Beloved, I have the joy of sharing with you today the above theme from Acts 24:1-2. Indeed, Paul appears before Felix in the presence of his accusers. They need a lawyer who is all the more eloquent the worse their case. But what a contrast between the flattery (v. 3) and then the gross slander (Luke 23:1-4) of the speaker Tertulle and the dignity of Paul in his profession of faith accompanied by the sincere statement of facts:”Most excellent Felix, you make us enjoy a deep peace, and this nation has obtained salutary reforms by your far-sighted care; this is what we recognize in everything and everywhere with full gratitude. We found this man, who is a plague, who excites divisions among all the Jews of the world, who is the leader of the Sect of the Nazarenes.”
A sect (vs. 5 and 14) is a religious group that claims to be of a particular leader or doctrine. But the redeemed can only claim Christ. But the religious world will also call by this name the gathering of God’s children who have separated from him in obedience to the Word. It doesn’t matter! This expression, like many others, is part of the opprobrium for Christ. Like Paul, the faithful believer has the privilege of being associated in contempt for the world with the One who was the Nazarene (end of v. 5). What, on the other hand, exercised the apostle — and should also concern us — was to always have “a conscience without reproach before God and before men” (v. 16). He thought of the day of the resurrection when he would have to account to the Lord for his walk and service. A known truth must always have a moral effect. All the more so is the perspective of the Tribunal of Christ (2 Cor. 5:9, 10 2Co 5:9-11).
Thus, five days after Paul’s arrival in Caesarea, the Jews came down from Jerusalem to accuse him. They took with them a certain orator, named Tertulle, whose name means “impostor”, to support their accusation to Felix. If it takes oratorical talent to accuse a man, it means that the facts against him are not enough to convince the judges. Tertulle began with flattering praise for the governor, insincere praise from this proud people, always vexed to be under Roman rule.
Then began the accusation, which had no more effect on the governor than flattery, for he knew the Jewish character. Tertulle insinuated that Paul was a plague and that he was atoning seditions among Jews all over the world. This imputation, if true, risked influencing the governor, since it was a matter of revolt, an act far removed from the thought of Paul who had written to the Christians of Rome: “Let every soul submit to the authorities who are above him; for there is no authority except by God; and those who exist are ordained of God” (Romans 13:1).
Second, Tertulle accused Paul of being a leader of the Nazarene sect (the name then given to Christians) and that he had attempted to desecrate the temple. But this accusation was not to interest the Roman governor; for there was nothing contrary to Roman laws, nor anything that must have caused trouble, except that which the Jews provoked by opposing Paul in all the places where he preached the gospel.
So everything is wrong in this statement, despite the confirmation alleged by the Jews. For in reality, Lysiah had had Paul taken to Caesarea because the Jews wanted to kill him; and he had removed it from their criminal hands without violence, performing a just and humane act to prevent the murder of an innocent man. They say that Felix would come to full knowledge of the things they accused him of; but the opposite took place, as did before his successor Festus and King Agrippa (Acts 26:30-32). Then the governor having signaled Paul to speak, paul pronounced his apology with the righteousness that his good conscience gave him before God and encouraged him to do so before Felix, knowing him governor of the Jews for several years.
He began by saying that Felix could know that it had been no more than twelve days since he had ascended to worship in Jerusalem; that he had not been found, neither in the temple arguing with anyone, nor in the city; whereas his accusers could not support their accusations; but that he served the God of his fathers; that he believed all things written in the law and the prophets; that he had hope in God, a hope that the Jews also had, that there would be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unjust (vs. 10-15). As for what Paul claims as the object of his faith: belief in all things written in the law and prophets, hope in God, and resurrection, this was what every Jew made a profession to believe. If there had been only this to excite them against Paul, they would have left him alone; but all the truths he enumerated implied those of Christianity which they opposed. The law and the prophets bear witness to Christ; it is the big subject.
The Lord said to the disciples who went to Emmaus: “O people without intelligence and slow of heart to believe all the things that the prophets have said! Was it not necessary for Christ to suffer these things and enter into his glory? And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he explained to them, in all the scriptures, the things that concern him” (Luke 24:25-27). When Christ came, they did not listen to him and crucified him. But he was resurrected, and by virtue of his death and resurrection, he had the gospel proclaimed to all nations; this is what the Jews did not admit, understanding that, set aside as a nation, as sinners, they needed the same Savior as the Gentiles they despised, the Savior they had crucified. This is why the Jews hate the apostle Paul. After talking about the resurrection, which every Orthodox Jew admitted, he tells them the practical consequence for those who believe in it. Since all must be resurrected, both the righteous and the unjust, it is to appear before God, where it will be necessary to see, in divine light, all the deeds, good and bad, performed here on earth, and to undergo their judgment.
