Pastor's Sermon Notes: The Initial Hearing Before Felix Acts (24:1-21)

The Initial Hearing Before Felix

Acts 24:1-21

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. 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.

Introduction:

Paul finally made it to Jerusalem. And now Paul has made it alive out of Jerusalem. Paul has been interrupted every time he had opportunity to speak in Jerusalem in his own defense.

“Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore.”

Let’s see Paul’s accusers interrupt him now! Let’s see them treat him like they did in Jerusalem, now that the Romans are in control of the hearing in Caesarea!

Outline:

I. The Prosecution Presented by Tertullus for the Jews (24:1-9)

1. The Occasion for the Prosecution (24:1)

2. The Presentation of the Charges (24:2-8)

3. The Affirmation of the Accusations (24:9)

II. Paul’s Self-Defense (24:10-21)

1. Paul’s Readiness to Speak to Felix in His Own Defense (24:10)

2. Paul’s Response to the First Charge (24:11-13)

3. Paul’s Response to the Second Charge (24:14-21)

Transition: 

It is important to keep in mind two items of vital background information as this hearing begins:

1. The letter from Claudius Lysias to Felix, and,

2. The historical information about the character of Felix, and the impact of his rule on the Jews.

I. The Prosecution Presented by Tertullus for the Jews (24:1-9)

1. The Occasion for the Prosecution (24:1)

2. The Presentation of the Charges (24:2-8)

3. The Affirmation of the Accusations (24:9)

1. The Occasion for the Prosecution (24:1)

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.

“a certain orator named Tertullus” - This is a smooth move on the part of the Jews. They seem aware of the carefulness they need to operate with given this change of venue, which has removed the prosecution of Paul from their control. This is about playing politics, and attempting to win over Felix to their side with a skilled spokesman. How they are operating now is quite different from the incidents which Claudius Lysias witness in their midst in Jerusalem!

2. The Presentation of the Charges (24:2-8)

1) The Flattery of Felix (24:2-4)

2) The First Charge — Sedition, a violation of Roman Law (24:5)

3) The Second Charge — Desecration, a violation of Jewish Law (24:6)

4) The Complication — Prosecution in the proper venue prevented by Lysias (24:7-8)

1) The Flattery of Felix (24:2-4)

 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.

Read: “You have been a royal pain to our nation, the cause of great disruptions among our people. You have been guilty of many criminal offenses in your corrupt rule, which rule we reject bitterly, and thus expect no fair hearing or justice at your hands.”

If this were a ball game, there would not be 9 innings. There is only one inning in this ball game, and Tertullus is on the mind. There will only be 3 pitches thrown, and if they are not strikes then the side will be retired. However, this pitch sets the pace for this first half of this one inning ball game. Tertullus is throwing illegal pitches that were gradually outlawed between 1919 and 1934. They were nicknamed “spit balls.” It does not look good for Tertullus if this is the best Ananias has in his dugout!

2) The First Charge — Sedition, a violation of Roman Law (24:5)

 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:

Read: “No one could be more disturbing to our troublemaking than he who was authorized by us to persecute the followers of Jesus Christ, whom we crucified.”

3) The Second Charge — Desecration, a violation of Jewish Law (24:6)

 ⁶ Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.

Read: “…would have murdered in cold blood.”

4) The Complication — Prosecution in the proper venue prevented by Lysias (24:7-8)

 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.

There is a textual issue involving the end of verse 6, all of verse 7, and the beginning of verse 8.

However, without these words we are left with no explanation for the determination of Felix in verse 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.”

Read: “…who prevented the violence that we were about to perpetrate.”

3. The Affirmation of the Accusations (24:9)

 ⁹ And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.

The many against the one.

This is a familiar scenario in the history of the faithful!

From Noah, to Elijah, from Christ to Paul, from Athanasius to Martin Luther, it has been the same!

2 Timothy 4:16-18 — 16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Note: What Paul refers to in this “swan song,” his final epistle prior to his execution, may possibly refer to his attempt at an informal defense in Acts 22:1, to this this event which stands as a formal pre-trial hearing, or to an unknown initial hearing in Rome before Caesar.

II. Paul’s Self-Defense (24:10-21)

1. Paul’s Readiness to Speak to Felix in His Own Defense (24:10)

2. Paul’s Response to the First Charge (24:11-13)

3. Paul’s Response to the Second Charge (24:14-21)

1. Paul’s Readiness to Speak to Felix in His Own Defense (24:10)

 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:

No flattery here! What a contrast to the opening statement by the “orator”!

2. Paul’s Response to the First Charge (24:11-13)

1) The Time Period Involved in the Charge Insufficient (24:11)

2) The Absence of Activity Anywhere to Substantiate the Charge (24:12)

3) The Absence of any Proof of the Charges (24:13)

1) The Time Period Involved in the Charge Insufficient (24:11)

 ¹¹ Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.

The significant point here is the limited time period: “yet but twelve days.”

They give me an awful lot of credit if they claim that he could do all of this in less than two weeks!

