Paul’s Trial at Caesarea

This chapter is based on Acts 24. 

Five days after Paul arrived at Caesarea, his accusers came from Jerusalem, bringing their lawyer, Tertullus. Paul was brought before the assembly, and Tertullus “began his accusation.” The sly orator began his speech by flattering Felix: “Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight, we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.” 4TC 213.2

In saying this, Tertullus stooped to bold-faced lying, for Felix’s character was shameful. Those who heard Tertullus knew his words were untrue. 4TC 213.3

Tertullus accused Paul of high treason against the government: “We have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. He even tried to profane the temple.” The Jews who were there noisily supported all the charges, making no effort to hide their hatred of the prisoner. 4TC 214.1

Felix was perceptive enough to know the motives of Paul’s accusers in flattering him. He also saw that they had failed to prove their charges. Turning to Paul, he motioned to him to answer for himself. 4TC 214.2

Paul wasted no words in compliments. Referring to the charges brought against him, he plainly showed that not one of them was true. He had caused no disturbance in any part of Jerusalem, nor had he defiled the sanctuary. While acknowledging that he worshiped God “according to the Way,” he stated that He had always believed “all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets,” and he believed in the resurrection of the dead. The guiding principle of his life was to “always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.” 4TC 214.3

Simply and clearly he told the purpose of his visit to Jerusalem and the circumstances of his arrest and trial: “I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation, in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult.” 4TC 214.4

The apostle’s words rang true. Claudius Lysias, in his letter to Felix, had given a similar report about Paul’s conduct. Paul’s plain statement of the facts enabled Felix to understand the motives of the Jews in trying to convict the apostle of stirring up rebellion and of treason. The governor would not satisfy them by unjustly condemning a Roman citizen or giving him up to them. Yet Felix knew no higher motivation than self-interest. He was afraid to offend the Jews, and this held him back from doing full justice to a man he knew was innocent. So he decided to suspend the trial until Lysias was present. 4TC 214.5

The apostle remained a prisoner, but Felix commanded that he should “have liberty,” and “not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.” 4TC 215.1

Felix and Drusilla Hear the Wonderful Good News

Not long after this, Felix and his wife Drusilla sent for Paul, to hear him “concerning the faith in Christ.” They were eager to listen to these new truths—truths that, if rejected, would witness against them in the day of God. 4TC 215.2

Paul knew that he stood in the presence of a ruler who had power to put him to death or to set him free, yet he did not speak to Felix and Drusilla with flattery. Forgetting all selfish considerations, he tried to awaken them to a sense of their danger. The apostle realized that one day they would stand either among the holy around the great white throne, or with those to whom Christ would say, “Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness” (Matthew 7:23). 4TC 215.3

Few had ever before dared even to hint to Felix that his character and conduct were not faultless. But Paul had no fear of any human being. So God led him to speak about those virtues that are essential to Christian character, which the haughty pair before him so greatly lacked. 4TC 215.4

He held up before Felix and Drusilla God’s righteousness, justice, and the nature of His law. He showed that it is our duty to live a sober, temperate life in obedience to God’s law, preserving the physical and mental powers in a healthy condition. There would surely come a day of judgment when it would be clear that wealth, position, or titles cannot deliver anyone from the results of sin. This life is our time of preparation for the future life. If we neglect present opportunities, we will experience eternal loss. We will receive no second chance then. 4TC 215.5

Paul especially showed how God’s law extends to the deep secrets of our moral nature. The law searches our thoughts, motives, and purposes. Dark passions hidden from human view—jealousy, hatred, lust, and ambition, evil deeds we may think about yet never do for lack of opportunity—all these God’s law condemns. 4TC 215.6

Paul pointed to the one great Sacrifice for sin, Christ, as the only source of life and hope for fallen humanity. As holy men centuries earlier saw the dying agonies of the sacrificial animals, they looked across the gap of ages to the Lamb of God that was to take away the sin of the world. 4TC 216.1

God justly claims the love and obedience of His creatures. But many forget their Maker and give Him back hatred instead of love. God cannot lower the requirements of His law. Neither can we meet the demands of the law in our own power. Only by faith in Christ can the sinner find cleansing from guilt and power to be obedient to the law of his Maker. 4TC 216.2

In this way Paul the prisoner urged the claims of the divine law and presented Jesus as the Son of God, the world’s Redeemer. 4TC 216.3

Felix and His Wife Reject Their Golden Opportunity

The Jewish princess understood the law she had so shamelessly broken, but her prejudice against the Man of Calvary hardened her heart against the word of life. But Felix was deeply troubled, and he felt that Paul’s words were true. With terrible clarity the secrets of his life came up before him. He saw himself lustful, cruel, greedy. Never before had truth come home to his heart like this. The thought that his career of crime was open to the eye of God and that he must be judged for his deeds made him tremble. 4TC 216.4

But instead of letting his convictions lead him to repentance, he tried to dismiss these unwelcome thoughts. “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” 4TC 216.5

How wide the contrast between Felix’s actions and those of the jailer at Philippi! The servants of the Lord were brought to the jailer in chains, as Paul was to Felix. The evidence they gave that a divine power sustained them, combined with their spirit of forgiveness, sent conviction to the jailer’s heart. With trembling he confessed his sins and found pardon. Felix also trembled, but he did not repent. The jailer welcomed the Spirit of God; Felix told the divine Messenger to leave. One chose to become an heir of heaven; the other chose to unite with evildoers. For two years Paul remained a prisoner. Felix visited him several times and hinted that by paying a large sum of money Paul could secure his release. The apostle, however, was too noble to free himself by a bribe. He would not stoop to commit a wrong in order to gain freedom. He felt that he was in the hands of God, and he would not interfere with God’s plan for him. 4TC 216.6

Felix was finally summoned to Rome because of terrible wrongs he committed against the Jews. Before leaving Caesarea he thought he would “do the Jews a favor” by allowing Paul to remain in prison. But Felix did not succeed in regaining the confidence of the Jews. He was removed from office in disgrace, and Porcius Festus was appointed to follow him. 4TC 217.1

A ray of light from heaven had come to Felix when Paul reasoned with him “about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come.” But he said to the messenger of God, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.” 4TC 217.2

He never received another call from God. 4TC 217.3