In today’s study our title is; Verses 1-27 Paul is brought before Felix. Keep in mind Paul is a Roman citizen, and was also under the vow of a Nazarite. Acts 24 and verse 1 reads.
Acts 24:1] And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.
The high priest Ananias brought his lawyer Tertullus with him but not the witnesses.
Acts 24:2] And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,
[3] We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
Notice how Tertullus is laying it on thick here.
Acts 24:4] Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.
[5] For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
The charges are; Sedition against the Jews throughout the world. claiming that Paul was a ringleader of the Sect of Nazarenes. Let’s look into this closely, first we have Nazarene G3480 Nazōraios pronounced nad-zo-rah’-yos and means; A Nazoraean that is inhabitant of Nazareth; by extension a Christian. Nazarite means; One separated. 1. An inhabitant of Nazareth. 2. A title given to Jesus in the NT. 3. A name given to Christians by the Jews. This word comes from G3478 Nazareth Nazaret pronounced nad-zar-eth’ nad-zar-et’. Nazareth means; The guarded one. It is the hometown of Jesus Christ. Paul is accused of being a Christian and for teaching the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Acts 24:6] Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.
This is a lie and they have no proof. Paul was under the vow of a Nazarite, which is of Hebrew law. We just read above that Nazarite means one separated. Let’s go to Numbers 6 and verse 2 reads.
Num.6:2] Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the LORD:
Paul had separated himself from the people and to the LORD. No man could get any holier than he was when they grabbed him out of the temple. Jesus was also falsely accused by Kenites in Luke 23 and verse 2 reads.
Luke 23:2] And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.
See how they lied against Jesus also?
Luke 23:3] And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.
Jesus simply said; You said that, I didn’t. But these Kenites are no different from those who are lying about Paul now before Felix. Let’s go to 1Peter and see what Peter said about being among those who will oppose you for the teachings of Jesus Christ. 1Peter 2 and verse 12 reads.
1Pet.2:12] Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
[13] Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
[14] Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
[15] For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
[16] As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
Do not break any laws that would put you in jail, because it is hard for you to serve the LORD. Back to Acts 24 and verse 7 reads.
Acts 24:7] But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,
Who was violent? Who made a conspiracy to kill who? Notice how they are now going to go after the chief captain Lysias. Calling him the violent one when it was the chief priest who was encouraging violence against Paul.
Acts 24:8] Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
Here is where Tertullus is lying, he never witnessed, he is a paid lawyer and yet said We accuse him.
Acts 24:9] And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
Their problem is they did not bring any witnesses with them. This lawyer saw none of which they accuse him of and yet included himself with We. Let’s hold on a minute here. What is the accusation? That Paul taught the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Did not Moses prophecy that one would be the Messiah? That a Savior would come? Let’s go to the Song of Moses which the overcomers are singing in Revelation 15:3, Deuteronomy 32 and verse 15 reads.
Deu.32:15] But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
Notice the uppercase R in Rock, that is Jesus Christ. but these Kenites that crucified our Lord Jesus and are now trying to kill Paul, worship not our Rock but their rock (lowercase) Satan. Let’s go to Isaiah 11, both advents are given, and verse 10 reads.
Isa.11:10] And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
The coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is so important to have this knowledge for the Key of David. Now, for the second advent.
Isa.11:11] And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.
[12] And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
For his Elects sake he shall assemble us again at the time of the sixth trump. So why then could not those in the temple understand the teaching of the resurrection? Because they are Kenites, offspring of Cain, the first murderer that the Serpent in the garden fathered. Back to Acts 24 and verse 10 reads.
Acts 24:10] Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:
Paul will speak for himself, no lawyer will be needed, for the Holy Spirit is within him.
Acts 24:11] Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.
[12] And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:
[13] Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
[14] But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
Accusing me of what they are supposed to believe in. Notice that Paul brings up law, prophets and resurrection. Jesus said in Matthew 5 and verse 17 reads.
Mat.5:17] Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Back to Acts 24 and verse 15 reads.
Acts 24:15] And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
[16] And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
[17] Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
Remember Paul brought back to the temple offerings and alms from the circuit and churches that they started. In other words, gave to the temple according to the law of Moses.
Acts 24:18] Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
[19] Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.
Where are the witnesses? Those who said they saw me with Gentiles defiling the temple. Because it was a lie, and those Kenites could not come before Felix for fear of being caught lying.
Acts 24:20] Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,
[21] Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.
They are charging me with sedition and there was none. I simply taught the resurrection.
Acts 24:22] And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.
Meaning that Felix understood the Christian way as well as the law of Moses. So, when Lysias the chief captain comes down Felix will have his testimony of what happened. It seems that Felix feels he is being lied to, and will trust what Lysias has to say over these people.
Acts 24;23] And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.
Giving Paul his freedom but keeping him close by. Felix will not forbid anyone from coming to Paul. He has total liberty.
Acts 24:24] And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
Felix’s wife was of the tribe of Judah and a Christian. Don’t overlook Felix is listening to Paul teach Jesus. This will eventually be the demise of Felix in the near future with Rome.
Acts 24:25] And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
[26] He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
He was expecting Paul to give money for his freedom, but he didn’t. But that he sent often for Paul and heard much concerning the faith, for his wife’s sake and for his sake he did this. Felix is becoming a Christian.
Acts 24:27] But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
Felix put Paul back in bonds for their sakes. Porcius Festus, in history, as well here in the bible, would take over the governorship. This happened in 60 A.D. Felix would get in trouble with Nero and sent away. Nero would eventually ban Jews and Christians from Rome. In the Bible, Felix, the Roman governor, was dismissed from his position after two years of detaining Paul the Apostle:
Felix held Paul under house arrest for two years, hoping Paul would offer him a bribe. Felix knew the accusations against Paul were false, but he chose to placate the Jewish leaders instead of setting Paul free.
Today’s lesson is so important to know who are the Kenites and who it is that we are at war with in these end times. First let’s go to 1Corithians 10 and verse 11 reads.
1Cor.10:11] Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
Now Jesus taught about the Kenites in many places, but the best place is in Matthew when he spoke of the Tares. Jesus has just spoken of the Tares to the people in a parable. But his disciples did not understand either and asked him to explain it to them. Jesus explains and Matthew 13 and verse 36 reads.
Mat.13:36] Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field.
[37] He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
We are going to learn the difference between the woman’s seed and the Serpent’s seed. Let’s go to the first prophecy in the bible, God is speaking to the Serpent in the garden, Satan. Genesis 3 and verse 15 reads.
Gen.3:15] And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
They bruised his heels when they nailed them to the cross, but the woman’s seed, you and me, will bruise his head. (Chittum). Back to Matthew 13 and verse 38 reads.
Mat.13:38] The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
The Tares are the children of that Serpent.
Mat.13:39] The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
[40] As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
[41] The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
[42] And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
[43] Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Ears to hear are for the Elect today. Can you hear what the LORD is saying? We are to separate ourselves from this world, for he has chosen us out of this world. Separate ourselves unto GOD, for this is our vow of the Nazarite unto Him. Today we have these Kenites in our churches, and they will persecute those with ears to hear. They are wolves in sheep’s clothing, scripture lawyers who will deceive, IF it were possible, even God’s Elect. It is not possible, for we will have our gospel armor on and STAND, and not fly away, but Stand against the fiery darts of the Serpent and his seed. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible