Assignment for 9.27 to 10.3.09. Acts, Chapter 24

[Irving]

Assignment
9.27-10.3.09
Acts
24
Preface: As we learned in our study of chapter 23, Paul had been
delivered to Caesarea for trial under the Roman governor, Felix. On
the bases of (1) a letter from Lysias, the Roman commander at the
garrison adjacent to the Temple in Jerusalem, and (2) on the fact
that Paul was a Roman citizen from the distant province of Cilicia,
and not from a nearby one,
Felix had agreed to hear the case. The hearing , however, would not
begin until Paul’s accusers from the Sanhedrin arrived from
Jerusalem.
Five days later, the accusers arrived, accompanied by their lawyer,
Tertullus. We don’t know whether Tertullus was a Roman or a Jew,
trained in Roman law and protocol. The lawyer presented the case to
Felix, beginning with an obsequious and flattering introduction.
After the introduction, the company of Jews from the Sanhedrin joined
in with an elaboration of the accusations. Then Felix motioned for
Paul to speak.
Paul, not unfamiliar with Roman culture, began with the obligatory
acknowledgment of the judge’s qualifications, but not nearly so
dripping with honey as the introduction of Tertullus. First, Paul
refutes the accusations, in a direct and straightforward way. Then, he
takes the occasion , as always, to give testimony to his faith,
including a very specific reference to the resurrection of the dead,
the very doctrinal point that had divided the Sanhedrin and had throne
them into a violent argument during their hearing of Paul some five
days before. Repeatedly, as he spoke, Paul emphasized that he had
never disrespected Jewish laws or customs. Moreover, Paul told Felix
that his purpose for being in Jerusalem, at the time of his alleged
infractions, was to bring a financial, charitable contribution for
the poor among his people there. Paul did not say it in so many words,
but the inference was undoubtedly that his activity should have been
met with commendation rather than condemnation. Paul ends his
discourse with the statement that the only sustainable accusation that
could be made against him is that he caused the dispute between
factions of the Sanhedrin over the question of resurrection.
At this point Felix displays what will be his approach to handling
the case, namely, deferring judgment by whatever convenient pretext
might be found. This time it is that the Commander, Lysias, must be
summoned to Caesarea to add his testimony. In the meantime, Paul would
remain imprisoned, but with concessions to relieve its severity. He
would be allowed some freedoms and the assistance from his friends to
meet his needs.
Two years of imprisonment would follow until Felix was removed from
his office as governor for reasons known from the historical writings
of Josephus to be incompetence. In the meantime Felix did not ignore
Paul. Within days of the hearing described above, he brought his wife,
Drusilla, to hear Paul speak about his faith in Jesus Christ.
Discomfort overcame Felix as Paul spoke about righteousness, self
control and divine judgment to come, and he brought the session to an
end. Paul was applying the law, and it was doing its work. It was
not the last time they met. Luke records that Felix met with Paul
frequently and talked with him. Evidently, Felix thought that Paul had
access to substantial funds, probably because of the large financial
gift that Paul had brought to Jerusalem, and he expected that Paul
would call upon his resources and offer Felix a bribe, something Paul
would not have done even if he had the money to do it.
Felix might have released Paul when he was about to be removed from
office, but because he wanted to remain in favor with the Jews he did
not.

verse 1. 5 days, just enough time to notify and get the Sanhedrin
representatives to Caesarea. Tertullus is named as the prosecuting
attorney. He was either a Roman or a Jew trained in Roman Law and
protocol. He was retained by the Sanhedrin for this trial. ( See note
on Tertullus at the end of the lesson ).

verses 2,3,4. Notice the obligatory compliments paid by the lawyer to
Felix.

verses 5-8. The Jew’s case is presented. Paul is characterized as a
trouble maker stirring up riots and a desecrater of the Temple.

verse 9. Reinforcement from the attending Sanhedrin members who were
bringing the charges.
verse 10-21. Paul’s defense of himself.

verse 22. Felix was well acquainted with the Nazarene sect. He’s
been around for six years. After hearing the arguments he adjourned
the proceedings until Lysias, the commander at the Temple garrison
arrived. Lysias never came, most likely because Felix never asked him
to.

verse 23. Felix kept Paul under guard, but allowed him a measure of
freedom and let Paul’s friends take care of his needs.

verse 24. After several days Felix came to Paul with his wife
Drusilla. (See note on Drusilla at the end of the lesson). Felix
listened to Paul as he spoke about faith in Christ. Paul never let an
opportunity pass to talk about Jesus.

verse 25. Felix grew uncomfortable as Paul taught. His conscience was
probably bothering him, but it was inconvenient for him to change his
lifestyle.


verse 26. A bribe. This is consistent with Josephus’ evaluation of
Felix.

verse 27. After two years (Felix had no intention of hearing the
case) with Paul still under arrest, Felix was succeeded by Porcius
Festus. Felix was being sacked for doing a poor job, and knowing that
Jews would go to Rome to testify against him, he tried to curry favor
with the Jews by leaving Paul imprisoned. (See note on Festus at the
end of the lesson.).

Notes on significant figures in this lesson

1. Felix. Roman procurator (governor) of Judea 52-59 A.D.
• Brutal in his rule , according to Josephus.
• Owed his position to his brother Pallas, but because of immorality
and
incompetence was replaced by the Roman government.
• He followed appropriate judicial procedure in Paul’s case until he
reached
the point where he didn’t know what to do and just kept him in
prison, albeit
with concessions .
• He hoped for a bribe, which, perhaps, was another reason for
keeping Paul
in prison.

2. Tertullus. Either a Roman or Jew trained in Roman law and
protocol.

Study Questions for Acts
24

1. How did Paul use the course of events to apply both Law and Gospel
in his
exposure to Felix?

2. Comment on the difficulty Paul faced in framing his defense in
these hearings in
which he was being charged with violations of Jewish law, but
also implicitly
with disturbing the peace and causing trouble for Roman
governance.

3. We know the end of the story, so to speak. To what divine
objective, already
revealed to Paul, as recorded in chapter 23, are the events of
this chapter
leading?

4. Do you think Festus sought frequent conversation with Paul for
reasons beside
his attempting to elicit a bribe?

5. Comment on the indications found in the treatment of Paul by Felix
in relation to
his losing his position as governor of Palestine.