On Trial for Hope
[ READ ] Acts 24:1-27
Paul Before Felix at Caesarea
1 And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul. 2 And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying:
“Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, 3 in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude. 4 But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. 5 For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him. 8 By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.”
9 The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so.
10 And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied:
“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. 11 You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, 12 and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city. 13 Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. 14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, 15 having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. 16 So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. 17 Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings. 18 While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia— 19 they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. 20 Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, 21 other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’”
Paul Kept in Custody
22 But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.
24 After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” 26 At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. 27 When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
1 And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul. 2 And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying:
“Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, 3 in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude. 4 But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. 5 For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him. 8 By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.”
9 The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so.
10 And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied:
“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. 11 You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, 12 and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city. 13 Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. 14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, 15 having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. 16 So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. 17 Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings. 18 While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia— 19 they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. 20 Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, 21 other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’”
Paul Kept in Custody
22 But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.
24 After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” 26 At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. 27 When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
The Accuser. Tertullus opens with flattery, praising Felix for a peace and reform he never brought. Judea seethed with unrest; this was no golden age. Lawyers, like debaters, can master every detail of a brief and still miss the truth. The charge: Paul stirs civil strife, the very word used of Barabbas, the very charge leveled at Jesus. He's called a ringleader, accused of defiling the temple. Notice what's missing: no witnesses. Rome wanted no trouble because Rome needed Egypt's grain. And trouble in Caesarea interrupts trade. Paul is caught in currents far bigger than himself.
The Defendant. Paul doesn't posture. He's calm, precise, almost restrained. No one can prove the charges, he says so plainly. Then he does something remarkable: he claims the high ground. Yes, he worships the God of his ancestors. The Way isn't a strange new sect; it's the fulfillment of the Scriptures he's always trusted. NT Wright notes, “Knowing God in the face of Jesus didn't mean abandoning father Abraham's faith—it meant finally reaching its heart”. Paul's hope is Israel's hope: that God will judge justly, right every wrong, and one day overturn decay and death itself. Paul isn't leaning on his Roman citizenship. He's reminding the court of who they're supposed to be.
A Delayed Verdict. Felix adjourns,not from justice, but self-interest. He's an energy-taker, not a giver: he'd stolen another man's wife, and now he stalls Paul's case for two years, hoping for a bribe, tossing the Jews a bone by leaving Paul confined.
God is the true energy-giver, working even through delay. When our case seems shelved, when the verdict doesn't come, the Judge of all the earth is still setting things right.
- Mary Gunther
The Defendant. Paul doesn't posture. He's calm, precise, almost restrained. No one can prove the charges, he says so plainly. Then he does something remarkable: he claims the high ground. Yes, he worships the God of his ancestors. The Way isn't a strange new sect; it's the fulfillment of the Scriptures he's always trusted. NT Wright notes, “Knowing God in the face of Jesus didn't mean abandoning father Abraham's faith—it meant finally reaching its heart”. Paul's hope is Israel's hope: that God will judge justly, right every wrong, and one day overturn decay and death itself. Paul isn't leaning on his Roman citizenship. He's reminding the court of who they're supposed to be.
A Delayed Verdict. Felix adjourns,not from justice, but self-interest. He's an energy-taker, not a giver: he'd stolen another man's wife, and now he stalls Paul's case for two years, hoping for a bribe, tossing the Jews a bone by leaving Paul confined.
God is the true energy-giver, working even through delay. When our case seems shelved, when the verdict doesn't come, the Judge of all the earth is still setting things right.
- Mary Gunther
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ Paul is charged with "stirring up" trouble—the same charge brought against Jesus and Barabbas. Why do you think the gospel so often gets mistaken for civil unrest rather than recognized as good news?
+ Paul's hope rests on the resurrection and a God who will "judge justly" and set all things right—not on his own innocence or his Roman citizenship. What does this reveal about where Paul locates his security?
+ Paul is charged with "stirring up" trouble—the same charge brought against Jesus and Barabbas. Why do you think the gospel so often gets mistaken for civil unrest rather than recognized as good news?
+ Paul's hope rests on the resurrection and a God who will "judge justly" and set all things right—not on his own innocence or his Roman citizenship. What does this reveal about where Paul locates his security?
