The Fire Before Felix

Charges Against Paul (1-9)

Acts 24:1–9 NASB95

1 After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders, with an attorney named Tertullus, and they brought charges to the governor against Paul. 2 After Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying to the governor, “Since we have through you attained much peace, and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for this nation, 3 we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 “But, that I may not weary you any further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing. 5 “For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 “And he even tried to desecrate the temple; and then we arrested him. We wanted to judge him according to our own Law. 7 “But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands, 8 ordering his accusers to come before you. By examining him yourself concerning all these matters you will be able to ascertain the things of which we accuse him.” 9 The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.

A. He’s an Agitator

Personal Charge

Christians have had this charge against them for thousands of years since Paul and even today. sometimes the charge has merit and sometimes it does not. During the reformation we Anabaptists were considered agitators who stirred up dissension against the Catholic church. Even the other reformers would not tolerate our staunch adherence to the Bible in every area of the Christian life.

Today, we accused of stirring up dissension against the scientific elite. We are annoying defenders of the unborn. We are road blocks to the progress of the sexual revolution. In the world’s eyes, society would be a utopia if we were not in it.

B. He Leads a New Religion

Political Charge

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twenty-Two: Paul the Witness (Acts 24)

Furthermore, it was illegal to establish a new religion in Rome without the approval of the authorities. If Paul indeed was a “ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,” then his enemies could easily build a case against him.

Our beliefs are coming into direct conflict with the permissive laws of our country.

C. He Desecrated the Temple

Religious Charge. The Council carefully accuse Lysias (who never appears to give his account) of interfering in a religious matter.

This is a charge against true believers often. “You have desecrated the most important tenant of Christianity which is “love.”” “After all God is love and you if you don’t love all people (and accept them for who they are, even if what they do violates the righteousness of our loving God) then you are an enemy of our version of Christianity.”

II. Paul’s Defense (10-22)

Acts 24:10–22 NASB95

10 When the governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul responded: “Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense, 11 since you can take note of the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 “Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing a riot. 13 “Nor can they prove to you the charges of which they now accuse me. 14 “But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; 15 having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16 “In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men. 17 “Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings; 18 in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been purified, without any crowd or uproar. But there were some Jews from Asia— 19 who ought to have been present before you and to make accusation, if they should have anything against me. 20 “Or else let these men themselves tell what misdeed they found when I stood before the Council, 21 other than for this one statement which I shouted out while standing among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.’ ” 22 But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.”

A. I Came in Peace

B. I Do Not Teach a New Religion

John 5:23 NASB95

23 so that all will honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

C. I Did Not Desecrate the Temple

Paul was kind not to mention the slap he recieved by order of the high priest. It was illegal to slap a Roman citizen.

Paul was neither anti-Jewish or anti-Roman.

III. The Response of Felix (23-27)

Acts 24:23–27 NASB95

23 Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be kept in custody and yet have some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him. 24 But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you.” 26 At the same time too, he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and converse with him. 27 But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.

John 16:8 NASB95

8 “And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twenty-Two: Paul the Witness (Acts 24)

Here were Felix and Drusilla, prime illustrations of lack of self-control. She divorced her husband to become Felix’s third wife, and though a Jewess, she lived as though God had never given the Ten Commandments at Sinai. Felix was an unscrupulous official who did not hesitate to lie, or even to murder, in order to get rid of his enemies and promote himself.

Acts 17:31 NASB95

31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twenty-Two: Paul the Witness (Acts 24)

“Procrastination is the thief of time,” wrote Edward Young.

Felix should have responded immediately in repentance and faith in the Jesus that Paul preached.

2 Corinthians 6:2 NASB95

2 for He says, “At the acceptable time I listened to you, And on the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation”—

Warren Wiersbe:

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Twenty-Two: Paul the Witness (Acts 24)

The governor’s mind was enlightened (Acts 24:22), his emotions were stirred (Acts 24:25), but his will would not yield. He tried to gain the world, but, as far as we know, he lost his soul. He procrastinated himself into hell.

The Acts of the Apostles Plain Speaking to a Guilty Governor (Acts 24:22–7)

There was a long-standing argument as to whether Caesarea was a Jewish or a Greek city, and Jews and Greeks were at daggers drawn. There was an outbreak of mob violence in which the Jews came off best. Felix despatched his troops to aid the Gentiles. Thousands of Jews were killed; and the troops, with Felix’s consent and encouragement, ransacked and looted the houses of the wealthiest Jews in the city.