"ACTS OF THE APOSTLES" Chapter Twenty-Four OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER 1) To review the accusation of the Jews presented by Tertullus 2) To consider Paul's defense before Felix 3) To observe Felix's delay in rendering judgment of Paul SUMMARY The chief priest, elders and Tertullus, an orator, came from Jerusalem to Caesarea to make accusations and to provide evidence against Paul. Tertullus was an eloquent spokesman. He began by giving Felix great praise. He said, "We enjoy great peace. Prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight. We accept it...with all thankfulness." Next, he levied the charges against Paul. They found Paul to be a "plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world." They found him to be a "ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes" and he "tried to profane the temple." Tertullus reviewed the events at the temple. The Jews had seized Paul. They wanted to judge him according to their law; however, the Roman commander, Lysias, took Paul "with great violence" from them. Lysias took Paul to Felix and commanded the Jews to bring their accusations against Paul before him. The attending Jews agreed with Tertullus. (1-9) Paul was then given opportunity to provide his defense before Felix. Paul indicated that he was happy to speak for himself. He recognized Felix to have been a judge of the nation for many years. Paul reviewed the events as his defense to the Jewish accusations. He had gone up to Jerusalem to worship about twelve days prior. The Jews did not find Paul disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogue or in the city. Paul stated that they could not prove these accusations. He confessed that he worshipped God "according to the Way" - which they call a "sect." He believed all the things written in the Law and Prophets. Paul stated that he had "hope in God," just as they do, "that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust." As a result, he strove to have a "conscience without offense toward God and men." Paul had returned to Jerusalem after many years to bring alms and offerings to his nation. This was the time when some Jews from Asia (who had not come before Felix), found Paul "purified in the temple," and "neither with a mob nor with tumult." If they had an accusation against Paul, they should have come before Felix at this time. Paul asked those Jews present if they had found any wrongdoing in him, when he stood before the Sanhedrin council. The only statement that Paul thought they may have objected to was what he had cried out among them, "Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day." (10-21) Given that Felix had a "more accurate knowledge of the Way," he adjourned the proceedings. He stated that he would make a decision on the case when Lysias the commander came to Caesarea. Paul was held by the centurion, but was given liberties - his friends were allowed to visit him and provide for him. Later, Felix and his wife, Drusilla, called for Paul. Drusilla was Jewish. They heard Paul "concerning faith in Christ." Paul reasoned before them about "righteous, self-control, and the judgment to come." This caused Felix to become afraid. He sent Paul away; he indicated he would call for him at a more "convenient time." Felix hoped for a bribe from Paul to release him. Felix sent for him often. After two years, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix as governor. Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, so he "left Paul bound." (22-27) OUTLINE I. THE ACCUSERS ARRIVED AND ACCUSATIONS WERE MADE (1-9) A. THE CHIEF PRIEST, ELDERS AND TERTULLUS ARRIVED IN CAESAREA (1) 1. They came to provide evidence against Paul 2. Tertullus was brought as an orator 3. He was an eloquent spokesman B. TERTULLUS PRESENTED THE ACCUSATIONS (2-9) 1. Tertullus began by giving great praise to Felix a. "We enjoy great peace" b. "Prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight" c. "We accept it...with all thankfulness" 2. The charges were then levied against Paul a. They found Paul to be a "plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world" b. They found him to be a "ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes" c. He "tried to profane the temple" 3. Tertullus stated that the Roman commander, Lysias, took Paul with "great violence" from them a. The Jews had seized Paul b. They wanted to judge him according to their law c. The commander had taken Paul and had commanded them to appear before Felix to make their accusations 4. The attending Jews agreed with Tertullus' accusations II. PAUL GAVE HIS DEFENSE BEFORE FELIX (10-21) A. FELIX INDICATED FOR PAUL TO SPEAK (10) 1. Paul stated that he would defend himself 2. He recognized Felix to have been a judge of the nation for many years B. PAUL REVIEWED THE EVENTS AS HIS DEFENSE (11-21) 1. Paul had gone up to Jerusalem to worship about twelve days prior 2. They did not find Paul disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogue or in the city 3. Paul stated that they could not prove these accusations 4. He confessed that he worshipped God "according to the Way" - which they call a "sect" 5. He believed all the things written in the Law and Prophets 6. Paul stated that he had "hope in God," just as they do, "that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust" a. As