Answers for a Study in the Book of Acts: Chapters 24-26

Paul before Felix; Paul before Festus; Paul before Agrippa

1. Read Chapter 24:1-21 with your table group

In the first part of this chapter, Paul is brought before Governor Felix:

a. Who came down to bring charges against Paul, and what do we know about them?

“After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders, with an attorney named Tertullus, and they brought charges to the governor against Paul.” Acts 24:1

• Ananias, some elders and Tertullus:
  • Ananias was the high priest at the time, and Paul had previously come before him in Jerusalem (see chapter 23 and our previous answers for a thorough look at him)
  • The elders would have been either Pharisees, or Sadducees, or a mixture of both from Paul’s previous interaction with the council in chapter 23
  • Tertullus was an attorney, and…

From biblegateway.com

“Tertullus [Tûrtŭl’lus]—derived from Tertius, and meaning, liar or impostor. A Roman advocate employed by the Jewish authorities to prosecute Paul before Felix, the Roman Governor or Procurator (Acts 24:1, 2; 25:8).

The style of his rhetorical address or brief was common to Roman advocates. With his power of glib eloquence as well as knowledge of Roman laws, the orator Tertullus sought to impress the mind of the judge. With the trick of his class, he began with flattery of the judge. All of the flattering epithets of the hired orator, however, stand out in striking contrast with “the righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come,” Paul later spoke about to the same ruler.

From flattery of the judge, Tertullus passed to invective against the defendant, charging him with crimes he never committed. Paul in his defense presented a marked difference between his own frank manliness and the advocate’s servile flattery. Tertullus could not rouse the conscience of Felix as Paul did. “Felix trembled,” as Paul pressed home the truth of the Gospel and sent for him “the oftener,” we read. What a tragedy it was that Felix did not follow his Spirit-impressed conscience!”

b. How did the prosecutor start his accusations against Paul to Felix, and what were the accusations he brought? Were the accusations true?

“After Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying to the governor, “Since we have through you attained much peace, and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for this nation, we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. But, that I may not weary you any further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing. For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. And he even tried to desecrate the temple; and then we arrested him. [We wanted to judge him according to our own Law. But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands, ordering his accusers to come before you.] By examining him yourself concerning all these matters you will be able to ascertain the things of which we accuse him.” The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.”  Acts 24:2-9

• Tertullus, the prosecutor, started by flattering Governor Felix (politics have not changed), before going into his accusations against Paul.
• The accusations included: Paul was a pest, a fellow who stirs up dissension throughout the world, a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, and an attempt to desecrate the temple.
• These accusations were not true, but were twisted attempts at having Paul imprisoned and even killed for sharing the Gospel of Jesus.
• Note: When demonic influences take over, we see people going well beyond reasonable actions to get rid of God’s chosen messengers, and anyone or anything that is reflecting God’s truth.

c. What was Paul’s response to Felix, and how did his approach differ from the prosecution?

“When the governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul responded: “Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense, since you can take note of the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing a riot. Nor can they prove to you the charges of which they now accuse me. But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.  In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men. Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings;  in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been purified, without any crowd or uproar. But there were some Jews from Asia—who ought to have been present before you and to make accusation, if they should have anything against me. Or else let these men themselves tell what misdeed they found when I stood before the Council, other than for this one statement which I shouted out while standing among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.’””  Acts 24:10-21

• Paul did not try to play politics with Governor Felix, rather he spoke straight to the truth (even though he rightly acknowledged Felix’s background with the nation).
• Paul stated the facts and directly addressed the accusations, that were false.
• Paul also stated that no one could prove the charges they were making, because there was no direct evidence for the accusations.

d. Discuss: Paul ultimately got to the main point he wanted to make, what was that? (Hint, you can use verse 21) What does Paul model here that is important for us as Christians today?

