paul’s third defense speech before felix acts 24:1-27biblestudyworkshop.com/download/new/acts/acts...

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Commentary, Questions and Answers by John C. Sewell

Landmark Publications, Inc., P.O. Box 160018, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.

PAUL’S THIRD DEFENSE

SPEECH BEFORE FELIX

ACTS 24:1-27




PAUL’S THIRD DEFENSE

SPEECH BEFORE FELIX

Text: Acts 24:1-27, 1. Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor. 2. When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. 3. Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. 4. But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly. 5. “We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect 6. and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. [7.] (But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, (AKJV)) 8. By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.” 9. The other Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true.




10. When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: “I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense. 11. You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12. My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. 13. And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me. 14. However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, 15. and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16. So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. 17. “After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings. 18. I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance. 19. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me. 20. Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin—




21. unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’” 22. Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.” 23. He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs. 24. Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25. As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” 26. At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. 27. When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison. (NIV) Commentary: Acts 24:1, 2a, Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor. When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: (NIV)




I. Five days from the time Paul left Jerusalem or arrived in Caesarea, circa 58 A.D., Ananias, the high priest, and certain elders arrived to prosecute Paul, file formal charges.

A. They were filled with hatred for Paul and wasted no time in pressing their case.

B. They brought a certain orator, lawyer, spokeman with them to present their case by the name of Tertullus.

C. They informed Governor Felix against Paul; that is, entered a formal indictment against him.

D. Tertullus then began to accuse Paul.

Acts 24b, 3, “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. (NIV) I. Tertullus flattered Felix, although not necessarily sincerely nor factually, by saying: . . .

A. We enjoy much peace by your governorship, . . .

B. By your providence evils are corrected for the Jewish nation, and . . .

1. Felix had defeated the Egyptian false prophet.




a. Acts 21:38, “Aren’t you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the wilderness some time ago?” (NIV)

2. “Felix,” John Wesley wrote, “was a man of the most infamous character, and a plague to all the provinces over which he presided.”

C. We accept all you have done for us, Governor Felix, with gratitude.

Acts 24:4, But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly. (NIV) I. Tertullus further said to Felix: . . .

A. I don’t intend to be unnecessarily tedious in my presentation.

1. Tertullus assured Felix he had many things to say, but would restrain himself and keep his speech, presentation short.

B. I beg you to graciously hear a few words from us.

II. Felix showed clemency to Paul in regard to permitting him indulgences and ready access to all his friends who would minister to him. Acts 24:5-8, “We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over




the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. (But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, (AKJV)) By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.” (NIV) I. We have found Paul to be a: . . .

A. pestilent fellow, troublemaker, . . .

1. Do we put all pests in jail? This is not to suggest Paul was a pest.

2. This is a very general, non-specific charge.

B. mover of insurrection among all the Jews throughout the world, . . .

1. This was a general non-specific charge also having nothing to do with Paul’s conduct in Jerusalem.

C. ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, and . . .

1. This is a specific charge.

2. Christianity is no sect; however, had it not been for Paul it might have been a division of Judaism. 3. This is the only place in the Bible in which disciples are called Nazarenes.




D. person who tried to profane the temple.

1. Again no specifics are given as to how Paul tried to profane the temple. This is a blatant false charge!

2. The charge was changed from, “He profaned the temple” to “he tried to profane the temple.”

II. We Jews laid hold on Paul.

A. When you examine him you will see that these charges, accusations are accurate.

B. McGarvey believed the examination here suggested by Tertullus was scourging.

III. Tertullus said they would have examined Paul themselves had the chief captain not taken Paul from their hands.

A. It is said that Claudius Lysias used great violence, excessive force in removing Paul from their control.

1. Great force was needed and used, but it was necessary and appropriate.

2. “Shame on you, Chief Captain. You kept us from killing Paul.”

B. Claudius Lysias also directed us to bring our prosecutorial charges to you.




Acts 24:9, The other Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true. (NIV) I. All the Jews with Ananias joined Tertullus affirming that these charges were true.

A. This might well have intimidated a wicked political jurist such as Felix.

Acts 24:10, When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: “I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense. (NIV) I. Felix then gave Paul the opportunity to speak in his own defense.

A. Luke 21:15, For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. (NIV)

II. Paul said, . . .

A. I know you have been a judge over Israel for many years.

1. Felix had held other judicial appointments before he became procurator.

2. By 58 A.D. Felix had been procurator six (6) years.

B. I, therefore, am pleased to make my defense.




Acts 24:11, You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. (NIV) I. As you can determine, I arrived in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago.

A. “You are too smart to believe I did all the things of which I am charged,” Paul told Felix, “in just twelve (12) days, on five (5) of which I was in jail in Caesaria.

