Morning Light – Acts 24: Proclaiming the Kingdom in the Midst of Chaos

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Today: [Acts 24] Proclaiming the Kingdom in the Midst of Chaos: In Caesaria Paul is bound over for trial and Ananias the High Priest comes before Governor Felix to accuse him. Paul makes his defense and as a result, is given liberty under Roman guard and an opportunity to share Jesus in private with the Roman ruler and his wife. In this, we learn that the opportunities to share the gospel of the kingdom come in times that we may find ourselves in defense of our lives and freedom.
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[Act 24:1-13 KJV] 1 And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and [with] a certain orator [named] Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. 2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse [him], saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, 3 We accept [it] always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. 5 For we have found this man [a] pestilent [fellow], and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: 6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law. 7 But the chief captain Lysias came [upon us], and with great violence took [him] away out of our hands, 8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him. 9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so. 10 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: 11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. 12 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: 13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
In the previous chapter, we see Paul brought under the guard of 600 men to Ceasaria in the north. This is 70 miles on horseback. You will remember that Ceasaria is where Peter declares that Jesus is the Christ. This is a center of pagan worship and a seat of power in the area. The Jews are intent on bringing about Paul’s death for they sense that his leadership of the newfound faith is resulting in tremendous growth among both Jews and Gentiles. Remember that the backdrop of their hatred is racial in nature. They consider Paul particularly detestable because they see him fashioning a faith-based on the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that includes Gentile peoples. This is intolerable to them, and while they hate Rome and Gentiles, in general, they intend to use them to destroy Paul and bring him to his death.
Ananias, the high priest, hires an orator by the name of Tertullus to speak against Paul to the governor by the name of Felix. Tertullus is a Hellenized Jews and a lawyer by trade. Again we see the willingness of the Jewish leadership to employ a person of lesser birth by their estimation because Hellenized Jews were considered damaged goods by the Hebrew speaking leaders of Jerusalem and the temple.
The governor that Paul stands before is known to history by his full name Marcus Antonius Felix. He served previously as secretary to Emperor Claudius and is descended from the Greek kings of Arcadia previously conquered by Rome. He is a man resentful of those he serves under and convinced by his high birth that he is deserving of much more honor than to serve as ruler over this Judean backwater. Tertullus knows Felix background very well and flatters him by addressing him as “most noble Felix…” when in reality Felix is nothing more than a brutal little bureaucrat with a reputation for viciousness, vice, and crime.
Tertullus accuses Paul before Felix of being a seditious fellow, provoking unrest against Rome which would be of great interest to Felix whose only way to garner favor with the Emperor is to uncover plots and rebellion against the state. Tertullus is appealing to the greed, avarice and naked ambition of Felix to seek a higher position in the Roman empire. Tertullus refers to Paul as a ringleader of the Nazarenes, a reference to Christianity that will shift when Paul goes before Festus in the next chapter.
Paul is accused of profaning the temple and the chief captain Lysias is accused of being overbearing and meddlesome regarding Paul’s rescue from the hands of the mob in Jerusalem. Felix isn’t particularly interested in these local matters, and Tertullus is attempting to lay the blame for the necessity of this proceeding on mismanagement by Lysias of the entire affair. In making his case, Tertullus is backed up in verse 9 but the corroborating testimony of the many Jews who have traveled the 70 miles from Jerusalem to attend this judicial hearing.
After all of this dramatic theater opens with such oratory and flattery Felix wordlessly motions to Paul permission to speak for himself. Paul responds that he is very cheerful in his answer to the governor because Felix has judged Israel for many years and knew their character and their ways very well. Paul points out that it was scant 12 days ago since he arrived in Jerusalem suggesting how he could incite insurrection against Rome in such a short period of time? What Paul is trying to do is get Felix to see things from the viewpoint of the Emperor should these affairs be judged against him in such a way as to send word to Rome to curry some favor or promotion. Paul points out that while the accusations against him are profound, they cannot be proven.
What can we learn from these matters regarding our own Christian faith? We are reminded that Jesus tells us we may expect to be called on to answer for our faith to very hostile judges. You may think that is unlikely but consider the power of ungodly men, averse to our faith who have ability to influence our daily lives. What if your boss doesn’t like the scripture on your desk? What if the school doesn’t like the bible themed lunch box your children carry to school. What if you must needs go to the school administration to exempt your children from a politically correct subject in class that is contrary to our Christian values? If you have any spine whatsoever, it is entirely expected that you too will one day stand to answer for yourself as Paul does in this chapter and thus there are many things to learn regarding how Paul proceeds.
[Acts 24:14-27 KJV]
14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: 15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and [toward] men. 17 Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. 18 Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. 19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me. 20 Or else let these same [here] say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council, 21 Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day. 22 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. 23 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. 24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. 26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. 27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
Paul openly confesses that after the way the Jews call heresy, so he does, in fact, worship the God of his fathers. What is Paul doing? He is appealing to the salacious side of Felix’ character. Felix knows that the Jews consider him a pagan and nothing more than a dog and if Paul is seen as a heretic against their racist belief system then surely he can’t be that bad. Paul goes on to say that his beliefs are not contradictory with what the law and the prophets say, suggesting that it is the Jewish rulers who are misinterpreting their canons and that he, Paul in accepting Gentiles on equal footing in the economy of God is the accurate interpreter of the scripture. AGain we have to see the undertone of racism and bigotry in this narrative, which Paul is exploiting before Felix for his benefit. Have you ever deal with racism in your society? It is true that systemic racism in our legal system is addressed more now than at any other time in our history but in fact, race relations are at a low ebb that hasn’t been seen since the 1960’s. Institutionally racism is overruled, but culturally it touches every aspect of our lives and not in a positive way.
Unfortunately the church, either black or white has not proven itself a part of the solution but sadly is part of the problem, intrangisent against change, unwilling to address its own inherent bigotry and resistant to the message of the gospel it claims to champion when it comes to equality among men and woman, different races and the different classes is claims to serve.
In Paul’s extended remarks he makes reference again to the schism between the Pharisees and Sadducees regarding the doctrine of the afterlife, the belief in a spirit in man and the existence of angels. The Jews that are present don’t take the bait this time, so Paul goes on to repeat the “good conscience” comment he made in front of Ananias previously hoping to provoke the high priest into assaulting him in front of Felix which he does not do.
In verse 18 Paul answers the question as to why he was in Jerusalem and the fact that the riot that ensued was instigated by Asian Jews (who were under Felix’ immediate jurisdiction, implying that this whole affair lay at his feet regarding sedition in under his own rule.) What Paul is suggesting that the trouble didn’t originate with him or even in Jerusalem but in the north where Felix should in Paul’s suggestion be paying attention.
Felix sits in his judgment seat listening to all of these conflicting reports. He then dismisses the litigants including Paul, declaring that he will have Lysias the chief captain come from Jerusalem and testify for himself of these matters. There is some indication as to where his thoughts are leaning when he commands Paul to be set at liberty with a Roman bodyguard until further proceedings.
In the meantime Felix calls his wife to sit in a private audience with Paul whereupon Paul reasons of righteousness, temperance and judgment to come to the governor and his wife. What is Paul doing? He is proclaiming the gospel to this ruling couple, and Felix visibly trembles under the conviction of the Holy Ghost. In the coming years, Felix’ wife Drusilla will die in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius that destroyed Pompei. Felix will fall out of favor with Nero yet his life will be spared, and he fades from history with little known about his eventual death. What does all of this picture for us? In the midst of all the intrigues, chaos and confusion between Rome, Jerusalem, Ananias and the Apostle Paul the kingdom is asserting itself, and that is where you will shine when you are in similar circumstances. In facing your own examinations with your job, or a relationship or something else important to you being on the line, look for the opportunity as Paul did to preach the gospel and bring souls to Christ as in the case of Felix and Drusilla, trembling before Paul who will not be able to say at the judgment that they didn’t know or have opportunity to accept Christ as their savior.