a result, he strove to have a "conscience without offense toward God and men" 7. Paul had returned to Jerusalem after many years to bring alms and offerings to his nation a. This was the time when some Jews from Asia (who had not come before Felix), found Paul "purified in the temple," and "neither with a mob nor with tumult" b. If they had an accusation against Paul, they should have come before Felix at this time 8. Paul asked those Jews present if there had been found any wrongdoing in him while before the Sanhedrin council a. The only statement that Paul thought they may have objected to was what he had cried out among them, "Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day." III. FELIX DELAYED JUDGMENT OF PAUL (22-27) A. FELIX ADJOURNED THE PROCEEDINGS AND HELD PAUL (22-23) 1. Given that Felix had a "more accurate knowledge of the Way," he adjourned the proceedings 2. He stated that he would make a decision on the case when Lysias the commander came to Caesarea 3. Paul was held by the centurion a. Paul was given liberties b. His friends were allowed to visit him and provide for him B. FELIX HEARD PAUL MORE TIMES (24-26) 1. Felix and his wife, Drusilla, called for Paul a. Drusilla was Jewish b. They heard Paul "concerning faith in Christ" 2. Paul reasoned before them about "righteous, self-control, and the judgment to come" a. Felix was afraid b. He sent Paul away; he indicated he would call for him at a more "convenient time" 3. Felix hoped for a bribe from Paul to release him a. Felix sent for him often C. FESTUS SUCCEEDED FELIX (27) 1. After two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix as governor 2. Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor, so he "left Paul bound" REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER 1) What are the main events in this chapter? - The accusers arrived and the accusations were made (1-9) - Paul gave his defense before Felix (10-21) - Felix delayed the judgment of Paul (22-27) 2) How long was Paul held waiting for his accusers? (1) - Five days (1) 3) Who was Tertullus and what role did he play? (1-2) - Tertullus had travelled with the high priest and elders (1) - He was an orator; he presented the accusations before Felix (1-2) 4) How was Paul described in the charges by Tertullus? (4-6) - A plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews worldwide, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes (5) - He tried to profane the temple (6) 5) How did the Jews want to handle this, according to Tertullus? (6) - They wanted to judge him according to their law (6) 6) Why were the Jews not able to carry out their plan? (7) - Commander Lysias came by and took Paul with great violence (7) 7) What did Lysias command them to do? (8) - He commanded Paul's accusers to come before Felix (8) 8) How did the Jews react to Tertullus presentation? (9) - They assented, and maintained that those things were so (9) 9) How many days prior had Paul's situation occurred in Jerusalem? (11) - Twelve days earlier (11) 10) How did Paul answer their accusations? (12-13) - He had not been found in the temple disputing with anyone, nor was he found inciting the crowd (12) - Nor had they found him doing these things in synagogues or in the city (12) - Paul stated that they could not prove these accusations (13) 11) According to what did Paul say he worshipped God? What did the Jews call this? (14) - According to the Way (14) - The Jews called it a sect; Tertullus specifically called it the sect of the Nazarenes (14; 5) 12) What did Paul say he had a hope in God to happen? (15) - That there would be a resurrection of the dead (15) 13) Who did Paul say would be resurrected? (15) - The dead - both the just and the unjust (15) 14) Because of the resurrection, what did Paul always strive to do? (16) - To have a conscience without offense toward God and men (16) 15) How did the Jews from Asia find Paul in the temple? (17-18) - They found Paul purified in the temple (18) - He was neither with a mob nor with a tumult (18) 16) Where did Paul say those Jews from Asia ought to have been if they had anything against him? (19) - They ought to have been there before Felix (19) 17) What statement did Paul cry out while before the Sanhedrin council in Jerusalem? (21) - "Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day." (21) 18) Felix adjourned the proceedings. When did he say he would decide the case? (22) - When Lysias the commander comes down (22) 19) When Felix commanded the centurion to keep Paul, what did he allow? (23) - The centurion was to all him liberty, and to allow his friends to visit him and provide for him (23) 20) Why did Felix and Drusilla send for Paul? (24) - They wanted to hear him concerning the faith in Christ (24) 21) What did Paul reason about before Felix and Drusilla? (25) - He reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come (25) 22) How did Felix respond to Paul? (25) - He became afraid, and said "Go away for now, when I have a more convenient time, I will call for you." (25) 23) What did Felix hope Paul would do? (26) - He hoped Paul would bring money to release him (26) 24) Who succeeded Felix after two years? (27) - Porcius Festus succeeded Felix (27) 25) How did Felix leave Paul? Why? (27) - Felix left Paul bound (27) - He did this as a favor to the Jews (27)