Acts 21 – Paul was arrested Acts 22 – Paul’s defense Acts 23 – Taken before Sanhedrin & delivered to Felix Acts 24 – Paul before Felix the Governor A Notable case of non-Conversion

Paul Before Felix Acts 24  Felix – Governor (procurator) who was appointed by the emperor  Ruler of Judea (A.D )

Paul Before Felix Acts 24 I.The Charge (vv. 1-9)

A.The Accusers (vv. 1-4) 1.High Priest & elders (v. 1) 2.Hired an orator (vv. 1-2) 3.Used flatter (vv. 2-4)

I.The Charge (vv. 1-9) A.The Accusers (vv. 1-4) B.The Accusations (vv. 5-7) 1.Plague (pest, danger to the public) 2.Creator of dissension (leader in rebellion, troublemaker) 3.Ringleader of sect of Nazarenes (leader of a faction) 4.Profaned the temple vv. 6-7 Would have given him a fair trial But Lysias took him by violence!

I.The Charge (vv. 1-9) A.The Accusers (vv. 1-4) B.The Accusations (vv. 5-7) C.Evidence (vv. 8-9) 1.Your examination 2.Jews as witnesses

I.The Charge (vv. 1-9)  False charges will be made against good people  False charges will be leveled against the truth  Reports are often the opposite of what happened  Facts often get in the way – of what people want

Paul Before Felix Acts 24 I.The Charge (vv. 1-9) II.The Defense (vv )

A.Cannot prove the accusations (vv ) 1.Reason: I didn’t do it – is no evidence (vv ) 2.They can’t prove it (v. 13)

II.The Defense (vv ) A.Cannot prove the accusations (vv ) B.Confess I am of the Way – called a sect (vv ) 1.Worship according to that way (v. 14a) 2.Believe all that is in law & prophets (v. 14b) 3.Have hope will be a resurrection (v. 15)

II.The Defense (vv ) A.Cannot prove the accusations (vv ) B.Confess I am of the Way – called a sect (vv ) C.Have a clear conscience (v. 16) D.Where are the witnesses (vv )? 1.Reason I came to Jerusalem (v. 17) 2.They didn’t find me doing wrong (v. 18) 3.If done wrong – should be here (v. 19) 4.Let those from the council say what I did wrong there (v. 20)

II.The Defense (vv ) A.Cannot prove the accusations (vv ) B.Confess I am of the Way – called a sect (vv ) C.Have a clear conscience (v. 16) D.Where are the witnesses (vv )? E.Reason I am judged (v. 21) 1.Most of Jews agreed in a resurrection 2.Not of interest to Rome

II.The Defense (vv ) 1.Plague 2.Creator of dissension 3.Ringleader of sect of Nazarenes 4.Profaned the temple Accusations Response 1.Went quietly about his work (vv ) 2.I am of the way that believes in res (vv ) 3.I went into temple to prove not against Moses + brought alms to Jews (vv )

Paul Before Felix Acts 24 I.The Charge (vv. 1-9) II.The Defense (vv ) III.The Delay (vv )

A.Because of his knowledge (v. 22a) 1.Have a better understanding of Christianity than most 2.Felix was not deceived by Tertullus

III.The Delay (vv ) A.Because of his knowledge (v. 22a) B.Deferred until Lysias would come (v. 22b) 1.Not wanting to get crossways with council 2.Not wanting to punish an innocent man 3.Wanting a bribe from Paul (v. 26) 4.No indication Lysias ever came

III.The Delay (vv ) A.Because of his knowledge (v. 22a) B.Deferred until Lysias would come (v. 22b) C.Paul kept in prison – but given liberty (v. 23) 1.Not unusual – but must suggest he thought Paul was innocent 2.Allowed visitors to come and provide Felix knows enough to make him miserable Knows what is right – but lacks courage! Felix knows enough to make him miserable Knows what is right – but lacks courage!

Paul Before Felix Acts 24 I.The Charge (vv. 1-9) II.The Defense (vv ) III.The Delay (vv ) IV.The Sermon (vv a)

A.Requested (v. 24a) 1.Why? Wanted to know more about the faith 2.Was it genuine interest – thinking of obeying? 3.Was it curiosity?

IV.The Sermon (vv a) A.Requested (v. 24a) B.Concerned the faith in Christ (v. 24b) 1.The gospel - The faith 2.What it means to believe in Christ

IV.The Sermon (vv a) A.Requested (v. 24a) B.Concerned the faith in Christ (v. 24b) C.The content (v. 25) 1.Righteousness - God’s plan for being righteous a.Revealed in the gospel (Rom.1:16-17) b.By faith in Christ (Rom. 3:21-22) c.Requires submission (Rom. 10:1-3)

IV.The Sermon (vv a) A.Requested (v. 24a) B.Concerned the faith in Christ (v. 24b) C.The content (v. 25) 1.Righteousness - God’s plan for being righteous 2.Self Control – Submission to God’s will a.Suppress of own will – yielding to will of God b.Abstain & cease sin (i.e. their adultery) c.Faith in Christ involves a dramatic change!

IV.The Sermon (vv a) A.Requested (v. 24a) B.Concerned the faith in Christ (v. 24b) C.The content (v. 25) 1.Righteousness - God’s plan for being righteous 2.Self Control – Submission to God’s will 3.Judgment to come – Reason need to be right a.Repent in view of judgment (Acts 17:30-31) b.All will be before the judgment (2 Cor. 5:10)

IV.The Sermon (vv a) A.Requested (v. 24a) B.Concerned the faith in Christ (v. 24b) C.The content (v. 25) D.Boldness of Paul 1.Addressing a couple in adultery 2.Addressing one who had power to release or execute

Paul Before Felix Acts 24 I.The Charge (vv. 1-9) II.The Defense (vv ) III.The Delay (vv ) IV.The Sermon (vv a) V.The Wait (vv. 25b-27)

A.Was afraid (v. 25b) 1.“Trembled” (KJV), “Terrified” (ASV) 2.Saw the truth and it scared him!

V.The Wait (vv. 25b-27) A.Was afraid (v. 25b) B.Waited for convenient time (v. 25b) 1.Postponed – put it off – delayed 2.“When the time is right” 3.No evidence ever found that time

V.The Wait (vv. 25b-27) A.Was afraid (v. 25b) B.Waited for convenient time (v. 25b) C.While he waited (vv ) 1.Hoped for a bribe (v. 26) 2.Talked often with Paul (v. 26) 3.Left Paul bound (v. 27)

Paul Before Felix Acts 24 I.The Charge (vv. 1-9) II.The Defense (vv ) III.The Delay (vv ) IV.The Sermon (vv a) V.The Wait (vv. 25b-27)