Page 117 - Acts Student Textbook

Paul gets the message out even when nothing seems to change (24:22-27)

Felix should have released Paul, but apparently still wanted to please the Jews. In the meantime, he
commanded the Roman centurion to keep Paul in guard, but to allow him a significant amount of
liberty. In particular, Paul was allowed to have free visiting from his friends. It is interesting
throughout Paul’s imprisonment to observe how many freedoms were granted him. No doubt this
not only boosted his morale, but it also enabled him to accomplish some teaching in writing and in
person to those who visited. This shows that Felix did not see Paul as a threat. Here again is a Roman
official who does not sense Christianity as a political problem. This was surely one of Luke's purposes
in writing this document!

What message does Paul teach Felix and his wife Drusilla? (24:24, 25)

In the meantime, while Paul remained imprisoned, Felix and his wife Drusilla decided to hear what
Paul had to say about the faith in Jesus. Paul preached numerous times to Felix, but Felix did not
obey. He left Judea two years later leaving Paul still a prisoner. There is no reason to believe he ever
obeyed (vv 26, 27). History records Felix was a very evil man. Roman historian Tacitus said of him:
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“He reveled in cruelty and lust, and wielded the power of a king with the mind of a slave”. Josephus
said that Drusilla was the daughter of Herod Agrippa (whom God slew in Acts 12) and had been
another man’s wife, but had divorced her first husband to marry Felix. Some think Felix too had been
married before. It is certain from Acts 24:26 that Felix desired bribes. The very fact Paul taught such a
man is a lesson of itself. How many of us would have kept quiet, thinking such a man was not
interested or might even cause harm if we told him he was evil? Yet Paul taught Felix.

Note what Paul taught Felix:

The need for righteousness

Righteousness refers to the quality or condition of being right, especially right in God’s eyes.
Specifically, it refers to the state of being in accord or harmony with the laws of God. It is opposite to
wickedness or sinfulness. This state of being right is essential to our well-being in this life and in
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eternity. (Acts 10:35; Matt. 25:46; 1 Peter 4:18; 1 Pet. 3:12; 2 Tim. 4:8).

The need for self-control

2 Peter 1:5-9 — Self-control (temperance) is in the list of qualities we must add to our faith. If we lack
such qualities, we are blind and have forgotten our cleansing from sins. Note that being cleansed
from sin does not allow us to live as we please, but rather requires us to learn to live as God pleases.
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[2 Timothy 3:3; Titus 2:12; Romans 6:13-20].

The need to prepare for judgment

Paul also reasoned with Felix about judgment to come (v25). This too is a fundamental part of
learning faith in Jesus. Jesus will come to judge and reward all men eternally. Matthew 25:31-46 — at
the judgment, all nations will be gathered before Jesus who will separate them on the basis of how
they lived. Righteous people receive eternal life (v46), but wicked people receive eternal punishment
(v46) in the lake of fire (v41). [Romans 2:5-10; 2 Corinthians 5:10]. The teaching here is not that
salvation is based on works, but that a person who has truly believed, lives a lifestyle faith which

62 Zondervan, Pictorial Bible Dictionary, (p. 282).
63 Pratte, (p. 362)
64 Ibid
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