Acts 24

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Paul’s Defense Before a Roman Governor

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. Believers should expect the opposition to manipulate the truth.

  2. Believers should defend themselves, but not manipulate the truth.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Make your witness personal.

QUESTIONS

  1. Review the context of Acts 24.

  2. What false accusations did Tertullus bring against Paul, on behalf of the Sanhedrin?

  3. How did Paul defend himself against these accusations?

  4. What was “The Way”?

  5. Did Paul’s defense result in his release?

ANSWERS

  1. In the previous chapter, the Roman military commander, who had rescued Paul from the Jewish mob in the Temple courts, brought Paul before the Jewish Sanhedrin. After another great uproar, a plot was uncovered to ambush and kill Paul. The Roman commander, Lysius, decided to send Paul to Felix, the Roman governor in Caesarea.

  2. Paul was a troublemaker and an insurrectionist. He was a ringleader of a new and unrecognized, and therefore illegal, religious sect known as the Nazarenes. He tried to desecrate the temple.

  3. He simply stated the truth as facts.

  4. This was the name the early believers had for themselves. They followed Jesus Christ who said Himself that He was the way, the truth, and the life.

  5. No, Felix kept Paul in custody for over two years, as a favor to the Jews.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. When Tertullus brought his accusations against Paul he skillfully manipulated the truth. Such manipulation of the truth is characteristic of many unbelievers today when it comes to Christians, the Christian faith, and what the Bible teaches. Gives examples of this that you have seen.

  2. Are you equipped to defend the truth of the Bible and contend for the Christian faith? As believers we are to do this by simply stating the facts and leaving the results in the hands of God. Discuss different resources you know for Christian apologetics and Christian evidences. You can begin with growingchristians.org!

CHALLENGE

  1. Paul made his witness to Felix personal, so he could no longer discuss the Christian faith on only an intellectual level. While personal discussions about repentance and sin may make unbelievers uncomfortable, this is the way people are saved. Make your witness personal.

KEY VERSES

  • “For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.” Acts 24:5

  • “So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.” Acts 24:23

  • “Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, ‘Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.’” Acts 24:25



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