Commentary by Ron Beckham

Verse 1.  “After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders, with an attorney named Tertullus, and they brought charges to the governor against Paul.”

Ananias the Jewish high priest, who had decided that the extinction of Paul the Apostle was first and foremost on his calendar for that month, took some of his key elders from the Sanhedrin – and his attorney – and made the trip to Caesarea.  They wouldn’t have traveled as fast as the Apostle, on his trip by horseback a few days before, but they were in a hurry nevertheless (see Chapter 23).  Paul had been stalked by forty armed assassins during his journey and was escorted by fast-moving Roman soldiers on horseback.  He got to Caesarea QUICKLY!

The high priest had learned that the forty killers had failed in their mission (Chapter 23).  It makes you wonder what happened to them, because they had sworn “not to eat or drink” until the Apostle Paul was dead.  It was going to be a long wait.  “Brought charges”, as in this verse, meant they brought a formal, written criminal “information” against Paul.  They weren’t able to kill him directly, so they hoped to get the job done through Roman Law.

Verse 2.  “After Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying to the governor, ‘Since we have through you attained much peace, and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for this nation,’”

Since Paul was a Roman citizen, he was brought to hear the charges against him.  Tertullus didn’t immediately begin to accuse Paul, but first had flattering words for Governor Felix.  The terms “peace”, “providence” and “reforms” are a mockery – Tacitus wrote of him, “he thought he could commit any crime with impunity, and by his proceedings, nearly caused a civil war.”  He further said he “used the power of a king with the temper of a slave.”  Josephus wrote that as soon as Felix was recalled by his government, the “chief men among the Jews” went to Rome to accuse him before Caesar Nero.  He wrote further that Felix only escaped judgment “through the intervention of his brother Pallas”.

Watch out for flattery.  Tertullus and the others thought they could say anything, as long as they got what they wanted (the death of the Apostle Paul).  These men didn’t care about peace or providence or reforms or even their nation.  They just wanted what they wanted, which is unfortunately true of most people, much of the time.  I wonder what they would have thought if they could have known that two thousand years later, we would still be reading their statements, shaking our heads at the embarrassing dishonesty of these supposedly “religious” men from Jerusalem.

Verse 3.  “we acknowledge this in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness.”

“Most excellent Felix” was not excellent at all.  It’s always a surprise when someone with an otherwise bad reputation is portrayed as a “nice” person.  You can hear such flattery at funerals – they may have been offended by the departed in life, but suddenly they’re called to say “last words” for him, and can’t say enough good about him.  It’s also typical to say something “nice” when you want to get something you want.  Felix was in a position to perhaps give them the death of Paul the Apostle, and they would say nice things to the Governor (who they actually hated) to get their way.

You can tell that the leaders from the Sanhedrin (and their attorney) had hearts that were far from God.  Jesus said “I am the truth” (John 14:6), and if they knew God, then truth would be important to them.  But they flattered and bent the truth, just like those in the world.  It’s the same for you and me.  If we really love the Lord, we will become men and women who love and speak the truth.

Verse 4.  “But, that I may not weary you any further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing.”

Actually, flattery IS wearying, and the Jewish attorney Tertullus (who was speaking at that time) had no doubt flattered Governor Felix far too much in the past.  However, it is typical for attorneys to speak smoothly in a court of law, and for all practical purposes, Paul the Apostle was on trial for his life at that moment.  The matter was not set for hearing at some future date – everything began right then.  And note that Paul was only an agent for the true Accused at this hearing.  Jesus Christ was the One who they wanted to eliminate from this world.  They would not succeed.

The word in Greek for “brief” was “suntomos”, a term used a lot by medical writers of the time, which meant “rapidly, in a short time.”  Tertullus was promising Felix the trial would not last long.  “Kindness” was a “quality of justice that treats people with mercy” – He was calling Felix a “fair” man.  The reality was far from the words being used. 

Verse 5.  “For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.

