136. Beginner Bible Course: Paul is arrested, held, then shipped to Rome for trial

EPISODE 136:    Simple Bible overview:  PAUL’S ARREST, DETENTION, AND JOURNEY TO ROME

In this episode,

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00:00:04

We're going to look at Paul turning 64 years of his life outlined by Dr. Luke's account in acts chapters 21 through 28 in our world, age 60 is starting to move toward retirement age, the golden years, but at age 60 in the Roman empire at the time of Paul, he was one of the older guys walking the planet, perhaps a better term would be limping. The planet Paul's really, really been beat up. We'll find in today's story. Dr. Luke is traveling and being incarcerated with him the whole time. Paul needs a doctor other than early in his ministry. When Paul put himself in study isolation, Paul's been a mouse in a room full of cats.

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00:00:49

He's been battered around terribly for the decade and a half. He's been making his missionary journeys into Asia, minor Asia, Macedonia, and Greece. Where on earth did Paul get his motivation to go on much less his courage? There's several obvious answers to that. The first comes out of the old Testament as a brilliant student of the old Testament and a law expert. Paul May have had the old Testament, largely memorized and sprinkled throughout the old Testament were courage enhancing passages. One of those is David Psalm. One 39. You wove me together in my mother's womb.

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00:01:29

You are deigned my days before there was one of them. You enclosed me behind and before and lay your strong right hand over me, God, knowing our exact days and protecting us as we live them. That's pretty courage inducing. We also know Jesus had spoken to Anna Niaz after Paul's conversion telling Anna, Niaz give Paul this message. You'll spread the gospel to the Gentiles and you will stand before Kings coming up on age 60. Paul knew he'd spread the gospel, but he hadn't stood before Kings. So at least until that happened, he was invincible. He had it as a word of the Lord.

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00:02:10

Can you imagine being an emergency responder, a soldier, a police officer, or a doctor in infectious diseases, do you think it would change how you operated every day? If you knew you were absolutely invincible. Paul lives out each day, a mouse being battered around in a room full of cats, but with a sense he is invincible until he stands before Kings. With that in mind, let's take a look at his story in acts 21 through 28, Paul is in Cesarea and he heads to Jerusalem with Dr. Luke when he gets there, he's warmly received by James, the leader of the Jerusalem church.

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That by the way is Jesus' half-brother Jimmy Paul reports to James and the elders what's been happening on his missionary journeys. And there is joy. Many apprentices are being made for Jesus. Thousands of them, the elders report to Paul. They've been hearing story after story allegation. After allegation that Paul is teaching Jews around Asia, minor Asia, Macedonia, and Acadia, not to obey the old Testament laws or circumcise their children. Now mind you that Paul is discouraging Jews from doing this. Of course, Paul is discouraging Gentiles from doing it. What he's discouraging, the Jews from doing is seeing keeping the law or circumcision as making them right with God that he's guilty of James and the elders suggest a step.

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00:03:42

Paul should take to show the Jews in Jerusalem. What they've heard is a crock. They suggest Paul do something from the old Testament law, right? To demonstrate his compliance as a Jew. Paul does that then goes into the temple to do Jewish worship things. The Jews were instructed to do under the law. He's also by the way, delivered that offering from the churches he's planted in Asia, Macedonia and Acadia or Greece money given mostly by, by believers who were Gentiles. How cool is that Gentiles caring for Jewish people in need while Paul's in the temple.

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00:04:22

Some Jews from Asia recognized him and they immediately tattle on him. This is the ringleader, the guy who's making life for us, Jews miserable. These tattlers provoke the whole city, the cats drag Paul out of the temple surround him and the battering gets ugly. They are beating him with the intent to beat him to death. The Roman commander at the Garrison, right at the temple steps in, he snatches the mouse. Paul from these cats puts them in chains and leads him away to be interrogated. But the mob is so violent. The soldiers have to pick Paul up on their shoulders as they go up the steps to the barracks.

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00:05:04

Paul asks, if he can address this violent mob, the commander agrees somehow quieting the crowd. Paul begins to speak to them in Hebrew, read Paul's defense. It's basically his testimony. He cites how zealous he was for the law, trained by their main teacher. <inaudible> a persecutor of this Jesus' church. He tells them what happens on the road to Damascus. He even has the guts to say, God spoke from heaven and he identifies the voice as Jesus. You think this crowd would go nuts right there, but they continue to listen. Paul continues that he was in the temple and he went into a trance that he was told by Jesus.

