Sermons From Acts - Paul's Defense Before Felix (24:1-27)

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                          "THE BOOK OF ACTS"

                Paul's Defense Before Felix (24:1-27)

INTRODUCTION

1. Transferred from Jerusalem to Caesarea...
   a. Paul faced Ananias the high priest and elders from the council once
      again
   b. This time, before Felix the Roman governor - Ac 24:1-27

2. Antonius Felix became procurator of Judea in A. D. 52...
   a. He remained in office until A.D. 60, when recalled by Nero - HIBD
   b. Tacitus and Josephus paint Felix as a brutal, incompetent
      politician - ibid.
 
[In our text, we learn Felix had many opportunities to listen to Paul. 
But he failed to make a decision with regard to his case, and with regard
to Paul's message of the gospel.  Let's first note...]

I. THE CHARGES

   A. THE ANTAGONISTS ARRIVE... 
      1. The chief priest and elders arrive - Ac 24:1
      2. Tertullus, an orator, brought along - ibid.

   B. THEY MAKE THEIR CASE...
      1. Tertullus began with great praise to Felix - Ac 24:2-4
      2. Charges were then levied against Paul - Ac 24:5-6
         a. "A plague"
         b. "A creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the 
            world"
         c. "A ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes"
         d. "He tried to profane the temple"
      3. Tertullus gave his timeline of events - Ac 24:7-8
         a. The Jews had seized Paul
         b. They wanted to judge him according to their law
         c. The commander took Paul out of their hands "with great
            violence"
         d. He commanded them to appear before Felix to make their
            accusations
      4. The attending Jews agreed with Tertullus' accusations - Ac 24:9

[With the charges made against Paul, he is allowed to speak in his own
defense...]

II. THE DEFENSE

   A. PAUL PERMITTED TO SPEAK...
      1. With a nod, Felix motioned for Paul to speak - Ac 24:10
      2. Paul acknowledged Felix to have judged Israel for many years
         - ibid.
      3. Thus Paul was happy to speak for himself - ibid.

   B. PAUL REVIEWED THE EVENTS...
      1. It had only been twelve days since Paul went to Jerusalem to
         worship - Ac 24:11
      2. They had not found Paul in the temple disputing in the temple 
         - Ac 24:12
      3. Nor had he incited the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the
         city - ibid.
      4. His accusers could not prove the charges brought against him
         - Ac 24:13

   C. PAUL CONFESSED HIS FAITH...
      1. According to the Way, which they call a sect, he worshiped God
         - Ac 24:14
      2. Believing all things written in the Law and the Prophets - ibid.
      3. He had hope in the resurrection of the dead, as did they - Ac 
         24:15
      4. He strove to have a conscience without offense toward God and 
         men - Ac 24:16

   D. PAUL CONCLUDED HIS DEFENSE...
      1. After many years he came to bring alms and offerings to his
         nation - Ac 24:17
      2. Jews of Asia found him purified in the temple, with no mob or 
         tumult - Ac 24:18
      3. If said Jews had objections against him, they should be before 
         Felix - Ac 24:19
      4. Those present could only bring one charge  - Ac 24:20-21; cf. Ac
         23:6
         a. That in the council standing before them he cried out with 
            one statement
         b. "Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by
            you this day."

[That statement is the only thing those present could attest.  The 
charges made by Tertullus were based on hearsay and without proof. 
Having heard both sides, Felix made his decision:  to wait...]

III. THE PROCRASTINATION

   A. FELIX ADJOURNED THE PROCEEDINGS...
      1. With a "more accurate knowledge of the Way" - Ac 24:22
      2. Delaying until Lysias the commander came down - ibid.
      3. Paul kept by a centurion, with unlimited visitation and
         provisions by friends - Ac 24:23

   B. FELIX HAD MANY MORE OPPORTUNITIES...
      1. At first with his wife Drusilla (who was Jewish) present - Ac 
         24:24-25
         a. Drusilla was the youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa I - HIBD
            1) She had been married to King Aziz of Emesa
            2) With the aid of Atomos, a magician of Cyprus, Felix won 
               her away from her husband
            3) Her son (and possibly she herself) died in when Mt. 
               Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D.
         b. They heard Paul "concerning faith in Christ"
         c. Paul reasoned about "righteousness, self-control, and the
            judgment to come"
         d. Felix was afraid, and sent Paul away until "a convenient 
            time"
      2. Then often, over a period of two years - Ac 24:26-27
         a. Felix hoped for a bribe from Paul to release him
         b. Thus he sent for Paul often and conversed with him
         c. Finally, as a favor to the Jews, he left Paul bound when
            succeeded by Festus

CONCLUSION

1. It is sad to consider the character of Felix (both immoral and
   incompetent)

2. He had ample opportunity to learn the truth and obey it, but kept
   putting it off

His procrastination led to his ultimate downfall.  Let us beware lest
we wait for "a convenient time"!
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