Acts
Chapter 24: 1-27
The Trial Before Felix
1Five days
later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer
named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor. 2When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before
Felix: "We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has
brought about reforms in this nation. 3Everywhere and in
every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. 4But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you
be kind enough to hear us briefly.
5"We
have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the
world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect 6and even
tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. 8By
examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are
bringing against him."
9The Jews
joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true.
10When the
governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: "I know that for a number of years
you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense. 11You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went
up to Jerusalem to worship. 12My accusers did not find me
arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere
else in the city. 13And they cannot prove to you the charges
they are now making against me. 14However, I admit that I
worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe
everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, 15and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be
a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. 16So I
strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
17"After
an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and
to present offerings. 18I was ceremonially clean when they
found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved
in any disturbance. 19But there are some Jews from the
province of Asia, who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything
against me. 20Or these who are here should state what crime
they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin— 21unless
it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: 'It is concerning the
resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.' "
22Then
Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. "When Lysias
the commander comes," he said, "I will decide your case." 23He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give
him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.
24Several
days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and
listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25As
Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid
and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will
send for you." 26At the same time he was hoping that
Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.
27When two
years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant
a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.
