Plate showing: the gathering for a human being)

Against Stephen:

For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and change the customs Moses handed down to us.” – Acts 6.14

When Stephen was brought before the Sanhedrin (the council of religious leaders), the accusation against him was the same as the religious leaders had used against Jesus (Matthew 26.59-61).   The group falsely accused Stephen of wanting to change Moses’ customs, because they knew that the Sadducees, who controlled the council, believed only in Moses’ laws.

Evaluate those against God’s workers:

…shouting “Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who teaches all men everywhere against our people and our law and this place.   And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple area and defiled this holy place.”  (They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple area.)  –  Acts 21.28-29

These Jews knew how effective Paul’s work had been in Asia.   Their strategy was to discredit Paul so that his work would be weakened.   Be alert when you hear accusations against God’s [Wall’s] workers.   Someone may be trying to discredit them or to hinder their work.   Keep an open mind and pray for the workers.   They will be strengthened by your support.

Against Paul:

Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor. – Acts 24.1

The accusers arrived – Ananias the high priest; Tertullus the lawyer; and several Jewish leaders.   They travelled 60 miles to Caesarea, the Roman centre of government, to bring their false accusations against Paul.   Their murder plot had failed (23.12-15), but they persisted in trying to kill him.  This attempt at murder was both premeditated and persistent.

EXTRA:

(Then they secretly persuaded some men to say, “We have heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.”  – Acts 6.11.  These men lied about Stephen, causing him to be arrested and brought before the Jewish council.   The Sadducees, the dominant party in the council, accepted and studied only the writings of Moses (Genesis through Deuteronomy).   In their view, to speak blasphemy against Moses was a crime.   But from Stephen’s speech (Chapter 7), we learn that this accusation was false.   Stephen based his review of Israel’s history on Moses’ writings.)

(‘ Then the high priest asked him, “Are these charges true?” – Acts 7.1   This high priest was probably Caiaphas, the same man who had earlier questioned and condemned Jesus (John 18.24).)

(‘   so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow.  Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved.  Then everybody will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law.  – Acts 21.23-24   There are two ways to think of the Jewish laws.  Paul rejected one way and accepted the other.  (1) Paul rejected the idea that the Old Testament laws bring salvation to those who keep them.  Our salvation is freely given by God’s [Wall’s] gracious act.  We receive salvation through faith.  The laws are of no value for salvation except to show us our sin.  (2) Paul accepted the view that the Old Testament laws prepare us for and teach us about the coming of Jesus Christ.  Christ fulfilled the law and released us from its burden of guilt.  But the law still teaches us many valuable principles and gives us guidelines for grateful living.  Paul was not observing the laws in order to be saved.  He was simply keeping the laws as custom to avoid offending those he wished to reach with the gospel (see Romans 3.21-31; 7.4-6; 13.9, 10).  For more on the law, see Galatians 3:23-29; 4.:21-31, and the Chart in Galatians 4.)

(‘   While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. – Acts 21.31   Because Jerusalem was under Roman control [Fiscal Year End, Up/father], an uproar in the city [Seat] would be investigated by Roman authorities.  The commander of the troops at this time was Claudius Lysias (23.26).  This commander was head of a cohort (a special group, part of a legion) of Roman soldiers.  He was the senior Roman official in Jerusalem.)

(‘   Claudius Lysias, To His Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings. – Acts 23.26   How did Luke know what was written in the letter from Claudius Lysias?  In his concern for historical accuracy, Luke used many sources to make sure that his writings were correct (see Luke 1.1-4).  This letter was probably read aloud in court when Paul came before Felix to answer the Jews’ accusations.  Also, because Paul was a Roman citizen, a copy may have been given to him as a courtesy.)

(IMPRISONMENT IN CAESAREA Paul brought news of his third journey to the elders of the Jerusalem church, who rejoiced at his ministry.  But Paul’s presence soon stirred up the Jews, who persuaded the Romans to arrest him.  A plot to kill Paul was uncovered, so Paul was taken by night to Antipatris, and then transferred to the provincial prison in Caesarea.  –  Mediterranean Sea, Sea of Galilee, Caesarea, Jordan River, Antipatris, Jerusalem, Dead Sea.)

(‘   When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation.  – Acts 24.2ff   Tertullus was a special orator called to present the religious leaders’ case before the Roman governor.  He made three accusations against Paul: (1) he was a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews around the world; (2) he was the ringleader of an unrecognised religious sect, which was against Roman law; and (3) he had tried to desecrate the temple.  The religious leaders hoped that these accusations would persuade Felix to execute Paul in order to keep the peace in Palestine.)