This narrative is a bit
confusing. Felix was evidently familiar with the early church, so he postponed
the hearing until the chiliarch from Jerusalem came to give his version of
events. But there is no record that Lysias ever came, which seems odd. If the
Roman governor told the commander to come, under Roman practice, he would come.
And so the next hearing didn't happen right away. And then some days later
Felix arrived with his wife, although the text doesn't mention that he ever
left. Paul presented the gospel, or at least some version of an appeal to Felix
to turn to God, since he discussed righteousness, self-control, and the coming
judgment. The text does not say what Paul said about faith in Christ. We would
have to infer that the Holy Spirit was having Paul share aspects of faith that
Felix could grasp. Evidently there was enough conviction through the Holy
Spirit that Felix became afraid; certainly not of Paul, his prisoner, but more
likely of the judgment of God.
In
a typical bureaucratic response to things not within the normal protocols of
doing business (and what bureaucracy exists that doesn't mostly work by having
established procedures for routine transactions?), Felix postponed any
decision. At the same time, he evidently wanted or expected a bribe. He would
occasionally have Paul talk to him, but there is no record he ever responded to
the gospel. When his term of office came to an end, he did nothing, but left
Paul in prison, as a favor to the Jews. Why do a favor for the Jews? No reason
is given.
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