• Paul’s goal here, as it always was, is to share the Gospel with everyone.
• Paul also used what he knew to be true about the Pharisee’s, and probably what Governor Felix was familiar with, which was their shared hope in the “resurrection of the dead.”
• Reminder: Paul had been part of the Pharisaical sect and knew well the beliefs of this ruling party.
• Paul models the importance for Christians to stay on topic – Jesus and the Gospel. In every situation Paul wisely used all he knew about his audience to get them to the Gospel (see Acts 17) and he did not get side-tracked into the politics of the day.

2. Read Chapter 24:22-27 with your table group

In the second part of this chapter, Felix has ulterior motives for Paul:

a. What did Felix say to delay making a decision on Paul’s case; how was Paul then treated and why?

“But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be kept in custody and yet have some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him.”  Acts 24:22-23

• Felix delayed the decision until he could speak to the commander, and knowing about “the Way” (Christians), suspected that there were some things that were not right about the accusations made by the Jewish leaders, therefore he wanted to talk to the commander who had been in charge.
• Paul was then treated fairly well by letting him have some freedom while in custody, and letting his friends minister to him.

b. Felix and his wife Drusilla wanted to hear Paul speak. What did Paul say that frightened Felix, and why?

“But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.  But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you.” At the same time too, he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and converse with him. But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.”  Acts 24:24-27

• Paul was discussing self-control and the judgment to come.
• Felix was frightened because his background was debased. According to gotquestion.org we know this about Felix (see answers for chapter 23 for more information on Felix):

“Antonius Felix was formerly a slave but was promoted by Claudius Caesar to the office of governor. The Roman historian Tacitus described Felix as “cruel, licentious, and base.” While in Judea, Felix was attracted to Drusilla, a daughter of Herod Agrippa I. The fact that Drusilla was already married made no difference to Felix. He enticed her away from her husband, Azizus, and they later married.”

c. Going Deeper: What can we learn from the Bible, and from outside sources, about the following people and sect: Drusilla, Porcius Festus, and “the Way”?

Drusilla:

From womeninthescriptures.com

Drusilla is a well-documented historical figure:

• She was the wife of Felix, the Roman governor of Judea (Acts 24:24); 
• She was a Jewess (Acts 24:24); 
• She was with Felix when he sent for Paul and  “heard him concerning the faith in Christ”but (Acts 24:24); 
• She was the youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa and the granddaughter of Herod the Great;
• She had two older sisters, Mariamne and Bernice. Bernice also listened to Paul and rejected his teachings (Acts 25: 13-14, 23). 

Speculations About Her: 

• She was only 6-years-old when her father, Herod Agrippa died. Before he died he betrothed her to to Gaius  Epiphanes, heir of Commagene, on the condition that he embrace the Jewish faith and be circumcised. This marriage did not take place because the groom wouldn’t consent to circumcision and so when she was about 14 or 15 Drusilla was married Gaius Aziz, the king of Emessa.  Who, in order to obtain her hand, was circumcised.
• According to the Jewish historian Josephus not long after her marriage  Felix, the Roman governor of Judea, saw Druislla and, being attracted by her famed beauty, convinced her to leave her husband for him.
• Drusilla left her first husband, to whom she was never legally divorced from, and went to live as Felix’s wife. 
• She was probably around 20 years of age when she accompanied Felix to listen to Paul’s testimony. 
• She and Felix had a son named Marcus Antonius Agrippa and a daughter Antonia Clementiana.
• Drusilla and her son Agrippa are several of the few historical figures documented as perishing in Pompeii during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. ( Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, xx.7.2) 

Porcius Festus:

From gotquestions.org

“Porcius Festus was a Roman procurator, succeeding Antonius Felix somewhere between AD 55 and 60. History describes him as fair and reasonable—much more so than Felix or Festus’ successor, Albinus. In the Bible Porcius Festus is known for sending Paul to Rome to stand trial under Emperor Nero.

Josephus had favorable things to say about Porcius Festus. He recorded that at the time Festus took his position, Sicarii bandits were roaming the countryside, plundering and burning villages. They also mingled into crowds of worshipers and killed people with short, curved swords. Festus learned an imposter had gone to the Sicarii, promising them deliverance from their hardships. The imposter led the bandits to the wilderness where Festus’ forces killed the imposter and his followers.

