# Acts Chapter 24
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## Summarrium
After five days the high priest Ananias arrives with some elders and a spokesperson and outline their case against Paul pointing out that he stirs up riots, is the ringleader of a sect of Nazarenes and attempted to profane the temple. 

Paul response to point out that there is no evidence which Ananias or the elders can produce to demonstrate Paul is guilty of what they accuse him. He admits that he worships God in accordance with the way and upon returning to Jerusalem to Worship the Lord some Jews from Asia made accusations before the council.

Felix attempts to stall the enquiry and keeps Paul with him to hear him speak about faith in Christ Jesus daily reasoning about righteousness, self-control and the pending judgement. Felix desires to be given money by Paul so sends for him often to converse with him. After two years Felix is succeeded by Porcius Festus but is left in prison by Felix

## Meditatio
Paul here makes a point that he worships in accordance with 'the way' believing everything written down in the law and prophets but having a living hope in God that there will be a resurrection of the just and unjust. He does not conceal his affiliation with the specific Jewish sect but points out that there is a level of common ground between him and his accusers who try to evidence areas of divergence.

This is an interesting strategy. Typically when attempting to undermine another person one seeks to identify areas of divergence and attack those that are not consistent with our own position. Paul certainly highlights the issue of 'lack of evidence' about that which they accuse him, but proceeds to point out that he is going about his business like any other Jewish person. He believes in the law and the prophets, he attends the temple to worship, he even believes in the resurrection from the dead.

Why might this be a useful strategy?

Let's consider the dynamics of this situation for a moment. Ananias and the elders are subject to the Authority of Felix. Indeed they proceed to give him a sufficient ego boost in verses (2-5) by sucking up to him. Their authority as religious leaders comes through Felix's own acceptance of their significance. Paul on the other hand presents himself as an 'ordinary bloke' participating in ordinary religious observances. There is nothing to see here, he has not incited a riot (or indeed they should bring proof of this) he is just trying to worship God. This presents his case as a matter of religious diversity.

Felix is evidently not interested in resolving the matter or making a decision either way. Indeed Paul is kept in custody for *two years*. With Felix stalling long enough for this to become another governors problem. It appears from the text that he hopes that Paul will bribe him, an adventure in missing the point to be honest given he apparently conversed with Paul about righteousness and self-control regularly.

Paul faces an uncertain journey at this point. He is a Roman citizen which offers him some protection from persecution by the Jewish religious leadership but this is not sufficient to secure him his freedom.