Acts 24:22

Acts 24:22 says. And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.  We are told that when Felix heard these things, having a more excellent knowledge of that way, he deferred the Jews, saying when Lysias, the chief captain came down, he would know the uttermost of the matter.  Felix understood more about the Jewish faith and Christianity than the Jews thought.  There are probably people today who know more about Christianity than we give them credit for, even people in the government, but they don't know the Christ of Christianity.  Felix delayed the hearing until the chief captain could be there. He was going to get all the facts to see who was telling the truth.  Either the Jews were lying, or Paul was.  The chief captain, having had to rescue Paul, could tell him more.  Sometimes we may have to wait for the truth to come out, but if we are faithful to our calling from God, the truth will always be on our side.  Verse twenty-three adds, And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him. While he was waiting on the chief captain, Felix commanded a centurion to keep Paul, but to let him have liberty and to not prevent his acquaintances from ministering to him.  Felix should have freed Paul, as there was no proof that any of the charges were true, but he kept Paul in limbo, neither truly free nor imprisoned. Sometimes, we put ourselves in spiritual limbo, neither accepting the freedom that Christ offers through our faith in Him, nor rejecting the worries of this world.  Verse twenty-four continues, And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.  Felix left Paul under house arrest for a number of days, but when he returned, he sent for Paul.  Felix, and his wife Drusilla, a Jewess were to hear what Paul had to say about the Christian faith.  Intellectual curiosity about Christianity is not enough for salvation. Until we come to Christ by faith believing in His sacrifice for us, we are lost.  Since Drusilla was a Jewess, at least in name, Felix may have figured she would be able to help him understand what problem the Jews had with Paul.  Verse twenty-five states, And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.  As Paul witnessed to them about righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled.  Even when approached with only curiosity, the truth of the gospel can leave people trembling.  We cannot come into the presence of the gospel seeking the truth of the gospel without being moved, one way or the other.  We either accept that truth, or we do as Felix did with Paul, and wait for another day.  Felix said when he had a more convenient season he would send for Paul.  People today say that when they have their life more under control, either by stopping doing something they know is wrong or starting to do something that is right, they will turn to God.  This will never happen.  There will never be a more convenient season to accept Christ.  We must come when we are called.    Verse twenty-six adds, He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.  We see another reason Felix had not freed Paul.  He had hoped for a bribe.  Having corrupt politicians is nothing new.  There have always been those who attempt to benefit personally from their public service, as they would call it.  While waiting for money or some other resolution to the question of what to do with Paul, Felix sent for him more often.  Verse twenty-seven continues, But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.  This went on for two years, until Porcius Festus came to see Felix, then Felix had Paul bound, hoping to find favor with the Jews.  Felix was still hoping to profit from Paul’ situation, just as people today often want to profit from Christians being persecuted.