Acts

Trial Before Felix

After five days, Ananias the high priest, traveled to Caesarea with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. They presented their case against Paul to the governor.

Paul was summoned, and Tertullus made his accusation this way:

“Most Excellent Felix, thanks to you—your efforts and wise reforms—our people now enjoy peace. We accept all this in every way and in every place. We are entirely grateful to you.

To avoid taking more of your time, I kindly ask you to listen briefly, with your usual kindness.

We have discovered that this man is a pest who causes division among the Jews worldwide. He is a leader of the Nazarene sect.

He even tried to desecrate the temple. So we seized him. We would have judged him according to our law,

but Lysias, the commandant, intervened very violently and took him from us.

Then he declared that his accusers must appear before you. By examining him yourself, you will learn from him about all that we accuse him of.

The Jews confirmed this, firmly asserting that all of it was true.

Then the governor gestured to Paul, who said:“As I know that you have governed this nation for many years, I confidently make my defense.

You, yourself, can confirm that not more than twelve days ago I went to Jerusalem to worship;

and that they did not find me arguing with anyone or inciting the people, either in the temple, the synagogues, or in the city.

So, they cannot prove the accusations they now bring against me.

But I admit before you that I serve the God of our ancestors, according to the Way they call a sect. I believe everything written in the Law and the Prophets;

and I share the same hope in God as they do: that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the sinners.

So I always strive to maintain a clear conscience before God and everyone.

After many years, I came to help my people and offer sacrifices.

On that occasion, they found me in the temple; I had been purified according to the law, and there was no crowd or commotion. Yet, it all started with some Jews from Asia,

who should be here before you to accuse me if they have any charges against me.

Let these men say what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin;

unless it was for declaring loudly when I was before them: ‘Today, I am being judged because of the resurrection of the dead.’”

Felix, who was well informed about the Way, postponed the case and told them:

“When the commandant, Lysias, arrives, I will examine the case thoroughly.”

So he ordered the captain to keep Paul under guard, giving him some liberty and not preventing his friends from attending to him.

After some days, Felix came with his wife, Drusilla, who was a Jew. He sent for Paul and let him speak about faith in Christ.

But when Paul spoke about justice, self-control, and the future judgment, Felix was frightened, and he said to him:

“You may leave now; I shall send for you some other time.”

Felix hoped that Paul would give him money, so he often sent for him and talked with him.

Two years passed, and Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; since Felix wanted to stay on good terms with the Jews, he kept Paul in prison.