The Acts of the Apostles, the history of the early church, by Luke the physician - Acts, chapter 24, comments: Paul argues his case against the high priests and their spokesman, Tertullus

 

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. 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.   

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: 6  Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law. 7  But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, 8  Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him. 9  And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.

 

In the English legal system today there is a Solicitor who typically prepares the case and a Barrister who argues in court, although their roles are not always so clear. Here, the orator Tertullus is to make the case against Paul. Orators were very important in the development of what would become our modern legal profession. The ability to speak on behalf of one’s client was important to getting at the heart of a complaint or a defense.

 

A Roman citizen had the right to face his accusers, as Paul is doing here.

 

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: 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: 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. 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. 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.

 

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. 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. 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. 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. 27  But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

 

Paul’s defense was convincing enough to Felix to keep him safe from his accusers with the added bonus that he hoped a ransom of some kind might be paid to free Paul. So, it is clear from this passage that Felix is guided by greed as well as by curiosity.

 

Paul referenced the resurrection of both the just and the unjust. This was a common thread throughout the Bible. Job spoke of the resurrection.

 

Job 14:14  If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. 15  Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.

Job 19:25  For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26  And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:

27  Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

Isaiah speaks of a resurrection.

Isaiah 26:19  Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

Daniel speaks of a resurrection.

Daniel 12:2  And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Hosea speaks of a resurrection.

Hosea 13:14  I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes.

And Jesus makes it clear that God’s dead have not ceased to exist and the following passage makes it plain that the Jews knew of the resurrection, although some did not believe, as it is today.

Matthew 22:23 ¶  The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, 24  Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. 25  Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: 26  Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. 27  And last of all the woman died also. 28  Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. 29  Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. 30  For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. 31  But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, 32  I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. 33  And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.