I have been reading Acts lately, and what a world that is found in this book. This morning I read the section in the title. Paul is being accused by the Jews of "stirring up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is the ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes" (v. 5). Paul has made his defense before Felix where he states that when these Jews found him he was purified (according to Jewish law (Acts 21:17-26)) and was bringing alms to his nation.
The text at hand gives an inside look at some dialogue behind Paul and Felix while he was imprisoned. How did Paul communicate the Gospel to Felix? What was Felix's response? The answers are found within this text.
"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." (22)
Lysias is the man who brought Paul to Felix. He found nothing in Paul to convict Him to death, but the Jews were plotting to kill Paul. So Lysias sent Paul to Felix (Acts 23). With both cases having been given by both parties, Felix now puts them off because "he had a rather accurate knowledge of the Way." Felix knew how the "Nazarenes" acted and knew that they were not people to insight riots. The riots arose because of the zealousness of the Jews over their religion.
"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. 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." (23-24)
So Paul is now held in custody until Lysias could come down and help settle the case. We see the kindness that Felix shows Paul, for it is obvious that Felix had some respect for Paul. Felix commanded that Paul could have liberty while in custody. Now Felix's wife was Jewish, I think this will be key to what plays out later. But notice Paul was speaking "about faith in Christ Jesus." How did Paul do this? ENTER PAUL'S EVANGELISTIC STRATEGY.
"And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix became afraid and said, "Go away for the present. When i get an opportunity I will summon you."" (25)
This is how Paul communicated the Gospel to Felix. Now this may seem to be a strange way to communicate Christ given our "postmodern view on life," but this is exactly how the Gospel should be communicated. Notice Titus 2:11-14, "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people [how?], (1) training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live (2) self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age (3) waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ."
The Gospel teaches us to denounce unrighteousness; it teaches us how and also gives us the ability to live "self-controlled." It also gives us hope in the world to come. Felix, an unbeliever, needs to be taught about righteousness, about being self-controlled, and he "became afraid" when taught about the Coming Judgment. This is how you are to communicate the Gospel. We are to be teaching men about what righteousness is (and how those outside of Christ are not righteous, only those who repent receive true righteousness from Jesus' penal substitution on the cross), to live self-controlled (the Gospel changes our life), and the Coming Judgment (which we have hope in, while the unbeliever is afraid). Men need to repent from there sin, because that is what separates them from communion with God. Trusting in Christ gives one the ability to live a godly life, and wait for the blessed hope that's ours in this present age.
Christians "fill your minds with the Gospel so that you may renounce these things given in Titus." This is the only way of success against our enemy.
"At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison." (26-27)
This is the sign of his unconversion. Though you may be faithful in your proclamation of the Gospel, you need only trust in the Gospel for salvation. God will bring those whom He desires at the proper time of His choosing. DO NOT ADD TO THE GOSPEL! You do not have the ability to change a man's heart, only God does! He is the only one who can make the sinner clean. You are just called to faithful in proclaiming the news. Paul did not bribe Felix with money, as Felix desired, but Paul was faithful to proclaim the cross of Christ. Paul was willing to spend the rest of his life in prison if need be, as long as he was faithful in his proclamation. Are you faithful in your evangelism? Are you preaching/communicating the True Gospel? Reason with others concerning RIGHTEOUSNESS, LIVING SELF-CONTROLLED, AND CONCERNING THE COMING JUDGMENT.
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