CHAPTER 24

1 And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.
2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,
3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.
5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.
7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,
8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.

At the end of Chapter 23, we left Paul at Caesarea, where he was waiting for his accusers to come
and make accusations against him.

"Tertullus" was chosen to present the case because he was an "orator."
In other words, he knew how to put the case in flowery terms.
His first words, you'll notice, were flowery praise upon Felix.

Paul was described as "pestilent," "a mover of sedition," and a ringleader of the "Nazarenes."
(Nazarenes was a term to describe followers of Jesus from Nazareth.)

The only actual allegation against Paul was that he had "gone about to profane the temple."
And, Tertullus, using his orator skills, tried to show that was not a case for the Roman court, but rather for the Jewish council. (vss 6-7)

There was a shadowed accusation against the Chief Captain Lysias also.
Tertullus blamed him for interfering and causing the Jewish council to be forced into appearing at Caesarea.

I can imagine after Tertullus finished his statements, the Jewish council all said, "AMEN!" (Vs 9)

Men who accuse someone of something without fact, usually try to appear unanimous!

10 Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:
11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.
12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:
13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
17 Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
18 Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.
20 Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,
21 Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.

Paul was a very skillled orator also!

First, he brings in the time element.
Twelve days had elapsed since he entered the temple to worship.

Second, he stated that even though the Jews called Paul's form of worship "heresy,"
he actually believed "all things ... written in the law and in the prophets."

Third, he brought in "the resurrection of the dead" TWICE! (vs 15, and vs 21)

Fourth, Paul says he'd been away many years, and came to the temple to pray and bring offerings. (vs 17)

Fifth, Paul says he was found in the temple "purified" (washed, and had brought offerings to the priests).

Sixth, Paul had been "found" there by certain Jews who were NOT PRESENT to present any accusations! (vs 18-19)

Seventh, Paul says he had appeared before the Jewish council, and had done no wrong. (vs 20)

Eighth, the ONLY reason Paul was accused was because he had divided the council with his statement about
"the resurrection of the dead." (See Acts 23:6-10)
(The Sadducees did not believe in an ultimate and final bodily resurrection, and the Pharisees DID.)

22 And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.
23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.

Felix wanted to know more about the matter.
He wanted to more about "that way," or the manner of Christian worship.
And, he wanted to know more about the tumult which had caused Lysias to break up the gathering,
and send Paul to the Governor's place.

So, Felix "deferred" the Jewish council until a later date.
Then, he placed Paul under house arrest, in the care of a "centurion."
The centurion was commanded to "keep" Paul, but also to allow him to have guests.

24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

A few days later Felix came with his wife "which was a Jewess."
And, they called Paul to come and tell them more about "the faith in Christ."

As Paul "reasoned" (or preached), he talked of "righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come."
And, Felix "trembled!"
The trembling must have been noticeable by those watching (perhaps including Luke).

Felix dismissed Paul, saying he'd call him again at a more "convenient" time.

Paul was there for TWO YEARS!
And, during that time, Felix sent for him "the oftener."
Perhaps Felix was almost ready to be converted?

Then, after two years, Porcius Festus "came into his (Felix's) room."
Felix was unpopular, so Nero (the Roman Emperor) sent Festus to take Felix's place as governor.

Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jews so they would not accuse him before the Emperor.
So, he "bound" Paul and presented him to Festus in that manner.

The ploy did not work!
The Jews still accused Felix of wrongdoing!

When men in offices of government seek to gain favor by wrongdoing, it usually backfires in their faces!

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.
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