In our study of Acts chapter twenty four, we continue with Paul on his way to testify about Jesus in Rome. Here, he is put on trial in the city of Caesarea before the governor.
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After five days, the cohen hagadol Hananyah came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they presented their case against Sha'ul to the governor.
Five is the number of grace throughout the Bible and we are reminded of that grace in the fact that God rescued Paul from those that were going to kill him. Five days after he was sent to Caesarea, the religious rulers showed up with their prosecutor to present the case against Paul.
Sha'ul was called, and Tertullus began to make the charges: "Felix, your Excellency, it is because of you that we enjoy unbroken peace, and it is your foresight that has brought to this nation so many reforms in so many areas. It is with the utmost gratitude that we receive this. But, in order not to take up too much of your time, I beg your indulgence to give us a brief hearing.
The prosecutor begins his case against Paul not with any charges but with flattery to the governor. He really lays it on thick as he kisses up to the governor. He really knew that he didn't have a case against Paul but he was hoping for a guilty verdict as a favor. That is much the same way that Satan will use people to attack us as children of God. Usually, it will not be a direct attack but instead will be a distortion or distraction from the truth.
"We have found this man a pest. He is an agitator among all the Jews throughout the world and a ringleader of the sect of the Natzratim. He even tried to profane the Temple, but we arrested him. We wanted to try him under our own law, but Lysias the commander intervened. He took him out of our hands by force and ordered his accuser to appear before you.
The prosecutor finally gets down to the charges that they are bringing against Paul. Really there are no specific charges only general accusations. He also tells Felix that they had the matter under control until the commander stepped in and that is why they are there. He doesn't really give any facts of the case and that is typically how the devil and his demons work.
By questioning this man yourself, you will be able to learn all about the things of which we are accusing him." The Judeans also joined in the accusation and alleged that these were the facts.
The prosecutor summed up his case against Paul and all of the Jews agreed with him. He tries to make it seem like even a child could see it in hopes of getting a quick agreement.
When the governor motioned for Sha'ul to speak, he replied, "I know that you have been judge over this nation for a number of years, so I am glad to make my defense.
Now, Paul gets to defend himself against these false accusations. He starts by saying that he knows that Felix understands the Jewish customs and so he is glad to present his defense. Felix had been there for years dealing with Jewish matters and so would be qualified to make a reasonable ruling in the case.
As you can verify for yourself, it has not been more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Yerushalayim; and neither in the Temple nor in the synagogues nor anywhere else in the city did they find me either arguing with anyone or collecting a crowd. Nor can they give any proof of the things of which they are accusing me.
Paul continues by explaining that he only went to worship and that his accusers weren't even there to see what he was doing. They have no basis for their charges and cannot prove them. It is interesting to note that he says it was "no more than twelve days ago" that this happened. Twelve is the number of divine authority throughout the Bible and it reminds us that Paul is in front of Felix by the appointment and authority of God and so he has no need to worry.
"But this I do admit to you: I worship the God of our fathers in accordance with the Way (which they call a sect). I continue to believe everything that accords with the Torah and everything written in the Prophets.
Paul continues by explaining that He is a follower of Jesus Christ which is in agreement with the Torah (Old Testament) which his accusers believed. Jesus said that He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it and all of the Old Testament points to the coming of the Messiah who is Jesus, the Son of God.
And I continue to have a hope in God - which they too accept - that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. Indeed, it is because of this that I make a point of always having a clear conscience in the sight of both God and man.
Paul explains that there is one hope and that is for the resurrection just as Jesus was raised from the dead. In light of that hope, he tried to live a life that would bring honor and glory to God. He gave practical advice on how we can all do this in Ephesians 4.
"After an absence of several years, I came to Yerushalayim to bring a charitable gift to my nation and to offer sacrifices. It was in connection with the latter that they found me in the Temple. I had been ceremonially purified, I was not with a crowd, and I was not causing a disturbance.
Now, Paul directly confronts the false charges. He points out that he was in complete agreement with the law (ceremonially clean) and was going to present offerings. He also adds that there was no crowd or disturbance.
But some Jews from the province of Asia - they ought to be here before you to make a charge if they have anything against me!
He continues to explain that, if anyone had a reason to present the charges it would be some Jews from Asia where he had done most of his work. They were not there in front of Felix just as they were not present before the Sanhedrin.
Or else, let these men themselves say what crime they found me guilty of when I stood in front of the Sanhedrin, other than this one thing which I shouted out when I was standing among them: 'I am on trial before you today because I believe in the resurrection of the dead!'"
Paul continues by sharing the fact that he was not found guilty of any crime when he was brought before the Sanhedrin. Then, he gives the real reason that he was put on trial again and that was because he preached the message of the resurrection.
But Felix, who had rather detailed knowledge of things connected with the Way, put them off, saying, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case." He ordered the captain to keep Sha'ul in custody, but to let him have considerable liberty and not prevent any of his friends from taking care of his needs.
So, after hearing both sides, Felix, whose name means "pleasure" and who was a cruel and immoral man, decides not to decide. He puts the decision off and holds Paul but gives him more freedoms than normal. Felix new about the Jewish laws and even he could see that Paul was not guilty but he still did not release him. We might ask why God would let His child suffer under arrest like that and the simple answer is that we see parts but God sees His whole plan and He knows what is truly best.
After some days, Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Sha'ul and listened to him as he spoke about trusting in the Messiah Yeshua.
Now, we see why God would allow this to happen and we see this immoral man about to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. This man was a politician and so would not have done the right thing unless there was something in it for himself. He came expecting a bribe but instead got a lesson on the coming judgment.
But when Sha'ul began to discuss righteousness, self-control and the coming Judgment, Felix became frightened and said, "For the time being, go away! I will send for you when I get a chance."
Paul told Felix about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment. That made Felix very uncomfortable and so he sent Paul away. Paul just boldly proclaimed the Word of God and allowed God to convict Felix about his lifestyle. Do you find that many around you are uncomfortable when you talk about the things of God? That is a good thing in that as we live and speak the things of God, He will convict their hearts and they may repent and be saved.
At the same time, he hoped that Sha'ul would offer him a bribe; so he sent for him rather often and kept talking with him.
Felix faced an internal conflict as the Word of the Lord convicted him and made him uncomfortable yet his greed made him seek a bribe from Paul. In seeking a bribe, he continued to call for Paul and hear the Word of God. Paul simply kept on faithfully sharing the Word. God can use all things for His purposes and, here, He even uses the greed of this immoral man so that Paul could share about Jesus. It is a reminder that we need to seek the "immoral men" around us and trust God to do His work in them through us. We also notice that Paul did not compromise his faith to build a relationship with Felix before sharing the gospel. In the same way, we are not to compromise and do the same things as the "immoral men" in hopes of winning them to Christ. We are to hold fast to our faith, be different, and faithfully share the truth of God's Word.
After two years, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; but because Felix wanted to grant the Judeans a favor, he left Sha'ul still a prisoner.
This went on for two years and still Felix did not accept Christ but he heard the gospel. Instead of doing the right thing, he then turned Paul over to his successor and he still remained in prison. We may ask how someone could do that to a man that they knew was innocent but in fact they did even worse when Jesus was crucified (He who knew no sin became sin so that we may have life). Paul who was innocent stayed in prison and preached the gospel to his captors so that they too may have life in Christ.
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