Paul’s Trial Before Felix—God’s People Jailed Without Charges

Acts 24:1-27

• Anti-Christians praise government leader for bringing peace and prosperity.
• Anti-Christians present their case against Christianity.
• Paul expresses his respect for the governing authority and pleads his innocence.
• Paul presents his case for belief in the resurrection from the dead of the just and unjust.
• Paul describes being purified in the temple and being on trial for belief in the resurrection.
• Roman commander, who arrested Paul, is called to testify in Paul’s hearing.
• Felix brings his wife, who was Jewish, to hear Paul’s faith concerning Jesus Christ.
• Felix leaves Paul in prison for two years, while hoping for a bribe from Paul to be released.

Anti-Christians praise government leader for bringing peace and prosperity.
“Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul. And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: “Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight, we accept it always and, in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us.” Acts 24:1-4

Paul was arrested in Jerusalem, as described in the posts on Acts 21:27-36. While there, a plot was discovered to assassinate him, conspired by the Jewish leaders and some of the Jewish people, as described in the posts on Acts 23:12-22. That is when the Roman commander decided to transport Paul to Caesarea [of Judea], under the watch of Governor Felix, as described in Acts 23:23-35. The verses of this post describe the hearing held by Felix to determine Paul’s case.

Those bringing their case against Paul was a powerful group of Jewish leaders. The group included Ananias, the most powerful leader of the Jewish culture, the most senior leaders of the Jewish culture, and Tertullus [who was a powerful Jewish lawyer and spokesperson]. This very powerful group of people heaped a lot of flattery, praise, and smooth talk onto Felix. This is in contrast to the sober-minded respect that Paul showed for Felix when it was his turn to speak, as described in the post on Acts 24:10-13. The high-powered Jewish group, speaking against Paul, praised Felix for bringing great peace and prosperity to the nation by his foresight. They acknowledged their acceptance of and thankfulness to Felix for all of that.

In today’s atheistic culture, Christians, Christianity, and the entire Gospel of Jesus Christ are being judged by the standards of this world. The highest of community leaders, the most potent of lawyers, and the masses of the community culture bring their charge against the spread of the testimony of Christ in their culture, which is global. They give praise to the leaders espousing the global agenda of the United Nations to bring peace and prosperity to peoples and nations around the world. They praise the foresight within the “Sustainable Development Goals” of the United Nations and express their thankfulness for that.

Today, we are seeing the success of the powerful community leaders, the potency of lawyers, and the masses of the community culture. The churches have abandoned the Gospel of Jesus Christ to align with the community culture. The government lawmakers no longer integrate the values of the Bible into laws and policies. The educational system does not allow the teaching of the Bible in classrooms. And the Gospel of Christ is not welcomed in any sector of society. Today’s culture is empowered by the entity that replaces the conscience and spirit to give people what to think, feel, say, and do. This entity gives life to the image of the beast to speak and live through people as they are groomed to the mark of the beast by what they are given to say and do.

Today’s “high-powered” society are seeking to establish an earthly Garden of Eden, and the Holy Spirit says this about their false hopes, “The land is like the Garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness…” Joel 2:3 “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Revelation 7:10 Reading the whole chapter of Joel 2 is well worth the time. Belief in God through Jesus Christ is the path to the eternal Garden of Eden, in the new heaven and earth.

Today, we hear community leaders and politicians talk about bringing all religions and people under the umbrella of love, peace, and tolerance, but as the Holy Spirit says through Daniel, it doesn’t last long. “He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘week.’ In the middle of the ‘week’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering.” Daniel 9:27 The “he” in this verse is the one of the image and mark of the beast. When the United Nations becomes the undisputed one world government, there will be no more two-party systems, there will be one constitution for every nation and only one political party [the party of the global government]. Likewise, there will be no more love and tolerance for all religions because the global government sets itself up as the only source of the people’s “religious needs”. Christians and the Gospel of Jesus Christ are driven to extinction, as described in Revelations 12.

The peace and prosperity promised by today’s global agenda is to be brought through the entity that has power over physiology to govern through what people think, feel, say, and do. This entity sets in the temple of God, our body, as if it is God, and makes itself more important than any political party, any religion, even God and Jesus Christ. This is the entity “…who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:4 The “he” in this verse is the “man of sin”. Click here for a post on the “man of sin”.

