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Acts 24:22-27
“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. (23) And he commanded a
centurion to keep Paul, and to let him
have liberty, and that he should forbid
none of his acquaintance to minister or
come unto him.”
(24) And after certain days, when
Felix came with his wife Drusilla,
which was a Jewess, he sent for
Paul, and heard him concerning
the faith in Christ. (25) 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.”
(26) He hoped also that money
should have been given him of
Paul, that he might loose him:
wherefore he sent for him the
oftener, and communed with
him. (27) But after two years
Porcius Festus came into Felix'
room: and Felix, willing to shew
the Jews a pleasure, left Paul
bound.”
Paul Imprisoned
Acts 21 – In Jerusalem, Jews from Asia
start trouble, Romans intervene.
Acts 22 – Paul speaks (preaches) from
the stairs of the soldier’s barracks.
Acts 23 –
brought before the council
Sadducees and Pharisees get into it
over the resurrection.
Plot against Paul’s life is discovered
Claudius Lysias sends Paul to Caesarea.
Acts 24
v. 1 And after five days Ananias the
high priest descended with the elders,
and with a certain orator named
Tertullus, who informed the governor
against Paul.
“emphanizo” “kata”
rhētōr – advocate, where we
declare / down
get our word rhetoric
Literally – talk down on Paul
Acts 24:2-4
“And when he was called forth, Tertullus
began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that
by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that
very worthy deeds are done unto this
nation by thy providence, (3) We accept it
always, and in all places, most noble Felix,
with all thankfulness. (4) Notwithstanding,
that I be not further tedious unto thee, I
pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy
clemency a few words.”
Compare To Paul’s Opening
Statement In Verse 10
“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:”
The Charges
1. Exciting the Jews
to sedition. (v.5)
2. Being the ringleader of a sect
called the
Nazarenes. (v.5)
3. Profaning the
temple. (v.6)
The Defense
1. Hadn’t been there long
enough. (v.11) Wasn’t
arguing with anyone. (v.12)
No Proof. (v.13)
2. Agrees (v.14) but their
conclusion is faulty in
that he believes the law
and prophets.
3. No disrespect (v.17).
His very reason for being
there was to bring alms
to the people.
(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.
(23) And he commanded a centurion to
keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and
that he should forbid none of his
acquaintance to minister or come unto
him. (24) And after certain days, when Felix
came with his wife Drusilla, which was a
Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him
concerning the faith in Christ.”
(25) 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. (26) He hoped
also that money should have been given
him of Paul, that he might loose him:
wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and
communed with him. (27) But after two
years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room:
and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a
pleasure, left Paul bound.”
The Audience
 Felix
“Tacitus says of him that he “exercised the
authority of a king with the spirit of a slave;” and
that, by reason of the powerful influence at his
command, “he supposed he might perpetrate
with impunity every kind of villany.” He had
persuaded his wife Drusilla to forsake her
husband and marry him. He had employed
assassins to murder the high-priest Jonathan,
and might well tremble at the preaching of the
judgment to come.” (Vincent Word Studies)
The Audience
Drusilla - “Paul's being left in bonds on
the retirement of Felix was due to the
desire of the latter to please Drusilla”
(ISBE)
Great granddaughter of Herod the
Great who murdered the Bethlehem
infants.
Great niece of Herod Antipas who
beheaded John the Immerser.
Daughter of Herod Agrippa I who when
she was about 6 years old murdered
James.
Drusilla
She was seduced away from her
husband, King Aziz of Emesa, by Felix
when she was 16 years old.
She was said to be physically
beautiful.
What about her spiritual beauty?
Felix & Drusilla had a son who
died in Pompeii at the eruption of
Mt. Vesuvius in AD 70.
The Sermon
The responsibility of every
preacher is great!
1. To proclaim the truth – Gal. 1:6-9;
Romans 1:16
2. We may never get to preach again –
II Timothy 4:6-8
3. You may never hear me or any
other preacher again – James 4:14
The Sermon
Paul did not deal with marginal
or unimportant matters.
1. He didn’t try to tone it down or
tickle ears.
2. He did not talk in vague generalities.
3. He did not talk to them about how
to make more money or feel better
about their physical appearance.
4. He didn’t engage in flattery.
The Sermon
He “reasoned” -"to think different
things with oneself, to ponder,"
3 main points, quite plain & personal1. Righteousness – “was previously
spelled ‘rightwiseness’” (Vine’s) – We
might very well and properly call it
“justice.”
2. Temperance – “Self control”
3. Judgment to come
The Effect of the Sermon
Drusilla- no comment recorded.
• A seared conscience?
• “Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having
their conscience seared with a hot
iron;” I Timothy 4:2
καυτηριάζω
kautēriazō
Thayer – to mark by branding; in
a medical sense, to cauterize
The Effect of the Sermon
Felix
• “Emphobos” - To become
frightened
• Same word in Luke 24:5
“afraid”– Speaking of the
reaction of Mary Magdalene,
Joanna, and Mary the mother
of James to the angels.
The Effect of the Sermon
Felix
1.Trembled
2.Procrastinated – “Go thy
way for this time”
3.“He hoped…” for money
v.26
Conclusion
“A convenient season”
“metalambano” - to change, to take
part in.
Lit. “the changing of an unfavorable
time for a favorable one.”
Convenient – “suited to personal
comfort or ease” (Webster)
“When I get an opportunity” (ESV)
“When I have time” (CEV)
“When I find time” (GW)
Conclusion
The devil’s best sermon.
No God
No Jesus
No Heaven
No Hell
No hurry!
Some things we must take the
time to do.
The Simple Plan
HEAR – Rom.10:17; Jno.20:30,31
BELIEVE – John 8:24; Hebrews 11:6
REPENT – Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30,31
CONFESS – Rom.10:10; Acts 8:37
BE BAPTIZED – Mk.16:16; Acts 22:16
ADDED TO CHURCH (Acts 2:41,47)
 LIVE A FAITHFUL LIFE (Rev.2:10)