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    Acts Chapter 24:10-27
    Lesson 276
    ​
    Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

    In this lesson: 
     
    Paul's defense. 
     
    Paul talks to Felix and Drusilla.   

    Paul before Felix.
     
    By English artist William Hogarth (1697-1764). ​
    Who was -
     
    Drusilla - 
    Drusilla was the youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa 1, who murdered the apostle James in Acts 12:1-2.  Her great grandfather, Herod the Great, tried to kill the infant Jesus by slaughtering the male babies of Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16), and her great uncle, Herod Antipas, beheaded John the Baptist (Matthew 14:6-12).  Drusilla was married to Gaius Julius Azizus, the king of Emesa, but at the age of sixteen, she began an adulterous affair with Felix, governor of Judea (AD 52-59).  She eventually left her husband to become Felix's third wife.  Drusilla and her son were in Pompeii when Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD 79.  They were both killed by the volcano. 
    Study Tip:
     
    Take a few minutes before each study session and ask God to open your heart to His teachings.     ​

    The Acts of the Apostles

    The King James Bible    ​



    Acts 24:10-27
    Paul's defense

    ​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:
     
    11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.
     
    12 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:
     
    13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
     
    14 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:
     
    15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
     
    16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men.
     
    17 Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
     
    18 Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
     
    19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.
     
    20 Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,
     
    21 Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.
     
    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.

    ​
    Margin notes:
     
    "I do the more cheerfully answer for myself." (24:10) - "I am happy to defend myself."
     
    "There are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem." (24:11) - Twelve days was not enough time for Paul to organize the insurrection he is accused of.
     
    "Raising up the people." (24:12) - "Stirring up the people."
     
    "Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me." (24:13) - To refresh your memory of the charges against Paul, reread Acts 24:4-6.  Paul's assertion that his accusers could not support their allegations will later prove right (Acts 25:7).
     
    "The way which they call heresy." (24:14) - "Christianity, which they (Jews) call heresy."  Christians were originally called "members of the way."  They were also called disciples, Galileans, believers, saints, brethren, and Nazarenes.  It was not until later that followers of Christ became known as Christians.
     
    "The law and in the prophets." (24:14) - The Old Testament.
     
    "There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust." (24:15) - Unlike the Sadducees, Paul believed it when the Old Testament promised a final resurrection (Job 19:25-27; Daniel 12:2).  Also, see Jesus' words in John 5:28-29.
     
    "I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence." (*24:16) - "I work hard to always have a clear conscience free of offence."  When we question whether something is right or wrong, that is a warning sign.  When we’re not sure our actions are right, that's our conscience telling us no.  If you say, "Why shouldn't I do this?  You are on the wrong track.  There is no debate possible when conscience speaks.  At your peril, you allow one thing to obscure your inner communion with God."  ("My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio) 
     
    "I came to bring alms to my nation." (24:17) - Paul brought alms (charity), not sedition, to Jerusalem.
     
    "Neither with multitude, nor with tumult." (24:18) - Not with a crowd or causing trouble." 
     
    "Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them." (24:21) - "Except for this one thing that I called out while standing among them."  Paul told the high council that he believed in the resurrection of the dead. 
     
    "Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way." (24:22) - Felix had been governor for years and knew that members of the Way (Christians) lived peaceful lives and didn't cause riots.
     
    "I will know the uttermost of your matter." (24:22) - "I will decide your case."
     
    "Judgment to come." (24:25) - Paul explained to Felix and Drusilla that everyone will be judged.
     
    "He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him." (24:26) - Felix was hoping that Paul would bribe him to be released.
     
    "After two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room." (24:27) - "After two years Porcius Festus took Felix's office."  Festus was appointed by emperor Nero to succeed Felix as governor of Judea.  Considered a gracious and honest procurator, he died in AD 62 after just two years in office.
    To learn more about the resurrection of the dead, see Matthew 25:31-46 (lesson 53); John 5:28-30 (lesson 174); Romans 2:5-8; 2 Corinthians 5:10; and 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17. 


                                                  New Living Translation 
     

    Acts 24:10-27
     
    10 The governor then motioned for Paul to speak. Paul said, "I know, sir, that you have been a judge of Jewish affairs for many years, so I gladly present my defense before you.

    11 You can quickly discover that I arrived in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago to worship at the Temple.

    12 My accusers never found me arguing with anyone in the Temple, nor stirring up a riot in any synagogue or on the streets of the city.

    13 These men cannot prove the things they accuse me of doing.
     
    14 "But I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult. I worship the God of our ancestors, and I firmly believe the Jewish law and everything written in the prophets.

    15 I have the same hope in God that these men have, that he will raise both the righteous and the unrighteous.

    16 Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people.
     
    17 "After several years away, I returned to Jerusalem with money to aid my people and to offer sacrifices to God.

    18 My accusers saw me in the Temple as I was completing a purification ceremony. There was no crowd around me and no rioting.

    19 But some Jews from the province of Asia were there-and they ought to be here to bring charges if they have anything against me!

    20 Ask these men here what crime the Jewish high council found me guilty of,

    21 except for the one time I shouted out, 'I am on trial before you today because I believe in the resurrection of the dead!'"
     
    22 At that point Felix, who was quite familiar with the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, "Wait until Lysias, the garrison commander, arrives. Then I will decide the case."

    23 He ordered an officer to keep Paul in custody but to give him some freedom and allow his friends to visit him and take care of his needs.
     
    24 A few days later Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus.

    25 As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. "Go away for now," he replied. "When it is more convenient, I'll call for you again."

    26 He also hoped that Paul would bribe him, so he sent for him quite often and talked with him.
     
    27 After two years went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison.
    ​
    ​This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible.  However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."
    Today's Question:
     
    1.     What was Paul's defense?



    Please email your comments and suggestions.
    Answer: (Do you agree?) 
    ​
    1. Paul used a powerful, logical defense to show he was innocent of the charges brought against him.

    1) To the charge of inciting a riot, a serious violation of Roman law punishable by death...Paul points out that his accusers can't produce a single witness to testify against him (24:10-13).

    2) To the charge of promoting an unlawful religious sect...Paul tells the court that he believes in and follows Judaism, an established religion approved by the Roman authorities (24:14-16).  Christianity is not a contradiction of Judaism but its fulfillment.

    ​3) To the charge that he desecrated the Temple...Paul explains that he was in the Temple to present an offering and shaved his head as a sign of respect.  He asks if he defiled the Temple, why aren't the alleged witnesses from Asia here to testify against him (24:17-21).​

    Application thought for the day: 
     
    Paul told the court that he always tried to have a clear conscience (24:16).  
    Good advice for all.  
    Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible."  All were critical in putting these lessons together.
    ​    © 2022 evolke ​