Paul’s case was not the only time Festus allowed Jews to appeal to Caesar. King Agrippa built a dining area in his palace that, because of the elevation, looked down onto the actions taking place in the temple. In response to this, and to the guard post that also overlooked the temple, the Jews built up the western wall of the temple’s inner court. Agrippa ordered the wall down, and Festus agreed, but then acquiesced to the Jews’ counterproposal that they be allowed to petition Nero about the matter. When the Jews returned with a ruling in their favor (all but the two who had been retained as hostages by Nero’s wife), Festus agreed to let the wall stand.
In a way, Porcius Festus was to Paul what Pontius Pilate was to Jesus. He valued peace with the Jews more than justice and, despite determining his prisoner was innocent, sent him to judgment. In his quest for political control, Festus dismissed Paul’s situation as a “dispute . . . about their own religion” (Acts 25:19). At one point when Paul was speaking before Agrippa, “Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. ‘You are out of your mind, Paul!’ he shouted. ‘Your great learning is driving you insane’” (Acts 26:24). Festus was governor for only two or three years before he died. He was succeeded by Albinus.”

The Way:

This is a name attributed to Christians in the book of Acts. The first time the term “Christians” is used is found in Acts 11:26 – “the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” Christians would be the term used from that time forward.

From Wikipedia: “Etymology. Early Jewish Christians referred to themselves as “The Way” (ἡ ὁδός), probably coming from Isaiah 40:3, “prepare the way of the Lord.” Other Jews also called them “the Nazarenes,” while another Jewish-Christian sect called themselves “Ebionites” (lit. “the poor”).”

d. Discuss: Should preachers like Paul, be more sensitive to people like Felix seeking to hear about Christianity, and not talk about things like judgment? Why, or why not?

Answers will vary here for the sake of discussion…

Note: If we use a person like Paul as a role model for apologetics, evangelism and discipleship we can find wisdom in his various methods that ultimately boil down to this: KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE!

Paul explaining this concept to the Corinthians:

“For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.”  1 Corinthians 9:19-23

3. Read Chapter 25:1-27 with your table group

In this chapter, Paul appears before Festus in what seems to be a repeat of two years earlier:

a. What happened this time that was different than before, and why? What did Paul have to do in order to save himself from the Jewish leaders and assure that he would get to his desired destination in Rome?

“Festus then, having arrived in the province, three days later went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. And the chief priests and the leading men of the Jews brought charges against Paul, and they were urging him, requesting a concession against Paul, that he might have him brought to Jerusalem (at the same time, setting an ambush to kill him on the way). Festus then answered that Paul was being kept in custody at Caesarea and that he himself was about to leave shortly. “Therefore,” he said, “let the influential men among you go there with me, and if there is anything wrong about the man, let them prosecute him.”  After he had spent not more than eight or ten days among them, he went down to Caesarea, and on the next day he took his seat on the tribunal and ordered Paul to be brought. After Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him which they could not prove, while Paul said in his own defense, “I have committed no offense either against the Law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.” But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me on these charges?” But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. I have done no wrong to the Jews, as you also very well know.  If, then, I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die; but if none of those things is true of which these men accuse me, no one can hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar.” Then when Festus had conferred with his council, he answered, “You have appealed to Caesar, to Caesar you shall go.”  Acts 25:1-12

• Festus did not have the knowledge that Felix did concerning the “Way” and he leaned more towards wanting to please the Jewish leaders (which would be the political stance best for him).
• The Jewish leaders again tried to bring Paul out, with an intention to ambush and kill him, by requesting that he be brought back to Jerusalem, instead of Caesarea, for a trial.
• Paul now had to appeal to Caesar in order to not have to return to Jerusalem (because he knew the real intentions of the Jewish leaders).
• Paul’s appeal to Caesar would also get him to his desired destination that the LORD had told him about, and that would be to ultimately preach in Rome.

b. What did Festus tell Agrippa concerning Paul’s case, and how did Agrippa reply?

