A. Charges made against Paul 24:1-9
1. high-powered delegation v. 1
· Ananias, the high priest, a Sadducee
· Other members of the Sanhedrin, probably also Sadducees
· Tertullus, a hired man skilled in Roman law and oratory, perhaps a Roman
2. Opening remarks vv. 2-4
· Flowery panegyric
· Designed to impress, not necessarily tell the truth
It was the hypocrisy, the deception, the preoccupation with the polish of the presentation rather than the accuracy of subject that finally turned St. Augustine’s stomach and encouraged him to leave the field of rhetoric.
· Not even close to reality! Violence was increasing, any reforms were for Felix’s benefit, the population resented his harsh and corrupt practices.
Antonius Felix, indulging in every kind of barbarity and lust, exercised the power of a king in the spirit of a slave. Tacitus, History, V.9
3. The specific charges vv. 5-8
accused of sedition – An illegal action inciting resistance to lawful authority and tending to cause the disruption or overthrow of the government.
· plague or pest – literally one who spreads a pestilence; in so doing endangers the public welfare
· agitator – one who stirs up others to riot
· ringleader – of the contemptible group of Jews called Nazarenes
· desecrator – lit. one who crossed the threshold, implied unlawfully
· Assertions but no evidence given to substantiate the claims; allegations were not presented from the perspective of an eyewitness
B. Paul’s apology before Felix 24:10-21
1. a respectful and reasoned defense v.10
· restrained address to Felix
· just the facts – both about the governor AND Paul
· served to establish Paul’s credibility with Felix
2. talking points vv. 11-13, 18-20
· his itinerary – could easily be confirmed by local witnesses
Paul and his traveling companions spent several days at the home of Philip, the evangelist, on their way to Jerusalem.
· the absence of hard evidence/witnesses
Ananias had not brought witnesses who observed what really took place in the temple (Jews from the province of Asia) nor did the subject of the resurrection come up in the charges brought against Paul.
· his conduct
His behavior was unimpeachable; he caused no disturbance, he led no insurrection, his conduct in the temple was according to the law and temple regulations.
3. character insight vv. 14-17, 21
· his religious convictions
Paul’s purpose/intent was to keep the law, not violate it in any way. Additionally he was a religious man whose convictions would not permit him to engage in the sort of activities of which he was accused.
· his purpose in Jerusalem
· attention to detail
C. A private audience 24:22-27
Drusilla – daughter of Agrippa I, sister to Mariamne, Bernice, & Agrippa II (Acts 25). Married at 14, abandoned her first husband, married Felix at 18, a couple of years prior to this scene in Caesarea.
1. delaying tactics v. 22
· Felix adjourned the trial
· he knew enough about the religious aspects to make a judgment
Early on Philip had settled in Caesarea, a city of 125,000 (twice the population of Portland, ME but on 1/10 the land area), following his ministry in Samaria and encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch. Peter was later summoned to Caesarea by Cornelius; during his visit the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Gentiles there. There had been a Christian community there for probably 15 years. It would have been a simple task for Felix to gather some information about the Christian faith but he might not have had ready access to the finer points of doctrine.
· he “claimed” to need further information from Lysias; there is no record of Claudius Lysias ever traveling to Caesarea for that purpose.
· still no legal justification for keeping Paul incarcerated; in fact, Luke’s take on the reason for Paul’s extended confinement is that Felix wished to use Paul for his own advantage.
A conflict between Jews and Syrians in Caesarea over the issue of civil rights had turned nasty; Felix had treated the Jews very harshly and they had appealed to Rome. He was hopeful leaving Paul in prison would buy him points with the complaining Jews. It was only because his brother Pallas was a court favorite that Felix got out of this jam with his life.
2. ministry headquarters v. 23
· confined freedom – sort of a house arrest arrangement; Paul’s movements were restricted but he was allowed to occupy his time however he wished.
