One Year Journey Through the New Testament
Acts 24
Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!
Accused of Sedition
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.
(Acts 24:1–9, NKJV)
Points to Ponder:
- After Paul was put under house arrest in Caesarea, Ananias and the elders of the Jewish faith came to present charges against Paul.
- They offered praise to Felix, and then accused Paul of sedition and division, calling Christians a Jewish sect, the Nazarenes. They then accused him of defiling the temple.
- They made it clear that they thought Felix would understand their concerns and execute justice for them.
The Defense Before Felix
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.’ ”
(Acts 24:10–21, NKJV)
Points to Ponder:
- Governor Felix gave Paul a chance to respond. He offered a timeline of his actions over the last twelve days, and denied that he profaned the temple or disputed in the marketplaces. He had been a model Jew, but a follower of the Way.
- He said that he was in Jerusalem to celebrate the feast and was purified in the temple according to the law. He stated that he felt he was simply before Felix because he believed in the resurrection of the dead.
Felix Procrastinates
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. (Acts 24:22–27, NKJV)
Points to Ponder:
- Felix adjourned for the day, and said he would offer judgement after the commander Lysias came to discuss the case with him.
- Paul continued under house arrest, able to entertain friends and have certain liberties.
- After a few days, Felix and his wife sent for Paul, who discussed his faith in Christ and the need for holy living. Felix became fearful and sent Paul away until “a convenient time.”
- Felix hoped that Paul would offer him a bribe, which did not happen. However, Felix also called for Paul often and heard about Jesus.
- Felix left his position two years later, but left Paul incarcerated in order to do the Jews a favor. Porcius Festus was now the new governor.
- Paul was in a pause in his ministry abroad, but still found ways to witness, as seen in his relationship with Felix.
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All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.
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Devoted To You 