Here Comes The Bribe

1. Here Comes The Bribe Viewing Acts Chapter 24 & 25 Prepared by: Soon Siak. August 2010

2. Two identical guys. But not twins. Same mother & born on same day. They must be lying but they aren’t. How is that possible? Two members of triplets lah!  The judge (Felix) was hoping Paul would bribe him in order to solve the riddle of what to do about Paul. What a Riddle!

3. The Jews Accuse Paul before Felix If life is like a courtroom, who do you most identify with at this point in your life: the person on trial, a lawyer, a judge, a member of the jury, the court reporter, an onlooker, or someone else? Why?

4. The Jews Accuse Paul before Felix Paul had been hastily whisked out of town to avoid a secret plot involving more than forty people sworn to kill him (23:12-14). But he had to wait around in protective custody until his accusers arrived. When they got there (five days later) and the trial began, what was one of the first tactics of the prosecutor (v1-4)? He blatantly tried to “butter up” the judge Can you think of any similar tactics (flattery, etc.) used by young people to try to get what they want? Try to impress teachers; giving complements, hoping to receive them in return, etc.

5. The Jews Accuse Paul before Felix When Ananias and his lawyer finally got finished trying to impress the judge, what charges did they bring against Paul (v5-9)? Were they true? If not outright lies, they were exaggerated. Riots had taken place in response to Paul’s teachings, but he certainly didn’t stir up the people intentionally. He had been accused of desecrating the Jewish temple, but it wasn’t true. And he was a leader of the Christian movement, but “ringleader” was an inflammatory word. When people have gotten upset with you, how have they exaggerated the truth and made your actions sound worse than they really were? How have you done this?

6. What were the charges? • He incited insurrection/riots. • He was a heretic – against Mosaic laws • He committed sacrilege having profaned (polluted) the temple. (Pls see pg 85 e)

7. Paul’s defence before the governor, Felix

8. Paul’s Defence What can you learn from Paul’s presentation of his defence after these exaggerated charges (v10-21)? Point by point he calmly clarified the truth about each charge. It does little good to lose control or respond with non-productive anger. Take a look on page 86jkl – SPM1995B (main points of Paul’s defence before Felix.)

9. The Trial Adjourned Why wasn’t Paul’s case resolved right away (v22-23)? Felix first said he wanted to wait for the commander who had previously rescued Paul to arrive and testify. Who was the commander/tribune? (SPM2002A) Claudius Lysias

10. Paul a Prisoner Two Years at Caesarea But there was another reason. What was it (v24-26)? Felix was hoping Paul would offer him a big bribe. Later, in their frequent talks, Paul had several opportunities to present the Gospel. Paul under house arrest

11. Who are they – Felix & Drusilla? Drusilla -third and youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa I.Felix, the Roman procurator of Judea, induced her to leave her husband, Azizus, the king of Emesa, and become his wife. She was present with Felix when Paul reasoned of “goodness, self-control, and Day of Judgment to come" (Acts24:24). She and her son perished in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, A.D. 79.

12. Drusilla with her son, perished in the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius during the reign of Emperor Titus in 79 A.D. when it buried Pompeii and its sister city, Herculaneum Plaster castings based on the cavities formed by decomposed bodies in the hardened volcanic ash.

13. Paul a Prisoner Two Years at Caesarea Since Paul never bribed Felix, the governor never got around to making a ruling on the case. Two years later Felix was replaced (v27), and Paul remained in prison. What kinds of spiritual “jobs” do you tend to put off, hoping that someone will do them for you or offer you a “bribe” to do them?

14. SO WHAT? Do you think it’s always wrong to take or receive bribes? (Exo 23:8; Deut 16:19; 27:25) Can you think of anything you do that encourages others to bribe you in some way? If so, what should you do about it?

