Lesson 30: Paul’s Defense Before Felix & Two-Year Imprisonment in Caesarea (24:1-27)

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study Paul was brought before Felix and accused of insurrection (24:1-9). Ananias (the high priest) and the elders traveled 60 miles to falsely accuse Paul (24:1). They brought their attorney, Tertullus (probably their legal counsel in Roman affairs). Tertullus brought forth the “legal charge” against Paul before Felix (24:2-8). First, Tertullus lavished Felix with flattery, filled with exaggerations (24:2-4). Then, Tertullus leveled wild accusations against Paul, with zero evidence (24:5-8). When Tertullus concluded, the Jews picked up his lie and kept on affirming it (24:9).

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding Christianity is not a “sect” and it does not have any “sects” within it! Three times in Acts, Christianity was called a “sect” (24:5, 14; 28:22), but not by God. The Greek word for “sect” is hairesis (heresy), indicating “parties, factions, divisions.” The opponents of Christianity saw it as a “sect” (perhaps of Judaism), but God did not! Christianity is the ONE and ONLY WAY set out and acceptable to God to save man! It is not a sect! It is not made up of sects (cf. 1 Cor. 1:10)! It is ONE (Eph. 4:1-6).

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study Paul made his defense (Gk, apologeomai) cheerfully before Felix & accusers (24:10-21). Felix had been serving as the procurator/governor of that region for about 7 years. Paul first argued that none of their accusations against him could be proven (24:11-13). Paul then testified the truth about himself—his life was focused on God (24:14-16). Paul summarized the events and the facts worth Felix’s attention (24:17-21).

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding There is a direct correlation between the prophecies of the OT & the realities of the NT! Paul believed, taught and defended “the Way,” which is N.T. Christianity (24:14)! What Paul believed, taught and defended was “written in the Law and prophets”! “The OT is the NT concealed; the NT is the OT revealed” (see Gal. 3:19-25).

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding There will be only one resurrection of the dead—both of the just and the unjust (24:15)! The righteous and the unrighteous will be raised at the same hour (John 5:28-29). There will not be two resurrections separated by one thousand years. There will not be a resurrection of only the righteous. All raised at the same hour.

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study Felix refused to properly handle (dismiss) Paul’s case but kept him imprisoned (24:22-27). After Paul’s defense, Felix “deferred” (ASV), “put off” (NASB), lit. “threw up” (24:22). Felix met with Paul frequently, hoping that he might receive bribe money (24:26). Felix & his wife, Drusilla, had a meeting with Paul, perhaps from curiosity (24:24-25). Paul remained in prison in Caesarea for two years, until Festus succeeded Felix (24:27).

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding There is no more convenient time to obey God than right now! Felix put off obeying the gospel, and to our knowledge, he never did obey. Salvation is too precious and life is too precarious to delay obedience to God!

Practical Points of Application for Our Lives III. Practical Points of Application for Our Lives Others may/will try to stop us, but let us never back down from preaching Jesus! Let us serve God, put our hope in God and strive to have a clear conscience toward God! We need to give careful attention to righteousness, self-control & the judgment to come! We must take responsibility for our salvation and not put it off or make excuses!