Tertullus Prosecutes Paul

1And after five days, the high-priest Ananias came down with the elders, and one Tertulius an orator, who appeared before the governor against Paul. 2And when he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, "As by thee we enjoy much peace, and glorious things are done to this nation by thy prudent administration, 3we acknowledge it upon all occasions and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4But that I may not trespass upon thee too far, I beg thou wouldst hear us a few words with thy wonted goodness. 5For having found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ring-leader of the sect of the Nazarenes, 6and attempting to profane the temple, we apprehended him, and would have judged him according to our law. 7But Lysias the tribune came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, commanding his accusers to come unto thee: 8from whom thou mayst thyself by examining him come to the knowledge of all these things of which we accuse him." 9And the Jews also assented, saying, that these things were so.

Paul’s Defense to Felix

10Then Paul, when the governor permitted him to speak, answered in this manner, "As I know that thou hast been many years a judge to this nation, I do the more chearfully answer for myself: 11because thou mayst know, that there are not more than twelve days since I went up to worship at Jerusalem: 12and they neither found me disputing with any one in the temple, or making sedition among the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: 13nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. 14But this I confess unto thee, that after the way, which they call heresy, so do I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law, and the prophets: 15having hope in God, (which they themselves also expect) that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 16And on this account do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence both towards God and towards men. 17Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings. 18Upon which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude nor with tumult: 19who ought to have been here before thee, and make good their charge, if they had any thing against me. 20Or let these themselves say, if they found any crime in me, when I stood before the sanhedrim; 21unless for this one expression, that I cried out when I stood among them, For the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day."

The Verdict Postponed

22And when Felix heard these things he put them off, (for he had been more particularly informed concerning this way of religion,) and said, When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will thoroughly examine your matters. 23And he commanded the centurion to keep Paul secure, and to let him have some liberty, and to hinder none of his friends from assisting him or coming to him.

24Some days after Felix coming with his wife Drusilla, a Jewess, sent for Paul, and heard him concerning faith in Christ. 25And as he was reasoning of justice, temperance, and a future judgement, Felix trembled, and said, Go thy way for this time, and I will take a proper opportunity to call for thee again. 26And hoping also that money would be given him by Paul, that he might discharge him; he sent for him the more frequently, and conversed with him. 27But after two years Felix received a successor, Porcius Festus; and being willing to gain favor with the Jews lest Paul confined.