CHAPTER 24
Five
days
later,
the
high priest
Ananias
came down
with
some
elders
and
a
lawyer
named Tertullus,
who
presented
to the
governor
their case against
Paul.
When
Paul
had been called in,
Tertullus
opened
the prosecution:
“Because of
you,
we have enjoyed
a lasting
peace,
and
your
foresight
has brought
improvements
to this
nation.
We have found
this
man to be
a nuisance,
stirring up
dissension
among
the
Jews
all over
the
world.
He is
a ringleader
of the
sect
of the
Nazarenes,
By examining
him
yourself,
you will be able
to learn the truth
about
all
our
charges
against him.”
When
the
governor
motioned
for Paul
to speak,
he
began his response:
“Knowing that
you
have been
a judge
over
this
nation
for
many
years,
I gladly make my defense.
Yet
my accusers did not find
me
debating
with
anyone
in
the
temple
or
riling up
a crowd
in
the
synagogues
or
in
the
city.
I do confess
to you,
however,
that
I worship
the
God
of our fathers
according to
the
Way,
which
they call
a sect.
I believe
everything
that
is laid down
by the
Law
and
written
in
the
Prophets,
and I have
the same
hope
in
God
that
they
themselves
cherish,
that there will
be
a resurrection
of both
the righteous
and
the wicked.
After
several
years,
then,
I returned to Jerusalem
to bring
alms
to
my
people
and
to present offerings.
At
the time
they found
me
in
the
temple,
I was ceremonially clean
and was not inciting
a crowd
or
an uproar.
But there are
some
Jews
from
the province of Asia
Otherwise,
let these men state
for themselves
any
crime
they found
in me
when I stood
before
the
Sanhedrin,
unless it was
this
one
thing
I called out
as I stood
in
their presence:
‘It is concerning
the resurrection
of the dead
that I
am on trial
before
you
today.’”
Then
Felix,
who was well informed
about
the
Way,
adjourned the hearing
and said,
“When
Lysias
the
commander
comes,
I will decide
your case.”
He ordered
the
centurion
to keep Paul under guard,
but
to allow him
some freedom
and
permit
his
friends
to minister
to his needs.
After
several
days,
Felix
returned
with
his
wife
Drusilla,
who was
a Jewess.
He sent for
Paul
and
listened to
him
speak about
faith
in
Christ
Jesus.
As
Paul
expounded
on
righteousness,
self-control,
and
the
coming
judgment,
Felix
became
frightened
and said,
“You may go
for
now.
When
I find
the time,
I will call for
you."
At the same time
he was hoping
that
Paul
would offer
him
a bribe.
So
he sent for
Paul
frequently
and talked
with him.
After
two years
had passed,
Felix
was succeeded by
Porcius
Festus.
And
wishing
to do the Jews a favor,
Felix
left
Paul
in prison.