ACTS LESSON 52

    We will begin this lesson in Acts 24:1 "And after five days
Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and [with] a
certain orator [named] Tertullus, who informed the governor against
Paul."

    This is the same Ananias who had told one of his men to slap Paul
in the mouth. Paul had called him a whited wall. We had already
mentioned that he had probably proclaimed himself high priest.
Probably this Tertullus was a Roman and probably was hired, because he
could speak the language of the governor, as well as the language of
the high priest. He made his living as an orator. He told the governor
the accusations against Paul.

    Acts 24:2 "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,"

    This orator begins by flattering the governor to get him on the
side of the high priest. He speaks of providence as being the reason
worthy deeds had been done of their nation.

    Acts 24:3 "We accept [it] always, and in all places, most noble
Felix, with all thankfulness."  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."

    This is just a very flattering way of asking Felix to hear their
side of the story.

    Acts 24:5 "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:"

    Pestilent means nuisance here. There had been many riots
instigated by rebellious Jews, and Felix was familiar with the
problems they had caused. Now this paid orator has brought this up to
try to get up a case against Paul. The Jews used the name Nazarenes
for followers of Jesus. They had previously made the statement, "can
any good thing come out of Nazareth?". This was intended to be a slur
against Paul. Their true complaint was that he was a follower of Jesus
Christ from Nazareth.

    Acts 24:6 "Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we
took, and would have judged according to our law."

    Truly Paul had not profaned the temple. In fact, many Christians
might have questioned why Paul had gone to the temple to sacrifice.  I
believe that down deep in Paul's heart, he had never truly given up
trying to win his Jewish brothers to Christianity, and he was trying
to make himself acceptable unto them by going through the Jewish
rituals.

    Acts 24:7 "But the chief captain Lysias came [upon us], and with
great violence took [him] away out of our hands,"

    Nowhere do these accusers tell Felix that they had every intention
to kill Paul.  They do not mention that he is a Roman, either.  They,
also, find it very convenient to hide the fact that Paul is really one
of them, a Pharisee.  They want to blame anyone, but themselves.

    Acts 24:8 "Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining
of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we
accuse him."

    They are showing their anger here in having to come to a higher
court.  They are reminding Felix here of his duty.

    Acts 24:9 "And the Jews also assented, saying that these things
were so."

    Up until now, the orator had spoken for them, but in verse 9, Jews
which hired this orator have spoken out and said that what he had said
was true.

    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:"

    Paul is a wonderful orator himself. He, also, begins with a little
flattery of the governor. Paul says, I know you are fair. I am happy
to bring my case before you.

    Acts 24:11 "Because that thou mayest understand, that there are
yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship."

    Paul tells this governor that twelve days ago, he went to
Jerusalem for one purpose (to worship). He had no evil intent at all.

    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:"

    Paul is not making inflammatory remarks about his accusers.  He is
just quietly denying any wrong doing. Paul really did not try to
minister on this particular trip to the temple. These Jews were
accusing him of things he had taught in other cities, before he came
back to Jerusalem. The Jews of Asia were really the ones who had
stirred this whole thing up.

    Acts 24:13 "Neither can they prove the things whereof they now
accuse me."

    These are all false accusations.

    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:"

    Sect is used in the sense of one's philosophical belief.  This
covers sect of the Sadducees, ect. Here it just means that Paul is a
follower of the Nazarene Jesus Christ. This he admits. He does not
call him Jesus Christ here, it would just tend to inflame the Jews
more.  He does say that he believes the law and the prophets.  I
believe he included the prophets, because they prophesied of Jesus.

    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."

    Of course, not all of the Jews believed in the resurrection of the
dead. The Sadducees do not believe in the resurrection of the dead,
but the Pharisees do, as we read in chapter 23 verse 8 of Acts.  The
Sadducees tolerate this belief of the Pharisees somewhat however.
They are both Jews.

    Acts 24:16 "And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a
conscience void of offence toward God, and [toward] men."

