069 Felix: The Undecided Governor
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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.
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.
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.’ ”
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.
Paul is in an impossible place.
Jerusalem and Rome were the centers of two very strong powers.
The Jewish faith and tradition went back some 2,000 years to Abraham.
The rule of Rome extended over 3 million square miles.
Jerusalem’s strength was their history and tradition.
Rome’s strength was in their conquest and organization.
Squarely in the middle was Paul with no human hope of survival.
1. The case against Paul.
1. The case against Paul.
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.
Some important things to note.
Ananias showed up.
He was looking for revenge.
Paul had insulted him.
The plot to kill Paul that he was a part of failed.
Ananias hired a lawyer.
Tertullus started by throwing an abundant amount of praise on Felix.
He tries to capture the judges good will.
This is sickening.
Felix has squashed several insurrections quite violently. - not something the Jews should be thanking him for.
(1) A. He was a pest.
(1) A. He was a pest.
The is a crazy way to start the argument.
He was a pest.
An annoyance.
We just don’t really like him.
But here is how he is a pest.
(1) B. He was inciting riots.
(1) B. He was inciting riots.
An agitator.
This was a political charge.
What Paul supposedly did against Jewish law was really no concern to the Romans.
But stirring up political issues in the empire was a different story.
One who created dissension in Jerusalem and around the world would be a concern to the Romans.
Felix was known for ruthlessly squashing insurrection.
(1) C. The ringleader of the sect of Nazarenes.
(1) C. The ringleader of the sect of Nazarenes.
The church was being portrayed as a trouble maker.
One who went against the laws of the land.
A group of people that were out of touch with reality.
And Paul was the ringleader.
He’s the one that is filling this cult full of nonsense.
(1) D. He attempted to desecrate the temple.
(1) D. He attempted to desecrate the temple.
The claimed Paul brought Gentiles into the temple.
This was a dangerous charge because the Romand had given the Jews wide powers when dealing with the temple.
Tertullus tells a couple of lies.
“We seized him.”
The Jews tried to kill Paul.
“The commander Lysias took him with great violence out of our hands.”
The commander used force for a different reason.
2. Paul’s own defense.
2. Paul’s own defense.
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.
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.’ ”
Never forget that enemies of Christ will always present things far from the truth to make their point.
Also notice Paul’s opening statement...
You have been a governor for a long time.
I know Rome. I hope you will listen to me.
(2) A. He was only in Jerusalem for twelve days.
(2) A. He was only in Jerusalem for twelve days.
He could not have been a trouble maker. He wasn’t there long enough.
He couldn’t have talked to enough people to stir up the trouble they were accusing him of.
Not only that… there is a reason he was in Jerusalem.
Not only that… but Paul came to Jerusalem to BRING MONEY!!
(2) B. They did not find Paul causing problems in the synagogue or the city.
(2) B. They did not find Paul causing problems in the synagogue or the city.
It was a lie.
He was there to carry out Jewish law - cleansing himself.
I was following Jewish law.
I was honoring the customs of my people.
(2) C. He worshiped the God of his fathers and did not go against the law.
(2) C. He worshiped the God of his fathers and did not go against the law.
He does not deny his participation in the Nazarene sect.
He is not denying he is part of the church.
He never claims to be the ringleader.
This was not a rebellious sect.
(2) D. His accusers were not present.
(2) D. His accusers were not present.
This was a serious breach of Roman law.
Ananias was not the original accuser.
3. The case against Felix.
3. The case against Felix.
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 found no reason to convict Paul BUT he also wanted to keep Paul to gain favor with the Jews.
Also, we know the he was hoping for a bribe.
So he postponed the trial until Lysius could come.
Felix was undecided.
So Paul is put under house arrest.
Paul had some freedom.
Friends could come and go and care for him.
This was at least two years.
Paul’s confinement did not hinder the gospel.
During this time (two years) Felix has conversations with Paul several times.
NOTE: Felix was familiar with THE WAY.
Felix had a Jewish wife.
Felix talked often with Paul.
(3) A. Righteousness Felix did not possess.
(3) A. Righteousness Felix did not possess.
God is righteous. Man is not.
Righteousness: to be morally right or justifiable.
BIBLICAL DEF: acting in accord with the divine or moral law.
People are not naturally good.
This is the problem with the world!!
The world is unrighteous.
This is the reason Christ came.
We were unrighteous.
We cannot clearly share the gospel if we do not point people to the righteousness of God and the unrighteousness of man.
6 But we are all like an unclean thing,
And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags;
We all fade as a leaf,
And our iniquities, like the wind,
Have taken us away.
Do we see ourselves as God sees us?
Brad Stille - jumping off the Sleeping Bear Dunes to get to Wisconsin.
Paul put a fear of God in Felix.
10 As it is written:
“There is none righteous, no, not one;
(3). B. Temperance Felix did not exercise.
(3). B. Temperance Felix did not exercise.
Felix had multiple marriages.
He took bribes.
He acted in anger.
Really he was an adulterer, a thief, and a murderer.
He allowed his greed and pride to control his life.
Knowing Paul was innocent he kept him detained to gain favor with the Jews.
Temperance is a fruit of the Spirit.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Felix quite likely thought he was doing ok.
Paul was proving the fruit of his life was not of the Spirit.
(3) C. Judgement Felix could not avoid.
(3) C. Judgement Felix could not avoid.
Felix was afraid and send Paul away until a more convenient time.
Felix was convicted.
But the conviction was followed by greed.
Felix may have been living a the life he wanted at the time, but judgement was coming.
There will never be a convenient time to follow Christ.
Following Christ is not about convenience.
Not about adding Christ to your life.
But becoming a new creature in Him.
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
Learning from Paul’s witness to Felix.
Learning from Paul’s witness to Felix.
1. Paul started with the righteousness of God.
1. Paul started with the righteousness of God.
2. That revealed that Felix had fallen short of God’s righteousness.
2. That revealed that Felix had fallen short of God’s righteousness.
3. Paul ended with the judgement that was to come because of unrighteousness.
3. Paul ended with the judgement that was to come because of unrighteousness.
Surely Felix was the reason Paul was under house arrest for two years.
Paul’s desire to go to Rome is miraculously fulfilled by God.
The Great Macedonian call was only to a small ladies prayer meeting.
THIS MAN who comes to Paul many times in two years MUST be the reason!!
YET...A man who was familiar with Christianity yet still rejects Christ.
Don’t mess around with Christ.
Today: choose who you will serve.
So, what in the world was the purpose of this house arrest for two years.
Think of the things God taught Paul as he reasoned with Felix.
Also, in Paul’s “spare time” he wrote letters to christians.
we call them the prison epistles.
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
Philemon