Acts 24 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Acts 24 in 5 Minutes

WHEN:

• The events in Acts 24 occurred between approximately 57-59 A.D.

CHARACTERS:

• Paul (Saul) – Paul was an Apostles who planted churches in the Mediterranean region.

• Antonius Felix – Roman procurator of Judea from 52-60 A.D.

• Drusilla – Wife of Felix and sister to Berenice and Herod Agrippa II

• Ananias and Tertullus – Jews who came from Jerusalem to accuse Paul of wrongdoing.

WHERE:

• Everything we read about in Acts 24 happened in Caesarea Maritima.

OUTLINE:

• PAUL’S ACCUSER’S SPEAK TO FELIX (24:1-9):

  • At the end of the last chapter, Paul was sent to Caesarea to await trial.

  • Five days later, Paul’s accusers came from Jerusalem to Caesarea.

  • Tertullus, the Jewish spokesmen, stood before Felix and commended him for leadership before launching into condemnation of Paul.

  • He called Paul a “plague” who stirred up riots everywhere he went.

  • He said that he was a “ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,” and that he tried to profane the Temple in Jerusalem.

• PAUL’S DEFENDS HIMSELF BEFORE FELIX (24:10-21):

  • Paul told Felix he had only been in Jerusalem a short time and could not be rightfully accused of causing any kind of trouble in either the Temple or any synagogue.

  • He told Felix the Jews couldn’t prove any of their accusations.

  • Paul did confess to believing in Jesus, “the Way”, and in everything written in the Jewish Law and by the Jewish prophets.

  • He told Felix he was minding his own business, purifying himself in the Temple, when the Jews from Asia, who weren’t present at the trial, started a riot and tried to kill him.

  • Paul made it clear that the Jewish council had no legitimate charge against him, except his belief in the resurrection, which was hardly a reason for incarceration.

• FELIX DELAYS JUDGEMENT AND IS REPLACED BY FESTUS (24:22-27):

  • Rather than deciding the case, Felix delayed passing judgement with the excuse that he needed to wait for the Roman tribune, Claudius Lysias, to arrive.

  • Paul was kept in custody, but his friends were allowed to visit him.

  • Felix and his wife, Drusilla, summoned Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ and the coming Judgement Day.

  • Felix was alarmed and sent Paul away.

  • After 2 years, Felix was replaced as governor by Porcius Festus, and he left Paul in prison.

APPLICATION:

• There is no way to escape criticism from people who don’t love Jesus.

• You will never be able to profess Jesus correctly while avoiding all backlash.

• Even if your life is squeaky clean and your words are spoken with precision and tact, there will still be those who come after you.

• Jesus promised it would be this way (John 15:18-19).

• People hated Jesus and He was perfect in life and speech.

• If you live an upright life, people will lie about you to discredit you.

• Don’t prioritize avoiding criticism over getting the gospel message to the world.