Anti-Christians present their case against Christianity.
“For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law.” Acts 24:5-6

The case laid out against Paul had five points: 1] Paul was a plague to the social standards of Judaism. 2] Paul created dissension throughout the Jewish culture. 3] Paul was a leader of the sect of the Nazarenes. Nazareth, and the citizens of Nazareth, had a bad reputation, as this is said about Jesus Christ who was also called, “Jesus of Nazareth”, “Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” And Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” John 1:45-46 4] Paul polluted the temple of God by being inside. 5] Jewish leaders wanted to judge Paul by their laws of Judaism.

Today’s culture has laid out the same case against Christians and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as described below,

1] Christianity is considered a plague to the community culture, which is global. Today’s culture does not want the message of the Cross to spread through their social network because Jesus Christ gives people the desire to live by the Holy Spirit. Living by the Holy Spirit deteriorates the atheistic culture living by the entity that replaces the conscience and spirit to give people what to feel, think, say, and do.

2] Christianity is accused of causing dissension throughout the community culture in cities around the world. If a Christian lawmaker wanted to implement the values of the Bible in laws and policies, there would be huge dissension, bickering, and unbending opposition in congress. With that, the masses of people in cities everywhere would aggressively protest. If a Chrisitan wanted to preach the Gospel of Christ in the churches, it would be met with dissension, opposition, and the eventual dismissal of that preacher. Remember, the Gospel of Christ includes the forgiveness of sin, His resurrection from the grave after three days, His ascension into Heaven, the judgment to come beyond the grave, and eternal life for all who live for God through Jesus Christ. If a Christian teacher decided to teach the values of the Bible in the classroom, there would be massive dissension, from students and administration. The uproar would be heard around the nation. Already, there is so much dissension against Christianity that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is not wanted in any sector of society.

3] Christianity is considered a destructive sect because we do not bond with the atheistic culture of today. Our Lord Jesus teaches us, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.” Revelation 18:4-5

4] Christianity is accused of polluting the temple of God, which is the human body. That’s because when the Holy Spirit lives within us, He crowds out the atheistic entity that replaces the conscience and spirit to give people what to think, feel, say, and do. Today’s culture, which is global, exists by the atheistic entity living within them. The atheistic entity sets in the temple of God, our body, as if is God, and is the one “who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:4 The “he” in this verse is the “man of sin”. Click here for a post on the “man of sin”. “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? ” 1 Corinthians 3:16

5] Today’s culture wants to judge us by their standards, which is by the standards of humanism. Humanism is the fig leaf worn by those serving the entity that gives them what to say, do, think, and feel. The culture of today have already judged against belief in the Living God, they have judged against the need for forgiveness through Jesus Christ, and have judged against the presence of the Holy Spirit. Humanism is “An outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters. Humanist beliefs stress the potential value and goodness of human beings, emphasize common human needs, and seek solely rational ways of solving human problems.” 

“But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands, commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.” And the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so.” Acts 24:7-9

The Jewish people accused the Roman commander, Lysias, of using great violence and the Roman commander accused the Jewish people of using great violence. The Roman commander, Claudius Lysias, wrote a letter to Felix saying how he saved Paul from great violence at the hands of a mob attack of the Jewish people, Acts 23:25-30. Lysias also acknowledged Paul to be a Roman citizen. Félix would have immediately distanced himself from the testimony of the powerful Jewish leaders who contradicted the written word of a Roman commander by saying he used great violence against them. The last thing Governor Felix wanted is to be known as someone who aligned himself with the word of the Jewish people over the word of a Roman commander.

In today’s world, being on the peaceful side of the governing authorities is extremely important. The community leaders and keepers of the peace do not want to be portrayed as using great violence to subdue someone. Likewise, the collective force of the community culture does not want to be portrayed as using great violence against anyone. It would discredit today’s community culture to accuse their governing authorities of using great violence, but at the same time do not want to appear to be responsible for using great violence against others. This is the nature of the wolves in sheep clothing, those who appear to be Godly but deny the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Today’s culture serves the beast with two horns like a lamb, as described in the post on Revelations 13:11-12. This is Satan’s version of the Holy Spirit.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are the sheep who hear the voice of the Good Shepherd, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish…” John 10:27-28 “God has called us to peace.” 1 Corinthians 7:15 3 “...be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.” Titus 3:1-2. 