This is the only use of the word used here for “pest” in the New Testament, but it was often used in a Greek translation of the Old Testament (the Septuagint) and was also in use by secular writers.  It meant “a mover of insurrections”, and would catch the attention of Roman Governor Felix, who was sworn to keep peace in that land.  The word for “ringleader” was a military term, applied to soldiers on the front lines.  Tertullus’ words painted this picture: “We’ve caught a big one; Now’s our chance to stamp out a front-line leader of those accursed Christians!”

We should really WATCH our hearts and think about those we attack.  Often the wrong people are accused.  It would be WONDERFUL to have a “pest” like Paul the Apostle in our midst right now, for revival would break out in relation to him.  Religious institutions tend to become “hidebound” with rules and regulations, and gradually the doors are closed to the presence of God.  The Lord is continually breaking through such “doors” but people tend to build them back up, close them, and lock those doors again.  It’s all about control.  We need to open those doors and let Him in!

Verse 6.  “And he even tried to desecrate the temple; and then we arrested him. We wanted to judge him according to our own Law.”

The attorney Tertullus continued to accuse the Apostle Paul.  The same charge of desecrating (profaning or defiling) the Jewish Temple was made earlier, in Acts 21:28, when Paul was first discovered in that place.  Immediately he was attacked and the Jews tried to kill him, but Roman soldiers saved his life.  You have to wonder who really was doing the desecrating in that place, and we all need to learn the difference between the holy and the profane.  Religious works were being performed in the temple with great diligence, but where were their hearts?  Paul actually brought a holy presence into the Jerusalem Temple, but instead of listening to him, they arrested him.

The Lord, who had set up a religious system centered around sacrifice, was always clear to Israel that something much MORE was needed that mere outward observances of the Law.  A good example is Hosea 6:6, where He said through the prophet, “I delight in mercy rather than sacrifice, and in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”  He wants your heart.  All too often we offer Him something less, and then wonder why He seems so “far away”.  He is NEAR to you and me – it’s PEOPLE who do the going away.

Verse 7.  “But Lysias the commander came along, and with much violence took him out of our hands,”

Commander Claudius Lysias (a Chiliarch – the leader of 1,000 Roman soldiers) had immediately responded to the screams and shouts at the Temple by rushing into the mob with Roman soldiers (Acts 21:32 & context).  Actually, the “violence” seems to have been on the part of the Jews.  The Romans broke up a riot; though they probably also broke a few heads in the process.  Tertullus the attorney was telling Governor Felix that it was Lysias’ fault that violence occurred during the rescue of Paul.  Felix was possibly inclined to agree with him (depending on how much he would be paid for his opinion).

People tend to put a “spin” on what they see and hear, toward biases they have in relation to what was involved.  Neither Tertullus nor Felix were men of God, so they could not see what really happened – it was GOD who rescued Paul and not men at all.  However, not only did the Lord organize Paul’s rescue, but He was also in charge of these court proceedings as well.  Paul could have been afraid at that moment, but he had learned, as we should learn, that Jesus Christ is the One who has everything and everyone under His control (Colossians 1:17).

Verse 8.  “ordering his accusers to come before you. By examining him yourself concerning all these matters you will be able to ascertain the things of which we accuse him."

Roman Commander Lysias knew that Paul would not get a fair trial before the Jews.  He also knew that as a Roman citizen, Paul had a right to be tried before Roman authorities.  Tertullus the attorney was suggesting that Lysias had acted improperly in bringing the case before Felix the Roman Governor.  He was hinting for a change of venue back to a Jewish court at that moment.  “Just ask Paul, Governor Felix, and you will (wink, wink) see what I mean.”  The suggestion of the attorney for the Jewish Sanhedrin, was that he (the Governor) was a “reasonable” man, and just a few questions asked of Paul (by a great one such as you) would reveal the guilt of the accused. 

Verse 9.  “The Jews also joined in the attack, asserting that these things were so.”

An unspecified number of Jewish leaders from the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem, had accompanied Ananias the High Priest and Tertullus the attorney, on their trip to Caesarea.  Their intention was to accuse the Apostle Paul and if possible, have him condemned as a criminal under Roman Law.  They would have preferred Jewish Law, but were subject to the Romans at that time.

