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Paul’s arrest and imprisonment: Part 1 (Acts 21:1-24:27). NT2 – Study 9. Outline of this study. Paul’s journey to Jerusalem (21:1-16) Arrival at Jerusalem and his arrest in the temple (21:17-36) Paul’s defence before the people (21:37-22:29) Paul’s defence before the Sanhedrin (22:30-23:10)
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Paul’s arrest and imprisonment: Part 1(Acts 21:1-24:27) NT2 – Study 9
Outline of this study • Paul’s journey to Jerusalem (21:1-16) • Arrival at Jerusalem and his arrest in the temple (21:17-36) • Paul’s defence before the people (21:37-22:29) • Paul’s defence before the Sanhedrin (22:30-23:10) • Paul is transferred to Caesarea (23:11-35) • Paul’s defence before Felix (24:1-27)
David Cook suggests 7 distinct movements “developing the theme of danger and rescue in the journey set before Paul” Trip to Jerusalem (21:1-16) Arrival and meeting with James (21:17-26) Jerusalem riot & Paul’s first rescue (21:27-40) Paul’s address to the crowd (22:1-21) Jerusalem riot and Paul’s secondrescue (22:22-29) Paul’s address to Sanhedrin and his third rescue (22:30-23:11) Plot to kill Paul and his fourth rescue (23:12-24) Source: David Cook, Teaching Acts (Christian Focus)
1. Paul’s journey to Jerusalem (21:1-16) • Paul persisted to go to Jerusalem despite repeated warning through the Spirit of what to expect there! WHY? • Note parallels with Jesus’ last journey to Jerusalem – “fellowship of suffering”! • Plot by the Jews + handing over to Gentiles • Triple prediction of coming suffering (20:22-24; 21:4, 10-11) • Steadfast resolution (v13) + godly resignation to God’s will (v14)
1. Paul’s journey to Jerusalem (21:1-16) In words reminiscent of the garden of Gethsemane, [Paul’s] companions conclude: ‘The Lord’s will be done’ (21:14). And just as it was for the Lord Jesus (Luke 18:31-33), Jerusalem will once more show itself to be a centre of aggressive opposition to the interests of the gospel. David Cook, Teaching Acts (p252)
1. Paul’s journey to Jerusalem (21:1-16) • Paul goes to Jerusalem ... • To faithfully accomplish his entrusted task (20:24) • Desiring conversion of Jews via Gentile conversions (cf. Romans 11:25ff)! • To receive from the church in Jerusalem the seal of acceptance on his work (15:28,32) • To be free for further labours (Rome/Spain)
2. The 3rd missionary journey (18:23-19:41) What could be the significance of the reference to Philip and his four unmarried daughters who prophesied?
2. Arrival at Jerusalem and his arrest in the temple (21:17-36)
2. Arrival at Jerusalem and temple arrest • Reception by believers in Jerusalem • “received us warmly” (v17), though no mention of the gift from Gentile churches! • James and the elders • Responded to Gentile mission report by praising God (v20) • But how about “many thousands of Jews who have believed” who are “zealous for the law”? • The proposal: Show everyone that Paul himself is still “living in obedience to the law” (v24)
2. Arrival at Jerusalem and temple arrest • Outcome of Paul’s purification in the temple • Why he agreed (cf. 1 Cor 9:19-20; 10:32-33) • Did it work? • The charge by some Asian Jews (v28) • “The whole city was aroused” (v30) • Where were the “thousands of Christian Jews”? • cf. 2 Tim 4:17 + the parallel with Jesus continues! • Ironically, Paul “rescued” by the Gentiles!
3. Paul’s defence before the people • Key emphasis: “Christian message stands in the very centre of the Jewish orthodox tradition: it is not a novelty or aberration” (p.122) • Formal Jewish opening in Aramaic: “Brothers and fathers” • “thoroughly trained in the law” • Unmistakeably zealous, even persecuting Christians • Stresses change brought about by a genuine heavenly confrontation, verified by devout Jew (Ananias), and specific directions through a vision while “praying at the temple” (v17) => clearly God-given!
3. Paul’s defence before the people • What the Jews cannot accept • Identification of Jesus as Messiah OK, but not good news to the Gentiles! • The Roman commander’s response • Attempts interrogation by torture! • Paul again spared by his Roman citizenship (cf. Philippi)
4. Paul’s defence before the Sanhedrin • Key emphasis: the Jewish Sanhedrin had no real charge against Paul • Paul’s testimony: “I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day” (23:1) • The lawbreaker was ironically Ananias, the high priest presiding over the Sanhedrin! • Note similarity with John 18:22-23! • The real issue at stake: can Judaism accept “the hope of the resurrection of the dead” (23:6)
4. Paul’s defence before the Sanhedrin “Paul flatly denies that he has done anything to undermine the Jewish law of temple (22:3, 17; 24:10-18; 25:8; 26:3-5). But surprisingly, he also shifts the focus again and again to another charge which the Jewish antagonists had not even raised and which Paul, far from denying, fully accepts as the core of his faith: ‘I am on trial concerning the hope of the resurrection of the dead’ (23:6; 24:15, 20-21; 25:19; 26:6-8, 23). Scott Spencer, 214
5. Paul transferred to Caesarea * What is the significance of the Lord’s appearing and direct message to Paul in 23:11? * How does it help us read the account about Paul’s transfer to Caesarea?
6. Paul’s defence before Felix • Antonius Felix – “a master of cruelty and lust who exercised the powers of a king with the spirit of a slave” (Tacitus) • Key emphasis: Even a corrupt judge could see that there was no case against Paul! • Note Paul’s consistency and boldness in public as well as in private (24:24-25) • Only Felix’s greed kept Paul from being released (24:26-27)!