Paul expresses his respect for the governing authority and pleads his innocence.
“Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: “Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself, because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.” Acts 24:10-11

Paul’s respect for Governor Felix was of a sober mind, in contrast to the flattery and smooth words poured onto Felix by the Jewish spokesman [in the previous section on Acts 24:1-4]. Paul acknowledged the authority of Felix as being a judge of the nation for many years. Paul acknowledged his willingness and that he was happy to bring to Felix his response to the accusations of the Jewish leaders. Paul gave Felix the credit for being able to determine the merit of the accusations against him. Felix was easily able to discern between the down-to-earth respect of Paul and the exaggeration used for emphasis and effect used by the Jewish spokesman. The Jewish spokesman emphasized the ability of Felix to bring peace, but Paul trusted in Jesus Christ for his peace. The Jewish leaders gave credit to Felix for bringing earthly prosperity, but Paul relied on the prosperity given through the Holy Spirit and stored up in heaven. The Jewish spokesman credited Felix for his foresight in bringing peace and prosperity, but Paul trusted in the word of God for foresight.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we give respect to those in authority, and we also keep Jesus as the focus of our faith, as our Lord Jesus said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Mark 12:17 As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to be sober minded, real, and “down-to-earth“, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…” 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 “…whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves…if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain…Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.” Romans 13:2, 4-5

“And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me.” Acts 24:12-13

Paul’s defense consisted of three points 1] Paul was not in the temple arguing with anyone. 2] Paul was not inciting the crowd to cause an uproar. 3] The accusations against him could not be proven.

As followers of Jesus Christ, Paul lays out our defense, as described below,

1] We are not in the temple of God arguing with anyone. We do not argue about who is the rightful possessor of the temple of God. The human body is the temple of God and that is where the spiritual battleground is. “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16 However, the masses of today’s culture claim the body to be the temple of the entity that intertwines itself within the thoughts, feelings, words, and behaviors of people everywhere. This entity is the one “…who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:4 The “he” in this verse is the “man of sin”. Click here for a post on the “man of the sin”.

Our Lord Jesus urges us not to engage in arguments with the atheists of today’s culture. They “hear” the entity that gives them uncanny knowledge and heightened intuition. Jesus explains to us that this is their hour and the power of darkness. Peter cut off the ear of one of those coming to arrest Jesus to have Him crucified on the Cross. Jesus healed the person’s ear and said, “Permit even this.” As followers of Jesus Christ, we are not to try to cut off the “hearing” of today’s culture but let it be. As quoted, “When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they said to Him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, “Permit even this.” And He touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and the elders who had come to Him, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” Luke 22:49-53

2] As followers of Jesus Christ, we do not incite the masses of today’s culture into an uproar. We are not going around from street corner to street corner, from church to church, from home to home, stirring up debate and arguments about who our body belongs to. Or whether it is right to “hear” the atheistic entity that intertwines itself within our thoughts, feelings, words, and behaviors. On top of that, in cities across the nation, there are ordinances and laws against public evangelism.

Today’s culture is not open to the leading of the Holy Spirit to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Jesus says to us, “And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!” Matthew 10:14-15 Obviously, that refers to just about every city across the globe. Jesus said the day would come when no person will be able to work for His Gospel, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:4-5

3] As followers of Jesus Christ, there are no legitimate accusations that can be proven of us inciting turbulence in the community. The Holy Spirit says this to us, …be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:1-7

Paul presents his case for belief in the resurrection from the dead of the just and unjust.
“But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.” Acts 24:14-16

During this period in the growth of Christianity, the population of Christians was called the “Way”, which was referred to as being a sect by the Jewish culture. A sect is people with different religious beliefs than the majority, the majority being the Jewish people at that time. The followers of Jesus Christ were first called Christians in Antioch, “So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” Acts 11:26 Today, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is known around the world, and wasn’t known as a stigma on society until after WW2. That is when the United Nations was formed and brought the government of the beast with it, as described in Daniel 8:1-14 and Revelations 17.

Christianity is a sect to the global government and its global culture, and they want to put the family of Christ into extinction, as written, “Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb…” revelation 13:6-8 The “he” in this verse is the beast of the image and mark of the beast. People today serve the entity that gives them what to say, feel, think, and do, which gives life to the image of the beast to speak and live through them. The global culture is groomed to the mark of the beast by what they are given to say and do.

What this world refers to as a sect, we know as the gospel of Jesus Christ which changed our life through the born-again experience. We were once dead to the Spirit, living by the values of this world, but we were resurrected to life in the Spirit. We were transformed by that resurrection power. We will also be resurrected from the grave into eternal life in the new heaven and earth. We believe the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelations because we see the prophecies happening in front of our eyes and we know our own born-again experience. Our born-again experience is the Gospel of Christ written on our heart.

