Acts 24
24
Accused of Sedition
1Now after #Acts 21:27five days #Acts 23:2, 30, 35; 25:2Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul.
2And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: “Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight, 3we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us. 5#Luke 23:2; Acts 6:13; 16:20; 17:6; 21:28; 1 Pet. 2:12, 15For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6#Acts 21:28He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted #John 18:31to judge him according to our law. 7#Acts 21:33; 23:10But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands, 8#Acts 23:30commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.” 9And the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so.
The Defense Before Felix
10Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: “Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself, 11because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem #Acts 21:15, 18, 26, 27; 24:17to worship. 12#Acts 25:8; 28:17And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. 13Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. 14But this I confess to you, that according to #Amos 8:14; Acts 9:2; 24:22the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the #2 Tim. 1:3God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in #Acts 26:22; 28:23the Law and in the Prophets. 15#Acts 23:6; 26:6, 7; 28:20I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, #(Dan. 12:2; John 5:28, 29; 11:24)that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. 16#Acts 23:1This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.
17“Now after many years #Acts 11:29, 30; Rom. 15:25–28; 1 Cor. 16:1–4; 2 Cor. 8:1–4; 9:1, 2, 12; Gal. 2:10I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation, 18#Acts 21:27; 26:21in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me #Acts 21:26purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult. 19#(Acts 23:30; 25:16)They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me. 20Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council, 21unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, #(Acts 23:6; 24:15; 28:20)‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ ”
Felix Procrastinates
22But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the #Acts 9:2; 18:26; 19:9, 23; 22:4Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, “When #Acts 23:26; 24:7Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case.” 23So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and #Acts 23:16; 27:3; 28:16told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.
24And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the #(John 3:15; 5:24; 11:25; 12:46; 20:31; Rom. 10:9)faith in Christ. 25Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” 26Meanwhile he also hoped that #Ex. 23:8money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him.
27But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, #Ex. 23:2; Acts 12:3; 23:35; 25:9, 14wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.
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Acts 24: NKJV
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The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
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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