Thematic Bible

Themes in Acts 24

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Themes in Acts 24

Acts 24:1 (show verse)

Five days later the head priest, Ananias, came down [to Caesarea] with certain [Jewish] elders and an attorney [named] Tertullus, who brought their case against Paul before the governor.

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

When Paul was called [to appear before the court] Tertullus began the prosecution by saying, "Your Excellency Felix: Since through you we are able to enjoy peace [in this province] and under your jurisdiction the problems in our society are being [properly] dealt with,

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

Acts 24:3 (show verse)

we welcome all such efforts in each district with full gratitude.

Advocate » Tertullus
Flattery » Instance of » Tertullus flatters felix

Acts 24:4 (show verse)

But, not wanting to prolong matters for you, I urge you to give consideration to this brief account [of the problem we face].

Advocate » Tertullus
Flattery » Instance of » Tertullus flatters felix

Acts 24:5 (show verse)

We have found this man [i.e., Paul] to be extremely bothersome, and an instigator of strife among the Jews throughout the world and a ringleader of the 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)

We arrested him, for he attempted to desecrate [even] the Temple {{Some ancient manuscripts add verse

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)

and we would have judged him according to our law but commander Lysias came and forcibly took him out of our hands}}

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

Acts 24:8 (show verse)

[and] you will be able to determine the nature of our accusations against him by questioning him yourself."

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

Acts 24:9 (show verse)

Then the Jews also joined in [making] the charge, and confirmed all the facts that were being presented.

Advocate » Tertullus

Acts 24:10 (show verse)

And when the governor had motioned for him to speak, Paul answered [the charges, by saying], "I know [Your Excellency] that you have administered justice for this nation for many years, so I am glad to make my defense [before you].

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)

[I know] you can verify that it has not been over 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)

[While there] I was not observed arguing with anyone or trying to stir up a crowd [to riot] in the Temple or in the synagogues or [anywhere else] in the city.

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

Acts 24:13 (show verse)

Neither can anyone prove to you the charges they are now bringing 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 declare to you, I am serving the God of our forefathers according to the 'Way,' called [by my detractors] a sect, and I believe everything that is in harmony with the law of Moses and what is written in [the writings of] 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)

I have a hope in God that there will be a resurrection both for those who have done right and those who have done wrong, just as the Jews themselves also expect.

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)

So, for this reason I make every effort to have a clear conscience before God and men at all times.

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 relief for the poor people of my nation and to present my 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)

While doing this, they [i.e., the Jews] found out that I had undergone the rites of purification in the Temple. There was no crowd and no commotion. But certain Jews from [the province of] Asia

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

Acts 24:19 (show verse)

should have been here before you, [Your Excellency] to make their accusations, if they [really] had a valid charge against me.

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

Acts 24:20 (show verse)

Or let these men themselves [i.e., members of the Sanhedrin] testify what they found wrong with me when I stood before their Council [meeting].

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

Acts 24:21 (show verse)

However, this one point, which I made when I stood among them [could have been objectionable]: I shouted, 'The reason I am being charged before you today is [my preaching of] the resurrection of the dead.' "

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

Acts 24:22 (show verse)

But because Felix [felt he] had more accurate knowledge of the "Way" [than was being presented by Paul's accusers], he dismissed them, saying, "When commander Lysias comes down [to Caesarea] I will make a decision on your case."

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

Acts 24:23 (show verse)

So, he ordered his officer to keep Paul in custody, yet with some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to 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)

After a number of days, Felix and Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, came [back to the palace] and sent for Paul to [come and] tell them about [the] faith in Christ Jesus.

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

Acts 24:25 (show verse)

And as he discussed the matters of doing right, and [maintaining] self control and the coming judgment, Felix became terrified and answered, "Go on away for now; I will call you back when it is convenient for me."

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)

He had hoped, along with everything else, that he would receive money from Paul, so he sent for him more frequently and had discussions 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)

So, Felix allowed Paul to remain in chains, because he wanted to gain favor with the Jews [during that period of time]. Two years passed and Felix was succeeded by Portius Festus.

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