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00:05:46

I'm going to send you to the Gentiles. When Paul says this, the cats go crazy. Think about that for a moment. He identifies Jesus Nazareth is God. And they listen. But when he has the gall to mention, God wants to redeem the Gentiles. They flip out, they start tearing their clothes, throwing dust in the air and running at Paul. The Centurion brings Paul into the barracks. The Centurion wants to scourge this guy and get out of him. What it is that he's done, that would make the Jews out there. So crazy as they're tying Paul up, Paul pulls out his Roman citizen card.

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00:06:28

Really? You're going to cuff and whip an unexcused Roman citizen. Hmm. That sounds like that's going to come back on you. They immediately untied Paul. The commander orders the priests into a hearing those priests assemble and start leveling charges to the commander regarding Paul. When it's Paul's turn to respond, he says commander and gentlemen, I have a clear conscience before God at this, the high priest orders, someone to strike them in the face. Have you ever been popped in the face? Paul lashes back, God will strike you. You whitewash wall, a bystander lashes back.

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00:07:09

How dare you say that to God's high priest. Paul replies. I didn't know he was the high priest. God's word said show respect for those in authority. Some people see this as evidence Paul could barely see. He couldn't even see the fancy clothes the high priest would wear. Paul takes another tack knowing he's surrounded by Pharisees and Sadducees. He defends himself this way. I'm a Pharisee and I'm on trial for the hope of the resurrection of the dead. That's brilliant. Knowing the Sadducees didn't even believe in a resurrection and the Pharisees white knuckled that the Pharisees and Sadducees in the room, they go after each other.

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00:07:50

I can almost see Paul smile, fold his arms and watch the cat fight. You ever seen a cat fight? The commander takes Paul into protective custody. He's afraid these people will tear Paul apart that night Jesus appears or speaks to Paul. Don't be afraid. You must go and be my witness in Rome. As if Paul needed more courage. Jesus had just promised no matter what happens around you, you're going to Rome. Got it. Also that night, the Jews come up with a conspiracy. 40 men make an oath. They won't eat or drink until they murdered Paul Paul's nephew. Here's the, this ambush. And he tells the commander that very night with 200 soldiers and horsemen take Paul to Cesarea to Felix, the governor there in Cesarea.

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00:08:40

Paul gives his testimony to governor Felix. He's not a King, but Paul's getting warmer. Governor Felix tells the Jewish accusers in Jerusalem to bring charges. Five days later, priests and a number of leading authorities bring a hired gun, fancy lawyer to press charges on Paul. The lawyer starts out and he's a real kiss up after schmoozing. Governor Felix. He States that Paul is stirring up rebellion. He's a ringleader of this Jewish sect and he's desecrated their temple. When it's Paul's turned to respond. He says, governor Felix, you're a smart guy. You know the facts, you know, this is a sham.

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00:09:21

They can't prove a thing. I'm guilty of none of this, but there is one thing I am guilty of. I believe in the resurrection, from the dead, the resurrection of Jesus. That's what, I'm the ringleader of with that message. I'm stirring up people in that area. I'm guilty as charged governor. Felix puts Paul under house arrest. We'll find it lasts for two years in Cesarea. During this time, Felix will often come to Paul and visit with him. He's hoping Paul and his people will grease him with a bribe. But when he comes instead, Paul greases him with preaching the gospel. And frankly, the gospel frightens governor Felix.

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00:10:05

At the end of this two years, Felix is replaced by Porsche's Festus. The new governor wanting to please the Jews who are continually a thorn in Rome side fist. This leaves Paul in protective custody. The Jews don't just want him incarcerated. They want him dead. They've been nursing this grudge for two years. So they urge governor Festus to bring Paul to Jerusalem, to stand trial. When Paul hears the plan, he pulls out his Roman citizenship card. Again, he tells governor Festus, these charges are baseless. They're going to sass innate me. So in view of my rights as a Roman citizen, I appeal to Caesar.

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00:10:45

Festus thinks then says you've appealed to Caesar. And to Caesar, you shall go. Jesus had told Paul you'll be my witness in Rome. And Festus has just ordered him a ticket to Rome at Roman expense. While they're getting that ticket King Agrippa and queen Bernice visit Cesarea governor Festus tells King Agrippa about this prisoner Paul King, a group of said, I'd like to meet and hear this guy. He shall stand before Kings the next day, Festus summons, Paul to the court King Agrippa and Bernice are there in all their pump and glory as well as a number of prominent others.

