ACTS  24

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 govenor.

2 When Paul was brought 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 gratitute.

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 the ringleader of the Nazarene sect,

6 and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.  KJV and would have judged himaccording to our law.

7 KJV But the chief captain Lysais came upon with great violence and took him away from our hands.

 8 By examining him yourself  you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.

9 The Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things are true.

10 When the govenor motioned for him to speak Paul replied: I gladly make my defense.

 11 You can easily verify that not more than twelve days ago I went 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 Fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the law and that is written in the Prophets,

15 and I have the same hope in God as these men, 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 a 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 have found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin

21 unless it was this thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: It is concerning the resurrection from the dead that I am on trial before you today.

22  Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings.  When Lysais 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 a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke  about faith in Christ Jesus.

25 As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self control, and the judgement to come, Felix was afraid and said, Thats enough for now! You may leave.

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 suceded by Porcius Festus,  but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.

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. Acts 24:21

And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. Revelation 20:12

THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED

 Thomas J. Grace

 Paul remains in the prison in the palace where he has been visited and prayed with the many visitors he has been allowed. The soldiers are already joining Paul in prayer and many have already become believers in Jesus Christ. In the city Philip and many others are preaching the gospel and the high priest and his group will arrive in Caesarea during a Christian revival. In only five days God has already prepared the heart of the people in the city in favor of Paul and the Christian church. 

      1 Ananias and the elders decide they will bring a lawyer to present their case to Govenor Felix the lawyer Tertullus will not become upset by arguments about angels spirits and the resurrection as the Sanhedrin had when Paul spoke of the resurrection from the dead.  His statement while the Sanhedrin was divided among the Pharisees and the Sadduces caused a small riot at the hearing and the Roman soldiers had to rescue Paul from the angry meeting. 2 When Paul was called in Tertullus began his case against him. Tertullus begins with words of praise for govenor Felix, we have had peace and many reforms while you have ruled over us. 3 We have profound gratitude for your excellent treatment of our people. 4 Will you be kind enough to hear us briefly.

     5  Tertullus states we have known of Paul for many years in Jerusalem and all over the world he has been a trouble maker stirring up riots among the Jews. He does not say it was the Jews who began these riots in most cities and many Jews would follow Paul and begin new troubles for Paul while they would accuse him of many false charges which he has always been released from. The Jews who caused trouble for Paul often incited many of the local criminals to begin riots against Paul. These troubles were in Thessalonice, Berea, Corinth Ephesus, Antioch, Iconium, Lystra , Derbe and of course in Jerusalem and now in Caesarea. The Jews have followed and pursued Paul everywhere he stayed more than a few days. They could use false charges and false witnesses all that they could not prove in any court. Paul is the ringleader of a sect of the Nazarene sect, why not Peter or James who spent more time in Jerusalem than Paul should they have not been the ringleader.

     6 Paul while in Jerusalem Tertullus claimed he tried to desecrate the temple. This was the claim that the Jews from Asia shouted out as they found Paul in the temple court that he had brought Greeks into this area where no Gentiles were allowed. This is the claim that began the first riot when the Roman commander Lsyais needed to rescue Paul from the crowd that nearly killed Paul. This is not mentioned first because this would not be a crime that the govenor would punish someone for and the other false charges were crimes if they could be proved. At all the trials the Jews seemed to rely on the false charges and false witnesses than the claims that have disturbed them, in a effort to produce charges that will produce the greatest punishment a death sentence.

     The Nazarene sect they have created a new word so that they no longer have to mention the name Jesus Christ whose story is now known and believed all over the world. It is now widely known among the Romans that the Jews had caused the murder of a innocent man and how His followers have spread the gospel of peace and salvation everywhere they have gone.  We siezed Paul in the temple courts and were willing to punish him according to our own law which meant we would kill him. We had no thoughts that day of a trial no witnesses were questioned and Paul was not allowed to speak at all in his defense. Without even seeing any Greek men we quickly believed these false charges against Paul because we had already dicided we wanted to kill him as soon as possible.

     7 KJV But the chief captain Lysais came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands. In Lysais letter to the govenor he stated he knew when he arrived that Paul was a Roman citizen that he rescued from the violent crowd which would make this a lawful act to protect a Roman citizen. Tertullus would not know about the contents of this letter which also stated Lysais found no charge worthy of imprisonment or death. He  could not have been speaking well of the crowd seeking their own justice. Tertullus is accuseing Lysais of useing excessive force against the Jews and interfereing with the justice they had some right to according to their law.  Was it his plan to bring  false charges against a Roman commander, he as a lawyer should be thankful that he is now able to make his case against Paul in a legal assembly where he can prove the charges and have Paul justly punished. As a lawyer he should not be protecting the rights of the crowd to take the law into their own hands and punish a man without a trial.

