all that was written in the law and the
prophets. He had come he said "after many years to
bring alms to my nation, and offerings." It was true
that certain Jews had found him "purified in the temple,
neither with multitude, nor with tumult." These ought
to have been present and to have testified to these things.
(c) He denied that he had committed any sacrilege.
When he was seized in the temple he was in the very act
of performing a portion of the worship prescribed by the
Mosaic law. (d) The knowledge of those present "went
no further than that they had heard him declare his belief
in the doctrine of the resurrection from the dead" (Acts
22:30-23:1-6). Upon the conclusion of Paul's argument,
Felix adjourned the case until Lysias, the chief
captain, should come down and give his testimony.

_Second Defense; before Felix and his Wife, Drusilla_
(Acts 24:24-27).--This was evidently a private
hearing of Paul of his faith in Christ. There was ample
reason for the trembling of Felix when Paul "reasoned
of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come." Felix
was a notoriously unjust ruler who had taken bribes,
murdered a high-priest and, relying upon the influence of
his infamous brother Pallas at Rome, was steeped in
crimes. He had induced his wife Drusilla to desert her
husband to marry him. Felix showed his character when
he sent for Paul a number of times and communed with
him, hoping to receive a bribe. When recalled to Rome
in consequence of repeated complaints of his misadministration
of justice he, "willing to show the Jews a pleasure,
left Paul bound."

+Third Defense; before Festus, the New Governor+
(Acts 25:1-12).--Festus, Josephus tells us, was one of
the best procurators of Judea. He was appointed by
Nero in the year 60 A.D., and died two years after this.
He is importuned by "the high-priest and the chief of the
Jews, as soon as he takes office, to send Paul back to
Jerusalem (in order that he might be killed on the way
thither). Festus replies that they are to come to Caesarea
and there make their accusations against Paul. When
they are come and Festus sits on the judgment seat they
make "many and grievous complaints against Paul which
they could not prove." Paul's answer is: neither against
the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet
against Caesar, have I offended in anything at all." But
Festus showed, notwithstanding his many good traits, a
decided leaning toward P