Power to Convict
“And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” (Acts 24:24-25)
Paul the Apostle was accused of violating Jewish law. His enemies were so outraged, they wanted to kill him, but the Roman chief captain had his soldiers rescue Paul from them. The chief captain then sent him and his accusers to the Roman governor Felix to decide the matter of which he was accused.
Jesus had told His followers, “…they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up into the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony.” (Luke 21:12-13) That last sentence is important. His followers would face trouble for their faith in Him, but they should use the occasion to tell others about Him, even people in authority. When Paul appeared before Felix to answer the Jews’ accusation, he did exactly that.
When Felix heard of the dispute between Paul and the Jews, he may have figured it to be some trivial religious debate, nothing more. He may have thought about God only rarely, if at all. Riches can do that to your heart. The author of Proverbs asked of God, “…give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD?” (Proverbs 30:8-9) Yet before Felix, Paul answered the Jews’ accusation and talked about his faith in Jesus Christ.
As a strict Jew, Paul knew Scripture well. As a Christian, he used Scripture to preach Jesus. As Paul spoke, “Felix trembled,” He was hearing of his personal need for Christ. The Bible is called “the sword of the Spirit,” (Ephesians 6:17) It touches hearts like nothing else can. Felix saw he was guilty of sin and deserving of hell. His money and power could not help him. Jesus had died for him, was buried, and rose again. He needed to repent of sin and receive Jesus as Saviour for forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
Yet he told Paul, “Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.” (Acts 24:25) Acts 24:26 adds, “He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.” Moreover, Acts 24:27 says when he left office, “…Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.” (Acts 24:27) Felix obviously cared more about money and politics than about his soul. As far as we know, he died lost.
People may not want to hear they are sinners who need Christ. Felix didn’t. Yet they must hear the truth. If a doctor knows a patient has cancer, he must tell him the truth. If you are a Christian, you may recall not wanting to hear about Jesus at first, but when you eventually received Him as Saviour, you realized it was the best decision you ever made. The Bible that powerfully convicted you of your need for Christ now comforts you wonderfully and assures you of forgiveness of your sins and eternal life.
The gospel, the good news of Jesus, is “…the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;” (Romans 1:16) People need to hear it, which is why Jesus commanded, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15) It is also why Paul said, “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course,” (2 Thessalonians 3:1) God’s word has free course when Christians share the gospel with others, “…speaking the truth in love,” (Ephesians 4:15)
To see how to have your sins forgiven and eternal life in heaven by receiving Jesus as your personal Saviour, please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, click “Helpful Links,” then “How Do I Go to Heaven?”
Brian Miller 10/9/2026
Cleveland Baptist Church 4431 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144 216/671-2822