Acts.15

Defending the Faith: Lessons from Paul Before Felix and Festus

Bible Passage: Acts 24:1-25:12

Summary: In Acts 24 and the beginning of Acts 25 Paul is brought before Governors Felix and Festus to answer the accusations levied against him by the Jewish leaders. This chapter contrasts the political manipulation, personal animus, and professional jealousy of the accusers with Paul's steadfast commitment to the truth of the Gospel. Paul's responses illustrate his reliance on the Holy Spirit and the necessity of speaking the truth in love, despite the power dynamics at play.

1. Facing Falsehoods Calmly - Standing firm in faith - Anticipate the Accusations

Acts 24:1–9 “1 Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul. 2 And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: “Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight, 3 we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us. 5 For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law. 7 But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands, 8 commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.” 9 And the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so.”

The world system is no friend of the Christian who stands for the truth.

Tertullus is the lawyer hired to persecute Paul. Orator is ῥήτωρ retor in Greek, used only here in the NT. From this we get the English word ‘rhetoric’ - the skill of using language effectively. Unfortunately he was using his skill to harm the church not as a proponent of truth. He flattered Felix and tried to destroy Paul, but he used half truths and outright lies.

The Jewish council just listened and nodded their heads. With Tertullus bringing charges against him, Paul exemplifies the peace and confidence that comes from a relationship with Christ. He maintained his composure and focusing on truth, even when surrounded by hostility or manipulation, reflecting the peace Christ gave him.

When you are surrounded by those who would mock and disparage your faith be like Paul and rely on the Spirit to usher in peace.

The Discipline Disciple knows in defending our faith, we must prioritize scripture, truth and love; ensuring our witness reflects Christ’s character even under pressure or adversity.

2. Relying on Reason and Revelation - Answer with Assurance

Acts 24:10–21 “10 Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: “Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself, 11 because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. 13 Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. 14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. 15 I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. 16 This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

Paul starts his defense with respect for Felix, but without the flattery. Truth doesn’t need to be puffed up.

Paul correctly states that despite many words he was not proven to do the things he was accused of (Acts 24:12-13). There surprisingly not witnesses just accusations.

The one things Paul admits to is that he is a Christian, or a member of the Way. The Jews called it a sect or αἵρεσις hairesis, to the Jews Paul was “a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes” (Acts 24:5). By sect they are using αἵρεσις hairesis like we use its English equivalent ‘heresy’.

Paul ignores that and correctly states that he is observing the fulfillment of OT prophesies. Especially the doctrine of resurrection as this alludes to Daniel 12:2 “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt.” The church is the next step in God’s redemptive plan for man.

In all this it was important for Paul to have a clear conscience. We don’t war against flesh and blood (Ep 6:12). It is a clear conscience that we are to maintain, one without offense. The Greek here is ἀπρόσκοπος aproskotos, it means to not cause to stumble, to be blameless. It is used only two other times in the New Testament, both by Paul (1 Cor 10:32; Pp 1:10). Paul was sensitive to the spiritual state of his inquisitors and still trying to save their souls. That is a powerful example for us in responding to the world’s judgment.

3. Witness to the Truth - Answers Gift with Lies

Acts 24:17–21 “17 “Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation, 18 in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult. 19 They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me. 20 Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council, 21 unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ ””

Paul continues further in his defense with his reason for being in Jerusalem. He was delivering a gift from the Gentile churches and was showing his deference to the church in Jerusalem by being purified in the temple. Perfectly innocent of the things being said about him. There were no riots.

He furthers his defense by asking why there are no witnesses present to accuse him. Those accusing Paul of breaking the law are themselves by not providing an eyewitness to the crime.

In conclusion, Paul returns to his defense of his faith in a future judgment and the resurrection to it. This is directed at the council and at Felix who is presiding over this trial. Paul was always the soul-winner.

4. Trusting Through Trials - Await with Assurance

Acts 24:22–27 “22 But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case.” 23 So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him. 24 And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25 Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” 26 Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him. 27 But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.”

Felix has heard Paul’s message about the resurrection (this would naturally link to Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life) and he concludes the hearing. Lysias, the commander (Acts 23:26; 24:7) was his excuse to postpone Paul’s dismissal, but Felix has had his conscience pricked.

Felix now brings his wife, Drusilla, to hear Paul’s message. This was not about Paul’s guilt or innocence but about the gospel. They “heard him concerning the faith in Christ” and Paul spoke boldly. Verse 25 tells us, “he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come”. This is very similar to the conviction work of the Holy Spirit in

John 16:8 “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:”

Paul was kept prisoner for two years in Caesarea. All the while Felix sent for him for 1. conversation and 2. a bribe.

During that two years he had certain liberties, including visitors. One of those was Luke. Who probably used this time being in the Holy Land to interview many who walked and interacted with Jesus. He used this information to compile his Gospel and his account of the Book of Acts. God uses downtime to give us rest but still accomplish His will. Paul used his time in prison to write the prison epistles; Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.

5. Before Festus - God’s Sending Paul to Rome

Acts 25:1–12 “1 Now when Festus had come to the province, after three days he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem. 2 Then the high priest and the chief men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they petitioned him, 3 asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem—while they lay in ambush along the road to kill him. 4 But Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was going there shortly. 5 “Therefore,” he said, “let those who have authority among you go down with me and accuse this man, to see if there is any fault in him.” 6 And when he had remained among them more than ten days, he went down to Caesarea. And the next day, sitting on the judgment seat, he commanded Paul to be brought. 7 When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood about and laid many serious complaints against Paul, which they could not prove, 8 while he answered for himself, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I offended in anything at all.”

Festus was the new Roman Procurator of Judea. (Pilate - Felix - Festus) The Jewish leadership saw this as another opportunity to kill Paul by ambush. They called for Paul to be tried in Jerusalem. Those men laying in ambush were probably quite hungry and thirsty by now! (wink, wink)

At the judgment seat the Jews laid many serious charges against Paul. Sometimes it’s not an actual crime but the seriousness of the charge. It was time for God to make a change and deliver Paul from these evil men for good.

9 But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?” 10 So Paul said, “I stand at Caesar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you very well know. 11 For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.” 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you shall go!””

Paul finally was given the opportunity to move forward and distance himself from these bloodthirsty accusers. He appealed to Caesar as was his right as a Roman citizen. The order to send Paul to Rome fulfilled God’s promise to Paul that he would preach in Rome. Acts 23:11 “But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.””