B. The only charge of interest to a Roman judge was the one dealing with insurrection.

C. Felix well knew that, if Paul were trying to incite a riot, Paul’s accusers would have been totally in favor of it.

D. The accuser provided no proof that Paul was an insurrectionist.

II. The twelve days appear to cover the period from Paul’s arrival in Jerusalem to his arrival in Caesarea.

A. Day 1: Paul arrived in Jerusalem.

B. Day 2: Paul visited with James.

C. Days 3-9: The days of the purification process.

D. Days 9 continued: Attack on Paul in the temple court.

E. Day 10: Paul before the Sanhedrin.




F. Day 11: Plot to kill Paul discovered.

G. Day 12: Paul transferred to Caesarea. (Dennis Gaertner, Acts, The College Press IV Commentary, page 371.)

Acts 24:12, My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. (NIV) I. I did not, in the temple, in the synagogues or in the city of Jerusalem, . . .

A. dispute with anyone, start an argument with anybody, or . . .

B. stir up, agitate, cause trouble among the people, crowd.

Acts 24:13, And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me. (NIV) I. They cannot prove the charges they have made against me! A. So much for these insurrection charges! Acts 24:14, However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, (NIV) I. I confess I: . . .




A. after the way they call a sect serve the God of our fathers, and . . .

1. The Way of righteousness, the Way to eternal life.

a. Acts 9:2, and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. (NIV)

b. Acts 16:17, 25, She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. (NIV)

c. Acts 18:26, He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. (NIV)

d. Acts 29:9, 23, But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. (NIV)




e. Acts 20:4, He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia. (NIV)

f. Acts 24:14, 22, However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.” (NIV)

2. Christianity has never been a sect. Tertullus was simply appealing to emotion and prejudice.

3. I worship the God of my people, nation and am, therefore, in compliance with Roman law which allows worship of national deities, Paul contended.

B. believe all things that are written in the law of Moses and in the prophets.

1. The Old Testament foretold Christ, the Messiah.




2. Paul said he believed all the law and prophets said about everything.

3. The New Testament is the fulfillment of the Old Testament,

Acts 24:15, and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. (NIV) I. Paul further said, . . .

A. I have hope toward God just as do my accusers . . .

B. That there will be a resurrection of both the just and unjust.

1. Philippians 3:20, 21, But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. (NIV)

2. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we




who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. (NIV)

3. Jesus had been resurrected, the center stone of the faith!

II. Paul saw Christianity as the fulfillment of Judaism! Acts 24:16, So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. (NIV) I. Because of this I have a clear conscience toward God and men always.

A. Paul repeatedly asserted that he had done his best all his life to do what he believed God wanted him to do.

B. Paul, therefore, could say he had always lived in all good conscience . . .

1. toward God, and . . .

2. toward men.




Acts 24:17, 18a, “After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings. I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. (NIV) I. Paul continued: . . .

A. After a number of years I (Paul) returned to Jerusalem to bring alms and offerings to my nation’s poor.

1. These people clearly did not appreciate the gifts Paul brought.

2. His purpose in coming to Jerusalem was to bring help for the poor.

3. Paul had collected these funds from Gentile Christians to cement Jewish-Gentile relationships.

B. They (my accusers) found me in the temple, . . .

1. purified, observing the provisions of the law, . . .

2. with no crowd, and . . .

3. with no tumult.

Acts 24:18b, 19, There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before




you and bring charges if they have anything against me. (NIV) I. Paul further said: . . .

A. Certain Jews from Asia were there in the temple and caused all the trouble.

1. Acts 21:27-29, When the seven days were nearly over, some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul at the temple. They stirred up the whole crowd and seized him, shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.” (They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.) (NIV)

B. They should be here to present their case if they have accusations to make against me.

1. These Asian Jews had absconded!

2. This left Ananias and his crowd “out on a limb” without supporting witnesses.

II. Paul’s accusers wanted to have him convicted as an insurrectionist whereas their real purpose was to get rid of him as the greatest preacher of the gospel to the Gentile world!




Acts 24:20, 21, Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin—unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’” (NIV) I. In the absence of Asian Jews, let these who have come say what wrong I did when I stood before the council.

A. Paul did no wrong before the council.

B. His enemies caused the ruckus. II. It could only be that I declared while standing among them, . . .

A. “touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question before you this day.”

B. Paul showed his adversaries were moved by party jealousy. (McGarvey via Coffman).

III. This was the end of this trial! The Jewish religious leaders had been silenced. Acts 24:22, Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.” (NIV) I. Felix: . . .




A. having more exact knowledge of the Way, . . .

1. Cornelus the centurian was in Caesarea as were: . . .

2. Philip and his four daughters who were prophetesses and . . .

3. other influential Christians must have lived there as well.

B. postponed his decision, took the case under advisement saying, . .

C. “when Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will determine, decide your matter.”

1. This was simply a delaying tactic.

2. When did the chief captain arrive in Caesaria?

II. The charges against Paul were clearly unjustified.

A. Felix should have freed him on the spot, but: . . .

1. then the Jews would have resumed their efforts to kill him, and . . .

