DAILY STUDY OF ACTS
MESSAGE SIXTY-THREE
THE SPREAD IN ASIA MINOR AND EUROPE
THROUGH THE MINISTRY OF PAUL AND HIS COMPANIONS (29)
Read and pray: "Men, brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day" (Acts 23:1)
Paul's Effort to Have a Conscience Without Offense
In Acts 24:16, Paul said to Felix: "This being so, I also strive to have always a conscience without offense toward God and men." The word pure can also be translated as "without offense." Paul said something similar when defending himself before the Sanhedrin: "Men, brothers, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day" (23:1).
We saw that the fact that he lived before God with all good conscience was a return from the fall of man to God. He said this in order to vindicate himself before those who accused him of being lawless and even negligent. Paul's testimony in 23:1 and 24:16 concerning his conscience showed his high moral standard in contrast to the hypocrisy of the Jewish religious leaders and the dishonesty of the Roman politicians. As we continue in Acts 24, we will see more regarding the corruption of Roman politics.
HELD BY THE UNJUST AND CORRUPT ROMAN POLITICIAN
In Acts 24:22-23 we read: "But Felix, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, adjourned the proceedings and said, 'When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.' And he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him." The Greek phrase translated as "adjourned the proceedings" in verse 22 literally means "he adjourned them." The Greek term for "liberty" in verse 23 also means relief, comfort.
According to verse 24, "After some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ Jesus." Drusilla was the daughter of King Herod Agrippa. She was persuaded by Felix, who fell in love with her, to leave her husband and marry him. This shows the intemperance and corruption of Felix, a Roman politician. He was an immoral man with no self-control. Verse 24 says that Felix listened to Paul concerning faith in Christ Jesus.
Discourse on Righteousness, Self-Control, and the Coming Judgment
In Acts 24:25 we read: "And 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.'" Literally, the Greek word translated as "reasoned" means to argue, discuss (with reasoning or exhortation), to debate; the same as in Acts 17:2 and 18:4, 19.
Realizing the injustice (vs. 26-27) and intemperance of Felix, the apostle reasoned with him about righteousness and self-control, the control over passions and desires, especially concerning sexual desires. The coming judgment relates to the resurrection of the unjust, which the apostle preached in verse 15. The apostle also reasoned with Felix about the coming judgment as a warning. This made Felix afraid.
Felix was certainly an unjust politician. As indicated in verse 26, he hoped to receive money from Paul. He expected a bribe, an unjust gain of money. On this basis, Paul reasoned with him concerning righteousness.
We saw that Felix also lacked self-control. Due to Felix's uncontrolled lasciviousness, Paul, in order to show his sinfulness, also reasoned with him about self-control. Finally, in his reasoning with Felix, Paul came to the matter of the coming judgment for perdition.
In his preaching to the Gentiles, both Peter in Acts 10:42, and Paul here and in Acts 17:31 emphasized the coming judgment of God. The resurrected Christ, at His return, will be the Judge of the living before the millennium on His throne of glory (Mt 25:31-46). This is related to His second coming (2 Tim 4:1). He will also be the Judge of the dead after the millennium on the great white throne (Rev 20:11-15).
Paul's words to Felix were a categorical warning. He was afraid, but he was not moved. Telling Paul to depart, he said, "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time, I will call for you" (v. 25). Felix did indeed call Paul several times. In this regard, Acts 24:26 says: "He hoped also that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him; therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him." This shows the corruption of this Roman politician. His intention in calling Paul was not to hear the gospel, but to gain money.
Two Years in Caesarea
In verse 27 we have the conclusion: "But after two years, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound." Porcius Festus was Felix's successor as governor of Judea. The fact that Felix kept Paul imprisoned shows again the corruption of Roman politics.
Luke does not tell us what the apostle did during these two years. Perhaps he used this time to be in the presence of the Lord, praying for His moving on earth. If this occurred, it must have influenced the Epistles written during his appeal to Rome (Colossians, Ephesians, and Philippians), which are the most mysterious, profound, and rich in divine revelation.
A PICTURE OF HYPOCRISY AND CORRUPTION
In these chapters of Acts, we have a picture of the hypocrisy of religion and the corruption in politics. What hypocrisy there was in Judaism! The Jews pretended to serve God, please Him, and glorify Him, yet they did many wicked things. These chapters expose the wicked deeds of the Jewish people. They were religious in a wicked way, even planning to kill Paul. Although they were wicked, they still pretended to worship God and please Him. Therefore, in Judaism, there was hypocrisy.
In Roman politics, we see corruption and injustice. Felix knew that Paul had done nothing wrong, so by justice, he should have released him. However, to gain the favor of the Jews and in the hope of receiving money from Paul and his friends, he kept him detained for two years. In the next message, we will consider what Paul may have done during these years.
Enjoy more: Hymn 122
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