Part 24

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The Acts of the Hebrews – Part 24

And after five days Ananias the Kohen HaGadol descended with the zechanim, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Shaul. 2 And when he was called out, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by you we enjoy great shalom, and that very worthy deeds are done to this nation by your care, 3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thanks. 4 But, that I not weary you with long explanations, I ask you that you would listen to us in your kindness just a few of our words.

1. The hate train, using speed and determination to get rid of Paul and its tactics today. 
2. Charged with sedition, then against the Temple, today against the U.S. Capitol – being used as a political pawn to bring the hammer down.
3. v.2 we enjoy great shalom, and that very worthy deeds are done to this nation by your care…using peace and worthy deeds of being in it together as a cover for conspiracy.
4. The “PAX ROMANA” as it was called, “Roman peace”, always an emphasis and the military presence guaranteed…patterns and prophecy!
5. righteousness, self control and the judgment to come.

Their presentation to Felix is difficult, so they’ve hired Tertullus. You see the charges have to come from a Roman perspective, not Jewish, since Roman courts deal only with Roman issues (they have to frame the argument). 

The Synagogue of Satan is demanding a guilty verdict, Shaul wouldn’t

be present at this pre-trial hearing but it was virtually guaranteed it would go to trial, and it does. 

V. 2 we enjoy great shalom, and that very worthy deeds are done to this nation by your care,

In reality, we know the “long period of peace” under Felix was accomplished by killing or imprisoning everyone opposed to him. He suppressed the Egyptian revolutionary mentioned in 21:28 by ridding Judea of robbers.

The “PAX ROMANA” as it was called, “Roman peace”, was always an emphasis and the military presence guaranteed that any trouble would be severely and quickly dealt with.

5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Yahudim throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Notsrim: 36 Who also has gone about to profane the Beit HaMikdash: whom we took, and would have judged according to our Torah.

7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, 8 Commanding his accusers to come to you: so that by examining him yourself you will have the knowledge of all these things, of which we accuse him. 9 And the unbelieving Yahudim also agreed, saying that these things were so. 

10 Then Shaul, after the governor had motioned to him to speak, answered, knowing that you have been for many years a judge to this nation, I gladly speak for myself.

11 So that you may understand, about twelve days ago I went up to Yahrushalayim to worship. 12 And they neither found me in the Beit HaMikdash disputing with any man, nor stirring up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:

Four charges adduced by Tertullus V. 5:

1. He’s a troublemaker and public menace (loimos – a plague a בּליּעל belı̂ya‛al)
2. He’s a Gk: Stasi, “stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world.” Heb נָקַם nâqam as in Joshua 10, And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, Until the nation had avenged themselves of their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jashar? When is enough, when will we avenge ourselves of our enemies?
3. He’s a ringleader of the Notsrim sect, usually mistranslated into Nazarene sect. We were first called Notsrim which of course is a fulfillment of the prophecies that YHWH would save a preserved handful of remnant Israel just like in the times of Elijah, because we are in the days of Elijah! We’re returning to the Torah of Moshe YAH’s servant, and the hearts of the fathers are turned to the children, and the heart of the children turned to their fathers; as the earth is being smitten with a virus. 
4. He tried to desecrate the temple…Oh my,  they tried to desecrate the U.S. Capitol…you see how it works…none of this persecution would be possible without the Synagogue of Satan working hand in hand with the PAX ROMANA, system of judiciary! 

13 Neither can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. 14 But this I confess to you, that after the Way which they call heresy, so I worship the Elohim of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Torah and in the Neviim: 

Regardless what rumors and traditions you may have been taught as true…forget them…here is what’s is of most importance, evidence and first hand testimony out of Shaul’s own mouth his belief system and his relationship to TORAH. 

Is it abolished, nailed to the cross, a archaic Jew thing that is irrelevant to us today?

The answer is we can’t…it is irreconcilable to Shaul’s own court testimony!

15 Having hope toward Elohim, which they themselves also believe, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. 16 It is for this reason that I labor, to always have a conscience void of offense toward Elohim, and toward men.

17 Now after many years I came to bring assistance to my nation, and terumah offerings. 18 At which time certain Yahudim from Asia Minor found me cleansed in the Beit HaMikdash, neither with a multitude, nor with tumult. 19 Who should be here before you, and object, if they had something against me. 20 Or, else let those here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the Sanhedrin, 

21 Except it be for this one declaration, that I shouted standing among them, It is regarding the resurrection of the dead that I am called into questioning by you this day.

22 And when Felix heard these things, having more exact knowledge of the Way, he deferred and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will decide your matter. 23 And he commanded a captain to keep Shaul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should not forbid any of his acquaintances to attend to, or visit him.

When Felix examined the actual evidence he found the jews guilty of false witness (24:12) because their were no disturbances of any kind – no conflicts or disputes in the temple, no agitation in the Jerusalem synagogues, no problems anywhere in the city. 

Ps 141 Set a guard, O יהוה, before my mouth; keep the watch over the door of my lips. 

4. Let not my heart turn aside to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men who work iniquity; and let me not eat of their delicacies.

Keep me from the traps which they have laid for me, and the snares of the workers of evil.

Psa 141:10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets together, while I escape.

יהוה is faithful if we walk in His ways and don’t enter into the arguments, claims, defenses, pleadings and settlements of Satan. 

24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a female Yahudi, he sent for Shaul, and heard him concerning the emunah in the Moshiach. 25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go your way for now; when I have some time, I will call for you. 26 He hoped also that money should have been given to him by Shaul, that he might free him: therefore he sent for him often, and communed with him. 27 But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix: and Felix, willing to do the unbelieving Yahudim a favor, left Shaul in prison.

Luke finishes up her with three major topics:

1. צדקה tsedâqâh – righteousness ZADE-DALET-KUF-HEH
2. מוּסר mûsâr – self control – MEM-VAV-SAMECH-RESH
3. מחרת mochŏrâth mishpat משׁפּט – the judgment to come MEM-HEH-RESH-TAV. MEM-SHIN-PEY-TET

1. Covers three levels. 1. receiving forgiveness by the blood of Moshiach and being declared righteous in YHWH’s sight. 2. right conduct (that’s keeping the commandments of Torah. 3. achieving justice; in ones treatment of others – equity. 
2. Expands the statute on righteous conduct; come out of a hellenistic state of self and fear, instead gain control over one’s desires and virtues which means more than sheer discipline and human rationale BUT a relationship with יהוה is needed where assistance form יהוה is sought through the spiritual realms vs. the natural realm. 
3. Shaul isn’t so concerned about Roman judgment but the judgment to come, there will be an accounting and ultimately it will be before the SON. 

Felix is convicted…this is shown by that fact that he; vs. 25 ..trembled, and answered,  go thy way  for this time; when I have a convenient season,  I will call for thee…