Acts 24:1-21 - Paul Before Felix

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Introduction

Last week

Paul was saved from a plot that would have killed him!

The hero of the story is Paul’s nephew who let Paul know and eventually the Romans leadership know of the plot.

From this we talked about how important youth in the church are!

We were also introduced to the character Felix (who Paul was sent to)

The Body

The Jews make their case (v.1-9)

Acts 24:1–9 ESV

1 And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul. 2 And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: “Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, 3 in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude. 4 But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. 5 For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him. 8 By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.” 9 The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so.

Lawyered Up

The Jews hired an attorney like person to come in and argue for them!

Tertullus - Tries to stroke the ego of Felix (Remember this about Felix)

Felix is the governor of Caesarea

Former slave who was freed and rose to power -

Romans Historian Tacticus wrote of him: “Felix occupied the office of a king while having the mind of a slave, saturated with cruelty and lust.”

Accusations Against Paul

Social Menace - stirring up Riots and other things

They are trying to paint a picture of Paul as a riot starter and breaker of the peace that the Romans work so hard to keep.

The Jews historically gave the Romans issues - they were a stubborn people who did not want to live under anyone’s rule.

Jesus had also received false accusations of being a type of menace.

Luke 23:2 ESV

2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”

A leader of this group

Says he is a ringleader to the Nazarenes!

They are trying to get Felix to see Paul as even a rebellion leader!

Profaned the Temple

To profane the temple would have been a Political and Religious act

The same language was used in Jewish Literature against Antiochus Epiphanies, a Seleucid General, when he went into the temple and slaughtered a pig on the alter of the temple in 169 BC and made the temple a temple to zeus.

Many theologians, including myself, see this man as a fulfillment of the Abomination of Desolation prophesied in Daniel chapters 9, 11, and 12.

This is was a symbol of judgement against the people that God would allow this to happen.

This then led to what is called the Macabean Revolt.

However, the main point is that the words “profane the temple” cary great weight to everyone of that time.

Profane meant we revolt and riot.

Paul is being persecuted for the name of Christ

Matthew 5:10–12 ESV

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

So many people TODAY are persecuted for communicating truth

The World hates the truths of Scripture.

However, we as Christians need to stand firm on the truths of Scripture and the gospel.

Paul Makes his defense (v.10-21)

Paul is happy to make his defense (v.10-13)

Acts 24:10–13 ESV

10 And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied: “Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. 11 You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, 12 and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city. 13 Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me.

Paul did not back down from making his defense

He was bold for the gospel

He was well spoken and intelligent

So many times the world tries to make the Christian faith look unintelligent. They make accusations against us that we are not progressive enough and that we simply are unintelligent for believing in God.

However, Paul shows over and over again that our faith is an intelligent faith. It is an informed faith with intelligent people. Now I am not saying on has to be the smartest person on a planet to be a Christian - the gospel is so simple children can understand it and embrace it!

But let us be ready with confidence to make a defense of our faith. Just like Paul. Do not back down listening to the lies of the world, rather be filled with boldness.

Paul’s confession (v.14-19)

Acts 24:14–19 ESV

14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, 15 having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. 16 So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. 17 Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings. 18 While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia— 19 they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me.

Paul affirms belief in Scripture (v.14-15)

Acts 24:14–15 ESV

14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, 15 having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.

Paul did not “unhitch” himself from the Old Testament but rather confirms his belief in all Scripture.

He confirms that “the Way” is what the Prophets and Law looked forward to.

He even identifies that those accusing him even believe in a ressurection of the just and unjust.

Now are these men on the same level with Paul? Are they believers just because they believe in a ressurection?

No! One can be so close but without Jesus it all falls apart.

Paul is essentially teaching here that his faith, The WAY, is the fulfillment of the redemptive plan promised by the law and prophets.

Paul claims his innocence (v.16-19)

Acts 24:16–19 ESV

16 So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. 17 Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings. 18 While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia— 19 they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me.

Paul alone in the temple

One of the accusations was that he was leading a revolution or some rebelian but he was alone.

Paul here to help

Paul shares that he was simply there to worship God and bring ALMS offerings.

ALMS - Something not written in our text but that was made clear in the epistles is that Paul had collected an offering from the various churches to help poor Christians in Jerusalem. This is made clear in Romans 15, 1 Corinthians, and 2 Corinthians.

Paul did not come to harm Jerusalem but rather to help it.

Paul was ritually clean

Paul overcomes the accusation of desecrating the Temple because he argues that he came in ritually clean and that those accusing him have no proof that he was

Paul overcame all accusations against him with a clear defense

The Lord’s sovereign arm is guiding and protecting Paul.

The Ressurection is the reason he is there (v.20-21)

Acts 24:20–21 ESV

20 Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, 21 other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’ ”

Paul did not bring up the plot to kill him! He had compassion on these men!

Paul could have brought up the plot and told Felix that these men were trying to kill him and therefore should be punished but no! Paul shares the hope of the ressurection once again - hoping maybe they would be converted.

The ressurection of utmost importance

The ressurection of Jesus is the thing that becomes a stumbling block for so many!

Without the ressurection we have no hope!

If Jesus stayed dead then he was not who he claimed to be.

Paul even shares in 1 Cor 15 that believers are to be the most pitied if Christ never rose from the dead because then we will not rise from ourselves.

Then finally a final ressurection where God will judge the living and the dead

Paul is reminding everyone of this future!

He is not just worried about the now but the future!

There is a real judgement coming!!

Let us always be thinking about that as we think about those around us that we know need the gospel. There is a judgment coming. Too often we just think of Jesus as if he is self help. Is it better that someone find Christ in order to find true freedom in life? YES. But we must also remember the implications that happen if they do not find him.

Conclusion

The World is opposed to Christ

The World Persecutes Truth

The World will experience the final ressurection