Atos 24

1 Cinco dias depois o sumo sacerdote Ananias desceu com alguns anciãos e um certo Tertulo, orador, os quais fizeram, perante o governador, queixa contra Paulo.

2 Sendo este chamado, Tertulo começou a acusá-lo, dizendo: Visto que por ti gozamos de muita paz e por tua providência são continuamente feitas reformas nesta nação,

3 em tudo e em todo lugar reconhecemo-lo com toda a gratidão, ó excelentíssimo Félix.

4 Mas, para que não te detenha muito rogo-te que, conforme a tua eqüidade, nos ouças por um momento.

5 Temos achado que este homem é uma peste, e promotor de sedições entre todos os judeus, por todo o mundo, e chefe da seita dos nazarenos;

6 o qual tentou profanar o templo; e nós o prendemos, [e conforme a nossa lei o quisemos julgar.

7 Mas sobrevindo o comandante Lísias no-lo tirou dentre as mãos com grande violência, mandando aos acusadores que viessem a ti.]

8 e tu mesmo, examinando-o, poderás certificar-te de tudo aquilo de que nós o acusamos.

9 Os judeus também concordam na acusação, afirmando que estas coisas eram assim.

10 Paulo, tendo-lhe o governador feito sinal que falasse, respondeu: Porquanto sei que há muitos anos és juiz sobre esta nação, com bom ânimo faço a minha defesa,

11 pois bem podes verificar que não há mais de doze dias subi a Jerusalém para adorar,

12 e que não me acharam no templo discutindo com alguém nem amotinando o povo, quer nas sinagogas quer na cidade.

13 Nem te podem provar as coisas de que agora me acusam.

14 Mas confesso-te isto: que, seguindo o caminho a que eles chamam seita, assim sirvo ao Deus de nossos pais, crendo tudo quanto está escrito na lei e nos profetas,

15 tendo esperança em Deus, como estes mesmos também esperam, de que há de haver ressurreição tanto dos justos como dos injustos.

16 Por isso procuro sempre ter uma consciência sem ofensas diante de Deus e dos homens.

17 Vários anos depois vim trazer � minha nação esmolas e fazer oferendas;

18 e ocupado nestas coisas me acharam já santificado no templo não em ajuntamento, nem com tumulto, alguns judeus da Ásia,

19 os quais deviam comparecer diante de ti e acusar-me se tivessem alguma coisa contra mim;

20 ou estes mesmos digam que iniquidade acharam, quando compareci perante o sinédrio,

21 a não ser acerca desta única palavra que, estando no meio deles, bradei: Por causa da ressurreição dos mortos é que hoje estou sendo julgado por vós.

22 Félix, porém, que era bem informado a respeito do Caminho, adiou a questão, dizendo: Quando o comandante Lísias tiver descido, então tomarei inteiro conhecimento da vossa causa.

23 E ordenou ao centurião que Paulo ficasse detido, mas fosse tratado com brandura e que a nenhum dos seus proibisse servi-lo.

24 Alguns dias depois, vindo Félix com sua mulher Drusila, que era judia, mandou chamar a Paulo, e ouviu-o acerca da fé em Cristo Jesus.

25 E discorrendo ele sobre a justiça, o domínio próprio e o juízo vindouro, Félix ficou atemorizado e respondeu: Por ora vai-te, e quando tiver ocasião favorável, eu te chamarei.

26 Esperava ao mesmo tempo que Paulo lhe desse dinheiro, pelo que o mandava chamar mais freqüentemente e conversava com ele.

27 Mas passados dois anos, teve Félix por sucessor a Pórcio Festo; e querendo Félix agradar aos judeus, deixou a Paulo preso.

Atos 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.