B. freeing Paul was not the politically expedient thing to do.

Acts 24:23, He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs. (NIV)




I. Paul was remanded to the local centurian who: . . .

A. was ordered to keep Paul in military custody and . . .

1. perhaps Paul was bound with a long chain to an officer. (Jacobson via DeWelt via Coffman).

B. to give him indulgence and not to forbid any of his friends to minister unto him.

1. “Indulgence” was then a medical term referring to remission or cessation of pain or disease which shows Luke’s use of terms familiar to him as a physician.

2. Paul’s friends would have to supply his needs because Rome did not feed and clothe its prisoners.

Acts 24:24, Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. (NIV) I. Sometime later: . . .

A. Felix came with his wife Drusilla, a Jewess.

1. Drusilla was a “sensuously beautiful” woman, a descendant of Herod the Great and the youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa I. She was at this time not yet twenty years of age. Her marriage to Felix was her second marriage. Drusilla was Felix’s third wife.




B. Felix sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.

C. Did Drusilla, a Jewess, influence Felix to retain Paul in custody?

Acts 24:25, As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” (NIV) I. Paul spoke, reasoned with Felix about: . . .

A. righteousness, . . .

1. Felix was very unrighteous.

B. self-control, and . . .

1. Felix lacked self control.

C. judgment to come.

1. Felix was certainly not ready for the coming judgment.

2. Hebrews 6:2, instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. (NIV)




3. Matthew 25:31, “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. (NIV)

II. Felix was terrified!

A. The true gospel makes sinners very uncomfortable.

B. Does today’s preaching strike fear, terror in the hearts of sinners? Why or why not?

III. Felix answered: . . .

A. Go thy way for this time.

B. When I have a more convenient season, I will call for you.

1. What are your priorities?

2. Procrastination in regard to matters of eternal consequences may be fatal.

3. 2 Corinthians 6:2, For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. (NIV)

4. Nothing of record indicates Felix ever found a “convenient season” to change his way of living. 5. Is there ever a convenient season to change our way of living?




Acts 24:26, At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. (NIV) I. Felix: . . .

A. hoped Paul would offer him a bribe.

1. Felix must have thought Paul could have raised from Christians a substantial amount of money.

2. A few denari would not have bought Paul’s freedom from greedy Felix.

B. In order to facilitate payment of a bribe, Felix sent for and communed, talked with Paul often.

1. Paul paid no bribe!

2. The giving of a bribe was as sinful as taking a bribe.

Acts 24:27, When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison. (NIV) I. Felix kept Paul imprisoned for two (2) years. II. Felix was then succeeded by Porcius Festus in circa 59 A.D.

A. The occasion of Felix’s removal from office was civil strife in Caesarea between Jews and Gentiles in which Felix’s troop intervention led to the deaths of many Jews.




III. Felix left Paul in prison because he wanted to gain favor with the Jews.

A. The Bezan text reads, “for the sake of Drusilla.”




Questions

on

Acts 24:1-27

1. If you were on trial would you expect the prosecution to tell the truth and be fair? ___________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. What charges did Tertullus bring against Paul? _____________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. How sincere and accurate were Tertullus’ opening statements? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 4. How did Felix show clemency to Paul? ____________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 5. What proof did Paul’s accusers present to Felix in support of their charges? _________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 6. How was Paul able to present such an effective defense on very short notice? ______________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 7. Give three (3) reasons Felix must have known that the charge that Paul was an insurrectionist was obviously false. ___________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 8. How did Paul respond to the insurrection charge? __________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 9. Did Paul confess to violating Roman law by worshiping the God of his fathers according to the way the Jews called a sect? Explain your answer. ____________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 10. _____________________ saw _______________________ as the _____________________ of _______________________. 11. How could Paul say he had always lived so as not to offend his conscience? Is conscience a safe guide? Explain. _________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 12. Why did Paul return to Jerusalem and how did he conduct himself there prior to the Asian Jews inciting a riot? ___________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 13. What was accomplished by Paul’s taking alms to Jerusalem?_




_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 14. The Jews were trying to have Paul convicted of _______________________. What they really wanted was to get rid of him as the most formidable _______________________ of the _______________________ to the ____________________. 15. How did Paul silence his accusers and bring the hearing to a conclusion? ___________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 16. What would have happened if Felix had, at the end of Paul’s defensive speech, set him free? This is an opinion question. ____ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 17. How important is it to have the right judges? What can today’s Christians do to help appoint fair and righteous judges?__ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




__________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 18. Why did Felix not set Paul free at this time? Give two or more reasons, excuses. _________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 19. When Paul reasoned with Felix and Drusilla what topics did he cover, what was Felix’s reaction and what was his decision? ____ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 20. Why did Felix leave Paul in custody during the remainder of his term of office and then turn him over to Festus as a prisoner? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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