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Where in your life are you tempted to smooth over real trouble with flattering language—about yourself, your family, your work—rather than naming what's actually true?
+ Paul stayed calm and did not need to win the room to trust God with the outcome. Where do you find yourself needing the last word, rather than resting in God's justice?
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Where in your life are you tempted to smooth over real trouble with flattering language—about yourself, your family, your work—rather than naming what's actually true?
+ Paul stayed calm and did not need to win the room to trust God with the outcome. Where do you find yourself needing the last word, rather than resting in God's justice?
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
Father, you are the Judge who cannot be bribed and the God who sees what flattery tries to hide. Forgive me for the times I've smoothed over hard truths to keep an easy peace. Give me Paul's steadiness—not resting on my own record, but on your justice and your resurrection hope. When I'm waiting on you, in seasons that feel stalled or shelved, remind me that you are never idle, even in delay. Make me an energy giver like you, not an energy taker like Felix. Use this waiting to shape me, and use me to put right what's broken around me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
+ Pray with me:
Father, you are the Judge who cannot be bribed and the God who sees what flattery tries to hide. Forgive me for the times I've smoothed over hard truths to keep an easy peace. Give me Paul's steadiness—not resting on my own record, but on your justice and your resurrection hope. When I'm waiting on you, in seasons that feel stalled or shelved, remind me that you are never idle, even in delay. Make me an energy giver like you, not an energy taker like Felix. Use this waiting to shape me, and use me to put right what's broken around me. In Jesus' name, Amen.
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
yourself:
+ Talk today’s message over with someone who is discipling you, and someone you are discipling.
+ Who in your life is currently in a "waiting room"—a stalled diagnosis, a pending decision, an unresolved relationship? Share this passage with them this week as a reminder that God is still at work in the delay.
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
yourself:
+ Talk today’s message over with someone who is discipling you, and someone you are discipling.
+ Who in your life is currently in a "waiting room"—a stalled diagnosis, a pending decision, an unresolved relationship? Share this passage with them this week as a reminder that God is still at work in the delay.
Recent
Archive
2026
April
May
Leaders Gone WrongA Coming KingWhat God RequiresThe Fall of NinevehThe Day Draws NearGod Rejoices Over YouHow Long, O Lord?The Righteous Live by FaithYet I Will RejoiceWake Up and ReturnThe Lord Judges But He Also RestoresPride Comes DownConsider Your WaysGreater Glory AheadReturn to Me AgainNot by MightGod Dwells AgainYour King Is ComingLook on HimHalf-Hearted WorshipThe Sun of Righteousness
June
The Promise of the SpiritWaiting and ChoosingWind, Fire and WonderThe Gospel Goes PublicWhat the Church Looked LikeMore Than Silver or GoldRepent and Be RestoredArrested but UnsilencedOne Heart, One MindThe Cost of PretendingRejoicing at Being BeatenWhen the Church Has ProblemsA People Who ForgotThe God Who Keeps ComingBlood and ScatteringA Cast Down SoulLight and TruthOur HelpThe Throne of GodGod Our FortressYou Cannot Buy What God GivesA Road, a Stranger, a Question
July
The Day Everything ChangedA New Man on MissionA Vision That Breaks BarriersThe Spirit Has No FavoritesExplaining the UnexpectedThe Gospel Finds New GroundWhen the Church PraysThe Word Keeps MovingSet Apart and SentThe Story That Leads to JesusRejected Here, Welcome ThereMistaken for Gods, Treated as EnemiesStrengthening What Was StartedBlessed Are the RighteousBlessed Are Those Who Take RefugeBlessed Are His PeopleBlessed Are Those Who Call on HimBlessed Are the ForgivenA Hard Question, A Gathered Church A Letter, A Disagreement, A DecisionOpen Roads and Open HeartsSinging at MidnightNoble Enough to Check
August
An Unknown God, a Known NameStay, I Have Many People HereTeaching the Way More FullyExtraordinary Things in EphesusWhen the Gospel Costs SomethingOn the Road Again - Ephesus, Macedonia, Greece, Troas...JerusalemGuard Yourselves and the FlockWarnings on the Way to JerusalemArrested and UnashamedStand Firm, I Am With YouA Plot, a Letter, a ProvidenceOn Trial for Hope
No Comments