jews but for unbelieving Jews as well, since they too are included in my nation (see Romans 15:25–31 and Galatians 2:10, where believing Jews and Gentiles are enjoined to show kindness and charity toward Jews specifically.) Sha’ul considered the Messianic Jewish community in Yerushalayim to be part of the Jewish nation, and it is not even an issue, nor should there be any question today that Messianic Jews are part of the Jewish people.

¹⁸ It was in connection with the latter that they found me in the Temple. I had been ceremonially purified, I was not with a crowd, and I was not causing a disturbance. ¹⁹ But some Jews from the province of Asia—they ought to be here before you to make a charge if they have anything against me!

But some Jews from Asia—they ought to be here ….Sha’ul interrupts his own more accurate report of what transpired in the Temple, perhaps to gain control of his hot temper before discussing in front of a non-Jewish judge the misbehavior of his fellow Jews.

²⁰ Or else, let these men themselves say what crime they found me guilty of when I stood in front of the Sanhedrin, ²¹ other than this one thing which I shouted out when I was standing among them: ‘I am on trial before you today because I believe in the resurrection of the dead!’”

Other than this one thing …: “I am on trial … because I believe in the resurrection.” Sha’ul not only believes in it but has also seen and heard the resurrected Yeshua. His point is that a Jewish community divided on whether resurrection takes place at all is in no condition to judge him or other Messianic Jews on whether Yeshua is the Messiah. It would be as if Ferdinand Magellan’s crew were to stand trial for claiming to have circumnavigated the globe before judges who differed on whether the earth was round or flat.

The principle can be applied today. For example, if a group of people, Jewish or not, is divided over whether or not the Bible is God’s inspired word to humanity, with most “right-wing” people, e.g., Orthodox Jews and Evangelical Christians, saying it is, and most “left-wing” people, e.g., Reform Jews, Liberal Christians and secularists, saying it is not or hedging, it would be confounding issues for a Messianic Jew to try to defend his faith before them all together; since they would already, for their reasons, be in disagreement over a point that Messianic Judaism takes as given. ^[1]

Felix Postpones Decision

²² But Felix, who had rather detailed knowledge of things connected with the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” ²³ He ordered the captain to keep Sha’ul in custody, but to let him have considerable liberty and not prevent any of his friends from taking care of his needs. [2]

When Lysias, the commander, comes down. There is no evidence that he ever did. Felix is simply putting off a decision in Sha’ul’s favor that would alienate the leaders of the people he is ruling. In our next post, we will have a clearer picture of Felix’s motives.

In our next post, we will continue to learn about Sha’ul’s Appearances Before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa.

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^[1] David H. Stern, Jewish New Testament Commentary, Acts 24:21.

^[2] Acts 24:10-23.