Roman commander, who arrested Paul, testifies in Paul’s hearing.

Acts 24:22-23

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“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.

As followers of Jesus Christ, 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. 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.

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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, 3:1