Acts 24: 2“Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, 3 in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude. 4 But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. 5 For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him. 8 By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.”
Since the establishment of the Church, followers of Christ have been called names - some good, like The Way and Christians("little Christs") - some not so good, like here: a plague, rebels who start riots, basic pests to society who cause all of society's problems, etc. During this preliminary hearing, Paul proclaimed his innocence of such charges, once again pointing to the resurrection as the issue. Felix was hesitant to create another riot by choosing one side or the other. He had heard of the good name "the way", and Paul's discussions on righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, intrigued him, so Paul ended up under house arrest for two years. So much for a speedy trial! But he used the time well, telling Felix and everyone there more about Christ, writing letters to the churches and meeting with believers who were allowed to visit him. He patiently waited to prove he was not the pest and problem of which he was being accused. So should we.
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