Our hope is in God, and we believe in the resurrection of the dead, both of those who believe through Jesus Christ and the unbelievers who scoff at Him. As Jesus said, “—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” John 5:29 The Holy Spirit says this through Daniel, “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.” Daniel 12:2-3

By our belief in the resurrection from the grave, and the judgement to come, with Paul we say, “This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.”

“The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body… Behold, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 51-53 The entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 15 speaks of the resurrection.

Paul describes being purified in the temple and being on trial for belief in the resurrection.
“Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation, in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult. They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me. Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council, unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’” Acts 24:17-21

Paul is making his case, during the hearing in front of Felix, of why he has goodwill towards the Jewish people and no destructive desires towards them at all. Paul said, “Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation…”. Paul was spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ for those “many years” and was away from Jerusalem [which he calls his nation]. After those “many years” away from Jerusalem, he brought material support [alms] for the poor of the Jewish people and gave his offerings to his nation. As followers of Jesus Christ, we have come apart from the ways of this world, but we are still citizens of an earthly nation. We pay “alms” to the poor and needy of this nation, which nowadays is done through paying taxes. We also give our reverence and respect to the nation we live in. Our Lord Jesus says to us, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Mark 12:17 The Holy Spirit repeats these words through Paul, “For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.” Romans 13:6-7

During the time that Paul was bringing his alms and offerings to his nation, some Jewish people found him purified in the temple, behaving peacefully, and not among a turbulent mob of people, as quoted, “…in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult.” As followers of Jesus Christ, we pay our taxes and honor the customs and laws of the nation we live in. We are not part of a rebellious crowd. However, we acknowledge our body as the temple of God, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16 Those of today’s culture has an issue with finding us in the “temple of God”. That’s because they see the human body as the home of the entity that replaces the conscience and spirit to give people what to think, feel, say, and do. This atheistic entity is the one “…who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.“ 2 Thessalonians 2:4. The “he” in this verse is the “man of sin”. Click here for a post on the “man of sin”.

Paul didn’t have any eyewitnesses that came forward of him committing any wrongdoing or creating a raucous. Even the leaders of the Jewish people, who were bringing their case against Paul, had no evidence of anything they were accusing him of, as quoted, “They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me. Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council…”. As followers of Jesus Christ, we bring no harm to the nation we live in, and we are not part of a rioting mob of protesters. We follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus Christ, who says, “…be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.” Titus 3:1-2

There is only one reason that the Jewish people wanted Paul imprisoned and out of their mind and sight; because of his belief in the resurrection of the dead, as quoted, “…unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.” In today’s atheistic culture, there is no belief in life beyond the grave. To believe in the resurrection is to believe in the immortality of the soul and eternal life in the new heaven and earth. The resurrection also relates to our born-again experience where we die to the values of this world and live a new life in the Spirit through Jesus Christ. The resurrection also gives life to the Holy Spirit within us, to make us the temple of the Holy Spirit, which crowds out the entity that wants to intertwine itself within our thoughts, feelings, words, and behaviors. In other words, to believe in the resurrection is to claim we are not part of the values of this atheistic culture, which is global.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is core to our faith in God, because He lives we will live eternally with Him. “But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty… And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.” 1 Corinthians 15:13-14, 17-19

Roman commander, who arrested Paul, is called to testify in Paul’s hearing.
“But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case.” So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.” Acts 24:22-23

Felix knew a little about the “Way”; Christianity was known as the “Way” by many at that period in time. After listening to Paul, during his hearing, Felix had a more accurate knowledge of the “Way”. Paul described himself as a man of peace who honors his nation, while the Jewish leaders accused Paul of inciting raucous. Felix couldn’t make a decision on that day about Paul’s fate, which would have been for one very good reason, Paul was a Roman citizen and was acknowledged as a Roman citizen by the Roman commander, Lysias. Lysias is the one who arrested Paul, Acts 21:33 and Acts 23:26-30. Felix would not want to believe the word of the Jewish leaders over the word of two Roman citizens. 23:26-30

As followers of Jesus Chist, we are people of peace who honor the customs of the nation we live in. We listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit who says to us, “…be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.” Titus 3:1-2 We are on trial according to our relationship with the masses of people in today’s atheistic culture, whether they accept our membership in the fellowship of the “Way ” {Christianity} or not. The fate of Christianity has been put in the hand of those who believe that Christians cause a raucous in today’s culture.

