A STUDY GUIDE ACTS 24:1-27

1. A Study Guide

a) A study guide of Acts of the Apostles. It is intended to be expository — to explain and bring out the meaning of the original text. You may use this for your personal bible study or even group bible study.

2. Acts 24:1-27 

a) The verses describe how Paul was examined by Felix in Caesarea, with Tertullus and the Jews accusing Paul.

#1) Acts 24:1-4
24 After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders, with an attorney named Tertullus, and they brought charges to the governor against Paul. 2 After Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying to the governor,

“Since we have through you attained much peace, and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for this nation, 3 we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 But, that I may not weary you any further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing.

i) After five days. From Paul’s first appearance before Felix, it took five days for his accusers to arrive. This delay was nicely calculated to give the appearance of coming to Caesarea when it pleased them. On the other hand, they did not risk offending Felix by delaying too long. They could excuse the delay by saying they needed time to engage a lawyer and prepare their case.

ii) An orator named Tertullus. Tertullus was the barrister prosecuting the case against Paul on behalf of the Sanhedrin. Important members of the Sanhedrin were present as witnesses. Tertullus was probably a Roman. Tertullus would have been familiar with Roman law and Roman court proceedings. His opening remarks are a formal acknowledgement of the judge and a formal plea to be heard.

#2) Acts 24:5-9
5 For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 And he even tried to desecrate the temple; and then we arrested him. [We wanted to judge him according to our own Law. 7 But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands, 8 ordering his accusers to come before you.] By examining him yourself concerning all these matters you will be able to ascertain the things of which we accuse him.” 9 The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.

i) Three accusations. There were three charges against Paul.

@1. He was a trouble maker stirring up dissension among the Jews.

@2. He was a ringleader of the sect that follows Jesus of Nazareth.

@3. He attempted to profane the temple.

Paul is not accused of directly breaching any Roman law, however each of these charges does imply that Paul is a threat to the pax Romana —the peace and quiet which Roman rule imposed on all communities and nations under their rule. The accusations seem to be of little substance, even if they could be proven. However Tertullus offers no evidence and seems, with remarkable incompetence, to foist the responsibility of proof on to Felix the judge. (Tertullus also seems inept in accusing Lysias the commander of unreasonable violence.) Paul’s reply in his own defense shows the accusations against Paul to be nonsense.

ii) Text missing. Some translations omit the end of verse 6, all of verse 7, and the beginning of verse 8, because the passage is missing from certain manuscripts. On the other hand, the new King James Version and others include this passage, deeming it to have sufficient manuscript support.

#3) Acts 24:10-13
10 When the governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul responded:

“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense, 11 since you can take note of the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing a riot. 13 Nor can they prove to you the charges of which they now accuse me.

i) Paul’s reply to the trouble making charge. After making a formal acknowledgment of respect for the judge, Paul stated that he had arrived in Jerusalem only twelve days prior to this trial. He'd been detained in Caesarea five of those days, and had been at least three days in the custody of the army. So he'd had only four days in Jerusalem to find an opportunity to make trouble. In those four days nobody had observed him disputing or causing unrest anywhere in Jerusalem. As for causing unrest “throughout the world”, there was no proof of this at all.

#4) Acts 24:14-16
14 But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; 15 having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16 In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.

i) Paul’s reply to the sect ringleader charge. Paul did not deny this charge, but did show it to be no crime. Paul was a follower of Jesus, however he was a believer in all the law and the prophets, the Jewish scriptures. Furthermore he preached the resurrection of the dead which the majority of Jews believed in. He also practiced the righteous discipline that any good Jew followed. Clearly, if there was dissension among the Jews, Paul was not the one stirring it up.

#5) Acts 24:17-21
17 Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings; 18 in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been purified, without any crowd or uproar. But there were some Jews from Asia— 19 who ought to have been present before you and to make accusation, if they should have anything against me. 20 Or else let these men themselves tell what misdeed they found when I stood before the Council, 21 other than for this one statement which I shouted out while standing among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.’”

i) Paul’s reply to the temple desecration charge. Paul stated his purpose in coming to Jerusalem and entering the temple. It was to bring gifts of charity and religious offerings to the Jewish nation. He was purified in the temple and had brought no impure thing or person into the temple. While in the temple he was observed to be quiet and devout in his religious duties, not causing any disturbance. Those who observed his behavior in the temple were remarkably absent from among the witnesses in the court. The witnesses who were in the court had observed Paul’s behavior in the temple precincts when he was before them at the assembly of the Sanhedrin. They would have to admit that he did nothing profane on that occasion, unless it was that he'd shouted that he believed and taught the resurrection of the dead.

#6) Acts 24:22-23
22 But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be kept in custody and yet have some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him.

i) Superior knowledge of that way. The second charge seems to have backfired on the accusers. Felix new a lot about the followers of Jesus and their message. He knew first hand that they were peaceful and law-abiding people. Their teachings were no threat to Roman governance. The charge that Paul was a ring leader of the Jesus sect, could have hinted that Paul was sowing seeds of sedition. However Felix knew better than to be fooled by that ploy.

ii) Case adjourned. Felix sent the Jews away without deciding the case, on the grounds that he needed to consult Lysias the commander. Tertullus may have inclined Felix to take this course. Tertullus had unwisely accused Lysias of using undue violence when he took Paul from the Sanhedrin (Acts 23:10, Acts 24:7).

iii) Paul allowed some liberty. Felix did not release Paul. Felix wanted to talk to Paul and also hoped that Paul might pay him a bribe for freedom (Acts 24:16).

#7) Acts 24:24-27
24 But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you.” 26 At the same time too, he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and converse with him. 27 But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.

i) When I find time. Felix did often make time to talk with Paul (Acts 24:26). So Paul had plenty of opportunity to convert Felix. Paul apparently never succeeded, even though he managed to frighten Felix. It seems Felix was seeking to improve his knowledge of the Way, but not to commit himself to it. Also, as we are informed, Felix was visiting Paul in the hope of receiving a bribe.

ii) Righteous, self-control, and judgment to come. These topics are not popular. However Paul was urging Felix to make changes in his life; to consider his standing before God. It is too easy for the rich and powerful to live this life in corruption and greed, and forget that shortly they will meet their Maker.  

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