PAUL DEFENDS HIMSELF BEFORE FELIX

Acts 24:10-13 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: because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. 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: neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.

Brought before Felix, the governor of Judea, Paul was confronted by the high priest and elders of the Jewish nation through their legal representative, Tertullus. And through him the accusations of the Jewish leaders were brought before the judgment seat of Felix. Paul was accused of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, as well as profaning the temple of the Jewish people. These accusations the high priest and the elders affirmed to be true (See Acts 23:1-9). As we understand that Roman law held that no citizen can be condemned without the opportunity of speaking in his or her own defense. That being so, the governor ...beckoned unto him (Paul) to speak.

Paul, too, opened his defense with complimentary remarks. He told Felix that he could more cheerfully answer for himself because of the many years Felix, as governor, had been a judge of this nation. History tells us that Felix had been the Roman appointed governor and judge over Judea for six or seven years. Because of this extended tenure, Paul said that he was knowledgeable of the legal system as well as the affairs within this Jewish state. Paul was aware that Felix had been given, and was fully aware of his personal activities for the entire period of twelve days since (he) ...went up to Jerusalem for to worship. Many bible scholars describe this twelve-day period. B. W. Johnson gives this concise accounting: "the first is the day Paul meets James and the elders; the second he enters upon his vow; the seventh he is seized in the temple, the eighth tried before the Sanhedrin; the eleventh day he is delivered to Felix, and the thirteenth appears before his court."

Paul begins his refutation of the charges brought against him by assuring the governor that those accusing him neither found me in the temple disputing with any man. Although found in the temple, Paul's actions were peaceable and could not be considered to be disputing or riotous. This being so, the accusation of being a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition made by the Jewish leaders through Tertullus was a mere fabrication of untruthfulness. Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. Paul lays before his accusers the challenge of proving the charges brought against him, confidently realizing that they could not do so.

The absence of this proof refutes their charge against Paul of being a ringleader of the Nazarenes (Vs. 5), or any other sect that opposes the worship of God. Rather he affirms that he has in the past worshipped God, and still does to this day, worship the same God that they also worship. However, he does not disavow being a Christian - the way, which they call heresy, but rather confirms that he is a follower of Christ and a member of His church, which Jesus died to establish. Also, Paul confirms that he had been baptized into that body for the remission of his sins. This he affirms in verses 14-16, which follow the lesson text.

Paul assures Felix that, like his accusers, he has been, and still remains a firm believer in the truths found in the Mosaic Law - that is in all things, which are written in the law and in the prophets. The writers of the Old Law prophesied about, believed in, and earnestly expected the coming of the Messiah and the future resurrection of both saint and sinner. Paul not only confirms this same belief for himself, but he also preaches its fulfillment in Christ Jesus, and His death of the cross of Calvary, to atone for the sins of all that accept Him as their Savior, and are baptized into His body, the church of Christ. For this reason Paul could say with all confidence to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

Paul came to Jerusalem to bring an offering from the churches of Greece to relieve the suffering in Judea. Being found in, and accused of profaning, the temple by zealous Jews that rejected Christianity, he was brought before the Jewish council and finally before Roman officials. Neither his original accusers, nor the Jewish council members that were currently condemning Paul, could prove anything worthy of death or any other punishment. Paul sums up his defense before Felix by assuring him that his stand on the resurrection was the reason he was called in question before by you this day (See Vss. 17-21).