Felix said, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case.” Lysias is the one who acknowledged Paul’s Roman citizenship but is also the one who witnessed the mobs of Jewish people in an uproar because of Paul, Acts 21:27-33. Felix wanted to consult with the Roman commander [the arresting officer and witness to the uproar ] about a Roman citizen [Paul] who was accused of stirring up the Jewish culture.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we know that everywhere the Gospel of Jesus Christ is brought up there is dissent, debate, arguments, and raucous. That is why the churches have abandoned the gospel of Jesus Christ to form a partnership with the atheistic community culture. Even government lawmakers have abandoned integrating the values of the Bible within laws and policies. The educational system is definitely moved to avoid the raucous of having the values of the Bible taught in the classrooms. Not to mention that the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is prohibited in every sector of society to avoid riots, protests, and interpersonal conflict. Any governing authority interested in keeping worldly peace will definitely testify to Christianity causing a raucous in today’s atheistic culture, even though as Christians we embrace a meek and gentle spirit of peace.

Our Lord does not give to us the same peace that those of this world is trying to achieve. The peace we are given is through Jesus Christ, that reaches into the heart and soul. This is a peace made with God, through the forgiveness of sin by His grace and mercy. This is a peace that comes in the presence of the Holy Spirit, not through physical power and might. “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.” Zachariah 4:6

We can guess what was discussed between Felix and the Roman commander, Claudius Lysias. They spoke of how Paul was a naturally born Roman citizen but also how the Jewish culture became riled up every time Paul was around them. They came up with the solution of keeping Paul away from the Jewish people, and to keep him from roaming the Roman Empire. Paul was imprisoned for two years under Felix, Acts 24:27, before being transferred and imprisoned in Rome [where he was executed]. Today, that same solution is used against Christianity, to prevent the spread of the Gospel of Christ from riling up the masses of the atheistic culture. Like Paul, who was imprisoned but allowed to have his own living quarters and to have visitors, we Christians are also kept out-of-sight and out-of-mind to prevent the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Felix brings his wife, who was Jewish, to hear Paul’s faith concerning Jesus Christ.
“And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” Acts 24:24-25

The Holy Spirit convicts of righteousness, judgment, and sin, as Jesus said, “And when [Holy Spirit] has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. John 16:8-11

“And after some days…” includes after Felix spoke to the Roman commander, who arrested Paul and was a witness to how riled the Jewish culture became at Paul’s presence among them. Now, Felix brought in his Jewish wife, seeking to understand why the Jewish culture would be so stirred up against Paul’s preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Today, it would make worldly sense that if anyone wanted to understand the Bible, and the followers of Jesus Christ, a knowledgeable member of one of the churches would be brought in to hear the views of someone spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, that would be like one member of today’s atheistic culture being asked why the Gospel of Jesus Christ is offensive to the entire atheistic culture. That’s because the churches of today have formed a partnership with the secular community culture.

Paul was very, very knowledgeable of the Roman customs and way of life, being born a Roman citizen and not converted to Christianity until he was about 30 years of age. Also, Paul was very, very knowledgeable of the laws of Judaism, being a Pharisee of all Pharisees and studying under one of the greatest Pharisees of all time, Gamaiel [Acts 22:3]. Paul was also very, very experienced in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, having a personal born-again experience when he saw the great Light of our Lord Jesus Christ. So, what did Paul speak about? Something to impress the Jewish wife of Felix? Something to appeal to the customs of the Romans? Something to lift up the name of our Lord Jesus Christ? What he said was led by the Holy Spirit, “Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Luke 12:11-12

Led by the Holy Spirit, Paul spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, which would have certainly been very meaningful to the Roman and Jewish customs. We already know how righteousness, self-control, and judgment apply to the traditional Jewish culture and to Christianity, but how do those qualities affect the Roman culture? [Felix was a Roman citizen]. The paragraphs below describe this.

Righteousness was very important within the Roman culture. Righteousness related to being a real man according to the rules of law and being honorable. This was a main focus to Roman ethics. This involved knowing good from evil, establishing boundaries, restraining desires, having loyalty, mutual trust among Roman citizens, and being a person of their word. Obviously, Felix was not living up to those standards of being a Roman citizen, and through this, the Holy Spirit convicted him of his spiritual sin, “Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.”

Self-control was very important within the Roman culture. The Romans believed that self-control contributed to the harmony and order of the community and was a social necessity. Self-control was part of a person’s civic duty. Obviously, Felix was falling short in this area as well, along with falling short in righteousness. Through this, the Holy Spirit was convicting Felix of his spiritual shortcomings, “Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.”

