Apostle on Trial

Introduction

Paul will now stand trial before Felix the governor as Ananias the high priest and a number of Jewish religious leaders along with their hired attorney bring charges against him.

Paul knew that there was no chance of a favorable outcome when he stood on trial before the Sanhedrin but his trial before Felix was another matter.

Felix would certainly be much less partial to the Jew’s position. It is now that Paul will give a thorough defense of his innocence while transparently confessing to what is the true issue at the heart of the Jew’s accusations.

Felix was a man described by the Roman historian Tacitus as a man who “... exercised the power of a king with the mind of a slave”. Felix was known for his often violent response to any insurrection and his corruption.

As we come to the trial we shall first see once again the:

Accusations of the Enemy (Vs. 1-9)

Once again Paul faces his accusers and once again a variety of false accusations are made against him.

This time the accusations are brought by a professional attorney enlisted by the Jews to plead their case to Felix. This was likely in hopes of conveying their accusations without the disagreements and disorder of their earlier attempts.

Vs 3-4- Their Flattery-Their professional attorney begins with flattery for Felix which was most certainly false. The majority of Jews in fact would likely have a great hatred and animosity towards Felix for his corruption and violent nature.

Vs. 5a- Their Criticism- Tertullus begins by stating that the Jews counted Paul as a plague or pest. The threat Paul posed to their way of life and their religious traditions was to them a serious matter that made him worthy of their hatred.

Would those who desire to continue in sin living lives contrary to God consider us a threat to their way of life?

Vs. 5b-9- Their False Accusations- The claim first made is that the apostle Paul was a political revolutionary who was stirring up insurrection against Roman rule. The goal was to paint Paul as not only an enemy of the Jewish religion but as an enemy of Rome.

This often happens today as those who hate Christ and Christianity would seek to convince the general public that it is the Christian faith and its adherents which are responsible for so much of the trouble in our world.

Paul was not in fact stirring up the Jews against Rome, he was guilty only of attempting to lead them to Christ.

The next accusation against Paul was that he was leading a heretical movement which the Jews called the sect of the Nazarenes (in reference to Jesus’s Nazarene heritage).

This again was a false accusation which Paul would refute powerfully in his own arguments.

The final accusation was that Paul had attempted to profane the temple and was caught in the act. This of course was also untrue because Paul had taken pains to assure that he would not do such thing knowing the uproar it would create. He had submitted to the ritual purification for this very purpose.

This time all who are with the high priest profess their agreement to the false charges brought against Paul hoping that Felix will believe their lies.

Without evidence and without corroborating outside testimony even Felix was not inclined to believe that Paul was worthy of punishment it appears.

Paul had been careful to avoid even the appearance of evil during his time in Jerusalem and as a result the Jews had not legitimate accusation to make against him. We ought also to give such careful attention to our personal testimony so that we may be...

Philippians 2:15 KJV 1900

That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

Ultimately Felix would give Paul the opportunity to defend himself and Paul would do so masterfully.

Paul’s Defense & Confession (Vs. 10-21)

Notice first Paul’s patience as he does not interrupt or lash out at his accusers, he simply waits for the opportunity to be given for him to defend himself against their claims.

It must have been difficult for Paul to maintain his composure with all of the exaggerated and absolutely false accusations being hurled against him but Paul does it, no doubt due to the power of the Spirit of God which worked in him.

Paul begins with commendation as well but only appealing to the fact that Felix’s lengthy tenure in the region made him well aware of the matters that were being discussed.

Paul hoped that Felix’s knowledge and experience with the Jewish people would work in his favor as he presented his case.

Paul begins by answering the charges, first that he was an insurrectionist by informing Felix that he had only been in the region for 12 days (5 of which had been spent in Caesarea under Felix’s care).

It was impossible that in a mere 7 days Paul would have been able to stir up insurrection against the Roman authorities. Paul states the facts that he had not been found disputing with any man and that he had not made any attempt to raise up anyone against Roman rule.

He also challenges the accusers claims reminding Felix that they have presented absolutely no evidence to support their accusations.

Paul then begins his confession and shares the truth of the matter with Felix and in the hearing of his accusers.

Paul admits that he does worship God differently than the Jewish traditions but that this is due to the fact that he sincerely believes that his manner of worship is in accordance with his belief of all the law and the prophets (all the Bible which was in existence in Paul’s day).

There are those who would accuse the Bible believing Christian today of heresy but let us continue to hold to our belief in the Word of God.

Romans 3:1-4- Let God be true and every man a liar. We will stand in judgement not on the basis of man’s opinions but on the basis of God’s Word.

The Jews, despite all the evidence that Jesus was the promised Messiah, rejected Jesus because of the change his message brought to their way of life.

Paul also speaks of his belief in the resurrection which was a common belief among the majority of the Jews.

Paul’s Conscience- Paul’s beliefs motivated his behavior. He sought to always maintain a good conscience before God and before men. He lived to the best his ability avoiding unnecessary offenses. Paul had done everything he could to avoid offending the Jews but their hatred for him meant that all that he could do would never be enough.

Paul also reveals his true reason for coming to Jerusalem- to deliver an offering that had been received from the Gentile believers to meet the needs of the Jerusalem church.

He rehearses how the Jews had found him in the temple but not involved in anything that would profane it but exactly the opposite Paul had taken all the necessary ritualistic steps to assure that his presence there would be acceptable.

Finally he appeals to his accusers to produce evidence or eyewitness to their claims, which of course they could not do. The only charge they could possible bring against him was that he had cried out in support of the resurrection among them.

The Governor’s Curiosity (Vs. 22-24)

Both sides having now presented their case it was up to Felix to make a judgment of the evidence presented. Instead Felix chooses the path which would lead to the least disturbance and simply defers Paul’s case to a later date.

Felix did not want to anger the powerful Jewish religious leaders, but he also knew the serious consequences that wrongfully condemning a Roman citizen would bring.

Felix, maybe due to a guilty conscience, did show great leniency with Paul during his imprisonment. He allowed Paul’s companions to come and visit with him and to provide for his needs.

Finally in verse 24 the plan of God continues to unfold and Paul is given the opportunity to have a private audience with Felix and his wife to converse with them of Christ.

Everything that Paul endured was ultimately for the furtherance of the gospel. There can be no doubt that Felix must have been at least a little curious as to why Paul had been treated so harshly and what it was that he believed that would cause him to take such a bold stance in the face of false accusation and the threat of serious punishment.

Paul could certainly have recanted when the accusations were brought in order to appease the Jews he could have compromised and denied Christ to make peace with them but he would not deny his savior.

This boldness must have peaked Felix’s curiosity such that he wanted to know more about the faith that Paul professed.

When we take a bold stand on the Word of God and for the name of Christ others will notice and we will have opportunities to share Christ with them.

When we live according to the will of God, we can be sure that God has a purpose for all of our circumstances and that purpose is often to present us with an opportunity to testify of Christ.

Conclusion

If accusations are made against us because of our faith how will we respond? Will we cower and compromise or will we, like Paul, boldly proclaim the truth and take a stand for God and His Word.

We need more men and women who are considered a threat by the enemy and who will take a bold and courageous stand for the truth against the enemies of Christ.

We must also continue to carefully cultivate a good conscience towards God and man so that our lives do not detract from our message.

When you are presented with the opportunity to testify of Christ, will you seize the moment and give the gospel as Paul so often did?