2) The Absence of Activity Anywhere to Substantiate the Charge (24:12)

 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:

Paul makes a specific point about the fact that he never engaged in any arguments, nor attempted to stir up anyone in any venue: not in the Temple, or in any of the synagogues in Jerusalem, nor in public.

3) The Absence of any Proof of the Charges (24:13)

 ¹³ Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.

Where is their proof?

3. Paul’s Response to the Second Charge (24:14-21)

1) Paul’s Declaration of Innocence According to the Scriptures (24:14-16)

2) Paul’s Declaration of Innocence Regarding the Charge of Desecration (24:17-19)

3) Paul’s Declaration of Innocence Before the Jewish Council (24:20-21)

1) Paul’s Declaration of Innocence According to the Scriptures (24:14-16)

 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.

What they call heresy, I call the truth of God!

My faith and my worship is rooted in the Scriptures!

My hope is in something that they themselves will not deny, the general resurrection of the dead!

My conscience is clear, and I am not guilty of anything against God or men!

2) Paul’s Declaration of Innocence Regarding the Charge of Desecration (24:17-19)

 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.

Here is what really happened!

Any tumult was their doing!

Where are the individuals who fabricated this false accusation, and created the initial disruption in the Temple?

Why aren’t they here?

3) Paul’s Declaration of Innocence Before the Jewish Council (24:20-21)

 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.

Why didn’t they deal with this in their own council when they had the opportunity?

The only real issue on the table that there is any proof of at all is my belief in the resurrection!

Conclusion:

The many against the one.

This is a familiar scenario in the history of the faithful!

From Noah, to Elijah, from Christ to Paul, from Athanasius to Martin Luther, it has been the same!

2 Timothy 4:16-18 — 16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Paul could stand alone.

You can stand alone.

Paul was not really alone.

You are not not ever really alone.

Paul was a prisoner, who was not free to go where he wanted.

He would not have chosen this avenue.

Paul had been the subject of violent and frightening opposition.

He did not anticipate this turn of events.

However, Paul keeps speaking of hope.

Paul is looking far beyond his circumstances, and the events of this life.

With the eye of hope he sees and seizes opportunities like this to witness to Christ and the truth of God’s ultimate triumph over death and sin.

Opportunities continue to be laid before the people of God even in the midst of violent persectution, unjust imprisonment, and wicked false accusations.

God does not just “use” wicked turns of events.

God designs and controls every event.

He is not in the business of merely “making the best of a bad situation.”

God’s best is every situation He places His people into.

The way of the cross is His way.

What the eye of the flesh considers the worst things that can happen, the eye of faith understands as the best.

His hand does not just hold the future.

God’s hand has shaped our past, and is in absolute control of our present.

Complete outline:

I. The Prosecution Presented by Tertullus for the Jews (24:1-9)

1. The Occasion for the Prosecution (24:1)

2. The Presentation of the Charges (24:2-8)

1) The Flattery of Felix (24:2-4)

2) The First Charge — Sedition, a violation of Roman Law (24:5)

3) The Second Charge — Desecration, a violation of Jewish Law (24:6)

4) The Complication — Prosecution in the proper venue prevented by Lysias (24:7-8)

3. The Affirmation of the Accusations (24:9)

II. Paul’s Self-Defense (24:10-21)

1. Paul’s Readiness to Speak to Felix in His Own Defense (24:10)

2. Paul’s Response to the First Charge (24:11-13)

1) The Time Period Involved in the Charge Insufficient (24:11)

2) The Absence of Activity Anywhere to Substantiate the Charge (24:12)

3) The Absence of any Proof of the Charges (24:13)

3. Paul’s Response to the Second Charge (24:14-21)

1) Paul’s Declaration of Innocence According to the Scriptures (24:14-16)

2) Paul’s Declaration of Innocence Regarding the Charge of Desecration (24:17-19)

3) Paul’s Declaration of Innocence Before the Jewish Council (24:20-21)

[Sermon preached 22 MAR 2015 by Pastor John T. “Jack” Jeffery at Wayside Gospel Chapel, Greentown, PA.]

Appendix 1 — Resources on Acts

G. K. Beale and D. A. Carson, eds., Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007), pp. 513-606.

Paul Barnett, The Birth of Christianity: The First Twenty Years, After Jesus, Vol. 1 (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2005).

Darrell L. Bock, Acts, Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, eds. Robert W. Yarbrough and Robert H. Stein (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007).

                                                  

F. F. Bruce, The Acts of the Apostles: The Greek Text with Introduction and Commentary, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1951, 1952).

Dennis E. Johnson, The Message of Acts in the History of Redemption (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Publishing, 1997).

I. Howard Marshall, Acts: An Introduction And Commentary, Vol. 5 in Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, gen. ed. Leon Morris (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1980; 2008 reprint).

David G. Peterson, The Acts of the Apostles, in The Pillar New Testament Commentaries, gen. ed. D. A. Carson (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2009).

John B. Polhill, Acts, Vol. 26 in The New American Commentary, gen. ed. David S. Dockery (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, Publishers, 1992).

Eckhard J. Schnabel, Acts, Vol. 5 in the Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament, gen. ed. Clinton E. Arnold (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012).

