Five
days after Paul arrived in Caesarea, the high priest Ananias and a lawyer named
Tertullus brought charges against Paul to the governor (v. 1-2). Tertullus
began with flattery (v. 2-4). If he could win Felix’s favour, he assumed, his
case would have a better chance of winning. Tertullus then made three specific
accusations against Paul. He said Paul was a troublemaker who stirred up riots
among the Jews (v. 5). This was essentially a charge of stirring up rebellion
against the governing Romans. He said Paul was a ringleader of the Nazarene
sect, another name for Christians (v. 5). Small sects inciting uprisings were
common in ancient Rome, so Tertullun tried to use Paul’s faith to paint a
picture of him as a revolutionary. Finally, he said Paul tried to desecrate the
temple (v. 6). While this charge was blatantly false, it was a means to justify
the Jew’s involvement in Paul’s arrest. After hearing the accusations, Paul had
the opportunity to formally reply (v. 10). Paul reminds his hearers that he was
recently in Jerusalem and made no attempt to stir up rebellion there (v. 11-12).
He further states that Tertullun and Ananias have no proof for the charges they
made (v. 13). Paul stated that he was not a heretic, as his beliefs lined up
with the Jewish Scriptures (v. 14-15). His motive for being in Jerusalem was
good (v. 17) and he did not defile the temple while there (v. 18). Felix
dismissed the hearings, only to procrastinate on Paul’s judgment (v. 22-27). Felix
used this procrastination as a way of people-pleasing (v. 27) and avoiding
making a personal decision for or against the gospel of Jesus (v. 25).
Journaling and Prayer
1. Paul was confident in his faith, even though he
was slandered on a regular basis. He was always willing to respectfully give an
answer for the hope that he had (1 Peter 3:15). Drawing from your knowledge of
Paul (both from Acts and from his other New Testament writings), why do you
think he was able to do this? Ask God how you can grow in this area.
2. Felix has a lot of character flaws working
against him in this account. Ask God to search your heart. Do you procrastinate
to avoid making difficult decisions (v. 25)? Do you people-please (v. 27)? Do
you harbour greed in your heart (v. 26)? Confess anything that is revealed and
repent of it.
3. Pray for high school students in our community.
Pray that they would stand firm against the temptation to rebel against parents
and authorities. Pray that they would how to love extravagantly and work
diligently. Pray that many would encounter God and build deep, permanent
relationships with Him.
