Lesson Forty-Six: Paul Before Felix

Acts 24:1-27

Key Verse

"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."

— Acts 24:25

Lesson Questions

Read Acts 24:1-27 carefully before answering these questions.

1. Who accused Paul? What accusations were brought against him? 24:1-6

2. Why did the Jews not put Paul on trial? 24:6-9

3. What did Paul say he had not done? 24:10-13

4. What did Paul confess? 24:14-15

5. Paul had a conscience void of offense toward whom? 24:16

6. Why had Paul gone to Jerusalem? 24:17

7. Whom did Paul say should be present to accuse him? Why? 24:18-19

8. What did Paul want those present to do? 24:20-21

9. How did Felix react? 24:22-23

10. What did Paul discuss before Felix? How did he respond? 24:24-25

11. How did Felix deal with Paul? 24:26-27

Thought Questions

A. How did Paul conduct himself in prison? (Cf. Phil. 4:11-13).

B. What mistake did the Jews make in their case against Paul?

C. List things Paul mentioned which he had in common with the Jews.

Supplementary Materials

Tertullus's Accusation (24:1-9) Tertullus was a professional orator (rhetor) hired by the Jews to present their case. His speech follows classical rhetorical structure: Element Content Flattery (vv. 2-4) "Great quietness... worthy deeds... providence" — exaggerated praise; Felix's rule was actually marked by violence and unrest Accusation #1 (v. 5a) "A pestilent fellow" (plague, pest) — character assassination without evidence Accusation #2 (v. 5b) "A mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world" — political charge designed to alarm Rome Accusation #3 (v. 5c) "A ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes" — religious charge; "sect" (hairesis) implies deviation from true Judaism Accusation #4 (v. 6) "Hath gone about to profane the temple" — temple desecration; NO PROOF offered; based on false assumption (21:29) Conclusion (vv. 8-9) "The Jews also assented" — unified front; but no witnesses, no evidence, just assertions

Key weakness: The Asian Jews who started the riot (21:27) were not present! They were the only eyewitnesses, and they had made the false accusation about Trophimus. Without them, the Jews had no case.

Paul's Defense (24:10-21)

Section Paul's Argument Brief greeting (v. 10) No flattery — only acknowledges Felix's experience as judge; "the more cheerfully answer for myself"

Timeline (vv. 11-12) Only 12 days since arriving in Jerusalem; not enough time for

organizing sedition; was found worshipping, not disputing or stirring up crowds Challenge (v. 13) "Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me" — direct challenge; the burden of proof is on them Confession (vv. "After the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my 14-15) fathers" — same God, same Scriptures, same hope of resurrection Character (v. 16) "A conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men" — blameless conduct Purpose (v. 17) "To bring alms to my nation, and offerings" — he came with CHARITY, not sedition! Missing witnesses The Asian Jews who started everything are absent — "who ought to (vv. 18-19) have been here... if they had ought against me"

Section Paul's Argument The real issue (vv. "Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question" — the 20-21) real offense; this is a religious dispute, not a crime

"Alms to My Nation" — The Collection (24:17) "Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings." This is the only direct reference in Acts to the collection Paul gathered from Gentile churches for the poor saints in Jerusalem. Paul's letters reveal its importance:

Reference	What Paul Wrote
1 Cor. 16:1-4	Instructions for the collection; set aside on the first day of the week; representatives to accompany it to Jerusalem
2 Cor. 8-9	Two full chapters on the collection; Macedonian generosity; Christ's example; sowing and reaping
Rom. 15:25-28	"To minister unto the saints... Macedonia and Achaia have been

pleased to make a certain contribution for the poor saints at Jerusalem" Gal. 2:10 "Remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do"

Purpose of the collection: More than charity — it demonstrated the unity of Jewish and Gentile believers, expressed Gentile gratitude for the gospel that came through Israel, and fulfilled the agreement made at the Jerusalem Council (Gal. 2:10).

Felix and Drusilla: A Marriage of Scandal (24:24)

Person	Background
Felix	Former slave; this was his THIRD marriage; known for cruelty, corruption, and lust
Drusilla	Youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa I (who killed James, Acts 12); sister of Agrippa II and Bernice (Acts 25-26)
Their marriage	Drusilla was married to King Azizus of Emesa; Felix seduced her away using a magician named Simon (possibly Simon Magus); she was only about 20 years old
"Which was a Jewess"	Luke notes this — she was Jewish, knew the Law, knew about the Messiah; this made Paul's message even more relevant
Their fate	According to Josephus, Drusilla and her son died in the eruption of Vesuvius (AD 79)

The Sermon That Made Felix Tremble (24:24-25) "And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled..." Paul did not preach to please; he preached what Felix and Drusilla needed to hear: Topic Meaning Why They Needed It Righteousness God's standard of right conduct; Felix was notoriously corrupt living according to God's will and unjust Temperance Mastery over one's desires; control of Felix stole another man's (Self-Control) passions and appetites wife; enslaved by greed Judgment to Come Future accountability before God; Both would face God for their eternal consequences sins

"Felix trembled" — The Greek word (emphobos) means "terrified, alarmed, full of fear." The message struck home. Felix knew his guilt. The Spirit was working. Conviction was real. But...

"A Convenient Season" — The Tragic Response (24:25-27) "Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee." What Felix Did Analysis Dismissed Paul Stopped the uncomfortable message; returned to spiritual darkness Promised a later time Self-deception — "later" satisfies conscience without requiring change Called for Paul often (v. 26) NOT for spiritual reasons — hoping Paul would offer a BRIBE! Interested in Paul's money, not his message Left Paul bound (v. 27) For TWO YEARS! To please the Jews (political favor); knew Paul was innocent but wouldn't release him Replaced by Festus Recalled to Rome; the "convenient season" never came; no record that Felix ever obeyed the gospel

Warning: Felix is a warning to all who delay their response to the gospel. He felt conviction. He trembled. He was closer to the kingdom than many who never hear the truth. But he waited for a "convenient season" — and as far as we know, he died lost. Tomorrow is promised to no one (James 4:14; 2 Cor. 6:2).

Key Cross-References

Reference	Acts 24 Verse	Connection
Phil. 4:11-13	24:23	Paul content in any circumstance
Rom. 15:25-28	24:17	The collection for Jerusalem saints
2 Cor. 6:2	24:25	"Now is the accepted time"
Prov. 17:8, 23	24:26	Bribes and corruption
James 4:14	24:25	Life is a vapor — don't delay
Acts 12:1	24:24	Drusilla's father killed James

Lessons from Acts 24:1-27 1. Flattery and false accusations cannot stand against truth — Paul's defense exposed the emptiness of the charges. 2. Christianity is the fulfillment of Judaism — Paul worshipped the same God, believed the same Scriptures, hoped for resurrection. 3. Preachers must speak the truth people need, not what they want to hear — Paul preached righteousness and judgment to a corrupt couple. 4. Conviction without conversion is worthless — Felix trembled but never changed. 5. The "convenient season" is a deadly deception — delay is often permanent refusal. 6. Greed and cowardice can keep souls from salvation — Felix wanted a bribe and wanted to please the Jews.