Acts 24
24
Paul’s Trial in Front of Felix
1Five days later Ananias the high priest went down to Caesarea. Some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus went with him. They brought their charges against Paul to the governor. 2So Paul was called in. Tertullus began to bring the charges against Paul. He said to Felix, “We have enjoyed a long time of peace while you have been ruling. You are a wise leader. You have made this a better nation. 3Most excellent Felix, we gladly admit this everywhere and in every way. And we are very thankful. 4I don’t want to bother you. But would you be kind enough to listen to us for a short time?
5“We have found that Paul is a troublemaker. This man stirs up trouble among Jews all over the world. He is a leader of those who follow Jesus of Nazareth. 6-7He even tried to make our temple impure. So we arrested him. 8Question him yourself. Then you will learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.”
9The other Jews said the same thing. They agreed that the charges were true.
10The governor motioned for Paul to speak. Paul said, “I know that you have been a judge over this nation for quite a few years. So I am glad to explain my actions to you. 11About 12 days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. You can easily check on this. 12Those bringing charges against me did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple. I wasn’t stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. 13They can’t prove to you any of the charges they are making against me. 14It is true that I worship the God of our people. I am a follower of the Way of Jesus. Those bringing charges against me call it a cult. I believe everything that is in keeping with the Law. I believe everything that is in keeping with what is written in the Prophets. 15I have the same hope in God that these men themselves have. I believe that both the godly and the ungodly will rise from the dead. 16So I always try not to do anything wrong in the eyes of God or in the eyes of people.
17“I was away for several years. Then I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for those who were poor. I also came to offer sacrifices. 18They found me doing this in the temple courtyard. I had already been made pure and ‘clean’ in the usual way. There was no crowd with me. I didn’t stir up any trouble. 19But there are some other Jews who should be here in front of you. They are from Asia Minor. They should bring charges if they have anything against me. 20Let the Jews who are here tell you what crime I am guilty of. After all, I was put on trial by the Sanhedrin. 21Perhaps they blame me for what I said when I was on trial. I shouted, ‘I believe that people will rise from the dead. That is why I am on trial here today.’ ”
22Felix knew all about the Way of Jesus. So he put off the trial for the time being. “Lysias the commanding officer will come,” he said. “Then I will decide your case.” 23He ordered the commander to keep Paul under guard. He told him to give Paul some freedom. He also told him to allow Paul’s friends to take care of his needs.
24Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla. She was a Jew. Felix sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25Paul talked about how to live a godly life. He talked about how people should control themselves. He also talked about the time when God will judge everyone. Then Felix became afraid. “That’s enough for now!” he said. “You may leave. When I find the time, I will send for you.” 26He was hoping that Paul would offer him some money to let him go. So he often sent for Paul and talked with him.
27Two years passed. Porcius Festus took the place of Felix. But Felix wanted to do the Jews a favor. So he left Paul in prison.
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Acts 24
24
The Case Against Paul
1#Ac 23:2; 24:11After five days Ananias the high priest arrived with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. They brought before the governor their charges against Paul. 2When he was summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, “Since through you we enjoy much peace, and your foresight is bringing reforms to this nation, 3#Ac 23:26; 26:25with all thankfulness, most excellent Felix, we always welcome it everywhere. 4But not to detain you further, I beg you to briefly hear us in your patience.
5#Ac 28:22; 24:14; 15:5“We have found this man a troublemaker, instigating riots among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6He even tried to profane the temple. So we seized him and wanted to judge him according to our law. 7But the commander, Lysias, came to us and forcefully took him out of our hands, 8ordering his accusers to come before you. By examining him yourself you will be able to learn about all these things concerning which we accuse him.”
9The Jews assented, alleging these things to be true.
Paul’s Defense Before Felix
10After the governor motioned to him to speak, Paul answered, “Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully defend myself. 11#Ac 24:1; 21:18You may verify that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12#Ac 25:8; 28:17They did not find me in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd. 13#Ac 25:7They cannot prove the things concerning which they now accuse me. 14#Ac 3:13; 9:2However, I affirm that in accordance with the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of my fathers and believe everything written in the Law and in the Prophets. 15#Da 12:2; Jn 5:28–29I have hope in God that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust, which they also expect. 16#Ac 23:1In this do I always strive to have a clear conscience toward God and toward men.
17#Gal 2:10; Ac 11:29–30“Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation, 18#Ac 26:21when some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a crowd nor an uproar. 19#Ac 23:30They ought to be here before you to accuse me if they have any charges. 20Or let these men say what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin, 21#Ac 23:6unless it is concerning this one statement which I cried out while standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead, I am being judged by you this day.’ ”
22When Felix, who had more exact knowledge concerning the Way, had heard this, he adjourned the proceedings and said, “When Lysias the commander arrives, I will decide your case.” 23#Ac 27:3; 28:16Then he ordered the centurion to guard Paul, and to let him have liberty, and to forbid none of his own people from attending to him.
Paul Held in Custody
24#Ac 20:21; Gal 2:16After several days, when Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess, he sent for Paul and heard him speak concerning faith in Christ. 25#Ac 10:42; Gal 5:23As he lectured about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix was afraid and answered, “For now, leave! When time permits, I will send for you.” 26At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. So he sent for him more often and conversed with him.
27#Ac 25:9; 25:14; 12:3But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix. And Felix, desiring to do the Jews a favor, left Paul imprisoned.
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