The "Jews" in this verse were essentially "yes men" at that point, agreeing with the outright lies of the attorney for the plaintiffs.  Tertullus had told certain of the facts but omitted others in his opening statement, placing a "spin" on his words, in order to get his way with the Roman Governor.  Truth should be simply that - nothing added or subtracted from what actually happened.

Verse 10.  “When the governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul responded: ‘Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense,’”

When Paul was first arrested in Jerusalem, after a severe beating, he did get an opportunity to present his testimony.  Protected and surrounded by Roman soldiers, he was allowed to speak (Acts 22:1-21) until he got to the part where he told of his ministry to the Gentiles.  Then he was shouted down by the mob in front of him (Acts 22:22).  He was to speak again at another point but was immediately hit in the face and shut up by an order from the high priest.  It was the same high priest who was accusing him at the present moment.

Paul became reasonably discouraged after those events, but the Lord spoke to him in the night and revealed that through all this, Paul would be taken to the heart of the Roman Empire, where he would speak of Jesus Christ.  He could now take ANYTHING that happened, because he knew that all this was a "stepping stone" to the completion of a great work of God.  Therefore, he could “cheerfully” make his defense at that moment, knowing he was in the will of God.

Verse 11.  “since you can take note of the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.”

Paul was now "cheerfully" making his defense (see verse 10), partly because he was sure all this was in God's will.  For us to have the CALM Paul was exhibiting in that moment, we must finally come to the place where we KNOW we are in His will.  Paul also knew that Governor Felix, for all his shortcomings, was experienced in dealing with the Jewish leaders of that time.  The Governor would not be fooled by their words.  The danger did remain that he well might take a bribe from them (but He also knew God would have the outcome).

Paul began his opening statement by skipping unnecessary details and moving right to the charges against him - which were serious.  They were saying he was guilty of civil disobedience against the Roman Empire.  In his defense, he responded that when the riot began in relation to him, Paul was merely worshiping God in the Jerusalem Temple.  He was doing literally NOTHING (from a merely human standpoint) at that time.  The Jewish attorney had left out that part.  It had been the Holy Spirit’s intention that Paul’s accusers would have NO evidence at all for their charges against him.

Verse 12.  “Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing a riot.”

Paul continued his opening statement at the start of his trial, pointing out events that were omitted when Tertullus the attorney made opening remarks.  Paul was doing no harm against ANYBODY when the riot started.  He was not talking with another human being and was not somehow carrying out an intention to start a riot.  He was in prayer, and you can be sure he was praying at that time in the Name of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

It had been James and the other elders of the Christians in Jerusalem, who had advised Paul to go to the Temple with four other men who were under a vow (Acts 21:15-26).  He took their advice, shaved his head as was the custom, and quietly went into the Temple.  His hair was still very short at that time (a couple of weeks had passed), providing visual evidence that his words were true.  His only offense was in being - Paul!  He had done nothing harmful to these people.

Verse 13.  “Nor can they prove to you the charges of which they now accuse me.”

The "word of knowledge" given to Paul by James and the other Christian-Jewish leaders in Jerusalem (Acts 21:15-26) had produced wonders in relation to the proceedings before this Court.  Paul could quietly state the truth because he had done literally NOTHING that would start a riot.  His accusers had accused him of no valid charge.  A riot indeed did occur, but it was not started by the Apostle Paul.

Actually, you and I have an accuser who is far more devious and capable than Tertullus the attorney.  Satan himself is our accuser (Revelation 12:9-10), and he is very skilled, even to the point of worrying us into a place where we might agree with the accuser.  But Jesus Christ died in our place and took both the judgment (guilty) and the sentence (death) that was over our heads.  Just like Paul, you and I, in Christ, can live as innocent men and women, all our lives and for all eternity – we are innocent in the sight of God because of our Lord.