     8 Govenor Felix if you examine him yourself you will learn the truth about all these charges we bring against him. Tertullus was not asking the govenor to question Paul but meant by beating and torture he would be able to learn the truth. Tertullus did not want Paul to have the right to speak and told the govenor it is only by punishment will he tell you the truth and confess to the crimes we are chargeing him with, and he may die while this is going on that will prove his guilt and quiet him and many more of his followers who are already here in Caesarea. 9 All the Jews present Ananias the high priest and the elders shouted out asserting that all these things are true. Not the high priest or any of the elders have testified against Paul perhaps they did not want to risk perjury charges in a Roman court which could throw them into a Roman prison maybe in the same cell with Paul where they could be saved.

     10 The govenor asked Paul to speak and he stated that he was aware of the govenors  being a judge for many years and I will make my own defense. Unlike the Sanhedrin Paul speaks for himself without a lawyer to present his defense. Paul could have found a lawyer and some may have spoken to him and told him some good advice about how to present yourself before this court. Perhaps Luke told him what Jesus had said about times when you are in court and must testify. Luke 21:14,15 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourself. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. Paul clearly does not fear the judge or the lawyer or high priest in this court and welcomed the chance to deny these charges and tell the truth in the court.

     11 Twelve days ago I arrived in Jerusalem to worship God it was my desire to be in Jerusalem for  the feast of Pentecost. This can be proven by speaking to James who met me when I arrived it would not be possible to cause so much trouble and become a leader of a movement against the Roman government this quickly. 12 I was quiet and peaceful during these days I did not visit any synagogue or in the temple  to stir up trouble and no one can claim that I did. No one heard me speak of causeing any disturbance that would harm a Roman or a Jew in Jerusalem or at any city of the world.  13  They can not prove any of their charges there is no evidence and no one here has volunteered to testify against me. All we have heard of are charges made by a lawyer who has never heard me speak or seen me anythere in the world before he came here today.  14  Paul states he does belong to the group refered to as the Way and worship the God of our fathers. Jesus claimed John 14:6 I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except throdugh Me. I also believe in the law as they do and all the prophets which are the people who have told us that the Savior Jesus Christ will come into this world and will soon return once again.

     15 Paul begins  to speak just as he had at the Sanhedrtin about the resurrection of the dead, he claims they all share the same hope for both  the righteous and the wicked.  Luke 14:14 Although they cannot repay you you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just. He does not state who will be on each side but is pointing to the fact that this is not the high court that will reward or punish for eternity. Paul would not fear a court that would only be able to end his life here on earth but considered his own judgement  in the next world his most important concern. Luke 12:4,5 I tell you My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body  and after that can do no more. But I will show you who you should fear: Fear Him who,  after the killing of the body, have power to throw you into hell. Yes I tell you fear Him. 16  It is with this fear and hope that  I have done all that I can to keep a clean conscience each day and will not risk such a great loss here today by not being completely truthful with you here.

     Paul does not include this statement about the righteous and the wicked when he shouts out his statement about the resurrection at the Sanhedrin where the high  priest is in charge of the hearing. As he speaks of the righteous and the wicked he is sure the high priest and the elders wil be certain they are the righteous and Paul is making himself among them and the wicked will be the Roman govenor.  The statement would have been suitable at the Sanhedrin which would include the high priest and the elders as part of the wicked Paul did not say they were righteous but allowed them to conclude his meaning for themselves. Daniel 12:2 ,3 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.  John 5:28,29 Do not be amazed at this for the time is coming when all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come out those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil, will rise to be condemmed.  The words of Jesus and Daniel who was the old testament prophet who spoke more than any other prophet about the last days both state the very same facts about the resurrection and the judgement. 

      17 While I was away in many cities I was given many gifts and supplies that I brought with me when I returned to Jerusalem as I have also done in the past. These were gifts collected in churches for those who are in need in Jerusalem which I have already distributed to the poor in that city. There I also made a offering to the temple to complete a vow for myself and four other gentlemen who had joined me in this vow we made to God. 18 I was ceremonially clean according to all the law of Moses which I know and follow when they discovered and attacked me in the temple courts. I was alone with no one to help or protect me and no one that could cause any disturbance. Neither was I speaking to any crowd that might be a danger to any person.

     19 There were some Jews from a province of Asia  who began to shout out to those coming to the temple that I had brought Greeks into the temple courts. There are no witnesses that claim they have seen these Greek men and the Roman Soldiers never saw the Greek men. As I was beaten by the crowd how could these Greek men have escaped both the Jews and the Romans. Why have not these Jews from Asia appeared not here or at the hearing in Jerusalem in front of the Sanhedrin. Perhaps the high priest did not want these Jews from Asia to testify about Greek men that did not exist because their miracle escape would be very difficult to explain.

