Today we find ourselves with Paul in Caesarea facing Felix.
(The plot thickens even after a secretive conspiracy to assassinate the Apostle.)
History plays out over time through the interactions of its leading actors. Luke records the Acts of these men of the A.D. first century whose leading actors include:
- the Apostle Paul,
- Claudius Lysias (via his letter),
- Felix,
- Festus,
- Agrippa and a host of minor actors in the plot of the Jews to execute Jesus’ Apostle
- and of course, Roman generals – pawns of the Emperors and Caesars.
Luke focuses on each of these in Acts, which we have cataloged into chapters 22-26.
He does not need to set the stage for his first century readers, but you may benefit from a few details.
~ A.D. 58
This courtroom scene (so to speak) now takes place in the Roman stronghold of Caesarea before the Roman Governor Felix, rather than in a biased Jewish court from where the Apostle and Roman citizen Paulos had been whisked away.
The Political Place of Antonius Felix
Antonius Felix (b. ~ A.D. 5-10)
Appointed Governor of Judea in ~AD 53, the Emperor Claudius had responded to a petition of his Secretary of the Treasury Marcus to elect his own younger brother Felix as Judea’s new Procurator.
Although his name Felix means ‘happy,’ sources agree that in his rule of Judea:
He ruled the province in a mean, cruel, and profligate manner. His period of office was full of troubles and seditions.
Strong’s G5344 – phēlix – BlueLetterBible.org
And for the politically unastute, a brief definition of sedition:
"The raising of commotion in a state, not amounting to insurrection; conduct tending to treason, but without an overt act; excitement of discontent against the government, or of resistance to lawful authority."
- source: Wordnik
Just in case you missed the dramatic events leading up to this change of venue, READ all about it below for a better understanding of the Jewish prosecutors about to appear before Felix.
Paul’s Trial before Felix in Caesarea
Acts of the Apostles 24:
Scriptural quotes primarilary from the ASV
And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with certain elders, and with an orator, one Tertullus; and they informed the governor against Paul. And when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him..
Now the high priest of the Jews has no standing in a judicial court of the Roman government of Judea. However the lead prosecutor of Jerusalem’s religious council has hired a well-known orator to prosecute their case in Caesarea.
Tertullus, which means “triple-hardened,” was a Roman orator in the tradition of Cicero and several of the Caesars known for public speeches designed to sway large crowds of fellow Romans to their way of thinking.
Seeing that by thee we enjoy much peace,
and that by thy providence evils are corrected for this nation,
we accept it in all ways and in all places, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.
But, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I entreat thee to hear us of thy clemency a few words. But, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I entreat thee to hear us of thy clemency a few words.
Always beware.. when a politician claims to have 'a few words.'
For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
(that is, followers of Jesus of Nazareth)who moreover assayed to profane the temple: on whom also we laid hold: and we would have judged him according to our law.
Tertullus, the prosecuting Roman orator hired by the Jews, then turns to make charges against the Roman military athority who snatched Paul (the defendant) from their jurisdiction of Jerusalem’s local authorities and justice of the Sanhedrin.
Lysius, commanding his
(that is Paul's or the defendant's)accusers to come before thee. from whom thou wilt be able, by examining him thyself, to take knowledge of all these things whereof we accuse him.
(In other words, you will find him guilty of our charges.)
And, as in so many venues where Paul had been called to defend his actions for the gospel of Jesus Christ — practically on cue, the men of the council accompanying the high priest Ananias, ‘joined in the charge, affirming that these things were so.’
The Court will hear from the Defendant
Paul:
Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I cheerfully make my defence: seeing that thou canst take knowledge that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem:
and neither in the temple did they find me disputing with any man or stirring up a crowd, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city.
Neither can they prove to thee the things whereof they now accuse me.
The opening arguments have concluded.
Paul’s Defense of the Gospel
Rome, of course, has NO interest in the Gospel; although politicians and orators may claim the Good News when politically expediant.
Everyone in the courtroom of Felix would have known that some twenty years ago the Emperor Caligula had declared himself a god. And his successor Claudius (to whom Felix was connected) had recently conquered Britain and seemed to have little interest in affairs to the east, here in remote Judea.