Verse 14.  “But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets;”

One of the earliest names for Christianity, was “the Way”.  Jesus Christ is Himself the “Way”, and God’s little ones find their way to God through Him.  We may go to jail, as Paul did, or some other difficult place, but it will be for the good of those we encounter there.  Paul was, at this moment, speaking to people he would not have met in any other context.  It is important to note that, though Paul was innocent of the charges against him, he really WAS a threat to their system.  In Christ, we are innocent also, though we are a threat to the systems of this world.  We have a strong enemy, but Christ will bring us through.

There was nothing about Paul that was against the Law of God.  He loved the Law and the Prophets, and quoted the Old Testament continually.  God’s written Word in its entirety, speaks of Jesus Christ, and we should reasonably love the Bible, for it tells us of Him.  The word “sect” is “hairesis”, generally denoting a perversion of truth with an expectation of personal advantage.  They were accusing Paul of sectarianism - being divisive.  He was not, because he presented the truth.  It was his accusers who bent the truth for personal advantage.

Verse 15.  “having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

What the Jews longed for (verse 14) was all summed up in Christ.  As Christians, we worship the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  We believe in the Law and the Prophets, and Jesus Christ is the logical completion of all that was portrayed before.  The need for sacrifice, the physical appearance and function of the Temple, the Rescue from Egypt, are all pictures of our salvation in Christ Jesus and what He has done for us.  The very Truth that Paul spoke about, is the hope of Israel.

The Jews had (and have) a high regard for Daniel the prophet.  He spoke in the power of the Holy Spirit, saying, “Those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2).  The Old Testament teaches that all will return to life (resurrection), just like in the New Testament.  Some will be with our Lord forever.  Others will be eternally damned.  But in reality, there is no such thing as death, for we merely pass from one place to another.  By accepting or rejecting Jesus Christ, we choose our final destination.

Verse 16.  “In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.”

Sometimes people argue and appear to have opposite sides, when they actually are saying the same thing differently.  Paul rightly pointed out (verse 15) that many of the Jews believed in the resurrection of the dead, especially the Pharisees.  If they chose to carefully and honestly examine the evidence, Jesus Christ, who came back from the dead, perfectly fulfilled their expectations.  It’s a danger for us all – people can believe intellectually in what is read and heard, but all too often not with the heart.

Paul HAD examined the evidence, and he had personally MET the Hope of Israel, Jesus Christ.  He had been as staunch a Pharisee as any of them.  Actually, he had exceeded them all in zeal for the religion of the Jews.  Then He encountered the risen Savior and received Him into his heart.  His conscience became clear, and remained so.  He had told them the truth.  It was his accusers who needed to look at what they taught and believed.

Verse 17.  “Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings;”

“After several years”: Paul’s last recorded visit to the area of Judea, was in Acts 18:22, when he was in Caesarea.  Since that time, he had visited and spent time in Antioch, Phrygia, Galatia, Ephesus (for two years), Macedonia, and then back to Jerusalem.  The trip to Jerusalem would have taken several months, even though he was in a hurry.  All of it must have taken four or five years, from about A.D. 54 to A.D. 58.

Paul had not come to Jerusalem to take something away from the people – he came to give!  When we are attacked for our faith, it should be the simple truth that we have been continually involved in giving to others.  Note by the way that Paul was presenting “offerings”.  The Old Testament is full of offerings that were made to the Lord.  Such offerings can’t be given today, because the Temple doesn’t exist anymore.  And yet it does, for Jesus Christ is our Offering to the Lord.  When we are in Him, the Father accepts what has been done for us, and we are clean before God.

Verse 18.  “in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been purified, without any crowd or uproar. But there were some Jews from Asia —”

The “religious” men of Jerusalem, who had come to Caesarea to attack the Apostle Paul, were accusing him as though he had brought a crowd of men into the Temple with the intention of causing trouble.  But he just – sat there!  In prayer!  Not bothering anybody.  He followed the religious customs of the Jews perfectly and was merely in a position of worship in the Temple of God.  He was “minding his own business” as some might say, when suddenly a group of Jews from the Roman province of Asia… (continued next verse).

Verse 19.   “who ought to have been present before you and to make accusation, if they should have anything against me.”

