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Now lets see what happens at Paul's trial before Felix. It would appear that the Tribune, after dispatching Paul, sent a notification to the Chief Priest of what he had done and informed them that if they wanted to press charges against Paul they would have to go to Caesarea and appear before Felix. He may have thought that they would drop the matter, but he was wrong. In five days, they were in Caesarea ready to present their case against Paul. They were Ananias, who is believed to have been the High Priest then, some Jewish Elders and a man by the name of Ter-tul-lus. Tertullus was a hired Roman lawyer.
Latin was normally spoken in Roman courts. Here, it is believed that Greek was allowed. The Language and format was foreign to the Jews, so they hired a spokesman. He presented the case and then dropped out of sight. His presentation consisted of flattering statements about Felix and his so-called reformers, which incidently, the Jews despised. Then he presented the charges against Paul. "This man is a pest." "He is an agitator amongst Jews throughout the world." "He is the ringleader of a sect of Nazarenes called "Followers of the Way." "He profanes the Temple." "You, Most Honorable Felix, will be able to see this if you examine him yourself."
With the completion of Tertullus' presentation of the charges that the Jews had against Paul, Felix turned to Paul and motioned for him to speak in his own defense. Notice Paul did not resort to flattery but simply stated the facts. He acknowledged the many years that Felix had been governor of Syria (ever sense Herod was eaten up with worms), and while Felix had been there many years, Paul had been there only 12 days. Seven of those days he had been in the Temple taking the purification rites and 5 of those days he had been there in Caesarea. Now this did not leave very much time for him to be involved in the activities with which he was charged.
However, he did admit to belonging to the group that was called the "Followers of the Way", and as such he admitted that he worshipped the God of his ancestors. Further, he acknowledged that he believed everything that was laid down by the Law or written by the Prophets. He also acknowledged that he had a hope in the resurrection which they, his accusers, also believed.
He explained that he had been away for several years witnessing to the Gentiles and had recently returned to Jerusalem to bring money to his Brothern. Because of this, he had been talked into taking purification rites by some Jews from Asia. They were the ones that should have been there now, if they have anything against him. He had appeared before the Council in Jerusalem and they had accepted everything that he said but when he spoke of the resurrection, it caused a riot amongst the Council and it is because of that, that he was on trial before Felix that day.
Now it would appear that considerable more testimony transpired on both sides that
day, but, Felix was not convinced either way so he delayed his judgment until a
later time when he would have an opportunity to talk to the Tribune whom he
believed would have an unbiased account of what had happened in Jerusalem. Then he
ordered that Paul be put under house arrest with some liberties and that his
friends be allowed to tend to his needs.
Private Audiences with Felix and Drusilla
["Click here for Acts 24:24-27"]
Felix had been interested in Christianity for some time and really wanted an opportunity to speak to Paul. Verses 24 thru 27 of Chapter 24 record what happens when he does. A few days passed and Felix sent for Paul. It is not clear who wanted most to speak to Paul. There was a woman by the name of Drusilla, daughter of Herod Agrippa I, who lived with Felix. She was an adulteress for she was married to one man and lived with another. She was aware that her father had been eaten up with worms as was prophesied and she had heard of other miraculous events and she was curious. She was also bored and wanted Paul to entertain her.
When Paul arrived, he chose a rather touchy subject, justice, self-denial and future judgment. Paul spoke of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that was directly responsible for the above three items. He knew the heart of these two listeners and he immediately went to work on their conscience.
In those days, justice was something only the rich could afford and certainly it did not apply to Felix or Drusilla, for they were above the law. Self-control was for those who could not afford the consequences. Certainly no one would expect anyone in Felix's position to practice any kind of self-control. Future judgment was for the weak and feeble-minded. If you didn't believe in life after death, how could you believe in future judgment? These two lived for the day, who cared about the future?
We can see from this that Paul was no respecter of persons, we also see that he tailored the sermon to those to whom he was speaking. We see too that Paul had put serving Christ and saving souls above his own safety.
Paul knew that Felix and Drusilla were hardened sinners but he also knew that all things were possible with God and we never know when the Holy Spirit might be working with someone, so Paul witnessed to these two as he would to anyone else, he never gave up. Notice the results. The King James says that Felix trembled, the RSV says that he was alarmed. Drusilla appeared to be unimpressed, she was Jewish, she depended upon the ceremonial law which she adhered to, to justify her. But poor old Felix had nothing to cling to therefore he was afraid.
Felix was under conviction, he had questions, but pressed for time or afraid of what he might find out, he decides to wait for a more convenient time. Many fear the consequences of sin but put off doing anything about it till it's to late. Felix did not do as the Philippian jailer and ask what he must do to be saved, he decided to wait for a more convenient time.
Why would anyone do something like that? One obvious reason, he loved sin. He liked the way he lived in spite of the obvious consequences. Secondly, he was greedy. He hoped that Paul would offer him some money, buy his freedom or at least buy better treatment. Money could buy anything in those days.
Well for two years, Felix and Paul met and talked with apparently no results. Felix was convinced that Paul had done nothing worthy of imprisonment, yet he did nothing to free him. At the end of the two years, Felix was recalled to Rome and a new Governor was named, a man by the name of Porcius Festus. As a last display of justice, Felix could have released Paul, but instead, to please the Jews, he left Paul bound in prison.
History records that this act did not please the Jews, to the contrary, his delay in sentencing Paul those two years angered the Jews and they complained to the Emperor of Rome who then had Felix removed from his position and sent back to Rome where he was tried and imprisoned.
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