.jpg)
In theNew Testament,Tertullus[1] (a modification of "Tertius") was an orator or lawyer who was employed by the Jewish leaders to state their case against the apostlePaul in the presence ofFelix (Acts 24:1-9).[2]
Tertullus gives a formal rhetorical presentation on behalf of the Jewish leaders opposed to Paul's preaching.[2] The charges he raised against Paul were that he created disturbances "among all the Jews throughout the world",[3] an offence against the Roman government (crimen majestatis),[citation needed] secondly, that he was a ringleader of the sect of theNazarenes; and thirdly, that he attempted to profane thetemple, a crime which the Jews were permitted to punish.[4]
It is generally assumed that Tertullus was himself aHellenistic Jew,[5] although he could have been aGentile.[6] It is not certain whether the trial would have taken place in Latin or Greek.[7]
Tertullus beforeAntonius Felix makes the first recorded use of the plural "Nazarenes" (Nazoraioi, the plural form of Iesous hoNazoraios "Jesus of Nazareth") to refer toChristians, although the use of the term "Christians" at Antioch had already been noted in Acts,[8] and it was used byHerod Agrippa II in the next trial of Paul beforePorcius Festus.[9] Tertullus' use of the Greek termNazoraioi has continuity with the Hebrew termNotzrim found in later rabbinical literature.[10] Tertullus presumably could not use the Antioch termChristianoi (HebrewMeshiykhiyyim משיחיים) sinceChristianoi from GreekChristos (literally "Anointed One", "Messiah") might imply Tertullus' recognition of Jesus of Nazareth as a Davidic "Anointed One" or "Messiah".[11]
This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Easton, Matthew George (1897). "Tertullus".Easton's Bible Dictionary (New and revised ed.). T. Nelson and Sons.