In the preceding verse, Paul continued his opening statement for the defense before the Roman judge (Governor Felix).  That verse is broken-off right in the middle of his words and is a reminder that the divisions between verses and chapters in Scripture, are not to be viewed as “authoritative”.  The Scriptures themselves were wrought by the Holy Spirit of God, but the verses were divided by men.

In this verse, Paul raises the interesting objection that the witnesses to the riot in the Jerusalem Temple (his accusers) were not present at his trial.  A large group of men had come from Jerusalem to testify against him, but they had not seen what caused the riot.  Much of American Law is called “Common Law,” and is derived from British Law of past centuries.  Much of that comes from Roman Law and from the Old Testament.  In those ancient systems, the accusers themselves had to be present in order to convict the one who was on trial.  Paul had raised the legal objection of “hearsay” before Governor Felix.

Verse 20.  “Or else let these men themselves tell what misdeed they found when I stood before the Council,”

Paul’s accusers, though there were many of them, actually had nothing valid to say.  They had seen nothing, and even if they had, Paul had done nothing wrong.  His experience “before the council” is related in Acts Chapter 23.  Paul had begun to defend himself then, and the high priest immediately had him struck in the face; stopping his words.

There is a statement of accusations against each one of us – and all of it is true.  Each one is guilty from the perspective of God’s holiness, and we are deserving of death.  The indictments against us are opened, and then the surprise:  Written on the paper there is nothing except the words, “Paid in Full,” written in the Blood of Jesus Christ!  Where are the charges against us?  Who are our accusers?  They are gone!  There is only Him, in you, in me, and us in Him.  He has set us free from sin and death – forever!

Verse 21.  “other than for this one statement which I shouted out while standing among them, 'For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.'”

In Acts 23:6-7, Paul had shouted before the assembly of the Jews: it is “concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!”  His words divided his accusers during those events and perhaps Paul expected the words do something similar at the present moment.  But now he uttered them and nothing happened because of them (see verse 22).  Governor Felix merely continued Paul’s trial to a later date.  There are no “formulas” with God.  What helps on one occasion will not necessarily do the job next time.  He wants us to understand that we are delivered, not by special actions or words, but by the power and love of God.

Verse 22.  “But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, ‘When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.’”

Governor Felix was within his legal rights as a Roman judge to postpone the matter without a verdict.  He declared a “continuance” of Paul’s trial, until a date when Chiliarch Lysias of the Roman garrison in Jerusalem, would be able to testify before the court.  It was Lysias who had put all of this into Felix’s lap in the first place, and the Governor would hear what Lysias had to say. 

In Caesarea, Felix must have heard a lot about “the Way” (Christianity).  The conversion of the Centurian Cornelius (Chapter 10) and those of his household, was not a private thing.  And Philip the Evangelist lived in Caesarea and had a powerful ministry for some years that touched just about everyone in the area.  The Governor’s wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, would have kept him informed.  Felix KNEW about the “Way”.  If only he had allowed himself to be changed by what he knew.

Verse 23.  “Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be kept in custody and yet have some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him.”

Paul was actually in “jail” at that time.  A Roman Centurian (the leader of 100 Roman soldiers) was his jailer, and yet Governor Felix instructed the man to give Paul considerable freedom while he was in custody.  He could move around, see sunlight, and possibly walk barefoot on the beach at Caesarea, as we did a couple of years ago.  He could freely receive his friends and converse with anyone he wanted.  You can rest assured he spoke about Christ to them, to his guards, and to all who would listen.

It’s interesting that often God will allow considerable freedom within constraining circumstances.  We experienced some years of financial difficulties while living in Arizona.  Financial loss can be like “chains” that bind people, but we had surprising liberty at that time.  With no money to buy anything, the money would come in, and God always provided for our needs.  The need would be met for the car, the hospital bills, food for the day, and so on.  God is gracious to all, and especially to those who trust in His Son.

Verse 24.  “But some days later Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife who was a Jewess, and sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.”