Those who have believed in the forgiveness of sins through the Savior’s death will participate in the resurrection of life, because they have the life by which good can be done, as the Lord says in John 5:29; they will enjoy eternal happiness in heaven. Those who died without having believed in the Lord Jesus, will be resurrected in resurrection of judgment and will go away in eternal torment. This is why Paul says, “Because of this, I too practice to always have a blameless conscience before God and before men.” He said “me too,” because the Jews who accused him claimed to share in the same blessings as he did, as long as they were Israelites. Since the believer must also be manifested before the tribunal of Christ, as Paul says in 2 Cor. 5:10, he must practice doing in this world only things that are approved by the Lord on that day. It is not the good he does that saves him, but it is because he is saved that he does good.
Paul continued his speech by saying that after several years, during which he had proclaimed the gospel among the Gentiles, he had come to give alms and offerings to his nation, that is, to the Christians of the Jewish nation, bringing them the gifts of the assemblies of Macedonia and Achaia. It was then that they found him purified in the temple without crowds and without tumult; but the Jews of Asia lifted up the crowd and arrested it (chap. 21:27, 28). They were the ones who should have been present and accused Paul, if they had anything against him, or else the assistants could name his unjust acts when he appeared before the Sanhedrin. But he heard only one word: “It is for the resurrection of the dead that I am… put on judgment by you” (v. 21), a declaration that divided the multitude and caused such an uproar that the chiliarch took Paul from among them. Thus ended this appearance without the Jews winning their case.
“But Felix, having more precise knowledge of what was at the way, adjourned them, saying: When the chiliarch Lysias has come down, I will take note of your matter” (v. 22). Governor of Judea for several years, his wife being Jewish, Felix knew Judaism and Christianity quite well; so, he understood that there was nothing serious about the charges against Paul. He commanded the centurion “that Paul be guarded, and that he should have some freedom, and that none of his own be prevented from serving him” (v. 23), that is, the disciples who had followed him from Jerusalem, or the brothers of Caesarea.
A few days later, Felix, who had come with Drusille, his wife, asked to hear Paul about the faith in Christ that distinguished Christianity from Judaism. Christians believed in Jesus according to the Scriptures, in his atoning death, resurrection, exaltation in glory, and all the glorious consequences of these truths, while Jews did not believe that Jesus was the Christ announced by the prophets. But faith in Christ is accompanied by a practical walk that contrasts with that of the natural man, Jewish or Gentile. This is what Paul also presented to Felix: he spoke to him about righteousness, temperance, and the coming judgment (vs. 24:25).
Forjustice here is practical justice, knowing a walk that suits God; it has been said that it consists of “the absence of sin in all our ways.” Temperance is the ability to govern oneself in order to remain in what is healthy in all respects, without indusing oneself to one’s tastes, which risk degenerating into passions that can no longer be mastered. One must be sober in legitimate and natural things; that which goes beyond sobriety is sin. The coming judgment is, as we have seen above, the appearance before God, where men will account not only for the great sins they have committed, but, the Lord says in Matthew 12:36, “for every idle word they have spoken.”
Hearing Paul talk about these matters, “Felix all frightened replied: For the present go away; when I find a suitable time, I will call you.” Felix’s fear can be explained. History tells us that most of these Roman governors indulged in all kinds of sins. His fear could have been beneficial to him, for if he had understood that his conduct was far from right and that it would be terrible to appear before God in judgment, he could also learn that Jesus had come to pass judgment in the place of those who recognized themselves guilty. But we should not leave; the Word would have operated in his soul a repentance to salvation to bring him to the enjoyment of the forgiveness of his sins. This work of conscience was stopped at Felix’s; the divine light frightened him; he understood at once that if he accepted what Paul was telling him, it entailed a change in his conduct and still wanting to enjoy “the delights of sin” (Hebrews 11:25), he said to Paul, “For the present go away; when I find a suitable time, I will call you.”
It is to be feared that this moment never returned. He should have taken advantage of the one who came to him in that very hour when he heard the voice of God through Paul. “Behold, it is now the pleasant weather; behold, it is now the day of salvation” (2 Co 6:2). The Word of God never says that tomorrow is that day; Satan alone affirms this, for he admits well that one must be converted; but he says that it is quite early tomorrow, or later, when one will have enjoyed his young years. Whoever listens to such suggestions is exposed to hearing God’s voice say to him, “Foolish! that very night your soul will be asked of you again” (Luke 12:20). The reasoning of Felix and all those who hold similar is that of a fool. It is folly to believe that we have the time that is in front of us; it belongs only to God who gives everyone the present, today, to accept the salvation offered freely. It was rightly said that “the road just now, leads to the city never”.
