Victory Fellowship Bible Study
273 23rd St. S.W., Barberton, OH 44203
Wednesdays at 7pm
Rev. Roderick D. Grabski (330) 858-0223
WEBPAGE: victoryfellowshipministries.com
arod4God@neo.rr.com FACEBOOK: Roderick Grabski
Session SEVENTEEN: Paul’s Escape to Caesarea
I. ANNOUNCEMENTS and PRAYER CONCERNS
II. Read / Listen / Discuss ACTS 23:12 – 24:27
a. Discuss initial observations & translation differences
• 23:25; 24:6-8,22
III. Paul Removed to Caesarea (23:12-35):
a. A Plot Emerges (vv. 12-22)
• Curse or Oath (see Mark 14:69-72 and/or Matthew 26:69-75)
• Paul has a sister? A nephew?
1. Vs. 16 = paraginomai <paraginomai> could be translated “present by implication”
• Mum’s the word
b. Roman Intervention (vv. 23-35)
• Leave at 9pm. City gates not opened until 6am
• Vs. 23 “spearmen” = dexiolabos <dexiolabos> This is the only occurrence of this word in biblical or contemporary Greek literature (from root for “right-handed”).
• Small army to secure Paul’s safe passage to Caesarea
• The letter to Felix from Claudius Lysias
1. Roman Historian Cornelius Tacitus (1st century AD) recorded that Felix “exercised the power of a king with the mind of a slave”
• Felix inquires about Paul’s residential vicinity
• Paul in the Roman “safe house”
IV. Paul gives his Defense before Felix (24:1-27):
a. A rhetorical lawyer (orator), Tertullus, piles it on
• Felix was none of the things Tertullus claimed and in two years Felix will be gone from Caesarea
• Josephus, Antiquities, Book XX, Chapter 8.9 Now when Porcius Festus was sent as successor to Felix by Nero, the principal of the Jewish inhabitants of Cesarea went up to Rome to accuse Felix; and he had certainly been brought to punishment, unless Nero had yielded to the importunate solicitations of his brother Pallas, who was at that time had in the greatest honor by him…
• Compare Acts 21:29 with 24:6
b. Paul Responds
• Just the Facts Felix
• Paul does “confess” that:
1. He worshipped the God of the Hebrews
2. He was a follower of the “Way”
3. He believed in the Law and the Prophets
4. He had hope in God
5. He believed in the Resurrection
6. He worked hard to keep a blameless conscience before God & man.
• Paul states his reason for being in Jerusalem as well as the only reason he could think of that they would want to find fault with him.
c. Felix Procrastinates
• He brings his (third) wife to hear Paul. They don’t like the message.
• Takes a “don’t call on me-I’ll call you” attitude with Paul.
• He hopes for a bribe but doesn’t get one.
• After two years and no bribe (This was the longest duration allowed for protective custody) Felix doesn’t release Paul before Festus takes over.
V. APPLICATION
a. We must not take a “don’t call me, I’ll call you” attitude with God, only talking to Him when we are in trouble.
b. God is in control of all the circumstances in our lives.
c. Romans 8:28: And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose (even wicked politicians out to line their own pockets).
VI. Close in Prayer
NEXT SESSION: Paul Continues His Defense
Read ACTS 25:1 – 26:32 to prepare for class
