Felix was a politician in every sense of the word. He had risen from being a subservient person, to the position of Governor of Judaea. He got his start through the influence of his brother at the imperial court of Claudius. He married three Princesses, which also elevated his career. The first princess was the granddaughter of Antony and Cleopatra, and the third was the well-known Drusilla, daughter of King Agrippa. To say the least, Felix was not known for being of good character.
Illus: Tacitus, the Roman historian said of Felix, "Felix, indulging in every kind of barbarity and lust, exercised the power of a king in the Spirit of a slave."
We get the picture of a man who had the job, but did not appear to be qualified for the job. Nevertheless, he was the man before whom Paul stood on many occasions.
I. THE FAST ARRIVAL
A. THE SPEED
Verse 1, "And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Terurllus, who informed the governor against Paul."
Notice, Ananias, the high priest, and his cohorts, wasted no time getting to Felix's palace so they could falsely accuse Paul. That high priest had God's Word (the Old Testament), and he should have been the last to bring false accusations against anyone. Lying is among the things the Lord states He despises in Proverb 6. Look at verses 18-19, He lists, "An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among the brethren."
Illus: Have you ever seen people make haste to go out of their way to spread discord, sometimes even to the point they will tell lies. Any time you hear someone do this, you can safely assume that the person making the statements does not like the person he is making the negative remarks about. How many times have we observed one person acting as if he likes another person, but in reality he hates that person and wants to see him hurt any way he can? Ananias and the elders literally hated the apostle Paul. They did not even try to make a pretense about it, the way we see some do today. It was clear to everyone around that they were there, wanting the axe to fall on the neck of the apostle Paul. Why? Because those religious leaders knew they were loosing converts to Christianity, and they wanted to send a signal to all the other disciples that they had better stop spreading Christ's teachings because if they did not, they were going to experience the same fate as Paul!
Not only did they get there as quickly as possible, they came with a professional orator. This orator was supposed to impress governor Felix.
B. THE SPEECH
Verse 2a, "And when he (Paul), was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him..." Notice this, that crowd that was doing the devil's work was going first class. They knew the importance of having the right man in the right place. This is something many Christians have never been able to comprehend down through the ages.
Illus: For example, we find that today the devil's crowd has filled about every important position they can fill.
1. They are almost in complete control of the air waves. There are a few Christian radio and television stations, and programs, but many times you hear more garbage and scandals on them than you do on some of the secular stations.
2. The devil's crowd has almost complete control of newspapers and news broadcasting programs across our nation. Every night they report what they consider to be newsworthy, whether it is or not.
3. The movie and theater actors are exalted like gods across this country. Their lifestyles certainly depict everything Satan wants all of society to follow.
4. Then, as we look at the politicians in Washington, and elsewhere, you will be hard-pressed to find a born-again believer among them.
The point we are wanting you to get is this, the devil's crowd knows the importance of placing their best people in key positions, and of using their best to get the job done. In this case, they needed a great orator and Tertullus was qualified. He used his gift to bring about a decision that they hoped would doom the apostle Paul to death. Well, they brought their very best, but they were soon to find out that Paul was one of God's very best.
II. THE FALSE ACCUSATION
A. THE FLATTERY
Verses 2b-4, "...saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words."
It is alright to say nice things if they are true, but it is another thing when we tell a person what he wants to hear, when it is not true, in order to gain favor. Notice that Tertullus stated, "...we enjoy great quietness..." That was not the truth. Maybe that was what Felix liked to hear, but it was not the truth. Felix was known for his ferocious temper and it caused a great deal of trouble for everyone.
Illus: Wilmington has this to say about governor Felix, "His governorship was marked by a period of unrest and several Jewish uprisings which resulted in ruthless response by Felix, which in turn alienated more Jews and led to further revolts."
Well, Ananias the chief priest brought this man, who was considered to be the best orator around, in order to sweeten Felix up so Felix would kill Paul. Can a man so bitterly oppose God's man and get away with it? No! Only a few years after this incident, Ananias was brutally assassinated. The punishment did not stop there. Ananias' son, Jonathan, took his place as high priest, and he was assassinated by Felix, the very man Ananias now stood before attempting to persuade him to kill Paul. Ananias paid dearly for all his lying schemes, and will continue to pay for eternity for his opposition to the Lord's work!
