Five days after Governor Felix put Paul into prison in Caesarea, the high priest Ananias and some Jewish elders traveled to Caesarea with a lawyer named Tertullus. Felix arranged a hearing and Tertullus stated the charges against Paul.

• He was a troublemaker who stirred up riots among Jews all over the world.
• He was a ringleader in the “Nazarene” sect.
• He tried to desecrate the temple.

It’s interesting that Tertullus used the name “Nazarenes” to identify Jesus followers. They were actually known as “Christians,” but the name Christian implied that they followed the Christ, or “the anointed one”, one of the names for the Messiah. Tertullus didn’t want to acknowledge that Jesus was the Messiah.

The other Jews joined in making accusations against Paul until Felix signaled to Paul that it was his turn to speak.

Paul’s Defense

It had been less than two weeks since Paul went up to the temple to worship and was accosted by the mob. There were plenty of witnesses to what had really happened and Paul encouraged Felix to verify the facts.

• He was at the temple to worship and fulfill a vow he had made.
• He was not arguing with anyone at the temple.
• He had not gone into a synagogue or any other part of the city to incite a riot.

But Paul was very willing to own the fact that he worshiped the God of Israel as a Jesus follower.

“However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. So I strive to keep my conscience clear before God and man.” Acts 24:14-16

Paul’s most vehement accusers were the Jews from Asia who had made his life so difficult during his years in Ephesus. They didn’t come to this trial, and the Jewish leaders who did come couldn’t put together a real case against Paul.

Governor Felix finally adjourned the proceedings.  He said, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.” (Acts 24:22)

Meanwhile, he placed Paul in prison, but with some freedoms and permission for his friends to supply his needs. Felix was acquainted with the Way of Christ, although he was not a believer, and he wanted to talk further with Paul.

Paul Preaches to Power

Felix and his Jewish wife Drusilla listened to Paul explain the gospel until he got to the subject of personal accountability for sin.

“As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control 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.’” Acts 24:25

Felix kept Paul in prison and continued to send for him until he left his post as governor and was succeeded by Festus two years later.

Soon after arriving in Caesarea, Festus paid a visit to Jerusalem. The Jewish leaders met him there and presented their charges against Paul. They wanted to settle the case themselves by having Paul transferred back to Jerusalem so they could ambush and kill him on the way, but Festus asked them to come to a court hearing in Caesarea instead.

Many serious, but unproven charges were brought against Paul. Festus wanted to get into favor with the Jews so he asked Paul if he was willing to go to Jerusalem. Paul wasn’t willing, probably because he knew he would not survive the trip.

“Paul answered: ‘I am now standing before Caesar’s court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done anything wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well . . . If the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!’” Acts 25:10-11

Festus had no choice but to grant Paul’s appeal as a Roman citizen. A few days later King Herod Agrippa came to visit Festus and they discussed Paul’s case. Agrippa was intrigued and asked to hear Paul himself.

Paul Preaches to Agrippa

Festus had listened to the accusations against Paul and couldn’t find a crime to charge him with. He invited Agrippa to hold a royal court and see what he thought about the case. Festus hoped Agrippa would help him discover specific charges against Paul that would justify sending him to Caesar in Rome.

“Then King Agrippa said to Paul, ‘You have permission to speak for yourself.’” Acts 26:1

Paul acknowledged Agrippa’s unique qualifications to hear this case; then he plunged into his defense.

“It is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night . . . Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?” Acts 26:6-8

The Pharisees believed in the resurrection of the dead, but they denied that Jesus had been resurrected. Paul had agreed with them at first – then God confronted Paul on his way to Damascus.

“Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?

‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied.” Acts 26:15

Persecuted for His Obedience

Paul knew he had seen the Lord, and the Lord’s name was Jesus. When Jesus assigned Paul to take the good news of salvation to the Gentiles, Paul had no choice but to obey. He preached in Damascus, Jerusalem and all Judea. Then he went to the Gentiles and preached repentance to them also.

The Jews wanted to kill Paul for his obedience to the Lord.

“But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen – that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.” Acts 26:22-23

Agrippa’s Response

“At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. ‘You are out of your mind, Paul!’ he shouted ‘Your great learning is driving you insane.’” Acts 26:24

Festus couldn’t relate to anything Paul was saying. He was a Roman and a pagan and it made no sense that an intelligent man like Paul would believe in visions about a man who died and came back to life. It certainly was incredible that Paul would risk his life to deliver this message to the Gentiles.

But Paul politely bypassed Festus to continue speaking to King Agrippa.

“The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.” Acts 16:26-27

Agrippa refused to be drawn into this conversation.

“Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?’” Acts 26:28

Paul didn’t withdraw or make excuses for preaching about Jesus.

“Short time or long – I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today become what I am, except for these chains.” Acts 26:29

The hearing ended on that note.

“The king rose, and with him Bernice and those sitting with them. After they left the room, they began to say to one another, ‘This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.’

“Agrippa said to Festus, ‘This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.’” Acts 26:30-32

Paul’s life was at stake, but given the chance to defend himself, he preached the gospel in the hope of saving the souls of his hearers. Now he was on his way to Rome – just as the Lord had told him he would be.