The Book of Acts Chapter 24

Paul’s Trial Before Felix Acts 24:1-27

24:1 And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. 2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, 3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. 5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: 6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law. 7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, 8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him. 9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.

A. Accusation

5 days after Paul had arrived in Caesarea, the High Priest and many elders of the Jews attend the trial of Paul and have brought with them an orator named Tertullus. This fellow Tertullus was well learned in how to present a case in flattering terms and with excellency of speech. Tertullus will become the prosecutor of Paul before the Governor.

Right out of the gate at the trial, Tertullus flatters Governor Felix to the point of calling him a peacemaker, yet actually Felix was really a man known for his cruelty and wrath. Tertullus begins to present falsehoods about Paul, hoping to discredit and then to destroy Paul. Tertullus accused Paul of being a ringleader of sedition against Rome, when actually it was the Jews themselves that were stirring up riots and not Paul and his Christian faith. Tertullus accused Paul of sectarianism and references Paul as the leader of the “sect” of Christian faith which the Jews believe is an heresy. Tertullus accused Paul of sacrilege and testified that Paul has profaned the Temple of the Jews and pointed out that this was true because Paul was taken in the Temple. Tertullus then lied and says that the chief captain stepped in with great violence and stopped the action of righteous men and took Paul away and made us come to the Governor for a trial that is needless and senseless.

All of the Jews that were present with Tertullus asserted that the words of Tertullus were true. Yet, truthfully The Lord knew all these words were all lies. If the chief captain had not stepped in to stop these murderous men, they would have killed Paul without justice and without mercy. But Praise God, God is in control and Paul was spared and know he is being falsely accused.

10 Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself: 11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. 12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: 13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.

B. Account

When Tertullus was finished with his opening remarks and presentation of facts according to his side of the story, the Governor allowed Paul to speak in his own defense. Paul would speak sincerely and in contrast to the words of flattery that his prosecutor had used.

Paul stated that Governor Felix, being a ruler of that nation for many years, no doubt knew of those which were Paul’s accusers. Paul had come to Jerusalem and was there for 12 days to worship. Those were 12 days of peace and orderly conduct.

We can retrace those days :

Day 1 - Acts 21:15-17 Paul’s arrival in Jerusalem

Day 2 - Acts 21:18 The day spent with James and elders of the Jewish church

Days 3-8- Acts 21:21-26 Six days spent in fulfilling a vow in the Temple

Day 9 - Acts 21:27-32 The last day at the Temple, Paul was rescued from the mob

Day 10 - Acts 22:30-23:10 Paul appears before the Sanhedrin

Day 11 - Acts 23:12-24 The Jews vowed to kill Paul & Paul was brought to Antipatris

Day 12 - Acts 23:33 Paul is brought to Caesarea to Felix

Paul’s purpose in mentioning the number of days was to show the improbability of Paul having time to do all the things he has been accused of. As well, Paul was not disputing with anyone at anytime and his accusers have no proof of anything they have accused him of.

14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: 15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. 17 Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. 18 Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. 19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me. 20 Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council, 21 Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.

C. Affirmation

Paul does confess that the way they call “heresy” is his belief in the law and prophets of God. Paul confessed to Felix that there is a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust (John 5:25-29). Paul professed that his conscience was clear before God and man and one of the reasons he came to Jerusalem was to bring alms to his nation for their relief. Paul asserts that he was in the Temple to worship and was in peace, minding his own business when certain Jews from Asia fell upon him and dragged him out of the Temple and they are not present to share with the Governor as to why they acted as such towards Paul. Furthermore Paul admits that he did stand before the Sanhedrin Council and when he spoke about the resurrection before the council a disturbance amongst their own council broke out.

22 And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. 23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.

D. Allowances

When Felix heard Paul’s testimony, he knew exactly about the resurrection Paul was talking about. In fact being the Governor of that region, Felix had heard much about “The Way”. The Way is Jesus! Felix probably had a more accurate knowledge about the happenings concerning Christianity than most, yet Felix himself was not a believer. Governor Felix also knew what a scoundrel the High Priest, Ananias was. But Felix did not want the Sanhedrin Court stirred up against hm so he took the easy way out. He simply deferred the case until he could speak to the chief captain, Claudius Lysias in person.

Felix commanded Paul to be kept by a centurion and allowed Paul to have the liberty of having friends to visit with him.

24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. 26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. 27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

A few days later, Felix and his wife Drusilla, because she was a Jew herself and wanted to hear more about Jesus, sent for Paul and wanted to hear him preach and testify concerning faith in Christ. Paul stood and began to preach.

1. Paul Preached Righteousness....our righteousness is filthy rags but the Righteousness of Jesus is flawless and we can have His righteousness when we repent.

Is 64:6 we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags

Rom 3:10 There is none righteous, no, not one:

Rom 3:23 all have sinned and come short of the glory of God

Ph 3:9 not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

2. Paul Preached Temperance....Self control is by Jesus Christ

Governor Felix became so infatuated by the beauty of a woman that he had taken a young lady named Drusilla away from his neighbor and was living in adultery with her. Felix was a man that had given over to his passions and ambitions both morally and politically.

3. Paul Preached Judgment... The judgment of God is coming

Paul was trying to preach to Felix that a few years of indulgence and pleasure in sin is no comparison to eternity. Paul wanted Felix and Drusilla to know they can evade the judgment of man but the judgment of God awaits all men. There is a hell to shun and heaven to gain. Jesus took our judgment on the cross when He died for our sins and in our place. For the believer our sin was judged at Calvary, to the lost your sin will be judged at the throne and forever you will be lost in the lake of fire. Why not repent?

Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment :

Ps 9:7 But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for

judgment . 8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.

Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Felix trembled under conviction, the moment of decision has arrived and eternity swings in the balance. But Felix replies “Some other time”, “No, not now”. Felix may have thought if I get saved I’ll have to set Paul free and I want to wait and see if someone will bribe me to let him go. Basically he put a price tag on the lapel of his soul and if he did not repent later, he eventually died and is in hell right now.

Note at the end of the chapter, 2 years have suddenly passed by, Paul is still bound in prison, and history tells us of a civil war that broke out between the Jews and the Romans. Felix stopped this war by cruelty and violence to the Jews. Felix would be called to Rome to give answer for the violence and Paul’s case was handed over to Festus. Paul was left bound by Felix in hopes that his legal blows from the violence to the Jews would be softened.