What One Must Know to be Saved: Felix
April 16, 2011In an effort to revive my blogging activities, I am going to re-post some “greatest hits” beginning with this series titled “What One Must Know to be Saved.” This is the seventh article in that series, and was first published in July 2008.
Act 24:24-25 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”
Paul’s arrest in Jerusalem eventually led to a trial before Felix, governor of Judea. Felix was well acquainted with the Way. But historians tell us that Felix was a man of many vices. As Adam Clarke says:
As bad a governor as Felix most certainly was, he rendered some services to Judea… This was all true; but, notwithstanding this, he is well known from his own historians, and from Josephus, to have been not only a very bad man, but also a very bad governor. He was mercenary, oppressive, and cruel; and of all these the Jews brought proofs to Nero, before whom they accused him; and, had it not been for the interest and influence of his brother Pallas; he had been certainly ruined.
Something of the character of Felix can be seen from the fact that he frequently called for Paul, hoping to receive a bribe.
Despite the fact that Paul was on trial before Felix, and dependent upon the governor for favorable verdict, he boldly chose to preach to him about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come — directly challenging the life and character of the governor. Felix responded with fear, and sent Paul away.
The text does not give us all the details of Paul’s message. But what we do learn is that, in preaching the gospel to a lost man, Paul directly challenged the sin in his life. Righteousness, self control, and the judgment to come were important parts of the message Paul delivered to the lost — so important that Paul did not omit it even when it might cost him his freedom, or his life.
Christian Unity 
In Acts 2 we read that Peter also spoke to the sin which leads to death and of the urgent need for sinners to repent and be baptized. Salvation includes turning away from sin and making Jesus our Lord. This is required in every conversion. That’s whether the text speaks of the proclaimer mentioning only the need for faith in Jesus, or only confession of that faith. Jesus says the new birth of water and spirit is essential for entrance into His kingdom.
Patience, Ray. When we get to the summary at the end of the series, you’ll see that repentance and baptism are not omitted.