Chapter 39—The Trial at Caesarea
This chapter is based on
Acts 24
.
Five days after Paul’s arrival at Caesarea his accusers came from
Jerusalem, accompanied by Tertullus, an orator whom they had en-
gaged as their counsel. The case was granted a speedy hearing. Paul
was brought before the assembly, and Tertullus “began to accuse him.”
Judging that flattery would have more influence upon the Roman gov-
ernor than the simple statements of truth and justice, the wily orator
began his speech by praising Felix: “Seeing that by thee we enjoy
great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto his nation
by thy providence, we accept it always, and in all places, most noble
Felix, with all thankfulness.”
Tertullus here descended to barefaced falsehood; for the character
of Felix was base and contemptible. It was said of him, that “in the
practice of all kinds of lust and cruelty, he exercised the power of a
king with the temper of a slave.” —Tacitus, History, ch. 5, par. 9.
[420]
Those who heard Tertullus knew that his flattering words were untrue,
but their desire to secure the condemnation of Paul was stronger than
their love of truth.
In his speech, Tertullus charged Paul with crimes which, if proved,
would have resulted in his conviction for high treason against the
government. “We have found this man a pestilent fellow,” declared
the orator, “and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout
the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: who also
hath gone about to profane the temple.” Tertullus then stated that
Lysias, the commandant of the garrison at Jerusalem, had violently
taken Paul from the Jews when they were about to judge him by their
ecclesiastical law, and had thus forced them to bring the matter before
Felix. These statements were made with the design of inducing the
procurator to deliver Paul over to the Jewish court. All the charges
were vehemently supported by the Jews present, who made no effort
to conceal their hatred of the prisoner.
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