HIS TRIAL ADJOURNS BUT PAUL REMAINS A PRISONER

Acts 24:22-23 And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.

In this chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, its author, Luke first relates the appearance of Ananias, the high priest of the Jewish nation, part of its elders that made up the Sanhedrin, and Tertullus, acting as their advising advocate, who presented their accusations against Paul before Felix, the governor of Judea (Vss. 1-9). Following this we find Paul presenting his defense against these charges (Vss. 10-21). The remaining verses of this chapter (22-27) we find Felix, having heard both sides that led to this hearing, adjourning the trial without passing judgment, but to avoid displeasure with the Jewish people, kept Paul under his charge as a prisoner of the Roman government.

The reason Felix deferred his judgment in this matter was, not because of his lack of knowledge of Jewish law for he was well versed on Judaism, but it seems due to the lack of understanding the New Testament doctrine of Christianity, and the fact that it fulfilled the Old Testament prophets and the Mosaic Law. For this reason, he desired to learn to the uttermost of your matter - that is, Paul's testimony of salvation through Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah. He hoped that Lysias, the chief captain of the Roman guard in Jerusalem, would be more knowledgeable of this matter, and could shed additional light on it before any verdict was rendered. Although Felix let him have liberty, probably by freeing him of his chains, Paul was kept under guard and disallowed from having any of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.

While being held under guard, something that seems rather odd happened. Luke tells us about this in the next three verses. Drusilla was the wife of Felix. She was thought to be the youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa I, and shewas a Jewess. This could very well have been the reason that Felix was knowledgeable about the Jewish law and its traditions. And for Felix to better understand both sides that were presented in the trial, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ that Paul professed to have accepted, obeyed, took as his own. And through Christ, he became a dedicated follower of the Christian doctrine - a doctrine that Jesus Christ established by His birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven, to receive the kingdom from His Heavenly Father as it was foretold by the prophets of old.

The complete and exact gospel message of salvation Paul presented to Felix is not given here. In desiring to hear him concerning the faith in Christ (Vs. 24b), no doubt Felix and Drusilla thought Paul would speak of the doctrine of Christianity, but instead verse 25 tells us that he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come. Had Paul desired a favorable judgment from Felix and release from his bondage, he would have used words of praise and flattery, but instead he speaks the very words that condemn the life and conduct of this Roman governor and judge. He spoke of righteousness to Felix - a judge that was known to seek bribes and administer unjust judgments for the sake of personal gain. He spoke of temperance to Felix - a governor filled with unbridled passion and lust that was currently living in adultery with this third wife, Drusilla. In essence, Paul was pleading for Felix and Drusilla to repent of the sinful life they were currently living and accept Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and Savior of the world in order for them, when facing the judgment seat of God, to gain and enjoy eternal life in heaven.

Through Paul, God called Felix and Drusilla to obey His will and become Christians. Nothing is said about Drusilla's response to God's call. However, Felix replied to Paul, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee (Vs. 25b). Although Felix seems moved by Paul's plea for repentance and the hope of eternal salvation, his desire for personal gain prevents him from obeying God's will. It is said that Felix often communed with Paul in hopes of receiving bribery money that he might loose him and set him free (Vs. 26). But after two years Porcius Festus replaced Felix as governor of Judea. And Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound - that is, left Paul in custody of Roman officials and turned him over to the new governor, Porcius Festus, who succeeded him.