· freedom of access by any who wished to visit Paul and bring him supplies
· perhaps the opportunity Luke used to write his Gospel and begin Volume 2; he would have had access to Philip and other witnesses of what had taken place
3. private hearing vv. 24-25
· requested Paul to elaborate on a specific subject – the faith in Christ Jesus
· Paul “dialoged” on faith as reality, not intellectual exercise
· real faith is seen in:
righteousness – just actions
self-control or temperance
· real faith will stand in the judgment – a source of comfort for the godly, fear for the ungodly ( cf Psa_1:5 )
4. seeking the wrong treasure vv. 26-27
· material goods – he was hoping for a bribe to secure Paul’s release from prison.
He likely picked up on Paul’s remark that he had gone up to Jerusalem to bring “charitable gifts” (ἐλεημοσύνη eleēmosunē, alms or donations for the poor ) to his people. Felix could have expected that Paul had additional resources or contacts who could be tapped to provide money for the payoff.
· praise of men
Felix was most concerned with his position and maintaining it in the face of Jewish opposition. Anything that would gain him an advantage, that would quiet them down, would be acceptable. In this, he followed the same path as Pilate who handed Jesus over for crucifixion in order to prevent a riot.
· intellectual advantages
It is plain from Felix’s response to the first interview with Paul – he trembled in fear, but only for a time – he was not interested in “faith in Christ” as a spiritual matter but an intellectual exercise. In fact, he recoiled from personal application of spiritual principles embodied in the Christian faith.
He trembled for the hour, and the conscience hardened again! like the thaw made by the sun on the frost which freezes again at night. Hawker
D. Important witnessing reminders
1. respect for authority
Paul did not respond in an obsequious way (attempting to win favor by flattery) nor was he disrespectful. He spoke the truth as he knew it in a non-inflammatory way, plainly and firmly yet gently.
2. keen application of biblical truth
Paul had spent “many days” ( Act_21:10 ) in Caesarea on his way to Jerusalem; he would probably have been informed of Felix’s governing style, might have even observed or experienced it. That would have prepared him to respond in a personal way to Felix’s questions, to go beyond the questions to life issues that needed correction.
3. winsome conversation (winsome: sweetly charming, engaging)
conversation that expresses what we believe and stand for, not simply what we can’t stand and stuff that is wrong with our society. We should be known more for loving Christ than for hating _______ .
“Over the past week, I have been working with a young man under the age of 21 who grew up without a father in his life. He has four kids by four different women from three different states. We began talking about kids, family, and marriage, at which point he told me, “It’s against my religion to get married. I just cannot do that.” So I asked him, “So what is your religion, then?” He told me that one day is he going to settle down and start going to church, especially since the ladies he has been meeting appear to be faithful church attenders.
One thing I noticed was a shiny silver cross on his necklace. So I asked him, “What does that cross mean to you?” He replied, “It represents Christianity.” I queried further. “So it is just a symbol or does it have any personal meaning to you?” Stumped, he returned with a question of his own. “I don’t know. Is it supposed to mean more than a symbol?”
I told him that the cross was an old form of execution that was one of the bloodiest, more gory means of death. Hands and feet where crushed and pierced by nails, driven with hammers; blood poured from all four extremities of the body; pressing up to breathe caused even further pain as the person would gasp for air to keep from suffocating. If necessary, their legs would be broken to prevent further attempts of getting air, and the person would eventually pass out and die. A long, painful, bloody spectacle was the cross before a watching crowd. The cross is not covered in sterling silver but crimson blood; indeed, the cross is the symbol of death.”
http://timmybrister.com/2008/03/06/the-cross-isnt-sexy-a-dying-mans-confession/
Contrary to Felix’s recoiling in fear from the topic of the judgment while cavalierly pursuing a personal habit of injustices, we have a great consolation.
Blessed Lord Jesus! how sweet to the souls of all thy redeemed ones, is the recollection that thou art judge of quick and dead! And amidst all the unjust decisions, and painful perversions, thy people are not unfrequently brought under, in the present time-state of the Church, the thought of thy righteous judgment brings relief to every case. He that is the believer’s judge is in the same moment his advocate and brother. He will vindicate the cause of his people, and finally and fully restore perfect order among all the works of God. Hawker