15. Each group (same answer) should defend the reasonableness of its answer to the rest of the group. You are allow to switch groups before the real answer is given. The case of the Illegal Icelander. Olga Stensrud lives in a two-bedroom flat in Reyjavik, Iceland, with her dog, Fifi and her cat, Fluffy. One day, she’s sipping a cup of fresh-brewed coffee when she hears a knock on her door. When she answers it, a police officer says, “you’re under arrest.” Why? a. Coffee is illegal in Iceland; b. No single person is allowed to live in a two-bedroom apartment; c. No pets are allowed in apartment dwellings. d. It’s illegal to own a dog in Iceland. Answer: d ! Who does the best job defending his or her answer?  FEND YOURSELF!

16. Paul Before Festus In this chapter Paul gets another chance to defend himself against his accusers… What are some injustices you’ve heard about in history class at school? Which one bothers you most? After being picked up for causing a disturbance (21:33), Paul had to keep presenting his case to a number of people: the crowd who had tried to beat him to death (21:40); the Jewish Sanhedrin (22:30), and Felix, the Roman governor (24:1,2), to name a few. More than two years had passed (24:27). Put yourself in Paul’s place; what thoughts are going through your head? How are you feeling? You’re probably a bit frustrated at how slow progress is. Maybe you’re tempted to reach a settlement soon, so that you can be free again.

17. Paul Before Festus With the installation of a new Roman governor, Paul had to start from scratch. The Jewish leaders tried to get Festus to transfer the trial to Jerusalem (v3). Why? They didn’t just want Paul tried – they wanted him dead (23:12-13)

18. Paul Before Festus “I appeal to Caesar.” Describe the trial when Paul made this statement (v11)? SPM1998B Assignment: Page 89 Question 5, 6, 7 Why did Paul want his trial in Rome? Pg 88 jk Ruins at Rome

19. Paul Before Festus Why do you think Paul appealed to Caesar’s court? Perhaps because if Paul could successfully defend himself in a high Roman court, other teachers of Christianity would have the opportunity to speak openly. This would also help the Romans to know the differences between Christianity and Judaism. Festus had shown partiality in making the proposition. He did not intend to expose himself to the danger of assassination.

20. Rights of a Roman Citizen Paul claimed his right of Roman citizenship on three occasions (pg84). • At Philippi (16:37); • At Jerusalem, where the chief captain would examine him by scourging (22:24); • When before Festus he appealed unto Caesar (25:10-11). SPM 1998, 2002, 2009

21. Plots to Assassinate Paul State the places • At Damascus (9:23-24); soon after his conversion; • At Corinth (20:3); on his third missionary trip; • At Jerusalem (23:21); on his third missionary trip; • At Caesarea (25:3); during his trial by Festus. SPM 2010 ??? 

22. Agrippa Visits Festus What opportunity came Paul’s way in v13-22? The Romans were beginning to talk about him. When King Agrippa visited Festus, Paul was a natural discussion topic. Consequently, Agrippa wanted to hear what Paul had to say.

24. Assembly of the Court What are some opportunities God has given you to share your faith with other people? Discuss how sometimes people who we assume aren’t interested may actually want to hear what we have to say. Why was Festus glad to have Agrippa around (v23-27)? Festus had no convenient way to explain why he was sending Paul’s case to Caesar. Agrippa’s presence would lend more credibility as Festus contacted the Roman leader.

25. Who are they – Agrippa II & Bernice? Bernice, eldest daughter of Herod Agrippa I, sister of Herod Agrippa II and of Drusilla. One of the most unprincipled women of the time. Married to her uncle Herod, King of Chalcis. After his death, lived with brother Agrippa II. Married Polemon, King of Cilicia. Marriage dissolved. Returned to her brother. Jealous of Drusilla bcos of her beauty. Later mistress of Titus. Assisted Vespasian (Titus’ Father) to be emperor.

26. Paul Before Agrippa, Bernice and Festus.

27. Assembly of the Court On the scale of 1 (least) to 10 (most), how scared do you think you would be in Paul’s situation? How scared do you think Paul was?

28. SO WHAT? Write/draw anything you might be afraid of and also write down words to describe your fears. Then work out as a group to list some methods/antidotes to overcome these fears. When we learn to depend entirely on God, fear takes a backseat to speaking up for Him. If Paul were to focus on his fears, he would not be likely to be very effective.