Thematic Bible

Themes in Acts 24

AMP

Themes in Acts 24

Acts 24:1 (show verse)

Five days later, the high priest Ananias came down [from Jerusalem to Caesarea] with some elders and an attorney named Tertullus [acting as spokesman and counsel]. They presented to the governor their [formal] charges against Paul.

Advocate » Tertullus
Ananias » High priest, accuses paul
Ananias » High priest, before whom paul was tried
Attorney » Employed
Courts » Advocates » Professional
Courts of justice » Causes in, were opened by » An advocate
Government » Provincial
Orator » Instances of » Tertullus
Tertullus » The prosecutor of paul before governor felix

Acts 24:2 (show verse)

After Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began the complaint [against him], saying to the governor:

“Since through you we have attained great peace, and since by your foresight reforms are being carried out for this nation,

Advocate » Tertullus
Attorney » Employed
Flattery » Instance of » Tertullus flatters felix
Tertullus » The prosecutor of paul before governor felix

Acts 24:3 (show verse)

in every way and in every place, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude.

Advocate » Tertullus
Flattery » Instance of » Tertullus flatters felix

Acts 24:4 (show verse)

But so that I do not weary you further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing.

Advocate » Tertullus
Flattery » Instance of » Tertullus flatters felix

Acts 24:5 (show verse)

For we have found this man to be a public menace and one who instigates dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the [heretical] sect of the Nazarenes.

false Accusation » Incidents illustrative of » Against paul
Advocate » Tertullus
Christ » Slandered » Of Christ and his disciples
Christ » Nazarene » Nazarene
Evil » Slander » Of Christ and his disciples
False teachers » Instances of » Witnesses » Against paul
Falsehood » Instances of » Paul's traducers, falsely accusing him of treason to caesar
Indictments » Instances of » Paul
Sedition » Charged against paul
Slander » Of Christ and his disciples

Acts 24:6 (show verse)

He even tried to desecrate the temple, but we took him into custody [and we intended to judge him by our Law,

false Accusation » Incidents illustrative of » Against paul
Advocate » Tertullus
the Law of moses » Divided into » Civil, relating to administration of justice

Acts 24:7 (show verse)

but Lysias the commander came, and with great force took him out of our hands,

Advocate » Tertullus
Lysias » Chief captain of roman troops in jerusalem

Acts 24:8 (show verse)

and ordered his accusers to come before you.] By interrogating him yourself concerning all these matters you will be able to determine [the truth about] these things with which we charge him.”

Advocate » Tertullus
Courts of justice » Judges of » Examined the parties

Acts 24:9 (show verse)

The Jews also joined in the attack, declaring and insisting that these things were so.

Advocate » Tertullus

Acts 24:10 (show verse)

When the governor nodded for him to speak, Paul answered,

“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I make my defense cheerfully and with good courage.

Courts of justice » The accused » Permitted to plead their own cause
Defense » Of paul
Flattery » Instance of » Paul correctly informs felix
Prisoners » Permitted to make defense
Self-defense » Accused persons heard in

Acts 24:11 (show verse)

As you can easily verify, it has been no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

Defense » Of paul
Feasts » Instituted by moses » Observed » By paul
The Resurrection » The preaching of, caused » Persecution
Self-defense » Accused persons heard in

Acts 24:12 (show verse)

Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor elsewhere in the city did they find me carrying on a discussion or disputing with anybody or causing a crowd to gather.

Defense » Of paul
The Resurrection » The preaching of, caused » Persecution
Self-defense » Accused persons heard in

Acts 24:13 (show verse)

Nor can they present evidence to you to prove what they now bring against me.

false Accusation » Incidents illustrative of » Against paul
Defense » Of paul
Heresy » Disavowed by paul
The Resurrection » The preaching of, caused » Persecution
Self-defense » Accused persons heard in

Acts 24:14 (show verse)

But I confess this to you, that according to the Way, which they call a [divisive and heretical] sect, I do worship and serve the God of our fathers, [confidently] believing everything that is in accordance with the Law [of Moses] and that is written in the Prophets;

Courage » Instances of personal bravery » Paul, in going to jerusalem, despite his impressions that bonds and imprisonments awaited him
Defense » Of paul
Faith » The objects of, are » Writings of moses
Heresy » Disavowed by paul
The Resurrection » The preaching of, caused » Persecution
Self-defense » Accused persons heard in
Way » Figurative » Doctrines taught by Christ

Acts 24:15 (show verse)

having [the same] hope in God which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of [the dead], both of the righteous and of the wicked.

Believers' eternal hope » Assures of immortality
The Dead » Resurrection of » Promises concerning
The Dead » The jews looked for a resurrection from
natural Death » All shall be raised from
Defense » Of paul
Eternal » Hope » Assures of immortality
Heresy » Disavowed by paul
Hope » Objects of » A resurrection
Hope » Exemplified » Paul
Hope » Eternal » Assures of immortality
Resurrection » Promises concerning
Resurrection » Christ appears after his » Of all men
The Resurrection » Shall be of all the dead
The Resurrection » Preached by the apostles
The Resurrection » The preaching of, caused » Persecution
Self-defense » Accused persons heard in

Acts 24:16 (show verse)

In view of this, I also do my best and strive always to have a clear conscience before God and before men.

