Next day he gave his report to James
and the rest of the Jerusalem church
They received the news of his success with joy but
warned Paul of the rumours circulating about him
(Jewish converts not to practise circumcision)
Thousand of Jews were furious - Paul had to show that rumours were false
and that he only freed Gentile converts from circumcision and the Jewish
Law - Jewish Christans still had to live up to the law
James + elders proposed a ritualistic
purification for 7 days - then required to bring
an offering to the Temple.
Paul may no longer have been a Jew by religion but
he was by race - so observed Jewish practices
If he was seen to be publically taken part in ancestoral
customs - be realised that he was an observant and
practicing Jew - Paul began the R.P the day after
Scholars believe a sacrifice to please Jewish Xns would
be too big a compromise - he was the apostle to the
Gentiles.
He was willing to a Jew to the Jews - keep the law for the sake
of those living under the law - and to be a Gentile to the
Gentiles.
2. Paul Arrested
Asian Jews spread the false rumour through the crowd that Paul had
brough Trophimus (Gentile convert from Ephesus) into the sacred precinct
of the Temple
Did Trophimus wander in of his own accord? Hewitt suggests the Jews were
trying to get revenge on Paul was his success in Ephesus
After 7 days - Jews spotted Paul in Temple and shouted "This is the man
who teaches all men everywhere against our people and our law and this
place - even brought Greeks into the Temple."
Feeble charge - angered many Jews. They turned on Paul and
dragged him out of the inner courts - shutting the doors behind
them.
Fitzmyer regards it as a symbolic action - to show that from now on
the Temple "would have no meaning for the Xn church."
The "Antonia" - Roman Fortess was right beside the Temple. Romans saw what was going
on and so the commander rushed down with the troops - the arrival of the Romans was
enough to stop the crowd attacking Paul.
The commander tried to find out what Paul had
done to cause such uproar but he could not
get a straight answer - conflicting reasons.
Paul was arrested - bound with two
chains and taken to the Antonia.
Paul addressed the commander in Greek - his use of greek and
his tone were such that the commander let Paul speak - he
realised that he was more than just an ordinary man.
3. Paul speaks to the Jewish mob
Paul spoke to the Jewish mob in Aramaic - commanded their
attention - gave the idea that he was one of them
Like Stephen, Paul addressed his audience as
"brothers and fathers"
He spoke of his experience of
being led to accept Christ as
his saviour:
Paul described his life before conversion -
orthodox background + education in J. under
Gamaliel.
Paul describes how he persecuted Christians far and wide -
this "opened the way for him to describe his conversion."
Paul recalls the events of his conversion -
stressing supernatural reveation
Happened at noon - heavenly light brighter
than noonday sun.
Refers to Jesus as "Jesus of Nazareth" so
there was no confusion
Companions saw light but did not hear the voice - only
Paul experienced the event as divine revelation
Described Ananias as "a devout and law-abiding Jew" (info. sign. to
audience) He baptised him + told him to witness to JC.
It was important that Paul stressed that his commission was to a large extent
communicated through the lips of this pious and believing Jew.
Went to J. to pray in Temple - vision from
God told him to leave for his own safety
When he explained how he was told by God that he must go to witness to
the Gentiles, there was uproar.
4. Paul the Roman Citizen
At the mention of the Gentiles, the crowd broke into a rage. - Paul was placing
Gentiles on an equal footing before God as the Jews
Discarding their clothes and throwing dust in the air they
demanded Paul's death.
Commander ordered Paul to be taken to the barracks to be flogged to
get the truth out of him about what he had done to cause an outbreak.
Paul revealed he was a Roman Citizen - roman law protected
citizens from such a beating, even if guilty.
Bruce explains how the commander "shuddered as he realised
how near he had come to perpetrating a serious illegality."
5. Paul before the Sanhedrin
Commander summoned members of Sanhedrin to
Antonia to work out why Paul was being accused.
If religious crime = Sanhedrin trail
If civil crime = Roman trial
Paul addressed the Sanhedrin as
"brothers" and identified himself as
a Jew.
High Priest Ananias commanded those to strike Paul in the mouth
as he had spoke without permission
Paul responded, "God will strike you, you
violate the law by commanding that I be
struck."
Jewish leaders shocked - he had violated the
law which forbade anyone to speak evil of Gods
high priest.
Paul realised he wasn't going to get a fair trial - cleverly
divided his audience (Sadducees-deny
Pharisees-believe) - said he was being accused of
preaching the hope in the resurrection of the dead.
6. Aftermath of Pauls' Trial
Immediate uproar at the statement.
P and S fight - Paul has to be removed
Lord appeared to him that night - commending him on his
witness and promising to testify about him in Rome.
7. The Plot of Kill Paul
A group of forty or so Jews agreed together that
they would not eat or drink until Paul was dead.
When Pauls sister heard the plot, she told her son and he warned Paul. -
sent his nephew with a centurion to tell the commander
8. Paul Transferred to Caesarea
Commander decided to get Paul out of Jerusalem -
he could not be responsible for the assassination
of a Roman citizen.
Wrote letter to procurator giving an account of what happened - Stott -
"manipulated facts to portray himself in good light" - did not mention the
beating
The commander sent Paul by night to Caesarea - the
governor received him and placed him in Herod's palace.