Some time had passed, because Felix, who had been present and giving orders in the preceding verse, now was arriving back to Caesarea with his wife, Drusilla.  According to the historian Josephus, Governor Felix was married three times; once to a granddaughter of Anthony and Cleopatra, and then to Drusilla, who was the daughter of Agrippa I.  Her father was the one “who killed James with the sword” (Acts 12:1-2) and died shortly afterwards. 

Drusilla had been married to Azisus, King of Emesa, but Felix hired a Jewish magician named Simon, who persuaded her to leave her husband and marry Felix.  She was about 16-years old at the time.  And, of course, Josephus pointed out that such actions were contrary to the customs and laws of her country.  Felix’s wife died in an eruption of Mount Vesuvius, along with their son, Agrippa, but it is unclear if the historian was referring to Felix’s second wife, or his third.  Right now, Felix and Drusilla were about to have a private audience with the Apostle Paul and learn about faith in Christ Jesus.

Verse 25.  “But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, "Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you."

Paul apparently spoke with Felix and his wife Drusilla for some considerable time.  Can you imagine a private audience with the Apostle Paul?  Governor Felix had that personal interview, but it appears to have done him no good at all.  “Faith in Christ Jesus” was the topic of Paul’s sermon to them (verse 24).  Those who trust in Christ will find “righteousness” developing in them; not their righteousness but that which comes from God.  The same with self-control – those who have faith in the Lord will find a God-given self-control growing in their hearts and lives. 

But then Paul also spoke of the Judgment which is surely to come upon this earth, and at some point in the presentation, Felix became frightened and put off the discussion until a later time.  Paul, who had seen many like Felix, observed “we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.  To the one we are the aroma of death to death, and to the other the aroma of life to life.  And who is sufficient for these things?” (2 Corinthians 2:15-16).  Felix smelled the “aroma of (his) death” from Paul’s words, and could not listen anymore.

Verse 26.  “At the same time too, he was hoping that money would be given him by Paul; therefore he also used to send for him quite often and converse with him.”

Governor Felix had double-motives in listening to the Apostle Paul speak of faith in Jesus Christ, as reflected in the last couple of verses.  He wanted money.  Bribes in relation to public officials were forbidden by law in the Roman Empire, but many were offered and much was taken.  It was said that Caesar himself took bribes, and an attitude of law-breaking was permeating the government of Rome at that time.  Money does not corrupt – it merely is a catalyst that reveals the heart of corruption already within.

Governor Felix sent for the Apostle Paul on many occasions, according to this verse.  Paul was an educated and cultured person, and Felix, though corrupt to the core, would enjoy such a man.  It would have been difficult for the Governor to trust in Christ, because the conviction (fear) he demonstrated in the preceding verse (25), was cancelled out by the covetousness we see in him now.  He loved money more than he wanted God; a fatal decision for many people.

Verse 27.  “But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.”

Felix received the opportunity of a lifetime and made much of it, spending a lot of time in conversation with the Apostle Paul.  But his time was now up (Caesar Nero had sent a new governor) and he would have no more opportunities.  Paul was sent by God to this man and it is a tragedy that he did not respond with faith in the Christ that Paul told him about.  When you have the opportunity to learn of the Lord, do so, and when the invitation is given to receive Him, do it.  At some point, the open door will close and it will be too late.

Essentially nothing was written about the new governor, Porcius Festus, by Roman writers, but he was mentioned by the Jewish historian Josephus.  Festus, who was to die in a couple of years, was a better man than Felix and perhaps his relative obscurity was thought by Roman minds to be a “plus” when consigning him to Judea.  It was the notorious Felix who caused Paul to remain in prison.  There were many complaints about Felix sent to the Court of Caesar by the Jews, and he no doubt hoped to curry favor with them by imprisoning Paul.  Felix would eventually escape punishment in Rome, through the intervention of his brother Pallas, but he did not escape the bondage of sin.

Ron Beckham, Pastor
Friday Study Ministries
PO Box  92131
Long Beach, CA
90809-2131 USA
www.fridaystudy.org
Ron@fridaystudy.org