Big Idea: Frustrating circumstances can be opportunities to witness.
1. Trumped-up charges (vs. 1-9)
 a) 5 days later Ananias (high priest), some elders (guarding against the 23:9 response) and Tertullus (a lawyer who
     could eloquently bring charges against Paul). This quick effort shows how much they wanted Paul dead.
 b) He began with typical flattery (v2-3) using words that tie with the charges against Paul. Festus was Procurator/
     Governor of Judea from 52-60 AD. The historian Tacitus wrote, “He thought he could do any evil act with
     impunity.” “He exercised the power of a king in the spirit of a slave.” He did go after some rebels in the land, but
     things got worse under his rule until he mishandled a riot in Caesarea and killed many Jews.
 c) He charges were political (Luke 23:2): “a real pest” (public menace, pestilence among people); stirring up
     dissension among Jews throughout the world (his missionary activity); a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes
     (contemptuous, started by Jesus but not accepted by them); and one who tried to desecrate the temple (bringing a
     Gentile into it – an act punishable by death).
 d) Tertullus declared the Jewish leaders arrested him in the temple & wanted to judge him according to their Law
     (death penalty), but the Roman commander, Lysias over the Fortress of Antonia, took Paul from Jewish hands
     with much violence & ordered the Jews to go before Felix to bring charges. He expressed confidence that Felix’s
     exam of Paul would show these charges were true.
 e) The Jews chimed in that these charges were true.
2. A clear defense (vs. 10-21)
 a) When it was Paul’s turn to speak he acknowledged he was glad to be standing before Felix since he had been a
     judge of their nation for many years (serving in Samaria before his present position).
 b) Paul asserted it was 12 days beforehand that he came to Jerusalem to worship: not enough time to stir up trouble
     & his purpose was to worship God. Then he asserted they did not find him leading discussions that would lead to
     a riot in the temple, synagogues or city, and the Jewish leaders had no prove to back their charges.
 c) Paul admitted that according to the Way (John 14:6) he served the God of their fathers. The Law & the Prophets 
     teach that there will be a resurrection of the righteous (for salvation) & the wicked (for judgment). Every sincere
     Jew cherished these coming events. Such a hope caused Paul to always keep a blameless conscience before God
     & man (23:1). So should we.
 d) Paul added that his coming to Jerusalem was to bring alms to his nation (an offering from the Gentile churches to
     the Jewish church), and to present offerings which he was in the process of doing, ceremonially clean, with the 4
     men fulfilling their Nazarite vow (21:23-24). Furthermore, the Jews from Asia initially stirred up the crowd in
     the temple (21:28) were not even present to accuse him (against Roman practice).
 e) Paul got to the heart of the issue. It was not about political charges, but a religious charge (which a Roman
     governor could not judge & for which a Roman citizen would not be worthy of death). As he declared before the
     council (23:6), he was on trial for the resurrection of the dead. Jesus resurrection began the fulfillment of what
     sincere Jews longed for. He is the Way out of judgment into God’s righteousness.
3. A private witness (vs. 22-27)
 a) Felix had a more thorough knowledge of the Way: it was impacting all over his territory. He knew Paul was
     innocent, but put off his decision until Lysias the commander came to share more (he already had in 23:29).
 b) The centurion kept Paul in custody (probably with a guard chained to him) in the governors official residence &
     yet with freedom for friends to come and care for him.
 c) Some days later Felix & his wife Drusilla (Jewish) sent for Paul to speak. Felix persuaded Drusilla to divorce her
     husband to marry him. Paul spoke about faith in Christ. Paul was direct with them (greater concern about his
     witness than the outcome of his trial) discussing righteousness, self-control & the judgment to come. Felix felt
     convicted and frightened, but sent Paul away instead of repenting.
 d) Afterwards, he often summonsed Paul to converse, but not to know the truth. Knowing of the alms, his friends &
     possible wealth, he hoped for a bribe from Paul to let him go (this was illegal with Roman officials, but still
     happened). Two year elapsed (Nero removed Felix). To do the Jews a favor and gain favor, Felix left Paul
     imprisoned, even though he knew he was innocent.
 e) These frustrating circumstances gave Paul a chance to share the Gospel in high places that otherwise might not
     have heard it.