“Now when several days had elapsed, King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and paid their respects to Festus. While they were spending many days there, Festus laid Paul’s case before the king, saying, “There is a man who was left as a prisoner by Felix; and when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews brought charges against him, asking for a sentence of condemnation against him.  I answered them that it is not the custom of the Romans to hand over any man before the accused meets his accusers face to face and has an opportunity to make his defense against the charges. So after they had assembled here, I did not delay, but on the next day took my seat on the tribunal and ordered the man to be brought before me. When the accusers stood up, they began bringing charges against him not of such crimes as I was expecting, but they simply had some points of disagreement with him about their own religion and about a dead man, Jesus, whom Paul asserted to be alive. Being at a loss how to investigate such matters, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there stand trial on these matters. But when Paul appealed to be held in custody for the Emperor’s decision, I ordered him to be kept in custody until I send him to Caesar.” Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I also would like to hear the man myself.” “Tomorrow,” he said, “you shall hear him.””  Acts 25:13-22

• Festus recounted Paul’s case, and included the offer to go back to Jerusalem to stand trial, but that Paul had appealed to Caesar.
• Festus, admittedly, was surprised that the charges were not crimes but disagreements about things in their “religion” and Jesus.
• Agrippa, knowing about the Jewish laws, wanted to now hear Paul himself.

c. Going Deeper: Who are Agrippa and Bernice, and what can we learn about them outside the Biblical account (Review the family of Herods)?

From earlychurchhistory.org, you can read more at that website:

“Agrippa Junior and his sister Berenice were two of the five children born to Agrippa I and his wife Cypros. Their father, though inheritor of Herod’s throne, was a wastrel who dragged his family all over the Middle East from pillar to post trying to escape his debtors. The men in the Herod dynasty were all descendants from Herod the Great, the Idumean Arab who was the first Roman-appointed King of the Jews in Jerusalem and is famous for trying to kill Jesus in the Slaughter of the Innocents c. 4-6 BC. (Matthew 2:13-18) Agrippa and Berenice’s childhood was filled with instability and they inherited the “bad blood” seen in all of Herod the Great’s (73—4 BC) descendants.

Agrippa II and Berenice spent years of their childhood and most of their adult life in Rome where all Roman client-kings like their father Agrippa I sent their royal children to be educated. Thus, the two siblings, Herod the Great’s great-grandchildren, were Romanized and began an incestuous relationship, even though Berenice was politically married off occasionally to several small kingdom’s kings. She had three husbands , the first when she was 13. The three marriages all ended and by age 22 she was single again.

Berenice (left) and Agrippa lived together in Rome and soon it was rumored they were incestuous. Not much shocked the Romans, but this was prohibited in all the laws of the ancient world. One could marry a close relative like an uncle, aunt or first cousin but never a brother or a sister. That was anathema (Latin “anathema” “a cursed thing”). Agrippa’s contemporary, the Roman Juvenal (c. 55-130 AD) in his Satire 6, made open fun of Agrippa and Berenice and of Jewish customs: “…a diamond of great renown, made precious by the finger of Berenice.” 

d. Discuss: How did the politics of this day affect Paul, and what did Paul model for us?

Answer here will vary, however…

Paul modeled the Christian life as one not attached to any political, or religious party, and with no aspiration of favoritism. He modeled the mission of sharing the Gospel in every situation, as the priority it should be in every Christian’s life. And, when not sharing with non-believers, Paul modeled the Christian’s responsibility of continued study, reading, learning and living the Scriptures with other believers (discipleship).

4. Read Chapter 26:1-32 with your table group

In this chapter, Paul makes a defense before Agrippa:

a. What did Paul say to Agrippa in the opening of his defense, and why? What are some key points from Paul’s own conversion story he shared with Agrippa?

“Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and proceeded to make his defense: “In regard to all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, I consider myself fortunate, King Agrippa, that I am about to make my defense before you today; especially because you are an expert in all customs and questions among the Jews; therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently. “So then, all Jews know my manner of life from my youth up, which from the beginning was spent among my own nation and at Jerusalem; since they have known about me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that I lived as a Pharisee according to the strictest sect of our religion. And now I am standing trial for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers; the promise to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God night and day. And for this hope, O King, I am being accused by Jews. Why is it considered incredible among you people if God does raise the dead? “So then, I thought to myself that I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And this is just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority from the chief priests, but also when they were being put to death I cast my vote against them.  And as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and being furiously enraged at them, I kept pursuing them even to foreign cities. While so engaged as I was journeying to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests, at midday, O King, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining all around me and those who were journeying with me. And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew dialect, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ And I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’ “So, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision, but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance. For this reason some Jews seized me in the temple and tried to put me to death. So, having obtained help from God, I stand to this day testifying both to small and great, stating nothing but what the Prophets and Moses said was going to take place; that the Christ was to suffer, and that by reason of His resurrection from the dead He would be the first to proclaim light both to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.””  Acts 26:1-23

• Paul was happy to make his defense before Agrippa because he knew that he was an expert on the customs and questions of the Jews.
• Points from Paul’s conversion:
  • Paul had previously been trained at the highest level as a Pharisee
  • As a Pharisee Paul pursued, imprisoned and even approved of the killing of Christians
  • On the road to Damascus Paul encountered the risen Jesus who appointed him to be his minister and witness to all (to preach the Gospel)
  • He preached repentance and obedience to God to be true to his heavenly vision
  • He also claimed to follow the teachings of Moses and the prophets who foretold the Messiah’s suffering and resurrection

b. Why did Festus think Paul was “out of his mind,” and how did Agrippa end up responding to Paul’s testimony?

“While Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you mad.” But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I utter words of sober truth. For the king knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you do.” Agrippa replied to Paul, “In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.” And Paul said, “I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains.” The king stood up and the governor and Bernice, and those who were sitting with them, and when they had gone aside, they began talking to one another, saying, “This man is not doing anything worthy of death or imprisonment.” And Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”  Acts 26:24-32

• Fetus, not knowing any of the Jewish teachings, thought Paul had been so “over-educated” (as Paul indicated earlier) that it had driven him into madness.
• Agrippa, on the other hand, knew what Paul was talking about because he was well-versed in Jewish tradition and law.
• Agrippa seemed to be intrigued (like Felix earlier), but again, the lifestyle he was part of was something he was not willing to address; yet he said to Paul: “In a short time you will. Persuade me to become a Christian.”
• At the end of it all, Agrippa said to Festus: “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”
• Note: It was not God’s intention for Paul to be set free, and Paul knew that he was to go to Rome and witness for the LORD (and that he would have been killed if sent back to Jerusalem) – so this chain of events was in God’s sovereign plan.

c. Discuss: What key points in Paul’s conversion story would help you in sharing your own testimony with others?

Answers will vary…

It is important to share your own conversion story, or someone else’s story that has made an impression on you for the LORD. Paul’s overall story is a great example of someone willing to let the LORD use them to advance the Gospel in spite of their past.

d. Review and discuss: Write down and share two or three things that you think are important to remember about Paul’s story in chapters twenty-three through twenty-six:

• Paul’s willingness to go to Jerusalem, knowing that he would be in danger, is a great example of committing to the ministry that God has gifted you with – it doesn’t have to be as dangerous as Paul’s was, but we need to pray and search out what God would have us do to honor Him with our lives and talents.
• Paul made a consistent stand for the Gospel that was non-political, while everyone around him was catering to either a political or religious ideology for personal gain.
• Demonic forces are strong when God’s messengers are witnessing for the Gospel as seen in the Jewish council members and those who wanted Paul put to death, just as they had done with Jesus.

Please continue to join us as we will finish our study in the book of Acts and will be starting a new class upcoming!

Note: Class presentation, videos, reflections and Bible study question are posted on the weekend – Bible study answers (like these) are posted mid-week.

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Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15