Radio Broadcast – Bible Study - Part 3

As we move on in our studies in the Acts of the Apostles, we come today to chapter 24. If you were listening last week, you will remember we found Paul the Apostle being sent from Jerusalem to Caesarea, carefully guarded by 470 trained Roman soldiers. And at Caesarea, he is handed over to Felix, the Roman governor, who keeps him in Herod's judgment hall. And then after five days, Ananias the high priest came from Jerusalem, accompanied by Tertullus an orator, to make charges against Paul. I remember reading some time ago, the word is spirit, and behind the historic we may find deep spiritual teaching. And my prayer today is that we may not only learn of the historic happenings, but the real spiritual message that is back of it. Now I would like to suggest three things we find in this chapter. First the accusers, secondly the accused, and thirdly the one before whom Paul was accused. First then the accusers, let's look at the scene. Here is Ananias the high priest. He is an old man, and yet is so incensed against Christianity that he travels seventy miles over those hot dusty roads in order to accuse this servant of the Lord. And with Ananias are the elders and also this orator named Tertullus. Evidently Ananias realized his charges would not stand up in a court of real justice, and so he brings this man who by oratory might convince the Roman governor. Let me read verses 2 and over verse 4. And when Paul 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, we accept it always, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. Notwithstanding that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency of a few words. Now notice his hypocritical flattery. The Jews hated these Roman governors, and Felix especially was known to be a cruel, corrupt governor. And yet this orator Tertullus calls him most noble and speaks of his worthy deeds that he had done for the Jews. You know, it's amazing how far some people will go just to defend religious tradition. And then notice his false accusation. Four things he says about Paul. First he says, We have found this man to be a pestilent fellow. And the word pestilent here means unclean, a man of low morals. Secondly, he says he was a mover of sedition, in other words, a political rebel seeking to cause a political uprising. Thirdly, he said he had profaned the temple. And finally, he said we would have judged him according to our law. But Lysias, the Roman captain, came upon us and with great violence took him out of our hands. Think of this now. Accusing Paul of being unclean, of lowest morals, of being a political rebel, of profaning the temple, and then saying that Lysias had with great violence taken Paul away from them. Every one of these accusations are false. In fact, they are downright lies. If ever there was a man that was moral and upright and righteous, it was Paul. And the high priest and the elders knew this. And he certainly had no political ambitions, and it was the Jews themselves which caused the riot and with great violence had taken Paul and would have slain him. You know, it's hard to believe that religious leaders would stoop to such depths simply because Paul had preached that Jesus was the Christ and that God had raised him from the dead. But now let me go on to our second thought, the accused. Paul, the apostle of Christ, and notice the difference between his attitude and that of his accusers. First notice he is courteous. Without any fluttery, he simply acknowledges the position of Felix as governor and recognizes that having been in that position for many years, Felix knew something of the customs of the Jews. Paul is courteous as he addresses him. But then he is also confident. It says in verse 10, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself. You remember that just a few nights before this, the Lord had stood by Paul and told him, Be of good cheer, Paul, for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. And cheerfully, Paul could answer before Felix because the Lord had told him to be of good cheer. Paul had confidence in the word of the Lord. And then he also had the witness of a good conscience, a clean conscience. He says in verse 16, Herein do I exercise myself to have always a good conscience, vied of offense toward God and toward men. And if any man knows that he is walking in the will of God, walking with a conscience vied of offense, he can afford to be confident, whatever charge is belayed against him. But thirdly, Paul is not only courteous and confident, but he confesses a good confession. Hallelujah. Verse 14, he says, This I confess unto thee, that after the way which they, that is the Jewish leaders, call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which were written in the law and in the prophets. Oh, I like that. And I want to make my confession today before you in Radio Land. I too worship God the same way, believing all that is written in the word of God. And I say to you, radio friends, for the church today, oh I know some people may call it heresy, but brother, sister, if it's in the book, we as Christians should believe it. Paul confesses his confidence in the word of God. But he not only confesses his faith in the word of God, but also in the power of God. Notice in verse 21, he says, Touching the resurrection of the dead, I am called into question by you this day. You see, the resurrection of the Lord Jesus was more than a doctrine to the Apostle Paul. He had come into contact, personal contact, with the living Christ. He knew without any shadow of doubt that Jesus was alive. He was later able to write to the Corinthians and say, But now is Christ risen from the dead, become the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive again. Now before I close, let me take a quick look at the one before whom Paul is accused. Felix, the governor. He was a man who, according to historians, was a wicked man, a sinful man, living in adultery. But in spite of all this, he knew there was something different about this prisoner Paul. He knew that there was a reality in this man's testimony, and so he gives command that the matter be deferred, and commands that Paul has his liberty, that none of his acquaintances be forbidden to come and minister to him. You know there's something about a clear ringing testimony that somehow gets through even to a hardened sinner. I've seen it happen over and over again. And Felix is moved so much that he and his wife Drusilla later sends for Paul. Verse 24 says they heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And then comes that grand 25th verse. And as Paul reasoned of righteousness, temperance, or self-control, and judgment to come, listen now, Felix trembled. Oh, what conviction there must have been in the words of Paul, conviction that gripped the heart of this wicked man as he hears of God's righteousness and of judgment to come. This man knew he was a sinner, knew he was living in sin, but oh, the tragedy was he made the mistake that thousands of people are making today. He puts the matter off, and he says to Paul, Go thy way for this time. When I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. Oh, as I close, radio friend, let me ask you a personal question. Are you putting off the matter of your soul's salvation, of making a full surrender to Christ? Are you saying like Felix did, some more convenient day, I'll think about it. My earnest prayer is that you may settle the matter now, for now is the accepted time. Today is the day of salvation. This is Pastor Paul saying goodbye. God bless you, everyone.