September 4, 2022
Evening Service

Last week Sam almost got Paul killed.  But the Centurion saved him, and delivered him to Felix the Governor.  This was Felix’s last statement, Act 23:35  he said, "I will hear you when your accusers also have come." And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's Praetorium.

And this is where we begin in chapter 24.

Act 24:1-27  Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul.  (2)  And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: "Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight,  (3)  we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.  (4)  Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us.  (5)  For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.  (6)  He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law.  (7)  But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands,  (8)  commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him."  (9)  And the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so.

·        Now the time is AD 55.  Twenty two years after the ascension of Christ. The Sanhedrin has hired a smooth talkin Orator, or Lawyer, to accuse Paul in front of Felix the Governor. Notice the flattery.

·        But Paul was not without this technic of flattery himself. 

(10)  Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: "Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself,  (11)  because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.  (12)  And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city.  (13)  Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.  (14)  But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.  

·        Just a note here; there is a group that calls themselves the Way. JFYI.

 

Paul goes on, (15)  I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.  

·        As Sam mentioned last week the Sanhedrin was split on this idea of the resurrection.  Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection, or spirits, and Pharisee’s believed in both.  I guess they did fairly well at their jobs even if they didn’t agree on this.

(16)  This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.  

·        Now this is something here in itself, and offense awareness.  Yea toward God, but man.  Well, this is an example for us to be careful of our offenses toward man as well as God.

(17)  "Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation,  

·        In chapter 21 of Acts is where Paul went to Jerusalem, and entered the house of James and told him all that God had been doing among the Gentiles.  And this is where Paul took the vow, to show the Jews that he also kept the law. This was at James suggestion.  Long story.

(18)  in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult.  (19)  They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me. (20)  Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council,  (21)  unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, 'Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.' "

·        Here again, a foundational truth of our faith, the resurrection.

(22)  But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case."  (23)  So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.  

·        Now this pretty lenient.  Paul has his way, and much freedom.

(24)  And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.  (25)  Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you."  

 

·        Now what is it about righteousness, self-control, and judgment to come, that caused Felix to tremble?

·        Righteousness = Rom 4:3  For what does the Scripture say? "ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS ACCOUNTED TO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS."  Paul goes on in this chapter, and explains to the church at Rome that righteousness comes by faith, not by works.  Nothing here to scare anyone.

·        Self-control = See Abstinence, Total; Graces, Christian; Patience; Tact; Rashness  There would be nothing here to cause one to tremble.

·        Judgment to come =  aw, now we are getting somewhere.  The judgment to come should make anyone tremble that’s not a Christian.

2Co 5:9-11  Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.  (10)  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.  (11)  Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;

Felix, and his wife Drusilla, being a Jewess, had heard of the wrath of God on people that had come against Israel in the past, and this fear of God’s wrath, caused Felix to tremble.  However, sometimes this can be for only a moment.  I don’t believe one serves God because of fear, but of love.  Love is enduring, fear is but fleeting. However, I believe we should have a reverent fear of our God, and do our best to serve Him out of our love for Him, and what He has done for us.

(26)  Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him.  (27)  But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.

·        Think of that two years in bondage, not unbearable bondage, but none the less bondage.

And it’s been almost two thousand years since all this happened, and the Lord has promised to come back for the church, and it won’t be long.

 

That concludes chapter 24 of Acts.  Next week Andy will have chapter 25.