A case against Paul

Good morning sisters and brothers,

I think a quick recap is in order. Paul was placed in protective custody by the Romans after a riot broke out trying to kill him when he went to the temple in Jerusalem. Paul's Roman citizenship gave him good standing with his captors and in addition to treating him pretty well, they have also protected him from an assassination attempt. He's recently been sent, under heavy guard, to the governor's office and today the Jewish leaders arrive there as well to present their case.

The true part of their case is that Paul is a ringleader of the "sect of the Nazarean" (followers of Jesus). The mistaken part is that he was going to profane the temple. It's hard to know if that's an honest misunderstanding or a willful incitement. Acts tells us they had seen him earlier with a gentile Christian companion so they thought Paul was going to take him to the part of the temple reserved for Jews. That wasn't the case. At any rate they have made their case to the Romans and Paul will respond tomorrow.

God bless,
Sam

Acts 24:1-9
Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney, a certain Tertullus, and they reported their case against Paul to the governor. 2When Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: “Your Excellency, because of you we have long enjoyed peace, and reforms have been made for this people because of your foresight. 3We welcome this in every way and everywhere with utmost gratitude. 4But, to detain you no further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness.

5We have, in fact, found this man a pestilent fellow, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6He even tried to profane the temple, and so we seized him. 8By examining him yourself you will be able to learn from him concerning everything of which we accuse him.” 9The Jews also joined in the charge by asserting that all this was true.