Unexpected Hero Series

Paul the Ringleader

Text: Acts 24:1-9

Introduction

1. “Integrity, the choice between what is convenient and what is right” (Tony Dungy).

2. “Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching” (C.S. Lewis).

3. “People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed.” (Prov. 10:9).

4. In our text today, Paul is in a room with people calling him a ringleader, but he was the only one with integrity.

5. Read Acts 24:1-9

Transition: Let’s take a look as…

I. The Trial Begins

A. So far, Paul has had an eventful journey to Rome. He was attacked by a group of Asian Jews who tried to kill him, until he was rescued by the Romans. Then the Romans tried to beat him to death, until they discovered he was a Roman citizen. Once this was discovered, the Roman commander planned to send him to the Governor, and then he discovered that there was an assassination plot against Paul. So, the commander gathered a large attachment of soldiers to ensure that Paul made it safely to the Governor. Just another day in the office for Paul!

B. Now Luke tells us in Acts 24:1, “Five days later Ananias, the high priest, arrived with some of the Jewish elders and the lawyer Tertullus, to present their case against Paul to the governor.

1. Five days after Paul arrived in Caesarea, the high priest arrives with an attachment of elders and a lawyer named Tertullus.

2. Based on his Latin name, it’s possible that he was a Roman Jew like Paul.

3. The word translated “lawyer,” comes from the Greek word that means “public speaker.”

4. This is the only time it appears in the NT, but other Greek sources from the time usually used this word in courtroom settings.

5. So, this was the ancient equivalent of the “dream team.”

6. The Jews were so adamant in killing Paul that they brought in a professional, and he was considered one of the top trial attorneys of his time.

C. Then Luke tells us in vv. 2-4, “When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented the charges against Paul in the following address to the governor: “You have provided a long period of peace for us Jews and with foresight have enacted reforms for us. 3 For all of this, Your Excellency, we are very grateful to you. 4 But I don’t want to bore you, so please give me your attention for only a moment.”

1. Now that everyone was there, the trial began. As was customary, those bringing the charges got to go first.

2. As was also the custom, the lawyer for those bringing the charges, begins with a less than sincere form of flattery.

3. We might call it “kissing up” to the judge. In fact, his flattery takes up as much time as the case does.

4. Tertullus makes it sound like the Jews loved Felix, but nothing could be further from the truth. History tells us that he was a violent and corrupt ruler who was hated by the Jews.

5. None the less, he tried his best to get the Governor on their side.

6. But truth be told, he was lying through his teeth.

7. Prov. 29:5 says, “To flatter friends is to lay a trap for their feet.”

8. It’s one thing to praise someone when it’s true, but another thing to dishonestly exaggerate their character for your own personal gain.

D. Then in vv. 5-6 we read, “We have found this man to be a troublemaker who is constantly stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the cult known as the Nazarenes. 6 Furthermore, he was trying to desecrate the Temple when we arrested him.”

1. Finally, Tertullus got to his case. He made three accusations against Paul.

2. First, he says Paul was a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. This wasn’t true because Paul hadn’t been all over the world, and they were the ones starting the riots, not Paul.

3. Second, he accused Paul of being a ringleader of an unrecognized Nazarene sect, which was against Roman law. According to Roman law the Jews were allowed to practice their religion, but other “new religions” were forbidden. In bringing this up, he was hoping to force the governor’s hand because his main duty was to keep the peace in the region.

4. The third accusation was that Paul tried to desecrate the temple. Again, this was also not true. There reference was an accusation that Paul brought a Gentile into the temple, which was an assumption that wasn’t true.

E. Then Tertullus concluded his argument in vv. 8-9, “You can find out the truth of our accusations by examining him yourself.” 9 Then the other Jews chimed in, declaring that everything Tertullus said was true.”