    Paul says, I have a clear conscience before God.

    Acts 24:17 "Now after many years I came to bring alms to my
nation, and offerings."

    This was like a tax that was to be paid.

    Acts 24:18 "Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in
the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult."

    Paul had gone to the temple and been purified with the four men
who had shaved their heads, stating that Paul walked orderly and kept
the law. Acts 21:24. There were no large numbers with Paul. He was not
causing trouble either.

    Acts 24:19 "Who ought to have been here before thee, and object,
if they had ought against me."

    Paul says here, why did these men not come and testify against me
to you, if they had a complaint.

    Acts 24:20 "Or else let these same [here] say, if they have found
any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,"

    You see, they had not proved any evil doing of Paul at all to the
council. They were just mad, because Paul followed Jesus.

    Acts 24:21 "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."

    Acts 24:22 "And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect
knowledge of [that] way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the
chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your
matter."

    Felix could not make his mind up who was right, so he just put off
deciding until Lysias, the captain from Jerusalem comes to give him
some more information.

    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 acquaintance
to minister or come unto him."

    We see that Luke and the others were allowed to come and visit
Paul while he was imprisoned. He was not chained or restrained at all.
He was just kept in the prison, until the next trial. It appears that
Paul was treated more as a guest than a prisoner. His friends could
come and see him and bring things to him. He just couldn't leave.

    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."

    It seems that Felix's wife was interested in hearing about Jesus.
Felix and Drusilla formed the entire congregation as Paul preached to
them the gospel message of Jesus Christ. This was a private sermon for
just these two in Felix's office.

    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."

    This is very similar to people today. Felix was almost persuaded
to become a Christian. He did not receive Jesus though. He said,
perhaps next time. He was convicted in his heart, because he trembled.
How sad that he waited.

    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."

    Felix wanted to hear what Paul had to say, because he called Paul
often to hear him. Felix was not honest, however. He was wanting Paul
to pay him a bribe to get out of jail. We do not see where Felix was
converted to Christianity. Perhaps, his greed for money kept him from
receiving Jesus.

    Acts 24:27 "But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix'
room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul
bound."

    This Porcius was the successor of Felix. Felix was afraid of the
Jews reporting him to the emperor, so he bound Paul for the benefit of
these Jews right before he left office.
                           Acts 52 Questions


1.  How long after Paul arrived in Caesarea, did the high priest come?
2.  What was the high priest's name?
3.  Who came with him?
4.  Who would do the speaking for him?
5.  How does the orator begin?
6.  What adjectives does he use of Felix in verse 3?
7.  What kind of a fellow did he call Paul?
8.  What does the word mean?
9.  He called Paul a ringleader of the sect of the _______________.
10. What did he say Paul profaned?
11. What was the chief captain's name?
12. Who agreed with this orator?
13. In verse 10, what approach did Paul take to speak to the governor?
14. How many days had it been since Paul went to Jerusalem?
15. In verse 12, Paul states three things he did not do, what were
    they?
16. In verse 13, Paul says all the accusations were _______.
17. In verse 14, Paul proclaims belief in what?
18. In what sense is sect used in verse 14?
19. What hope toward God did Paul say that they had?
20. What is Paul saying in verse 16?
21. What had Paul come to do after many years?
22. Where were the Jews who started the trouble from?
23. In verse 19, Paul said these Jews should have done what, if they
    had anything against him?
24. Why did Paul say he was called in question?
25. What decision did Felix make in verse 22?
26. Who did Felix order to keep Paul?
27. What was he allowed that most prisoners were not?
28. What was Felix' wife's name?
29. Who did Paul preach to while he was in prison?
30. What one word lets us know Felix was almost persuaded?
31. Verse 26, tells us Felix wanted what from Paul to release him?
32. How long was Paul in prison until Porcius Festus took over?
33. What did Felix do to Paul to please the Jews right before he left
    office?

                                 Notes