Pauls

five defenses before religious and political audiences (Acts 22-26)

- emphasizes different details to appeal to different audience

Before the Jewish audience Before Council and Sanhedrin Before Felix Before Festus Before Agrippa
(21:40-22:29) (High Priest (Ananias), Pharisees and (24:1-9) (25:1-12) (26:1-32)
Sadducees) (23:1-11)
Where Jerusalem Jerusalem Caesarea Caesarea Caesarea
Points of Hebrew education under Gamaliel Acknowledges that he is a Pharisee, Appeals to Agrippas knowledge of the
appeal (22:3) son of a Pharisee (23:6) Pharisees and OT.

Former zeal against Christians as (Similar to speech given at the steps of
intense as that of his audience against more Jerusalem. Most noble and
him (22:4-5) complete of all he gave in his defense)

Accusation Roman commander wanted to find Tertullus and Jews makes accusation: Chief priests and Jewish leaders Festus explains
out what the Jews were accusing Paul Started riots among Jews all over the made serious charges against him, Jews brought complaints against Paul
of (22:30). world (24:5) which they were not able to prove (25:24)
Leader of the party of the Nazarenes (25:7) But he doesnt find that Paul has done
(24:5) anything to deserve death (25:25)
Defiled the Temple (24:6) They wanted Festus to have Paul go Needs to write something to Caesar.
to Jerusalem so they could kill him Cant send prisoner without clearly
on the way. Festus asks if he was indicating charges against him (25:27)
willing to go to Jerusalem to be tried
the charges? (25:2)

Defense Spoke about his conversion and Has a clear conscience before God Jews did not find him arguing with Said he did nothing wrong against Acknowledged himself as a Pharisee
commission (22:6-29) (23:1) anyone (24:12) Law of the Jews, nor against temple, (26:5)
Accusers cannot give proof of accusations nor against Roman emperor. (25:8) Mention of the 12 tribes (26:7)
(24:13) His pre-conversion prejudices (26:9-12)
No crowd/disorder after ceremony of His conversion and commission (26:13-
Purification (24:18) 18)
His obedience to the heavenly vision
Admits (24:14-15): (26:19-23)
Following the Way
Believing in Law of Moses and prophets
Believing dead will rise to life (24:21)
Climax of Mention of Gentiles. Paul dared to tell His belief in the resurrection of the Paul appeals to Caesar (25:10) Paul said he preached the teachings and
defense Jerusalem hearers that God said they dead (23:6) prophecies of the OT (26:23)
would reject Him and that He would - Messiah would suffer
send Paul to the Gentiles (21:21) - Messiah would rise from the dead
- Messiah would announce the light of
salvation to Jews and Gentiles

Reaction At the word Gentiles, all restrain broke Pharisees and Sadducees quarreled Paul ordered to be kept under guard, Festus accused Paul of being mad
down. Jews threw dust, clothes etc among themselves. Pharisees said with some freedom, and allow friends to (26:24)
(21:22) they could not find anything wrong provide for his needs (24:23)
against Paul (23:7) Agrippa almost persuaded. Do you
Paul rescued by Roman soldiers, To wait for commander Lysias to decide think that in such a short time you will
almost whipped (21:24) Rescued by Roman soldiers (23:10) Pauls case (24:22) make me a Christian? (26:27)

Paul reveals his Roman citizenship Jesus appeared to Paul (23:11) Agrippa said that Paul could have been
(21:25) released if he had not appealed to
Caesar (26:32)