BSB
Acts 24
1Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul.
2When Paul had been called in, Tertullus opened the prosecution: “Because of you, we have enjoyed a lasting peace, and your foresight has brought improvements to this nation.
3In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude.
4But in order not to delay you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly.
5We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,
6and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.
8By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.”
9The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true.
10When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he began his response: “Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense.
11You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
12Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city.
13Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me.
14I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,
15and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
16In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
17After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.
18At the time they found me in the temple, I was ceremonially clean and was not inciting a crowd or an uproar. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia
19who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.
20Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,
21unless it was this one thing I called out as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”
22Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.”
23He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.
24After several days, Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.
25As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.”
26At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him.
27After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
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Advocate: Tertullus Acts 24:1–9
Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul. / When Paul had been called in, Tertullus opened the prosecution: “Because of you, we have enjoyed a lasting peace, and your foresight has brought improvements to this nation. / In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude.
Afflictions and Adversities of Saints: Comparatively Light Acts 24:1
Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul.
Alms: Giving: The Early Christians Acts 24:17
After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.
Ananias: High Priest, Before Whom Paul Was Tried Acts 24:1
Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul.
Armies: March in Ranks: Centurions Acts 24:23
He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.
Asia: Inhabitants of, in Jerusalem, at Pentecost Acts 24:18
At the time they found me in the temple, I was ceremonially clean and was not inciting a crowd or an uproar. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia
Attorney: Employed Acts 24:1, 2
Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul. / When Paul had been called in, Tertullus opened the prosecution: “Because of you, we have enjoyed a lasting peace, and your foresight has brought improvements to this nation.
Bribery: Governor Felix Seeks a Bribe from Paul Acts 24:26
At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him.
Centurion: A Commander of Approximately One-Hundred Soldiers in the Roman Army Acts 24:23
He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.
Christian Minister: Persecution: Paul Acts 24:1
Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul.
Citizens: Rights of Acts 24:18, 19
At the time they found me in the temple, I was ceremonially clean and was not inciting a crowd or an uproar. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia / who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.
Civil Service: Corruption In Acts 24:26
At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him.
Conscience: General Scriptures Concerning Acts 24:16
In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
Conscience: we should Have the Approval of Acts 24:16
In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
Conviction: Felix, Under the Preaching of Paul Acts 24:25
As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.”
Courage: Paul, in Going to Jerusalem, Despite his Impressions That Bonds and Imprisonments Awaited Him Acts 24:14, 25
I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, / As Paul expounded on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “You may go for now. When I find the time, I will call for you.”
Court: Corrupt Acts 24:26, 27
At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him. / After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
Courts of Justice: Causes In, Were Opened by an Advocate Acts 24:1
Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul.
Courts of Justice: Judges of Examined the Parties Acts 24:8
By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.”
Courts of Justice: The Accused: Permitted to Plead Their own Cause Acts 24:10
When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he began his response: “Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense.
Covetousness: Felix Acts 24:26
At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him.
Covetousness: Festus, in Hoping for a Bribe from Paul Acts 24:26
At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him.
Defense of Paul Acts 24:10–21
When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he began his response: “Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense. / You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. / Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city.
Demagogism: Felix Acts 24:27
After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
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Acts 24:1-9 Verses 1-9
See here the unhappiness of great men, and a great unhappiness it is, to have their services praised beyond measure, and never to be faithfully told of their faults; hereby they are hardened and encouraged in evil, like Felix. God's prophets were charged with being troublers of the land, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that he perverted the nation; the very same charges were brought against Paul. The selfish and evil passions of men urge them forward, and the graces and power of speech, too often have been used to mislead and prejudice men against the truth. How different will the characters of Paul and Felix appear at the day of judgement, from what they are represented in the speech of Tertullus! Let not Christians value the applause, or be troubled at the revilings of ungodly men, who represent the vilest of the human race almost as gods, and the excellent of the earth as pestilences and movers of sedition.
Acts 24:10-21 Verses 10-21
Paul gives a just account of himself, which clears him from crime, and likewise shows the true reason of the violence against him. Let us never be driven from any good way by its having an ill name. It is very comfortable, in worshipping God, to look to him as the God of our fathers, and to set up no other rule of faith or practice but the Scriptures. This shows there will be a resurrection to a final judgment. Prophets and their doctrines were to be tried by their fruits. Paul's aim was to have a conscience void of offence. His care and endeavour was to abstain from many things, and to abound in the exercises of religion at all times; both towards God. and towards man. If blamed for being more earnest in the things of God than our neighbours, what is our reply? Do we shrink from the accusation? How many in the world would rather be accused of any weakness, nay, even of wickedness, than of an earnest, fervent feeling of love to the Lord Jesus Christ, and of devotedness to his service! Can such think that He will confess them when he comes in his glory, and before the angels of God? If there is any sight pleasing to the God of our salvation, and a sight at which the angels rejoice, it is, to behold a devoted follower of the Lord, here upon earth, acknowledging that he is guilty, if it be a crime, of loving the Lord who died for him, with all his heart, and soul, and mind, and strength. And that he will not in silence see God's word despised, or hear his name profaned; he will rather risk the ridicule and the hatred of the world, than one frown from that gracious Being whose love is better than life.
Acts 24:22-27 Verses 22-27
The apostle reasoned concerning the nature and obligations of righteousness, temperance, and of a judgment to come; thus showing the oppressive judge and his profligate mistress, their need of repentance, forgiveness, and of the grace of the gospel. Justice respects our conduct in life, particularly in reference to others; temperance, the state and government of our souls, in reference to God. He who does not exercise himself in these, has neither the form nor the power of godliness, and must be overwhelmed with the Divine wrath in the day of God's appearing. A prospect of the judgment to come, is enough to make the stoutest heart to tremble. Felix trembled, but that was all. Many are startled by the word of God, who are not changed by it. Many fear the consequences of sin, yet continue in the love and practice of sin. In the affairs of our souls, delays are dangerous. Felix put off this matter to a more convenient season, but we do not find that the more convenient season ever came. Behold now is the accepted time; hear the voice of the Lord to-day. He was in haste to turn from hearing the truth. Was any business more urgent than for him to reform his conduct, or more important than the salvation of his soul! Sinners often start up like a man roused from his sleep by a loud noise, but soon sink again into their usual drowsiness. Be not deceived by occasional appearances of religion in ourselves or in others. Above all, let us not trifle with the word of God. Do we expect that as we advance in life our hearts will grow softer, or that the influence of the world will decline? Are we not at this moment in danger of being lost for ever? Now is the day of salvation; tomorrow may be too late.