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00:11:26

King Agrippa says to Paul, go ahead and speak, sir. I'm delighted to do so, especially since you are an expert among the Jews, then Paul gives his testimony. Again. He gives us more information about his past, how furiously he ravaged the church of Jesus. He elaborates on the words Jesus said to him on the road, like telling Paul, I will rescue you from both Jews and Gentiles. As you take the gospel to the ends of the earth. Paul finishes his testimony saying I've just obeyed the orders of Jesus to preach that all people will repent. I'm honoring the law of Moses and the word of the prophets that God would bless all nations, Jews and Gentiles through the Messiah King Agrippa you know, these things, you know, the law and the profits.

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00:12:17

Then Paul gives an invitation King Agrippa do you believe what the prophets say about the Messiah? We don't know the intonation of his voice, but this is what Luke records. He either says in a short time, you'll persuade me to become a Christian, or he says in a short time, you'll persuade me to become a Christian. Those are two very different responses. Aren't they? Paul is sent out of the court and King Agrippa gives his verdict. This man could have been released had he not appeal to Caesar, but Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles has not gotten to the top of the food chain. Yet. The top of the food chain is in Rome within a few days, Paul, another companion and Luke are on a ship bound for Italy.

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00:13:05

They're under the care of a Centurion named Julius. We're told they sailed North of Cyprus, near the coast of Asia minor. They get to Crete, they get delayed. Miss Seaport. Paul tells the Centurion. We need to stay here for the winter. If we sail, there'll be damage or loss of life, but the century and listens to the captain of the ship. They at least want to make it to a better Harbor on Crete and spend the winter there. But when they get out of the Harbor, a terrible storm occurs. They're swept out into the Mediterranean sea. They didn't see the sun or stars for two weeks, nor did they eat. They threw cargo and tackle overboard to lighten the ship.

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00:13:45

Even these hardened sailors were desperate, hopeless. It's at this point, the four foot six bald aging prisoner takes over the ship. He tells them in take courage, gentlemen, there'll be no loss of life. God has told me. I must stand before Caesar. And now he's told me all your men on the ship will be saved by the next day, they have a sense they're approaching land. Again. Paul takes over, you need to stay on the ship and you also need to eat. You're going to need your strength. Dr. Luke tells us there are 276 men on this ship. And Paul declares, they'll all be saved. If they follow orders in the morning, they can see a large Island and a Bay with a beach.

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00:14:29

They head for that beach, but hit a reef. The bowel gets stuck and the waves begin to break apart. The ship, the soldiers intend to kill the prisoners, but the Centurion wants to save Paul. So we orders everyone to grab a plank and head for sure. The Island is the Island of Malta residents. There show them great kindness. They build them a large fire Paul's helping. And when he grabs a pile of sticks, a poisonous Viper bites him, the residents of the Island see this and think that's really karma. He's likely a murderer. And those saved from the sea. The gods are giving him what he deserves, but the poison doesn't affect Paul at all.

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00:15:13

He's fine. Now they think something else of Paul, a prominent man on the Island is named Publius. He too shows kindness. Publius father is a very sick man with a chronic fever and dysentery. Paul goes into him and heals him. When others on the Island with diseases or sickness, hear this, they bring those folks to Paul. Paul does not waste this miraculous sign from God. He uses this sign to authenticate the truth of his preaching about Jesus as Messiah and Lord they're on the Island for three months. When they finally get ready to leave the people of the Island, give them a shower, all the supplies they need within weeks, they arrive at Rome and upon arrival.

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00:15:59

Paul is met by some of those 26 people or households. He mentioned in his letter to the Romans in Rome, Paul is put under house arrest with a guard. During this house arrest. Rome is waiting for formal charges to be filed in this house arrest. People can come and go, and there is a steady stream. Large numbers of people come to his house from morning to evening. Luke gives us the idea. It wasn't exactly a smashing success. He cites an old Testament, prophecy that people though hearing would not hear, but something else happened during Paul's two years of house arrest in Rome, besides the people coming and going.

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00:16:42

Paul composed a few additional letters. We call them his prison letters. We know them as Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, and we'll look at these amazing prison letters of Paul in our next three wordpictures.