What also prevented Felix from being reached by the Word that Paul presented to him was the self-serving motive that led him to speak with him. He came to Paul in the hope of receiving money from him, so that he would promote his enlargement. He had little understanding of what justice is. He cared so little about it that he left Paul in prison for two years to win the favor of the Jews (v. 27), another side of his interest, because if Paul had given him money, he would not have worried about pleasing the Jews. Everyone will be judged on the grounds on which they act.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
- The Ancient Jews
Mt 15:2 Why did your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? Because they do not wash their hands when they take their meals. Mt 21:23 Jesus went into the temple, and while he was teaching, the chief priests and elders of the people came to him and said, “By what authority do you do these things, and who gave you this authority? Mt 26:57 Those who had seized Jesus took him to the high priest Caiaphas, where the scribes and elders were assembled. Mk 15:1 In the morning, the chief priests took counsel with the elders and scribes, and all the Sanhedrin. After linking Jesus, they took him away, and delivered him to Pilate. Acts 22:5 The high priest and the entire quorum of elders witness this to me. I even received letters from them for the brothers in Damascus, where I went in order to bring those who were there to Be bound to Jerusalem and to have them punished.
- Features of Human Flattery
Dt 33:22 On Dan he says: Dan is a young lion, Who rushes from Basan. Jg 4:18 Jael went out in front of Sisera, and said to him: Come in, my lord, enter my house, fear not. He walked into her house in the tent, and she hid him under a blanket. 2 S 17:10 Then the most valiant, if he had a lion’s heart, will be seized with terror; for all Israel knows that your father is a hero and that he has brave ones with him. Jb 10:16 And if I dare to lift it, you pursue me like a lion, You still strike me with wonders. Ps 17:12 It looks like a lion eager to tear, a lion cub on the lookout in his lair. Pr 30:30 The lion, the hero of the animals, Not backing down from anyone; Isa 31:4 For thus the Lord spoke to me: As the lion, as the lion cub roars upon his prey, and in spite of all the shepherds gathered against him, Neither let himself be frightened by their voice, nor intimidated by their number; Likewise the Lord of hosts will descend to fight on the mountain of Zion and on its hill; Na 2:13 The lion tore for his young, strangled for his lionesses; He filled his lairs with prey, his lairs with the remains.
- Slander, examples
Ps 31:14 I learn of the bad words of many, The terror that reigns around me, When they consult together against me: They plot to take my life. Ps 101:5 He who secretly slanders his neighbor, I will annihilate him; The one who has haughty looks and a swollen heart, I will not stand it. Pr 10:18 He who conceals hatred has lamenting lips, and he who spreads slander is a fool. Pr 11:9 Through his mouth the ungodly loses his neighbor, but the righteous are delivered by science. Jer 9:3 They have their tongues stretched out like a bow and throw lies; It is not by the truth that they are powerful in the country; For they go from wickedness to wickedness, and they do not know me, says the Lord.
- Falsehood, examples
Gen 3:4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You shall not die; Gen 4:9 The Lord said to Cain, Where is your brother Abel? He replied: I don’t know; Am I my brother’s keeper? Gen 27:24 He said, “Are you my son Esau? And Jacob answered: It’s me. Gen 37:32 They sent their father the tunic of several colors, making him say: This is what we have found! recognize whether it is your son’s tunic, or not. Jos 2:4 The woman took the two men, and hid them; and she said: It is true that these men have come to my house, but I did not know where they were from; 2 Kings 5:22 He answered: All is well. My master sends me to say to you: Behold, two young men from the mountain of Ephraim have just arrived at my house, from among the sons of the prophets; give for them, I beg you, a talent for money and two spare clothes. Mt 28:13 saying: Say: His disciples came at night to steal him, while we slept. Acts 5:8 Peter spoke to him: Tell me, is it at such a price that you have sold the field? Yes, she replied, it is at that price.
From all the above, we note that despite Paul’s obvious innocence and the bad faith of his accusers, Governor Felix, in order to spare them, cowardly postponed his decision. But he will postpone a much more serious decision: the one that concerns his soul. Car cinvoked to maintain him on”faith in Christ”, Paul presents a side of the truth that Felix did not expect: theWord terrifies — without penetrating it — his conscience hardened by the love of money. We will deal with this later, he replies evasively, letting slip, perhaps forever, the opportunity that God gave him. Despite his name which means happy, Felix has missed out on true happiness. Because let’s not forget, the “right time” is now! Our prayers support you all to seize it without delay.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may be shining in my life right now.
Thank you Lord Jesus for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby watering point to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow about “Paul appearing after two years in prison before Governor Felix.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.