But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case." So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.
Acts 24:22-23
About these verses one commentator wrote the following:
After Paul had defended himself, Felix explained that he would wait for the arrival of Claudius Lysias before deciding Paul's case. In view of Paul's defense, he should have dismissed the case for lack of evidence. Instead he adjourned the court. (Baker New Testament Commentary)
Hurry up and wait. This is the way of government and big business.
What about Felix “having more accurate knowledge of the Way [Christianity]”? Felix was not a Christian by any stretch of the imagination, but by this time Christianity was established enough that as a shrewd bureaucrat, he wisely must have educated himself about it. He was neither a spokesman nor an expert n Christianity, but he had a more accurate knowledge of the faith than most.
As previously stated, the law would have leaned toward releasing Paul since the charges were flimsy, having no evidence to support them. Why then was Paul held for more inquests into the matter? From a human standpoint, I cannot say. But from a divine standpoint, first, God wanted Paul to go to Roman (even as a prisoner). Second, it is while imprisoned that Paul would pen (God was the divine Author), a number of books that make up our New Testament.
We often do not understand God’s providential plans or His timing. When this is the case, let us by faith embrace what we cannot change, knowing that God has everything under control.