Jump to: Hitchcock's • Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Tertullus is a figure mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the Book of Acts. He is known for his role as a professional orator or lawyer who represented the Jewish authorities in their case against the Apostle Paul. His involvement is recorded in Acts 24, where he appears before the Roman governor, Felix, to present accusations against Paul.Biblical Account In Acts 24:1-9, Tertullus is introduced as the spokesman for the high priest Ananias and the elders. The passage states: "Five days later, the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor" (Acts 24:1). Tertullus begins his address to Felix with flattery, acknowledging the peace and reforms brought about under Felix's governance. This approach was typical of Roman legal proceedings, where orators often began with praise to gain favor with the judge. Tertullus accuses Paul of being "a pestilent fellow, an agitator among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes" (Acts 24:5). He further charges Paul with attempting to desecrate the temple, a serious accusation that could incite unrest among the Jewish population. Tertullus's rhetoric is designed to portray Paul as a threat to both Jewish religious order and Roman political stability. Role and Significance Tertullus's role as an orator highlights the legal and political complexities faced by early Christians. His employment by the Jewish authorities underscores their determination to use all available means, including Roman legal channels, to suppress the burgeoning Christian movement. Tertullus's arguments reflect the broader tensions between Jewish leaders and the followers of Jesus, who were seen as a disruptive sect. The account of Tertullus also illustrates the challenges faced by Paul in his missionary journeys. Despite the eloquence and legal expertise of Tertullus, Paul is able to defend himself effectively, relying on his Roman citizenship and his knowledge of both Jewish law and Roman legal procedures. This encounter is a testament to the providence and protection that Paul experienced throughout his ministry. Historical Context Tertullus's presence in the narrative provides insight into the judicial practices of the Roman Empire. Orators like Tertullus were often employed in legal cases to present arguments persuasively and to navigate the complexities of Roman law. His use of flattery and formal accusations is consistent with the rhetorical strategies of the time. The involvement of a professional advocate also indicates the seriousness with which the Jewish authorities viewed the threat posed by Paul and the early Christian movement. By engaging Tertullus, they sought to leverage the Roman legal system to achieve their aims, reflecting the intersection of religious and political concerns in first-century Judea. Conclusion While Tertullus's arguments ultimately do not succeed in securing a conviction against Paul, his role in the trial before Felix is a significant episode in the Acts of the Apostles. It highlights the opposition faced by early Christians and the ways in which God provided for their defense and continued mission. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary TertullusSmith's Bible Dictionary Tertullus(diminutive from Tertius), "a certain orator," (Acts 24:1) who was retained by the high priest and Sanhedrin to accuse the apostle Paul at Caesarea before the Roman procurator Antonius Felix. He evidently belonged to the class of professional orators. We may infer that Tertullus was of Roman, or at all events of Italian, origin. (A.D. 55.) ATS Bible Dictionary TertullusA Roman orator or advocate, whom the Jews employed to bring forward their accusation against Paul, before the Roman procurator at Caesarea, probably because they were themselves unacquainted with the modes of proceeding in the Roman courts, Acts 24:1-2. Easton's Bible Dictionary A modification of "Tertius;" a Roman advocate, whom the Jews employed to state their case against Paul in the presence of Felix (Acts 24:1-9). The charges he adduced against the apostle were, "First, that he created disturbances among the Romans throughout the empire, an offence against the Roman government (crimen majestatis). Secondly, that he was a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes; disturbed the Jews in the exercise of their religion, guaranteed by the state; introduced new gods, a thing prohibited by the Romans. And thirdly, that he attempted to profane the temple, a crime which the Jews were permitted to punish." International Standard Bible Encyclopedia TERTULLUSter-tul'-us, ter- (Tertullos, diminutive of Latin tertius, "third"):, An orator who descended with Ananias the high priest and elders from Jerusalem to Caesarea to accuse Paul before Felix the Roman governor (Acts 24:1). Tertullus was a hired pleader whose services were necessary that the case for the Jews might be stated in proper form. Although he bore a Roman name, he was not necessarily a Roman; Roman names were common both among Greeks and Jews, and most orators were at this time of eastern extraction. Nor is it definitely to be concluded from the manner of his speech (Acts 24:2-8) that he was a Jew; it has always been customary for lawyers to identify themselves in their pleading with their clients. His speech before Felix is marked by considerable ingenuity. It begins with an adulation of the governorship of Felix that was little in accord with history (see FELIX); and the subsequent argument is an example of how a strong case may apparently be made out by the skillful manipulation of half-truths. Thus the riot at Jerusalem was ascribed to the sedition-mongering of Paul, who thereby proved himself an enemy of Roman rule and Jewish religion, both of which Felix was pledged to uphold. Again, the arrest of Paul was not an act of mob violence, but was legally carried out by the high priests and elders in the interests of peace; and but for the unwarranted interference of Lysias (see LYSIAS), they would have dealt with the prisoner in their own courts and thus have avoided trespassing on the time of Felix. They were, however, perfectly willing to submit the whole case to his jurisdiction. It is interesting to compare this speech of Tertullus with the true account, as given in Acts 21:27-35, and also with the letter of Lysias (Acts 23:26-30). Greek 5061. Tertullos -- Tertullus, probably a Roman ... Tertullus, probably a Roman. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Tertullos Phonetic Spelling: (ter'-tool-los) Short Definition: Tertullus Definition ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5061.htm - 6k Library The Trial at Caesarea Acts XXIV Paul Before Felix. Paul Before Felix Acts xxiii. 31, 32, 33 Epistle Liii. To Cornelius, Concerning Granting Peace to the ... Acts XXV Epistle v. To the Presbyters and Deacons. Epistle Lxix. To Januarius and Other Numidian Bishops, on ... Epistle Lxi. To Pomponius, Concerning Some virgins. Thesaurus Tertullus (2 Occurrences)... punish.". Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. TERTULLUS. ter-tul ... 30). CM Kerr. Multi-Version Concordance Tertullus (2 Occurrences). Acts 24 ... /t/tertullus.htm - 9k Felix (11 Occurrences) Tertul'lus (2 Occurrences) Orator (3 Occurrences) Lysias (3 Occurrences) Antonius Case (138 Occurrences) Claudius (3 Occurrences) Statement (88 Occurrences) Tertius (1 Occurrence) Resources Who is Felix in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about lawyers? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Tertullus (2 Occurrences)Acts 24:1 Acts 24:2 Subtopics Tertullus: The Prosecutor of Paul Before Governor Felix Related Terms |
    |