Probably what we all know about the Romans is that judgment was very important to them. The Roman’s sense of judgment was to validate their use of force to uphold law and order. The Romans were brutal in their judgment against non-Romans and against those Roman citizens who violated the code of brotherhood. The Roman’s sense of punishment was public, often severe, and the death penalty by crucifixion on the cross was standard practice. Felix already felt convicted of not living up to the Roman brand of righteousness and self-control. He would have felt very fearful of the judgment to come at the hands of the Romans, “Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.

Paul spoke about righteousness, self-control, and judgment in the context of his faith in Jesus Christ, but in a way that any Roman citizen or Jewish person could relate to. I believe that the Jewish wife of Felix must have either loved the words of Paul or was deeply humiliated, angered, and even convicted by the Holy Spirit.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we have to reach people where they are, in a way that the Gospel of Christ is understood in their terms. Today’s culture has an appearance of Godliness, mirroring the righteousness, self-control, and judgment of the Romans, but they deny the life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ. They serve the beast with two horns like a lamb, Revelations 13:11-12, which is Satan’s version of the Holy Spirit. When they hear the Gospel of Christ, they move immediately to their worldly brand of judgment. They serve the atheistic entity that gives them what to feel, think, say, and do and their heart, mind, and soul are hardened against the presence of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said the night would come when no one will be able to do His work, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:4-5

When Jesus Christ came, He brought the Holy Spirit with Him, and He convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment. Jesus said, “And when [Holy Spirit] has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. John 16:8-11 What a sad day when the Holy Spirit is taken out of this world and people no longer feel convicted of sin, unrighteousness, and have no fear of consequences.

Felix leaves Paul in prison for two years, while hoping for a bribe from Paul to be released.
“Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him. But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.” Acts 24:26-27

“Meanwhile” refers to the time after Felix sent Paul away from him and said, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” [Acts 24:25]. During this time, Felix was hoping Paul would offer him a bribe to be released. For that reason, Felix sent for Paul more often, playing nice with him, “buttering him up”, and talking with him. I have experience with people who use flattery and smooth words hoping to solicit something from me. What they are hoping for is that I will give away the riches I have in Jesus Christ to be “set free”. Their version of being “set free” is to walk freely through the community while being driven along by the atheistic entity that replaces the conscience and spirit to give me what to think, feel, say, and do. Instead of being “set free”, this is the entity that gives life to the image of the beast to speak and live through people as they are groomed to the mark of the beast by what they are given to say and do.

The Holy Spirit warns us about those who use the “buttering up” techniques to draw people away from Jesus Christ, “For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.” Romans 16:18-20

Two years had gone by, and the only thing Felix got from Paul was an earful of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us be like Paul, who after years of being exposed to flattery and smooth words, retained his faith in Jesus Christ. May we have the victory in the face of Satan’s version of the Holy Spirit, which is the beast with two horns like a lamb [Revelation 13:11-12], also known as the wolf in sheep clothing. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are not persuaded by emotional appeals, but we are rooted in the Holy Spirit by the forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ.

After two years, Felix was replaced by Porcius Festus. In those days, there were no two-year term limits. The Roman emperor chose who to place in power and who to remove from power, based on who best served the emperor’s goals. In today’s world, those in power are there because they serve the purpose of the goals of the United Nations. They serve the purpose of the United Nations to drive forward in becoming the undisputed one world government. This requires an atheistic person who is filled with smooth words and flattery while avoiding belief in the Living God, side-stepping the need for the forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ, and passing off human honor as the Holy Spirit. “How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?” John 5:44

During the change of power, Felix left Paul imprisoned as a favor to the Jewish leaders. Paul’s life was now in the hands of Porcius Festus, who was appointed governor by the most brutal of all Roman Emperors, Nero! Behind all of this is the hand of God who said 1) “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.” Acts 23:11 2) “For I will show [Paul] how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” Acts 9:16 Nero brutally persecuted and slaughtered Christians to purge the Roman Empire of what he considered to be a plague. In Rome, Paul was executed under Nero’s command.

In today’s atheistic culture, the community and political leaders govern to favor the masses of people. They detest Christianity and anything to do with a message that calls them sinners in need of Salvation through Jesus Christ. They want the Gospel of Christ, and everyone who shares the message of the Cross, to be kept out-of-sight and out-of-mind from their social network. Click here for a post on the extinction of Christian births from Revelations 12.

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11