April 28, 2014: Acts Chapter 24

The Book of Acts Chapter 24

Originally posted Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Acts Chapter 24:1-9 Paul Before Felix

Everything is now in place for Paul to be brought before Felix for judgment. He is ready with his defense. The High Priest, Ananias and a number of Elders have arrived bringing with them the orator/attorney Tertullus as their court representative. We note that there are no Pharisees in the Jerusalem party who might be sympathetic with Paul. The elders and the High Priest would be Sadducees, the main group opposing Paul. Tertullus was certainly a Gentile and has been trained in Roman law and procedures. Some writers contend he may not have been a convert to Judaism, but the evidence does not favor such a conclusion. Many educated Gentiles were God Worshippers in the Synagogues of the Diaspora.

According to proper procedure Tertullus is the first to speak as prosecuting Attorney. He begins by ingratiating himself and his clients to Felix through a series of complimentary remarks, none of which would pass the test of history. He does not wish to detain Felix any longer than necessary to present the facts of his client's case:

1. Paul is a pestilent fellow. A pestilent person is one who spreads a disease among the people. The disease in this case is his preaching of Jesus as the Messiah, foretold in the Jewish Scriptures, and the need for Jews to repent and believe in Jesus. The result of his pestilence has been the division within Diaspora Synagogues, the loss of members to new Christian communities and of Gentile God worshippers who are also Synagogue benefactors.

2. He is an inciter of riots among all the Jews throughout the world. The riots have occurred because of the jealousy of those who see Paul's success. The incitement to riot is not because of his preaching but from those who reject him and are willing to use force to secure their position. Tertullus does not mention the attempts of the Synagogue leadership to enlist pagan Gentiles and ruffians in their cause.

3. He is the ringleader of the sect of the Nazoreans. Paul is indeed a ringleader of those who believe in Jesus. The use of "sect" is a pejorative term of derision, treating the members as part of an heretical offshoot of Judaism to be ridiculed, much the same as Jews regarded Samaritans and Essenes regarded the Jews.

4. He tried to profane the Temple Sanctuary. That he tried to profane the Temple within the Court of the Israelites was, as we read in 21:28-29, a wild rumor that spread throughout the crowds where noise drowned out fact.

Acts Chapter 24:10-23 Paul's Defense

Paul begins with limited deference to Felix' position as one who has been "a judge over this nation." He characterizes his presence in the Temple as in keeping with his Jewish piety. He rejects the charges brought against him as not provable. He was in the Temple to worship not to join in a dispute with anyone or to stir up a crowd in the Synagogues or the city. Neither did anyone find him doing so. He then shapes his concept of his own association with the Way in the context of his Judaism, thereby refuting the notion that it is a sect. Paul worships the God of Israel believing in the Law and the Prophets. He believes in the final resurrection of the dead which he sees as foretold in Scripture.

He continues, describing his purpose for being in Jerusalem. He had come bringing alms (charitable offerings) and to offer sacrifices to God according to the Law of Moses. Those that have made charges against him found him in the Temple participating in a prescribed Jewish rite of purification, not causing any disturbance. The only reason a disturbance began was because of certain Jews from Asia (21:27-28) but they are not here as they ought to be to bring a charge, if indeed they have any. Can any of these who have come from Jerusalem bring a charge for what he said when he was before the Council? Was it because he declared his hope in the resurrection that he was on trial before the council?

Having heard both sides, Felix, who according to Luke is "well informed" about the Way, adjourned the hearing until such time as he could discuss the matter with Tribune Lysias and render a decision. Until that time Felix relaxed Paul's detention allowing him to have liberty in the facilities and free access by his friends who may come to see to his needs.

Acts Chapter 24:24-27 Paul in Custody

In something of a sub-plot Luke writes of conversations between Felix and Paul regarding Paul's faith in Jesus. Luke notes the subjects as justice, self control and the coming judgment. Why Felix became frightened is not clear. As an aristocratic pagan it probably wasn't the content of the conversations. Some have suggested it was because he was faced with his own mortality and the sense of guilt for having lived a life of deceit, licentiousness and greed. Luke's comment that Felix spoke to Paul often in hopes that Paul might offer him a bribe in exchange for his freedom is an accurate measure of his true character.

For some reason that Luke does not adequately explain, Felix left Paul in custody for two years leaving the case for his successor Porcius Festus to decide (60 CE). That this was to do the Jews a favor may have some merit. He might have realized that his cruelty and corruption as Governor of Judea could follow him to Rome which in fact it did.  Emissaries from Caesarea Maritima traveled to Rome to lodge their complaints about him directly to Emperor Nero. Had it not been for the influence of his brother he probably would have been imprisoned or worse. In this case the favor would have been the added two year detention which, according to Roman law was the maximum amount of time a judgment could be postponed. This would give the Jews enough time to build a better case and get another attorney.