But as Paul, Tertullus, Ananias and the elders all knew, Caesar was no friend of the Jews, since Claudius had deported them from Rome just nine years ago. And they gained no favor with the current Emperor Nero either.
So Paul continues his defense:
But this I confess unto thee, that after the Way which they call a sect, so serve I the God of our fathers,
believing all things which are according to the law, and which are written in the prophets;
having hope toward God, which these also themselves look for,
that there shall be a resurrection both of the just and unjust.
Acts of the Apostles 24:14-15 ASV
Of course as always, the resurrection brings into play the great controversy of GOD exercising both reward and punishment to every soul after the death of our mortal flesh.
AND at the center of the controversy of this GOSPEL proclamation of the Apostle stands the MESSIAH JESUS - the risen Christ of the Jews crucified on a Roman Cross under Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem some two-dozen years before.
Paul tells the court the reason for his return to Jerusalem.
Now after some years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings: amidst which they found me purified in the temple, with no crowd, nor yet with tumult..
Remember? There had been a famine. And Paul had been asking all the churches in his missionary jouneys for help for the poor (alms) in Jerusalem.
Herod’s temple in Jerusalem effectually becomes a large, highly regulated public square during festivals. It is unlike a church building or large meeting house.
Paul defends his public worship there and the lack of evidence that he caused any trouble:
but there were who ought to have been here before thee [Felix, that is], and to make accusation, if they had aught against me.
Acts 24:19 ASV
Obviously, these so-called-witnesses were NOT called to the stand to accuse Paulos in person.
Furthermore, Paul continues answering such inadmissable hearsay by challenging those Elders present.
Was it something I said?
“Or else let those who are here [Ananias and the Elders of Jerusalem’s council] themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me [or what wrongdoing] while I stood before the council, unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ ”
Acts 24:20-21 NKJV
The Court will be in recess
Luke’s transcript of the court proceedings ends and he adds additional background of context for the reader.
But Felix, having more exact knowledge concerning the Way, deferred them, saying,
‘When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will determine your matter.’
The Governor, Felix, is a skillfull politician dealing with Jews, Christians (followers of the Way), financial supporters of Nero and Rome, Centurians of Rome’s powerful occupying military and even the handling of grandious prosecuting oraters selling their case such as Tertullus.
And he gave order to the centurion that he [Paulos] should be kept in charge [custody], and should have indulgence [provisions]; and not to forbid any of his friends to minister unto him.
Acts 24:23 ASV
Political inaction — and the Judgment to come
What happens next may look familiar to any who follow the cunning of political strategists.
Since Felix’s obvious action that fairness and justice would demand will create additional trouble in governing, Felix the Governor waits for a more opportune time for public support — and for filling the coffers of his personal PAC which he might use later to gain higher office.
(Felix is looking for a handout $$.)
Luke continues by accounting for Felix’s delay in justice:
But after certain days, Felix came with Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus.
Acts 24:24 ASV
Drusilla was the youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa I and the sister of Herod Agrippa II, making her a member of the Herodian dynasty, which played a significant role in the political and religious landscape of Judea during the first century.
- source BibleHub.com
And as he [her husband the Governor] reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified..
The Apostle had noted the appropriate fear of Felix for judgment of his own guilty soul.
Luke adds Felix’s sudden dismissal of Paul saying:
.. ‘Go thy way for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me.’
Days pass… and more time passes.
Luke notes what everyone knew: it took a bribe to garner a favorable outcome from the Governor:
He hoped withal that money would be given him of Paul: wherefore also he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
But while Paul remained in ‘protective custody’ of the Governor of Judea in Caesarea, time not only passed but grows short for Felix.
He was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and when recalled to Rome, he escaped being sentenced to death by Nero only through the intercession of his brother, Pallas. His oppressive rule caused deep resentment among the Jews and strengthened the anti-Roman party.
source: Encyclopedia.com
Again.. time passes, Luke records:
But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.
Acts of the Apostles 24:27 ASV
To be continued — in the NEXT administration…
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