After Paul’s providential escape from Jerusalem to Caesarea he is once again on trial before his accusers. In an attempt to convince Felix, a powerful career politician, to lay charges against Paul, the Jewish council hire a rhetorically gifted and politically shrewd lawyer, named Tertullus. However, despite Paul’s obvious innocence to the charges presented against him, Felix believes it is more politically expedient to delay justice and leave Paul imprisoned for two years. Yet, during this time Paul is used by God in a dramatic way to bring the gospel to Festus and his wife. We learn from this study that Christians are called to remain faithful witnesses, who trust in God and rest in His judgement, in the face of personal injustice.
- Tertullus’ bogus Charge (vv. 1-9)
- Paul’s honest Defence (vv. 10-21)
- Felix’s delayed Verdict (vv. 22-27)