PART XXIV - II
"As soon as I, Paul, arrived in the court room here in Caesarea, the case against me began... As I expected, the lawyer Tertullus spoke first of all... He began by flattering Governor Felix... No doubt, he was trying to win the favour of the governor.... Having spoken very highly of Governor Felix.... Tertullus then began to present his case against me.... It was clear from his words that he tried to make me look like a real trouble maker... And that I was making trouble not just in Jerusalem... But all over the world.... Worst of all, he accused me of having tried to the desecrate the temple in Jerusalem.... After Tertullus had spoken, Felix allowed other Jews to speak as well.... They all agreed with Tertullus that I was nothing more than a trouble maker.... I just listened to their false accusations against me... I knew that my moment to defend myself would soon come... So I waited until I was asked to speak."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn of the flattering speech of the lawyer Tertullus to Governor Felix...
ATTACHMENT A WALK THROUGH THE BOOK OF ACTS
PART XXIV - II
It was time for Paul to appear in court so he was taken from Herod's palace where he had been under guard since his arrival in Caesarea. As soon as Paul arrived in the room where the hearing was held, the lawyer Tertullus began to speak as you can read in Acts 24:2
When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix; "We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation."
Tertullus knew how to flatter the governor so that the governor would be inclined to favour him. He then carried on by saying in Acts 4:3-4
"Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profoud gratitude.But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enought to hear us briefly."
The Jews hated being under Roman rule, including the rule of Felix, but they hated Paul even more, it seems. It was, therefore, very important that the governor would be incined to believe them when Tertullus presented his report about Paul to them as you can read in Acts 24:5-8
"We have found this man (Paul) to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him."
The words of Tertullus were then confirmed by the Jews who had accompanied him as you can read in Acts 24:9
The Jews joined in that accusation, asserting that these things were true.
It does not look good for Paul after all these accusations have been spoken out against him.
Read Part Ten HERE
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