We discovered last week that Paul’s attempt to reason with the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem ended before it ever got started! Rescued once again by the Romans and learning of a plot by the Jews to kill Paul, the Roman commander ordered his soldiers to take Paul during the night to Caesarea, and deliver the letter he had written to Felix, the Roman governor of the province. And when Felix read the letter, he informed Paul that he would give him a hearing, but only after his accusers arrived from Jerusalem, which they did just a few days later. In today’s blog, we see that those accusers included the high priest Ananias along with some of the elders of the Sanhedrin, and an attorney named Tertullus.

After Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began his prosecutorial speech by addressing the governor as “most excellent Felix,” and began praising him for his efforts to attain peace and carry out much-needed reforms. But he then proceeds to present the charges against Paul by saying,

“We have found this man to be a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the Empire, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes” (Acts 24:5). 

Tertullus was absolutely correct, in that Paul had become a real “pest” to unbelieving Jews throughout the Empire, and of course, dissention followed him as he presented the Gospel in synagogues and in the marketplace in both Asia and Europe. And notice how he referred to Christians as “Nazarenes” (those who were followers of Jesus of Nazareth) and the church as a “sect” (a branch of Judaism). And then a false accusation began to flow from the lips of Tertullus,

“He even tried to desecrate the temple” (Acts 24:6).

If you remember, Paul had previously told the crowd in Jerusalem that he did not bring Trophimus, a Gentile from Ephesus, into the temple, but the Jews had used his presence in Jerusalem as an excuse to try and condemn Paul. And then Tertullus added that while the Sanhedrin was trying to judge Paul according to their own Law, Lysias, the Roman Commander, took Paul into the Roman barracks for protection. Tertullus continued by saying,

“By examining him yourself concerning all these matters you will be able to ascertain the things of which we accuse him” (Acts 24:8).  

Interestingly, Luke tells us that all of the other Jewish accusers present in Felix’s court joined together, asserting the truth of the accusations presented by Tertullus. Finally, Felix asked Paul to defend himself. Notice that the Jews had provided a prosecutorial attorney to present the case to Felix, but Paul, acting in his own defense said,

“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense, since you can take note of the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing a riot. Nor can they prove to you the charges of which they now accuse me” (Acts 24:10-13). 

Paul began his defense by telling the Felix that none of the charges brought against him were true, and that the Jews had no evidence to confirm these charges. Paul continued by telling Felix those things that were actually true, saying,

But this I admit to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men (Acts 24:14-16). 

Notice those things that Paul actually admitted about his life and ministry:

• That he served the God of our fathers, but according to “the Way” (of Jesus);
• That he believed in everything that is in accordance with the Law and Prophets;
• That he, and his accusers, believed in the hope of the resurrection; and
• That he does all he can to maintain a blameless conscience before God and men.

At this point, Paul brought Felix up to date with his recent trip to Jerusalem, saying,

“Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings; in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been purified, without any crowd or uproar. But there were some Jews from Asia who ought to have been present before you and to make accusation, if they should have anything against me. Or else let these men themselves tell what misdeed they found when I stood before the Council, other than for this one statement which I shouted out while standing among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today’” (Acts 24:17-21).

Paul, acting in his own defense, told Felix that it was the Jews from Asia (where Paul had faced much opposition to the gospel during each of his missionary journeys) who had accused him because they recognized Trophimus as a Gentile, and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple. Paul said that he had done nothing wrong according to the Law, and that the only thing they could accuse him of was defending the truth of the resurrection of the dead, something that pleased the Pharisees in the Council, but which caused the liberal Sadducees (the sect who oversaw temple policies), to instigate the riot. Interestingly, Luke records,  

But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case” (Acts 24:22).

Interestingly, Luke tells us that Felix knew more about “the Way” than Paul’s Jewish accusers did, and he then proceeded to put them off by requesting that Lysias (the Roman commander) come down to Caesarea and provide more information about the accusations against Paul. While waiting for Lysias, Paul’s friends (including Philip and Luke himself) were permitted to minister to him. And then, some days later, Felix arrived with his Jewish wife Drusilla, and both of them heard Paul,

…speak about faith in Christ Jesus. But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you” (Acts 24:24-25). 

It certainly looks like Paul’s message about righteousness, self-control, and judgment brought conviction to Felix, and his natural reaction was to call a halt to Paul’s message and wait to hear more at another time. Luke records this interesting fact, that over the next two years, Felix would often send for Paul and visit with him (Acts 24:26).

Could it be possible that during these discussions with Paul, Felix and his wife actually became Christians? It is certainly a possibility! So, what was Luke doing during these next two years until Festus became the Felix’s successor? Luke doesn’t tell us, but I believe that this is the time when Luke took it upon himself to travel throughout Israel, interviewing hundreds of eyewitnesses to the life and ministry of Jesus. The written accounts of Luke’s interviews form the essence of his letter to Theophilus, Paul’s defense attorney waiting for them in Rome. And, of course, this letter to Theophilus has become what we know as the Gospel of Luke.

During the course of our lives, we have all had to face the false accusations of others. And the most painful part is knowing that the accuser actually knows the truth, but proceeds to fabricate a lie, doing damage to our own reputation and the reputation of others. What did Paul do? He simply confronted the lie with the truth, calling on others to confirm the truth of the matter.

May we all remember that Satan is both a liar (John 8:44) and the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10), and the only way to defeat his accusations is to confront him with the truth. And as we all know, it is the “truth” that will set us free (John 8:32). Let’s remember to do that this week – confront the lies of Satan whenever they pop up, and stand firm on the truth of God revealed in His Word.

Next week, we will see what happens when Festus arrives in Caesarea. I hope you will join me.