Daily Thought

Over the next three chapters Paul has the opportunity to bring the gospel to three high-profile individuals: Felix, Festus, and King Agrippa. Each of them represents a different but equally tragic response to the gospel message. None of them, as far as we know, made the vital decision to bow to the Lordship of Christ.

When the Jews arrived in Caesarea they hired an orator by the name of Tertullus to accuse Paul. He comes with eloquence and flattery, and with flagrant distortion of the truth, in order to accomplish his ends. By way of contrast, Paul clearly and simply rebuffs the charges laid against him. Was Felix in any doubt about the matter? The answer is, ‘No’. The way in which Paul was treated in verse 23 suggests that Felix knew he was innocent.

So what kind of a man was Felix? The picture painted by Tertullus is of a kind, benevolent ruler who had brought peace and stability to the region. However, historians tell us otherwise. Apparently Felix was a licentious and cruel man, under whose governorship crime, feuding, and looting rocketed which, because he profited from it, he initially allowed to continue, but was then caused to take drastic measures to bring under control. In verse 26 of our passage, we learn that he was also corrupt, looking for a bribe from Paul in order to release him. This and his lack of concern for justice are also seen in that when he left office he also left Paul in prison.

It is no wonder, then, that when Paul reasoned with him of ‘righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come’, v. 25, he trembled, for he had much on his conscience. What did he know of justice or of self-control? Well might he tremble at the thought of coming judgement! What an opportunity he had, as he heard of ‘faith in Christ’, v. 24, and yet we hear the tragic words ‘when I have a convenient season’. Here we have the solemn reminder that fear is not faith. Despite further conversations with Paul, as far as we know he was never converted. Drusilla,his wife, perished in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. How salutary the lesson to us that we do not know what a day may bring forth, and that ‘now is the day of salvation’! 2 Cor. 6. 2.