Acts Chapter 24 Verses 1-9

Acts 24:1 “And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. 2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, 3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. 5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: 6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law. 7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, 8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him. 9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.”

“And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.”  Here we see the continued tactics of the persecutors of the Lord’s servants and of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  While they have no real truthful charges to bring against Paul, they hired an orator who is gifted in political persuasion to attempt to convince the governor against Paul.  The use of political persuasion and governmental pressure against the Lord’s church has been a tactic used throughout the ages.

“And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, 3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.”  The orator began his persecution and accusation with great flattery of the governor to appeal to his pride as the governor.  He uses such words and phrases as “great quietness;” “worthy deeds;” “providence;” and “most noble” all of which are to flatter the governor and to appeal to his pride.

“For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: 6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.”  When describing Paul by contrast he uses words and phrases designed to denigrate Paul as “pestilent fellow;” “mover of seditions;” “ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes;” and “profaner of the temple.”  By using these phrases he presented Paul and the Lord’s disciples in a negative light.  We notice also that the orator presented no evidence for the charges he brought. 

“But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,”  In fact the accusation against Lysias of using great violence to deliver Paul out of their hands was just the opposite of the truth.  The truth was that Lysias delivered Paul from the great violence of these wicked Jews.

“Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.  And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.”  Using numbers of people to assert lies is another tactic of the persecutors. 

Verses 10-21

Acts 24:10 “Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself: 11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. 12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: 13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.

14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: 15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

17 Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. 18 Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. 19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me. 20 Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council, 21 Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.”

"Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:” Unlike the orator Paul does not use flattery to influence the governor but simply states the truth concerning the governor.

“Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.  And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.”  Paul refutes the charges made against him and states that they cannot prove the things of which they accuse him.  The fact is all the charges were false.  This is typical of persecutors to use false charges against the Lord, his disciples, and the church.

“But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:” Paul’s proof of the way he worships which the persecutors call heresy is what is written in the law and the prophets.  When charges are made today against the way the Lord’s church is supposed to worship our answer should be that it is the way that is written in the scriptures. 

“And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.”  Paul brings in the fact that he is in agreement with his persecutors in his hope of the resurrection, both of the just and the unjust. 

“And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.”  Unlike the picture the persecutors presented, Paul maintained he exercised himself to have a conscience void of offense towards God and towards man.  In this Paul is an example to us of how we should live even in the midst of persecutors.  It is so easy to get angry and strike out against the persecutors the way that they treat us.  However, to do so would put us on a very low level as they are.  

“Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.”  Here Paul states his purpose for coming to Jerusalem.  It was not to cause trouble or to pollute the temple, but for the love that he had for his nation.

“Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.  Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.”  Paul points out there are witnesses who can testify to his veracity.

“Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council, Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.”  Paul affirms the reason behind the persecutors hatred of him is his preaching and teaching that the Lord had risen from the dead.  Thus their hatred of Paul is just an extension of their hatred of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Moreover, when we are persecuted it is because of our allegiance to the Jesus as taught in the scriptures which is in direct contrast to their false Christ.

Verses 22-27

Acts 24:22 “And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. 23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him. 24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. 26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. 27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.”

“And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.”  Felix the governor deferred judgment until he had heard from the chief captain Lysias.  It would appear that Felix was torn between showing favor to the Jews and actually declaring Paul not guilty of the charges, therefore, he deferred them.

“And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.”  Felix showed favor to Paul the prisoner by giving him liberty and not forbidding any of his acquaintance to minister to him or come to him.

“And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.  And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.”  Felix having a wife which was Jewish sent for him and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.  Felix trembled having heard Paul as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come.  No doubt the governor was pricked in his heart concerning the teachings of the Apostle Paul.

“He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.”  Even though Felix trembled at the preaching of Paul, his fleshly nature and corruption in his position as governor was made manifest by his desire to receive money from Paul in order to let him go.

“But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.”  With a new governor coming Felix did the politically expedient thing by keeping Paul bound as a favor to the Jews.