Acts 24
1 And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.
Tertullus a lawyer that stood up for Ananias and the crowd.
2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,
Tertullus is telling Felix he's a great governor and because he's in charge, great wonderful deeds and peace is in Judaea. Evil will try to get you to put guard down by using flattery. If you're paying attention, you can see this everyday in every aspect of the world.
3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
A real kiss up, evil boosting up evil.
4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.
Other words, because you're so smart I won't bore you.
5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
These kenites are manipulators. They're saying Paul is swaying others against the government all around the world.
6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.
7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,
Lysias of course didn't use any violence when he sent for Paul, but when you go against evils traditions, they will think of it as violence on them. Look how many evil people believe being a Christian Conservative is the same as being a terrorist.
8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
He is saying, seeing you're wise there is no other conclusion but find Paul guilty of our charges.
9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
These residents of the country Judaea are agreeing, heads bobbing.
10 Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:
Paul isn't kissing up to Felix. He was pleased to be judged by Felix, because he knew Felix was a fair and experienced judge.
11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.
Paul's saying, It had only been twelve days since Paul had come to Jerusalem to worship, so he hadn't had time to overthrow the government.
12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:
They accuse him, but they had never seen him doing any of those things.
13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
Paul admits he follows The Christian way and what is written in the law, written by the prophets.
15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
Paul is stating, he has faith and hope in God just as they do and EVERYONE, good and bad MUST face God on judgment day.
16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men.
Paul doesn't set out to offend anyone while following the law and the prophets, that's just what happens when you are a Christian.
17 Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
This alms was that of the Nazarite. Remember that vow is Ref. Numbers 6.
18 Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
These Asian Jews are those kenites.
19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.
Where are those accusers? They should be there in the court to defend their charges against Paul, but they're not.
20 Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,
Let them tell you what I've done when I stood before them in their council.
21 Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.
If it's anything they truly have against me this day, it's on " the resurrection of the dead".
22 And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.
Felix is going to investigate this matter a bit more. He is perfectly knowledgeable of Christianity.
23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.
Paul has some freedoms and is allowed to have visitors, but can't leave.
24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
It was probably Drusilla that informed Felix of the things of Christ. She was the daughter of King Herod Agrippa first. She left her first husband Azizus, king of Emesa, and married Felix.
25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
Felix hears more of the things of Christ from Paul and it makes him tremble because if he hears more, he feels it my sway him to turn from the ways of Rome. In the world today, people run from it because they believe they would be held accountable in their sins and the worldly way is easy for them. Sad, because they are held accountable anyway and ONLY in Christ can you have a peace like no other.
26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
Felix seeing no guilt in Paul as of yet, wishes Paul had bail money so he could release him until court proceedings continued.
27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
"Porcius"= "pigish" and he doesn't care if Paul isn't guilty or a Roman citizen. This new governor is a people person. He just wants everyone to get along. He is looking out for these kenites interest over Paul's innocents.