ACTS CHAPTER 24

ACTS 24 HOW DO YOU PLEAD?

CHARACTERS:

• Paul (Saul) – Paul was an Apostles who planted churches in the Mediterranean region.

• Antonius Felix – Roman procurator of Judea from 52-60 A.D.

• Drusilla – Wife of Felix and sister to Berenice and Herod Agrippa II

• Ananias and Tertullus – Jews who came from Jerusalem to accuse Paul of wrongdoing.

WHERE:

• Everything we read about in Acts 24 happened in Caesarea Maritima.

STANDING TRAIL

• PAUL’S ACCUSER’S SPEAK TO FELIX (24:1-9):

• At the end of the last chapter, Paul was sent to Caesarea to await trial.

• Five days later, Paul’s accusers came from Jerusalem to Caesarea.

• Tertullus, the Jewish spokesmen, stood before Felix

• He starts with of course flattery to the judge commended him for leadership before launching into condemnation of Paul.

• Name calling begins He called Paul a “plague” who stirred up riots everywhere he went. He then called him a “ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,” and that he tried to profane the Temple in Jerusalem.

• PAUL’S DEFENDS HIMSELF BEFORE FELIX (24:10-21):

• Paul speaks to Felix and says I have only been here a short time and have done nothing wrong.

• He ask Felix where is the proof of theses accusations.  He told Felix the Jews couldn’t prove any of their accusations.

• Paul did confess to believing in Jesus, “the Way”, and in everything written in the Jewish Law and by the Jewish prophets.

• He told Felix he was minding his own business, purifying himself in the Temple, when the Jews from Asia, who weren’t present at the trial, started a riot and tried to kill him.  It’s interesting that they are not here to bring charges against me!

• Paul made it clear that the Jewish council had no legitimate charge against him, except his belief in the resurrection, which was hardly a reason for incarceration.

• FELIX DELAYS JUDGEMENT AND IS REPLACED BY FESTUS (24:22-27):

• Rather than deciding the case, Felix delayed passing judgement with the excuse that he needed to wait for the Roman tribune, Claudius Lysias, to arrive.

• Paul was kept in custody, but his friends were allowed to visit him and provide for him.  

• Felix and his wife, Drusilla a Jewish woman summoned Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ and the coming Judgement Day.

• They called for him multiple times

• 1.  Hoping for a bride

• 2.  They wanted to know more about the Gospel

• Felix once he realized his sins and possible eternal life became afraid and sent Paul away.

• After 2 years, Felix was replaced as governor by Porcius Festus, and he left Paul in prison.

APPLICATION:

• There is no way to escape criticism from people who don’t love Jesus.

• You will never be able to profess Jesus correctly while avoiding all backlash.

• Even if your life is squeaky clean and your words are spoken with precision and tact, there will still be those who come after you.

• Jesus promised it would be this way (John 15:18-19).

• People hated Jesus and He was perfect in life and speech.

• If you live an upright life, people will lie about you to discredit you.

• Don’t prioritize avoiding criticism over getting the gospel message to the world.