PAUL BEFORE FELIX

ACTS 24

FALSE ACCUSATIONS: ACTS 24:1-9And 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. And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying: “Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude. But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. 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. He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him. By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.” The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so.

PAUL’S DEFENSE: ACTS 24:10-21And 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. You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, 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. Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. 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, having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings. While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia—they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, 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.’”

FELIX’S RESPONSE: ACTS 24:22-27But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” 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. 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. 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.” At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.

OUR FAITH HAS REASONS

• “The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict”, Josh McDowell

• “Reasons We Believe”, Nathan Busenitz• “Without A Doubt, Answering The 20 Toughest

Faith Questions”, Kenneth Samples• “Christianity For Skeptics”, Steve Kumar• “The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus”,

Gary Habermas

LISTEN TO PAUL• Faith in Christ Jesus: in Christ alone• Righteousness: yesterday’s sin – not mistakes, weaknesses,

genetics, family problems, immaturity, faults, errors)• Self-control: today’s temptations – No temptation has

overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

• Coming judgment: tomorrows judgment – and just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, Hebrews 9:27

IN CHRIST ALONE

• Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

• And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

• I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” John 8:24

TOLERANT/INTOLERANT

• Tolerant: deliberately respecting all people who have beliefs of which you disapprove.

• Intolerant: lacking respect for people who have beliefs of which you disapprove.

• “New” Tolerant: affirming all beliefs and behavior as equally valid.

• “New” Intolerant: stating that beliefs other than your own are wrong.

TRUTH/EMOTION/COMMITMENT• But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the

Way, put them off…• Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present…”• Amazing grace! How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me.I once was lost, but now am found,Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,And grace my fears relieved.How precious did that grace appearThe hour I first believed.

CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW• One Holy Triune God: creator, sustainer, sovereign, good,

merciful, judge• God’s written word: inerrant, absolute, eternal, complete,

final authority• Humans: created in God’s image, fallen• The Lord Jesus Christ: God & man, sinless, atoning death,

resurrection, rule, return, judge• “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that

whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

• “Christian Beliefs, twenty basics every Christian should know” Wayne Grudem

PRINCIPLES• Knowing truth and believing truth are essential

but not enough• New birth that leads to godly sorrow, confession,

repentance, trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord, and a life lived for His glory are essential for salvation

• Procrastination leads to spiritual atrophy and a hardened heart

• Christians should know what and why they believe, and their life should show it

APPLICATIONS• Have you committed your life to Jesus Christ?

• For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I

have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2

• Does your life show a Christian worldview?• What changes will you make to honor you Lord?• For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,

and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-11