Hechos 24

1 Y cinco días después descendió el príncipe de los sacerdotes, Ananías, con algunos de los ancianos, y un cierto Tértulo, orador; y comparecieron delante del gobernador contra Pablo.

2 Y citado que fue, Tértulo comenzó a acusarle, diciendo: Como por causa tuya vivamos en gran paz, y muchas cosas son bien gobernadas en el pueblo por tu prudencia,

3 siempre y en todo lugar lo recibimos con todo hacimiento de gracias, oh excelentísimo Félix.

4 Pero por no molestarte más largamente, te ruego que nos oigas brevemente conforme a tu clemencia.

5 Porque hemos hallado que este hombre es pestilencial, y levantador de sediciones a todos los judíos por todo el mundo, y príncipe de la sediciosa secta de los nazarenos;

6 el cual también intentó violar el Templo; y prendiéndole, le quisimos juzgar conforme a nuestra ley;

7 mas interviniendo el tribuno Lisias, con gran violencia le quitó de nuestras manos,

8 mandando a sus acusadores que viniesen a ti; del cual tú mismo juzgando, podrás entender todas estas cosas de que le acusamos.

9 Y contendían también los judíos, diciendo ser así estas cosas.

10 Entonces Pablo, haciéndole el gobernador señal que hablase, respondió: Porque sé que desde hace muchos años eres gobernador de esta nación, con buen ánimo satisfaré por mí.

11 Porque tú puedes entender que no hace más de doce días que subí a adorar a Jerusalén;

12 y ni me hallaron en el Templo disputando con ninguno, ni haciendo concurso de multitud, ni en sinagogas, ni en la ciudad;

13 ni te pueden probar las cosas de que ahora me acusan.

14 Pero esto te confieso, que conforme a aquel Camino que ellos llaman secta, así sirvo al Dios de mi patria, creyendo todas las cosas que en la ley y en los profetas están escritas;

15 teniendo esperanza en Dios que ha de haber la resurrección de los muertos, así de justos como de injustos, que ellos esperan.

16 Y por esto, procuro yo tener siempre conciencia sin remordimiento acerca de Dios y acerca de los hombres.

17 Pero pasados muchos años, vine a hacer limosnas a mi nación, y ofrendas,

18 cuando me hallaron purificado en el Templo (no con multitud ni con alboroto) unos judíos de Asia;

19 los cuales debieron comparecer delante de ti, y acusarme, si contra mí tenían algo.

20 O digan estos mismos si hallaron en mí alguna cosa mal hecha, cuando yo estuve en el concilio,

21 si no sea que, estando entre ellos prorrumpí en alta voz: Acerca de la resurrección de los muertos soy hoy juzgado de vosotros.

22 Entonces Félix, oídas estas cosas, les puso dilación, diciendo: Al estar más informado de este camino, cuando descendiere el tribuno Lisias acabaré de conocer de vuestro negocio.

23 Y mandó al centurión que Pablo fuese guardado, y aliviado de las prisiones; y que no vedase a ninguno de los suyos servirle, o venir a él.

24 Y algunos días después, viniendo Félix con Drusila, su mujer, la cual era judía, llamó a Pablo, y oyó de él la fe que es en el Cristo.

25 Y disertando él de la justicia, y del dominio propio, y del juicio venidero, espantado Félix, respondió: Ahora vete, mas cuando tenga oportunidad te llamaré.

26 Esperando también con esto, que de parte de Pablo le serían dados dineros, para que le soltase; por lo cual, haciéndole venir muchas veces, hablaba con él.

27 Pero al cabo de dos años recibió Félix por sucesor a Porcio Festo; y queriendo Félix ganar la gracia de los judíos, dejó preso a Pablo.

Hechos 24 Commentary

Chapter 24

The speech of Tertullus against Paul. (1-9) Paul's defence before Felix. (10-21) Felix trembles at the reasoning of Paul. (22-27)

Verses 1-9 See here the unhappiness of great men, and a great unhappiness it is, to have their services praised beyond measure, and never to be faithfully told of their faults; hereby they are hardened and encouraged in evil, like Felix. God's prophets were charged with being troublers of the land, and our Lord Jesus Christ, that he perverted the nation; the very same charges were brought against Paul. The selfish and evil passions of men urge them forward, and the graces and power of speech, too often have been used to mislead and prejudice men against the truth. How different will the characters of Paul and Felix appear at the day of judgement, from what they are represented in the speech of Tertullus! Let not Christians value the applause, or be troubled at the revilings of ungodly men, who represent the vilest of the human race almost as gods, and the excellent of the earth as pestilences and movers of sedition.

Verses 10-21 Paul gives a just account of himself, which clears him from crime, and likewise shows the true reason of the violence against him. Let us never be driven from any good way by its having an ill name. It is very comfortable, in worshipping God, to look to him as the God of our fathers, and to set up no other rule of faith or practice but the Scriptures. This shows there will be a resurrection to a final judgment. Prophets and their doctrines were to be tried by their fruits. Paul's aim was to have a conscience void of offence. His care and endeavour was to abstain from many things, and to abound in the exercises of religion at all times; both towards God. and towards man. If blamed for being more earnest in the things of God than our neighbours, what is our reply? Do we shrink from the accusation? How many in the world would rather be accused of any weakness, nay, even of wickedness, than of an earnest, fervent feeling of love to the Lord Jesus Christ, and of devotedness to his service! Can such think that He will confess them when he comes in his glory, and before the angels of God? If there is any sight pleasing to the God of our salvation, and a sight at which the angels rejoice, it is, to behold a devoted follower of the Lord, here upon earth, acknowledging that he is guilty, if it be a crime, of loving the Lord who died for him, with all his heart, and soul, and mind, and strength. And that he will not in silence see God's word despised, or hear his name profaned; he will rather risk the ridicule and the hatred of the world, than one frown from that gracious Being whose love is better than life.

Verses 22-27 The apostle reasoned concerning the nature and obligations of righteousness, temperance, and of a judgment to come; thus showing the oppressive judge and his profligate mistress, their need of repentance, forgiveness, and of the grace of the gospel. Justice respects our conduct in life, particularly in reference to others; temperance, the state and government of our souls, in reference to God. He who does not exercise himself in these, has neither the form nor the power of godliness, and must be overwhelmed with the Divine wrath in the day of God's appearing. A prospect of the judgment to come, is enough to make the stoutest heart to tremble. Felix trembled, but that was all. Many are startled by the word of God, who are not changed by it. Many fear the consequences of sin, yet continue in the love and practice of sin. In the affairs of our souls, delays are dangerous. Felix put off this matter to a more convenient season, but we do not find that the more convenient season ever came. Behold now is the accepted time; hear the voice of the Lord to-day. He was in haste to turn from hearing the truth. Was any business more urgent than for him to reform his conduct, or more important than the salvation of his soul! Sinners often start up like a man roused from his sleep by a loud noise, but soon sink again into their usual drowsiness. Be not deceived by occasional appearances of religion in ourselves or in others. Above all, let us not trifle with the word of God. Do we expect that as we advance in life our hearts will grow softer, or that the influence of the world will decline? Are we not at this moment in danger of being lost for ever? Now is the day of salvation; tomorrow may be too late.