Conscience » A good conscience
Conscience » We should have the approval of
Defense » Of paul
Good » Conscience
Heresy » Disavowed by paul
Offence » Saints should » Have a conscience void of
Righteousness » Examples of
Self-defense » Accused persons heard in

Acts 24:17 (show verse)

Now after several years I came [to Jerusalem] to bring to my people charitable contributions and offerings.

Alms » Instances of giving » The early Christians
Defense » Of paul
Feasts » Instituted by moses » Observed » By paul
Self-defense » Accused persons heard in

Acts 24:18 (show verse)

They found me in the temple presenting these offerings, after I had undergone [the rites of] purification, without any crowd or uproar. But there were some Jews from [the west coast province of] Asia [Minor],

Asia » Inhabitants of, in jerusalem, at pentecost
Citizens » Rights of
Defense » Of paul
Self-defense » Accused persons heard in

Acts 24:19 (show verse)

who ought to have been here before you to present their charges, if they have anything against me.

Citizens » Rights of
Defense » Of paul
Self-defense » Accused persons heard in

Acts 24:20 (show verse)

Or else let these men tell what crime they found [me guilty of] when I stood before the Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court),

Defense » Of paul
Self-defense » Accused persons heard in

Acts 24:21 (show verse)

other than for this one statement which I had shouted out as I stood among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.’”

Defense » Of paul
Self-defense » Accused persons heard in

Acts 24:22 (show verse)

But Felix, having a rather accurate understanding about the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.”

Lysias » Chief captain of roman troops in jerusalem
Way » Figurative » Doctrines taught by Christ

Acts 24:23 (show verse)

Then he ordered the centurion to keep Paul in custody, but to let him have some freedom, and [he told the centurion] not to stop any of his friends from providing for his needs.

Armies » March in ranks » Roman army » Centurions
Kindness » Instances of » Felix to paul
Prisoners » Visited by friends
Prisoners » Kindness to » By felix
Prisons » Persons confined in » Sometimes allowed to be visited by their friends

Acts 24:24 (show verse)

Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him talk about faith in Christ Jesus.

Drusilla » Wife of felix
Women » Social status of » In roman customs

Acts 24:25 (show verse)

But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control [honorable behavior, personal integrity], and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for now, and when I find [a convenient] time I will send for you.”

Common delusions » Thinking that there is plenty of time
Conviction » Instances of » Felix, under the preaching of paul
Conviction of sin » Conviction of sin results of » Terror
Courage » Instances of personal bravery » Paul, in going to jerusalem, despite his impressions that bonds and imprisonments awaited him
causes of Delay » Causes of » Personal convenience
unholy Fear » Exemplified » Felix
Felix » Trembles under paul's preaching
Indecision » Instances of » Felix
Judgment » Warn the wicked of
Judgment » The wicked dread
Paul » Characteristics of » Courage
Presuming upon time » Reckoning on future opportunities for reform
Presumption » Presuming upon time and opportunity, common ways of » Reckoning on future opportunities for reform
Procrastination » Exemplified » Felix
Procrastination » Causes of » Personal convenience
Reasoning » Of paul from the scriptures
Righteousness » Encouraged
Righteousness » Ministers should » Reason of
Salvation » Neglect of » Procrastination
Sin » Conviction of, results of » Terror
Social duties » Temperance pr 23; isa 5; 28; da 1 » General references to
Temperance » Pr 23; isa 5; 28; da 1 » General references to
Temperance » In speech self-control, duty of » Over the life
Time » Presuming upon time and opportunity, common ways of » Reckoning on future opportunities for reform

Acts 24:26 (show verse)

At the same time he was also hoping to get money from Paul [as a bribe]; so he continued to send for him quite often and talked with him.

Bribery » Instances of » Governor felix seeks a bribe from paul
Civil service » Corruption in
Court » Corrupt
Covetousness » Exemplified » Felix
Covetousness » Instances of » Festus, in hoping for a bribe from paul
Felix » Leaves paul in bonds
Government » Corruption in » Felix, who expected money from paul
greed » Avaricious men, examples of » Governor felix
Judge » Corrupt, instances of » Felix
Magistrates » Wicked--exemplified » Felix

Acts 24:27 (show verse)

But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded [in office] by Porcius Festus; and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.

Court » Corrupt
Demagogism » Instances of » Felix
Felix » Leaves paul in bonds
Festus » Also called porcius festus, the roman governor of judaea, and successor to governor felix
Injustice » Examples of
Injustice » Exemplified » Festus
Judge » Corrupt, instances of » Felix
public Opinion » Corrupt yielding to » By felix and festus, concerning paul
Paul » Remains in custody for two years