Sunday School Lessons: Acts 24

Lesson 28
Acts 24

24:1 And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul. 2 And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying:

Ananias, elders and Tertullus come to Caesarea to accuse Paul before Felix, the governor.  Tertullus is a Jewish lawyer and it is he who brings the charges before the court.   Tertullus, as a trained lawyer, is less emotional than Ananias.  We will see that he is well trained and well prepared:

“Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, 3 in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude. 4 But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly.
5 For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him.* 8 By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.”
9 The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so.

(*Some manuscripts add and we would have judged him according to our law. 7But the chief captain Lysias came and with great violence took him out of our hands, 8commanding his accusers to come before you.)

Tertullus flatters the governor, makes false charges against Paul, and then tries to discredit Lysias.
What are the charges against Paul?

--That he was guilty of sedition
It is true that the Gospel divides, but it was not Paul’s intention to divide the nation, rather he desired to unite them in Christ.
--That he was a leader of the sect of the Nazarenes/Christians.
--That he had profaned the temple.

Which of these charges are true and which are false?

Now it’s Paul’s turn:

10 And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied:
“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense.

Notice that Paul is polite and respectful to Felix.  He does not overly flatter him, but recognizes that even though he isn’t a Jew, he is their judge and he knows their customs and laws.

11 You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem,

Even after the delay caused by the riots/imprisonment/travel it is still only 12 days since Paul had arrived in Jerusalem, hardly enough time to stir up a rebellion.  He also lets Felix know why he was in Jerusalem—to worship.

12 and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city. 13 Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. 14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,

Paul maintains that he never disputed in the temple, or anywhere else, nor did he stir up the people.  He tells Felix that they can’t prove it.  But he does admit to the religious charge of being “of the sect of the Nazarenes” but declares that he worships the “God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets.”  In this he is in agreement with his accusers, though they see things differently.

15 having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.

Paul quickly brings his defense around to the resurrection, as he always does. (Review Gospel)

16 So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. 17 Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings.

Paul appeals to his clear conscience before God and man.  Remember, this is the thing that so enraged Ananias when he stood before the Sanhedrin.  He also gives Felix the other purpose of his visit to Jerusalem—to bring alms and to present offerings. 

 18 While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia— 19 they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. 20 Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council,

Paul insists that he had not defamed the temple nor started a riot, for he was not there with a crowd and had not stirred up trouble.  He lets Felix know that the real accusers, the Sanhedrin, were not even there, nor had they found him guilty!

21 other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’”

Again, Paul brings up the resurrection, keeping his focus on the Gospel, which was the real issue of the day.

22 But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.

Felix knows about “the Way” and about Christ’s resurrection.  He puts off hi judgment until he hears from Lysias because the testimony he had heard was contradictory.  Paul remains a prisoner, but is given liberty and allowed visitors.  He is innocent until proved guilty.  Felix had the authority to release Paul then and there but he didn’t.  Why not?

24 After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.”

Felix and his Jewish wife, Druscilla, call for Paul and hear the Gospel

What are the elements of his message?
What was Felix’s response? 

26 At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. 27 When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

Felix kept him in prison for 2 years, calling him in from time to time to talk with him.  What do you think he wanted to talk to him about?  
Why didn’t he release him?  

*These lessons are written for use with elementary aged students.  You can find lessons for previous chapters here.