Welcome to Acts 24, the study where we continue our story in Acts. I’m so glad you’re here. This time, accusations and flattery and defense. Also, very little change in location. Enjoy.
Let’s pray:
Lord Jesus, this book is so exciting and it continues here with Paul in Caesarea now and so much happening. I know in all things You are in control, Lord, so I’m asking for peace and comfort about his remaining where he starts in this chapter. All of it is Your will, even today in my life, so Lord, I ask, help me understand that all things work for my good and You have all the control. In Your Name and for Your glory, I pray. Amen.
Please read Acts 24:1-2a.
Paul before Felix
1 Five days later, the high priest Ananias came down [from Jerusalem to Caesarea] with some elders and an attorney named Tertullus [acting as spokesman and counsel]. They presented to the governor their [formal] charges against Paul. 2 After Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began the complaint [against him], saying to the governor:
Remember, who is this Ananias? Remember Tertullus?
Please read Acts 24:2b-4
Flattery
“Since through you we have attained great peace, and since by your foresight reforms are being carried out for this nation, 3 in every way and in every place, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude. 4 But so that I do not weary you further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing.”
Sickening flattery I suspect. Really was all that Felix’s doing? Unlikely. Can you hear the oil of flattery dripping here?
Please read Acts 24:5-9
Accusations
5 “For we have found this man to be a public menace and one who [a]instigates dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the [heretical] [b]sect of the Nazarenes. 6 He even tried to desecrate the temple, but we took him into custody [c][and we intended to judge him by our Law, 7 but Lysias the commander came, and with great force took him out of our hands, 8 and ordered his accusers to come before you.] By interrogating him yourself concerning all these matters you will be able to determine [the truth about] these things with which we charge him.” 9 The Jews also joined in the attack, declaring and insisting that these things were so.
Throwing the questioning back to Felix. I wonder what really bothered them about Paul’s faith. Still, a little insight into how the commander rescued Paul a few chapters ago.
Please read Acts 24:10-13
Defense
10 When the governor nodded for him to speak, Paul answered,
“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I make my defense cheerfully and with good courage. 11 As you can easily verify, it has been no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor elsewhere in the city did they find me carrying on a discussion or disputing with anybody or causing a crowd to gather. 13 Nor can they present evidence to you to prove what they now bring against me.
After those accusations Paul is still cheerful? Wow. Most definitely God is with him. Because Jesus, when Jesus is present there is Joy, all kinds of Joy. And peace and love and kindness and goodness and all the other wonderful things you might think of.
Please read Acts 24:14-16
14 But I confess this to you, that according to [d]the Way, which they call a [divisive and heretical] sect, I do worship and serve the God of our fathers, [confidently] believing everything that is in accordance with the Law [of Moses] and that is written in the Prophets; 15 having [the same] hope in God which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of [the dead], both of the righteous and of the wicked. 16 In view of this, I also do my best and strive always to have a clear conscience before God and before men.
The Way. Yep, Jesus Himself is the Way so why not be called The Way. Too bad none of them understood exactly what The Way meant and preferred to stay where they were in belief.
“There shall certainly be a resurrection of [the dead], both of the righteous and of the wicked.” That is a reason to ‘strive always to have a clear conscience before God and others.’
Please read Acts 24:17-21
17 Now after several years I came [to Jerusalem] to bring to my people charitable contributions and offerings. 18 They found me in the temple presenting these offerings, after I had undergone [the rites of] purification, without any crowd or uproar. But there were some Jews from [the west coast province of] Asia [Minor], 19 who ought to have been here before you to present their charges, if they have anything against me. 20 Or else let these men tell what crime they found [me guilty of] when I stood before the Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court), 21 other than for this one statement which I had shouted out as I stood among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.’”
So many didn’t believe in the resurrection. Count yourself fortunate if you have faith in Jesus because if you do, you have every reason to believe in resurrection.
Please read Acts 24:22-23
22 But Felix, having a rather accurate understanding about the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he ordered the centurion to keep Paul in custody, but to let him have some freedom, and [he told the centurion] not to stop any of his friends from providing for his needs.
Isn’t that kind? To let him have some freedom and let his friends provide for him, likely food, company, paper, something to write with. Mostly friendship though. God is so good. He works in everyone, not just His people. Though the unbelievers don’t realize what He’s doing. And being as the Spirit can be ‘quenched’ it’s also pretty easy for them, and us, to do whatever we want to when we want to do it. But as believers, we should listen and pay attention to do what He’s leading us to do.
Please read Acts 24:24-27
24 Several days later Felix came with his wife [e]Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him talk about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control [honorable behavior, personal integrity], and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for now, and when I find [a convenient] time I will send for you.” 26 At the same time he was also hoping to get money from Paul [as a bribe]; so he continued to send for him quite often and talked with him. 27 But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded [in office] by [f]Porcius Festus; and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.
Honorable behavior and personal integrity. Do you think Felix was frightened by the coming judgment? Are you? You can count on Jesus and what He’s done for you.
I was homeschooling my daughter today and this week’s focus is on humility and this verse was there for that. Zephaniah 2:3
Seek the Lord
[search diligently for Him and regard Him as the foremost necessity of your life],
All you humble of the land
Who have practiced His ordinances and have kept His commandments;
Seek righteousness, seek humility [regard them as vital].
Perhaps you will be hidden [and pardoned and rescued]
In the day of the Lord’s anger.
And it felt like we should really meditate on this one. How do you do with diligently seeking Him? Is He your greatest necessity? Are righteousness and humility vital to you? Thank the Lord Jesus for His righteousness and His deliverance; His forgiveness and His rescue.
Lord, it’s not true freedom that Paul was given at this point, maybe not again in his life, but that measure of freedom he was given, for his friends to have access to him, Lord, I trust that his friends were there for him. And I pray, that we would have friends helping us if ever we were in such a kind of position, not so much jail, but also not truly free from whatever our lives contain. Friends, Lord. Help us all to have and be friends. In Your Name I pray. Amen.
Footnotes
[a] Acts 24:5 instigates dissension – Inciting rebellion was a serious crime under Roman law.
[b] Acts 24:5 sect of the Nazarenes – The Romans had forbidden the establishment of any new religion.
[c] Acts 24:6 Early mss do not contain the remainder of v 6, v 7, nor the first part of v 8.
[d] Acts 24:14 the Way – See note 9:2. Paul was probably referring to Jesus Himself.
[e] Acts 24:24 Drusilla – Youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa I.
[f] Acts 24:27 Porcius Festus – Festus served about two years as governor (procurator). He was regarded as a fairly capable governor, superior to both his predecessor and his successor.