Paul had gone to Jerusalem despite being told by God that he shouldn't. He was now in chains and a prisoner of Rome.
He was going to be going through the process of a Roman court system to find out whether he was guilty of breaking any laws.
Paul was standing before the Jewish religious leaders so that the Romans could hear the accusations which they brought against him.
Acts 23:1-5- And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest? Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.
Paul was having a rough time. He was getting harassed and smacked when all he did was say that he had a clean conscience.
But, Paul had realized something while standing there.
Acts 23:6-10- But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God. And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.
Paul got the two factions of religious leaders fighting amongst themselves. In the end, one side was yelling innocent, and one was arguing their case. The Romans had to step in and lead Paul away because things were getting so heated they thought Paul would be injured!
Acts 23:11- And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
While Paul was in prison, the Lord came to tell him that there was still a job for him to do. Paul was going to Rome to witness for the Lord.
This may have been where God wanted Paul to go instead of Jerusalem. Paul could have obeyed God and went to Rome as a free man. But, now, Paul would go to Rome as a prisoner.
Acts 23:12-15- And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.
Paul certainly had his enemies! More than 40 persons had decided that they would curse themselves and eat nothing until they had murdered Paul. They wanted the religious rulers to ask the Romans to bring Paul back so they could jump him and kill him before the Roman guards could stop them.
But, that's not what God was going to allow to happen. God knew what they were planning and made sure that a friendly ear heard their plot.
Acts 23:16-22- And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him. So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee. Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me? And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly. But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee. So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.
Paul's nephew had heard when the men were laying out their evil plan. He ran and told Paul what he had heard.
Paul then called the guards and asked them to take the boy to their captain. The captain understood that the boy had something to tell him that not everyone needed to hear.
Quietly, the captain listened and then told the boy not to let anyone know that he knew. He was going to make sure that Paul got his day in the Roman court!
Acts 23:23-31- And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night; And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor. And he wrote a letter after this manner: Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting. This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman. And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council: Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds. And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell. Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris.
The captain got some men together and sent them with a letter to the governor of the area, who lived in a different city. To keep Paul safe, this was done quickly under the cover of night.
I wonder how those men felt when they heard that Paul was no longer in the city. I bet they actually did eat, instead of sticking to the curse they put on themselves.
Acts 23:32-35- On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle: Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him. And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia; I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.
The governor said that he would hear Paul's case, but he was going to wait until the Jews were come to tell their side, also.
Acts 24:1- And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.
Tertullus said a lot of things! First, he tried to butter up the governor by saying nice things. Then, he accused Paul of sedition (that means rising up against the leaders). He said that the religious leaders of the Jews were going to punish him, but the Roman captain came in and took Paul away before they could.
The governor listened to all that this man said, and then he turned to Paul. It was time to hear his side of the story.
Acts 24:10-13- Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself: Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
Paul told the governor that he was in Jerusalem for 12 days before anyone accused him of anything. And, he wasn't going around creating a riot or even arguing with anyone. He was in the temple worshiping.
Then Paul told him the real reason that these men wanted him dead.
Acts 24:14-16- But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
Paul told the Roman governor that he believed in God and a resurrection and a judgement after death.
Acts 24:22-23- And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.
The governor listened to both sides of the story. And then decided that he should hear the Roman captain's side, also. He kept Paul as a prisoner, but allowed him to have visitors and other things that most prisoners aren't allowed.
Acts 24:24-25- And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
The governor called Paul back before him when his wife was present. She was a Jewish woman and he wanted her to hear what Paul had said. Paul's preaching got him under such conviction that he was shaking! But, the Bible doesn't say whether he got saved.
Acts 24:26-27- He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
He kept Paul as a prisoner for a longer time because he was hoping that Paul would pay him to let him go.
After two years of calling Paul and talking to him the leadership of that region changed. Felix was no longer governor, and another man, Porcius Festus, took over as the governor.
Paul was left in chains, with limited liberty.
God wasn't through with Paul. He had told Paul that he would go to Rome to be a witness to the Gentiles there. Whatever troubles Paul endured, he knew that God was in control!
