The Acts of the Apostles Acts 24 – Paul’s Defense Before Felix in Caesarea Sunday – July 14, 2019

Paul preaches to Felix and Drusilla After “certain days,” Felix and Drusilla (his wife) sent for Paul that they might hear more about Jesus and the gospel message. Drusilla was one of three daughters belonging to Herod Agrippa I. Herod Agrippa I killed the apostle James and attempted to kill the apostle Peter. Drusilla’s great uncle (Herod Antipas), beheaded John the Baptist. Herod the Great, Drusilla’s great grand father, had all the babies in Bethlehem killed in an attempt to kill Jesus.

Needed lesson to Felix and Drusilla … Background. From the accounts of Josephus we have the following information about Drusilla. A strikingly beautiful woman, Drusilla was the daughter of Herod Agrippa I, who had slain the apostle James and then died a few days later (Acts 12). Her father’s death had occurred in AD 44, when Drusilla was six years old (Antiquities 19:9:1). At the age of sixteen (AD 53), she had married Azizus, ruler of a small kingdom in Syria (Antiquities 20:7:1). Soon afterwards, Felix, using a magician as a go-between, had enticed her to desert her husband and come be his wife (Antiquities 20:7:2). Thus, she had become Felix’s third wife, and they now lived in an adulterous relationship. She was around twenty years old when they visited Paul and heard him speak about the gospel. – Johnny Stringer

Needed lesson to Felix and Drusilla … Background. Background of Felix: Felix’s cruelty and licentiousness, coupled with his accessibility to bribes (Acts 24:26), led to a great increase of crime in Judaea. The period of his rule was marked by internal feuds and disturbances, which he put down with severity. Felix married three times. His first wife was Drusilla of Mauretania the Younger daughter of Ptolemy of Mauretania and Julia Urania. Felix’ second wife was Drusilla of Judea, daughter of Herod Agrippa I and Cypros. Drusilla of Judea divorced Gaius Julius Azizus, King of Emesa to marry him. Felix married for a third time, but little is known about his third wife.

Paul preaches to Felix and Drusilla Acts 24:24-26 Paul preached about righteous living. Self-control. Judgement to come. Felix and Drusilla were terrified of Paul’s message. Paul’s message was one of repentance. The governor and his wife were challenged to change their style of life or face the eternal consequences of not doing so. (cf. Romans 2:4-6)

Confrontation Of Two Kinds Of Greatness Felix -Pomp, splendor, authority, crown, robe, wealth, and arrogance. -Atrocities / Cruelties. -Drusilla, his third wife. -Judge and jury of Paul. Paul -No pomp, vanity, pride, or arrogance. -Conscience undefiled. (Acts 23:1) -Child of the King. -Spiritual Riches. -Ambassador of Christ. -Promised the Crown of Righteousness. -Confident trust in God.

Paul Appealed To Reason Truth is reasonable! (cf. Isaiah 1:18; Romans 12:2) Acts 17:2; Acts 6:10 Prejudice keeps one from examining evidence. Emotionalism. cf. Acts 19:28 Philosophy. Colossians 2:8; cf. Acts 17:16-21