B. THE FALSEHOOD
Verses 5-9, "For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law. But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him. And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so."
Notice, Tertullus said, "...we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews...a ringleader...Who also hath gone about to profane the temple..." If all this had been true, Paul should have been incarcerated and be in the trouble he was in, but Tertullus was presenting false charges as if they were facts. He went on to say that according to their law, they would have taken care of him, but the chief captain, Lysias, snatched Paul out of their hands and commanded all his accusers to come before Felix.
Also notice, when he got through presenting all those false charges, the Bible states that all those Jews supported Tertullus as he made those false charges.
NOTE: God included that little statement in His Word, to let us know that in His sight those who supported Tertullus in those false charges were as guilty of lying as Tertullus was!
III. THE FACTUAL ACCOUNT
Paul acknowledged three things:
A. FIRST ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Verses 10-13, "Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself: Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me."
As eloquent as Tertullus was, he was no equal to the apostle Paul. Paul would have made a wonderful defense lawyer. He laid the facts out before Felix in such a way that a child could have understood what took place. He told that he had arrived in Jerusalem only twelve days ago, "...And they neither found (him) in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city." He stated that they could not prove any of the things they were accusing him of.
B. SECOND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Verses 14-16, "But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. And herein do I exercise myself to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward man."
He stated what he did not do, and then he stated what he had done, and that was why he was there before Felix. He confessed he believed, "...All the things which are written in the law and in the prophets: And have hope toward God...that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust."
That was the thing those Jews so bitterly objected to. Paul was preaching the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and that because Jesus lives all those who would come to Him and place their faith in Him would also live. Judaism could not offer that, and as the folks flocked to Christianity, those Jews became more than just angry.
C. THIRD ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Verses 17-21, "Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me. Or else let these same here say, If they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council, Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called to question by you this day."
Paul stated the true nature of his visit, and that the Jews that had seen him in the temple did not find him inciting a riot, and that if they wanted to know that, they should have called the Jews who had seen him at that time. The Jews there did not want to bring true witnesses, because then people would know they had lied. Paul then told that the reason he was there was because he believed in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, whom the Jews bitterly opposed, from the dead.
IV. THE FOND ANSWER
A. FELIX'S RECOGNITION
Verses 22, "And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter."
Notice that the Bible states when Felix heard both sides of the story, he knew better than what he had heard from the Jews. The charge that Paul caused such a riot in Jerusalem was ridiculous. Paul could not have possibly caused all the trouble in twelve days that they claimed he had.
Second, Paul showed governor Felix he was actually more orthodox than many members of the Sanhedrin, who denied the teachings of the resurrection.
Third, Paul showed governor Felix that they tried the same thing in Jerusalem, but could not make their case there either. He was in the temple worshipping, he was not disputing with any man. Felix seemed to be a little fond of Paul, and decided nothing should be done until the chief captain, Lysias, could come and tell his version of the story.
B. FELIX'S RUINATION
Verses 23-27 (Read). Paul had impressed Felix. Later Felix sent for Paul to appear before him again to tell him about the things he believed. Paul took advantage of the situation and spoke of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come. We do not know all of what Paul said, but whatever he said, God used it to speak to Felix's heart.
The Bible tells us he "trembled" Then he told Paul, "...Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee." Nowhere is it recorded in scripture that Felix called for Paul again to hear of the way of salvation. We do read that he called on Paul many times, to see if Paul would bribe him to set him free. Felix knew that Paul did not deserve to be there, but, being an evil politician, he thought, since there were no true charges against him, he would offer Felix a bribe. He held Paul in prison for two years, and then only released him to Porcius Festus to gain favor with the evil Jews.
Conclusion:
I. THE FAST ARRIVAL
A. THE SPEED
B. THE SPEECH
II. THE FALSE ACCUSATION
A. THE FLATTERY
B. THE FALSEHOOD
III. THE FACTUAL ACCOUNT
A. FIRST ACKNOWLEDGMENT
B. SECOND ACKNOWLEDGMENT
C. THIRD ACKNOWLEDGMENT
IV. THE FOND ANSWER
A. FELIX'S RECOGNITION
B. FELIX'S RUINATION