     20 These men who had shut the doors of the temple with themselves locked inside can not be witnesses to what took place in the temple courts and on the streets of Jerusalem as the riot progressed. Perhaps they can explain if there was a crime that did take place in their presence during the Sanhedrin hearing. 21 So far I or the govenor have not heard of any crime that can be charged against me only claims that are not crimes and cannot be proved by any witnesses or evidence. 21 The only disturbance I am aware of took place in the Sanhedrin when I shouted out about my belief in the resurrection from the dead as the cause for that trial. Paul was willing to confess to a statement that could not be considered a crime by the Romans or the Jews. 

     This is the second time Paul makes this statement and there is no reaction like when he said this in the Sanhedrin. Tertullus must have instructed them not to respond to this statement and they would not be allowed to become angry and violent inside a Roman court as they were willing to do at the Sanhedrin. 21 Suddenly Felix who was well acquinted with the Way adjourned the proceedings. We are not told if he truly has personal knowledge of the Christian work that Paul and others have been doing in Caesarea and other places all over the world. Perhaps he has known of the work of Philip there and may have heard how these Christians live in peace and do many good works for their fellow believers. I will decide your case when Lysais the commander in Jerusalem arrives and I discuss the facts with him.  He did have the letter from Lsyais  which was brief but did have some facts and information that was different  and not included here in the testimony he heard from Tertullus.

     This could not make the Jews happy because they came very close to accuseing Lysais of being excessively violent to them on the day Paul was arrested and interfereing with their own system of justice.  The high priest should have fired Tertullus. 23 Felix ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but give him some freedom, and allow his friends to take care of his needs and visit with him. Paul would not be set free there is no mention of Lysais coming to Caesarea to meet with Felix but he may have heard their statements about how he treated the angry crowd on that day. The high priest and elders could not of been happy about the trial which may have caused them more troubles  for them than Paul would encounter.

     The rivival of Caesarea will continue while Paul remains confined and others are busy spreading the gospel all over the city. 24 Several days later Felix and his wife Drusilla who was a Jewess had Paul visit with them and it was their request to hear about faith in Jesus Christ. Paul would explain How Jesus had died for their sins and rose on the third day, how by faith in Christ they could have salvation and the gift of eternal life with Christ forever in heaven.

     25 As Paul began to speak of righteousness, self control and the future judgement which Felix heard Paul speak of in the court suddenly Felix became upset and fearful.   Felix had some curruption problems that he was not going to repent of which caused him to send Paul away. Later his wife Drusilla will be able to confirm many of the statements Paul had said and explain the difference in what Paul as a Christian and she as a Jew would believe. Felix may have learned many of the old testament stories from his wife and heard some of the story of Jesus Christ from other sources. Paul is sent away and told he will be sent for again.

     26 Because Felix was waiting for Paul or some of his friends to offer him a bribe he would have Paul visit with him often. Each time he would hear more of the word of God while he waited for a cash offer he ignored Gods greatest gift  faith in Jesus Christ.   This bribe he wanted is the reason he sent Paul away during the first meeting while Paul spoke of rifgteousness and self control he became aware of the actions he took were sins. This must have been difficult for Paul to teach and preach to Felix  for two years in private meetings and he does not believe. Many of the centurions and soldiers and the men who guarded him have believed and some of them may have also spoken to Felix about belief in Christ also. Some of the guards may have reported back to Paul their discussions with Felix who would all spend many hours and days praying for both Felix and Drusilla.  Drusilla was also aware of the bribes that Felix demanded in many cases and lived well on that bribe money and was equal with him in this sin. Felix must have made it clear at some time he was looking for a bribe from Paul, who may have diccussed this as a problem with some of his visitors who would agree bribes are contrary to Gods law and would show a lack of faith and unbelief in  Gods purpose and power to rescue Paul if that becomes necessary. Luke 3:14 Then some soldiers asked Him, And what should we do? He replied, Dont extort money and dont accuse people falsely be content with your pay. John the baptist spoke to these soldiers about bribes. Luke 16:13 No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will devoted to the one and despise the other, You cannot serve both God and money. A bribe at thr right moment may have saved the life of John the Baptist but no one would make a offer and John never allowed his disciples to make a offer for his freedom.

      Felix had two problems he loved a bribe and money more than he would love God. Deuteromony 16:19 Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.  Felix bribe problem and his love of money were so powerful in his heart that not even the teaching and prayer of Paul could  not cause him to repent of these evil acts. Felix would have accepted many bribes while in Caesarea in many cases that allowed some who were guilty to be released. Paul as he hoped to win this man for Jesus Christ would not allow Felix to be turned away from God in order for himself to be released.

     27 Two years later Felix was called back to Rome to explain many of his actions that caused problems disturbances and irregularities in his rule there in Caesarea. He was replaced by Porcius Festus. because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews he left Paul in prison. He may have needed a sudden favor in the case of someone may have to testify or provide some information about his dealings to his superiors in Rome.  It is doubtful that any bribe would have satisified Felix and he would not have released Paul for any reason. Paul will remain in prison because he still has to testify to a king and queen about Jesus Christ.

CHRIST LOVES YOU. AMEN. COME LORD JESUS