Righteousness, Self-Control, and Judgment

After five days, the high priest Ananias came down with certain elders and an orator named Tertullus, and they informed the governor against Paul. Tertullus began by flattering Felix for the peace and reforms under him. Then he charged that Paul was a pestilent fellow who stirred up insurrections around the world, a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, and that he tried to profane the temple.

When the governor motioned to him, Paul made his defense cheerfully. Felix had been a judge of the nation many years. It was no more than twelve days since Paul went up to worship at Jerusalem. They did not find him disputing or stirring up a crowd in the temple, the synagogues, or the city, nor could they prove the things of which they accused him.

But Paul confessed that after the Way, which they called a sect, he served the God of his fathers, believing all things according to the law and written in the prophets. He had hope toward God that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. "In this I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men." After some years he had come to bring gifts to his nation and offerings, and was found purified in the temple. He asked them to state what wrongdoing the council had found, other than his cry about the resurrection.

Felix, having more exact knowledge of the Way, deferred them, saying he would decide when Lysias came. He ordered the centurion to keep Paul but give him some freedom and let his friends serve him. Later Felix came with his wife Drusilla and heard Paul concerning faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified and said he would summon him when it was convenient. He also hoped Paul would give him money, so he often sent for him. When two years were fulfilled, Porcius Festus succeeded Felix, and Felix, desiring to gain favor, left Paul in bonds.