Acts 24

Accused of Sedition

1Now after #Acts 21:27five days #Acts 23:2, 30, 35; 25:2Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul.

2And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: “Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight, 3we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us. 5#Luke 23:2; Acts 6:13; 16:20; 17:6; 21:28; 1 Pet. 2:12, 15For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6#Acts 21:28He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted #John 18:31to judge him according to our law. 7#Acts 21:33; 23:10But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands, 8#Acts 23:30commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.” 9And the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so.

The Defense Before Felix

10Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: “Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself, 11because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem #Acts 21:15, 18, 26, 27; 24:17to worship. 12#Acts 25:8; 28:17And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. 13Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. 14But this I confess to you, that according to #Amos 8:14; Acts 9:2; 24:22the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the #2 Tim. 1:3God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in #Acts 26:22; 28:23the Law and in the Prophets. 15#Acts 23:6; 26:6, 7; 28:20I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, #(Dan. 12:2; John 5:28, 29; 11:24)that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. 16#Acts 23:1This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

17“Now after many years #Acts 11:29, 30; Rom. 15:25–28; 1 Cor. 16:1–4; 2 Cor. 8:1–4; 9:1, 2, 12; Gal. 2:10I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation, 18#Acts 21:27; 26:21in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me #Acts 21:26purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult. 19#(Acts 23:30; 25:16)They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me. 20Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council, 21unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, #(Acts 23:6; 24:15; 28:20)‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ ”

Felix Procrastinates

22But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the #Acts 9:2; 18:26; 19:9, 23; 22:4Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, “When #Acts 23:26; 24:7Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case.” 23So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and #Acts 23:16; 27:3; 28:16told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.

24And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the #(John 3:15; 5:24; 11:25; 12:46; 20:31; Rom. 10:9)faith in Christ. 25Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” 26Meanwhile he also hoped that #Ex. 23:8money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him.

27But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, #Ex. 23:2; Acts 12:3; 23:35; 25:9, 14wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.

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Acts 24: NKJV

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