W. C. van Unnik, “The ‘Book of Acts’ the Confirmation of the Gospel,” in Novum Testamentum 4:1 (OCT 1960), pp. 26-59; reprinted in The Composition of Luke’s Gospel: Selected Studies from Novum Testamentum, compiled by David E. Orton, Vol. 1 of Brill’s Readers in Biblical Studies (Leiden: Brill, 1999), pp. 184-218.

William H. Willimon, Acts, in Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching, series ed. James Luther Mays, New Testament ed. Paul J. Achtemeier (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2010).

Appendix 2 — Resources on Paul

Kenneth E. Bailey, Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes: Cultural Studies in 1 Corinthians  (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2011).

F. F. Bruce, Paul: Apostle of the Heart Set Free (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1977).

D. A. Carson, The Gagging of God: Christianity Confronts Pluralism (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996), pp. 496-501.

W. J. Conybeare and J. S. Howson, The Life, Times and Travels of St. Paul, 2 vols. in 1, unabridged American ed. (New York: E. B. Treat U Co., 1869); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=Bn1CAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 12 FEB 2013].

Adolf Deissmann, Paul: A Study in Social and Religious History, 2nd ed., trans. William E. Wilson (New York: Harper Torchbooks, n.d.).

F. W. Farrar, The Life and Work of St. Paul (New York: E. P. Dutton and Co., 1889); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=RB2KeCSM6KsC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 12 FEB 2013].

Bruce N. Fisk, “Paul: Life and Letters”, in The Face of New Testament Studies: A Survey of Recent Research, ed. Scot McKnight and Grant R. Osborne (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2004), pp. 283-325.

Richard B.Gaffin, Jr., "Acts and Paul", 46 lectures (MP3 format), WTS Resources Media Center on Westminster Theological Seminary at http://wts.edu/resources/media.html?paramType=audio&filterTopic=5&filterSpeaker=10&filterYear=2005 [accessed 20 MAR 2013].

Frank J. Goodwin, A Harmony of the Life of the St. Paul According to the Acts of the Apostles and the Pauline Epistles (New York: American Tract Society, 1895); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=YgpEAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 12 FEB 2013].

Richard N. Longenecker, The Ministry And Message Of Paul (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1971).

Richard N. Longenecker, Paul, Apostle Of Liberty (New York: Harper & Row, 1964).

Richard N. Longenecker, ed., The Road From Damascus : The Impact Of Paul's Conversion On His Life, Thought, And Ministry (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997).

Richard N. Longenecker, Studies In Paul, Exegetical And Theological (Sheffield : Sheffield Phoenix Press, 2004).

J. Gresham Machen, The Origin of Paul's Religion: The James Sprunt Lectures Delivered at Union Theological Seminary in Virginia (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1925).

Leon Morris, The Apostolic Preaching of the Cross (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1955).

John Pollock, The Apostle: A Life of Paul, 3rd ed. (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 1969, 2012); also published as The Man Who Shook the World (Wheaton: Victor Books, 1972; originally The Apostle: A Life of Paul, New York: Doubleday, 1969).

Stanley E. Porter, Paul in Acts, in Library of Pauline Studies, gen. ed. Stanley E. Porter (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1999; 2001 reprint of The Paul of Acts: Essays in Literary Criticism, Rhetoric and Theology, in Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 115, by Mohr Siebeck, Tubingen).

W. M. Ramsay, The Cities of St. Paul: Their Influence on his Life and Thought (New York: A. C. Armstrong and Son; London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1908); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=JryEbmKool0C&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 13 FEB 2013].

W. M. Ramsay, Pauline and Other Studies in Early Christian History (New York: A. C. Armstrong and Son, 1906); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=-1ZJAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 13 FEB 2013].

W. M. Ramsay, St. Paul the Traveler and the Roman Citizen, 10th ed. (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1907); on Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) at http://www.ccel.org/ccel/ramsay/paul_roman.html [accessed 13 FEB 2013].

W. M. Ramsay, The Teaching of Paul in terms of The Present Day: The Deems Lectures in New York University (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1914); on Internet Archive at http://ia600404.us.archive.org/2/items/teachingofpaulin00rams/teachingofpaulin00rams.pdf [accessed 13 FEB 2013].

A. T. Robertson, Epochs in the Life of Paul: A Study of Development in Paul's Character (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1974).

Eckhard J. Schnabel, Paul The Missionary: Realities, Strategies And Methods (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2008).

Udo Schnelle, Apostle Paul: His Life and Theology, trans. M. Eugene Boring (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2003; trans. from Paulus: Leben und Denken, Berlin: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co., n.d.).

Thomas R. Schreiner, Paul, Apostle of God's Glory in Christ: A Pauline Theology (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2001).

James Stalker, The Life of St. Paul, (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1885; rev. ed. 2010 by Kessinger Publishing from 1912 ed.); on Google Books at http://books.google.com/books?id=vT0HAAAAQAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false [accessed 7 FEB 2013].

James Ironside Still, St. Paul on Trial (London: Student Christian Movement, 1923).