paul’s third defense speech before felix acts 24:1-27 · paul’s third defense speech before...

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Paul’s Third Defense

Speech Before Felix

Acts 24:1-27




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Paul’s Defense Before Felix Text: Acts 24:1-27, 1. And after five days Ananais 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. Then 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. 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.




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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. 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 aught 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. 22. And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, 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 acquaintances to minister or come unto 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.




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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 show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound. Commentary: Acts 24:1, 2a, And after five days Ananais the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, 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 24:2b, 3, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence. We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.




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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.

1. Felix had defeated the Egyptian false prophet.

a. Acts 21:38, Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?

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, Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. 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.




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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, 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: Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law. Then the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him. 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.

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.




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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 Clauduis 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.




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Acts 24:9, And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so. 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, 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: I. Felix then gave Paul the opportunity to speak in his own defense.

A. Luke 21:15, For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

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 years.

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

Acts 24:11, Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. I. As you can determine, I arrived in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago.




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A. “You are too smart to believe I did all the things of which I am

charged,” Paul told Felix, “in just twelve days, on five of which I was in jail here 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, 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:




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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.

B. stir up, agitate, cause trouble among the people, crowd. Acts 24:13, Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. I. They cannot prove the charges they have made against me!

A. So much for these insurrection charges! Acts 24:14, 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: I. I confess I:

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

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

a. Acts 9:2, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

b. Acts 16:17,25, The same followed Paul and us, and

cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation.

c. Acts 18:26, And he began to speak boldly in the

synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had




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heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

d. Acts 19:9, 23, But when divers were hardened, and

believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.

e. Acts 20:4, And there accompanied him into Asia

Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.

f. Acts 24:14, 22, 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:

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.




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

Acts 24:15, 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. 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, For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that It may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

2. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, But I would not have you to be

ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.




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

II. Paul saw Christianity as the fulfillment of Judaism! Acts 24:16, And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. 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.

2. toward men. Acts 24:17, 18a, Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, 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.




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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.

3. with no tumult.

Acts 24:18b, 19, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. Who ought to have been here before thee and object, if they had aught against me. I. Paul further said:

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

1. Acts 21:27-29, And when the seven days were almost

ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him, Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.

C. 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.




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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 else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council, 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. I. In the absence of the 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, And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. I. Felix:




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A. having more exact knowledge of the Way,

1. Cornelius 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, And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintances to minister or come unto him. I. Paul was remanded to the local centurian who:

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




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1. perhaps 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” is 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, 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. 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?




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Acts 24:25, 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. I. Paul spoke, reasoned with Felix about:

A. righteousness.

1. Felix was very unrighteous.

B. self-control.

1. Felix lacked self control.

C. judgment to come.

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

2. Hebrews 6:2, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

3. Matthew 25:31, When the Son of man shall come in his

glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

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:




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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 saith, I have heard thee in a time

accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

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, 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. 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.




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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, But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound. I. Felix kept Paul imprisoned for two 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.”




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Questions

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? __________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




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6. How was Paul able to present such an effective defense on very short notice? ___________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 7. Give three 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. _________________




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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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. _________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




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____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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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