ACTS Chapter 24 - The Trial Before Felix

The Trial Before Felix

Five days later the High Priest Ananias

Went down to Caesarea with some of the Elders

And a Lawyer named Tertullus,

AND THEY BROUGHT THEIR CHARGES AGAINST PAUL

BEFORE THE GOVERNOR.

2When Paul was called in,

Tertullus presented his case before Felix:

'We have enjoyed a long period of Peace under you,

And your foresight has brought about reforms in this Nation.

3 Everywhere and in every way, most Excellent Felix,

We acknowledge this with Profound Gratitude.

4 But in order not to weary you further,

I would request that you be kind enough to her us briefly.

5 WE HAVE FOUND THIS MAN TO BE A TROUBLEMAKER,

STIRRING UP RIOTS AMONG THE JEWS

ALL OVER THE WORLD.

HE IS A RINGLEADER OF THE NAZARENE SECT

6 AND EVEN TRIED TO DESECRTE THE TEMPLE;

SO WE SEIZED HIM.

8 BY EXAMINGING HIM YOURSELF

YOU WILL BE ABLE TO LEARN THE TRUTH

ABOUT ALL THESE CHARGES

WE ARE BRINGING AGAINST HIM.'

9 THE JEWS JOINED THE ACCUSATION,

ASSERTING THAT THESE THINGS WERE TRUE.

10 When the Governor motioned for him to speak,

Paul replied:

'I KNOW THAT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS

YOU HAVE BEEN A JUDGE OVER THIS NATION;

SO I GLADLY MAKE MY DEFENSE.

11 YOU CAN EASILY VERIFY

THAT NO MORE THAN TWELVE DAYS AGO

I WENT UP TO JERUSALEM TO WORSHIP.

12 MY ACCUSERS DID NOT FIND ME ARGUING WITH ANYONE AT THE TEMPLE,

ORSTIRRING UP A CROWD IN TEH SYNAGOGUES

OR ANYHWHERE ELSE IN THE CITY.

13 AND THEY CANNOT PROVE TO YOU

THE CHARGES THEY ARE NOW MAKING AGAINST ME.

14 HOWEVER, I ADMIT THAT I WORSHIP THE GOD OF OUR FATHERS,

AS A FOLLOWER OF THE WAY,

WHICH THEY CALL A SECT.

I BELEIVE EVRYTHING THAT AGREES WITH THE LAW

AND THAT IS WRITTEN IN THE PROPHETS,

15 AND I HAVE THE SAME HOPE IN GOD AS THESE MEN,

THAT THERE WILL BE A RESURRECTION

OF BOTH THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED.

16 SO I STRIVE ALWAYS

TO KEEP MY CONSCIENCE CLEAR BEFORE GOD AND MAN.

17 After an Absence of several years,

I came to Jerusalem

To bring my people gits for the poor

And to present offerings.

18 I was Ceremonially Clean

When they found me in the Temple Courts doing this.

There was no Crowd with me,

Nor was I involved in any Disturbance.

19 But there are some Jews from the Province of Asia,

Who ought to be here before you and bring Charges

If they have anything against me.

20 Or these who are here

Should state what Crime they found in me

When I stood before the Sanhedrin—21Unless it was this one thing I shouted

As I stood in their Presence:

'IT IS CONCERNING THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD

THAT I AM ON TRIAL BEFORE YOU TODAY.'

22 Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way,

Adjourned the Proceedings.

'When Lysias the Commander comes,' he said,

'I WILL DECIDE YOUR CASE.'

23 He ordered the Centurion to keep Paul under guard

But to give him some freedom

And permit his friends to take care of his needs.

24 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla,

Who was a Jewess.

He sent for Paul and listened to him

As he spoke about Faith in Christ Jesus.

25 AS PAUL DISCOURSED ON RIGHTEOUSNES, SELFCONTROL

AND THE JUDGMENT TO COME

FELIX WAS AFRAID AND SAID,

That's enough for now! You may leave.

When I find it Convenient,

I will send for you.'

26 At the same time he was hoping

THAT PAUL WOULD OFFER HIM A BRIBE,

So he sent for him frequently and talked with him.

27 When Two Years had Passed,

Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus,

But because Felix wanted to grant a Favor to the Jews,

He left Paul in Prison.

(Acts 24)