Acts 24:1-16

Rachel Workman: 24 Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor. ² When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. ³ Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. ⁴ But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.

⁵ “We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect ⁶ and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. ^{[7] [a] 8} By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.”

⁹ The other Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true.

¹⁰ When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: “I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense. ¹¹ You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. ¹² My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. ¹³ And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me. ¹⁴ However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, ¹⁵ and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. ¹⁶ So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

Notice the word strive in this last verse. Paul said he strives to keep his conscience clear before God and man. I too strive to keep my conscience clear. And I too am an unworthy servant of Christ. Unable to declare that I always keep my conscience clear, like Paul. I am still a sinner, held hostage by my body in this world. In need of grace and mercy. Which is given to me daily. And I am grateful.

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Mike:  Acts 24:1-16 (NIV)

Paul’s Trial Before Felix

24 Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor. ² When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. ³ Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. ⁴ But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.

⁵ “We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect ⁶ and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. ^[7] [a] 8 By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.”

Can somebody please explain to me why different versions of the Bible make lines of scripture a note instead of putting it in the paragraph? This has always confused me. I always thought it was an NIV thing. However, that is not the case in this instance. I always thought that it was wrong to add or delete anything in the Bible. I can see rewording, but not deleting or adding.

Tertullus made 3 accusations against Paul: (1) he was a troublemaker, stirring riots among the Jews around the world; (2) he was the ring leader of an un recognized religious sect, which was against Roman law; (3) he had tried to desecrate the temple. The religious leaders hoped these accusations would persuade Felix to execute Paul in order to keep the peace in Palestine.

Today, Christians around the world are being persecuted, imprisoned, tortured, and even murdered, along with their families, simply for believing in Christ. Just read some of the stories from The Voice of the Martyrs web site. We are very lucky in our country. Maybe that’s a big reason that I don’t take the Word of God as seriously as I should.

⁹ The other Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true.

¹⁰ When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: “I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense. ¹¹ You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. ¹² My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. ¹³ And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me. ¹⁴ However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, ¹⁵ and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. ¹⁶ So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

Paul could always find a way to present the gospel message in any situation. In this case it was during his defense.

Paul gave a simple salutation and then went right into his defense. It was not necessary for Paul to provide all manner of complements upon Felix in order to win his favor. Paul was trusting in the will of God to play out and he was prepared for whatever that might be. 

Paul tells the simple truth about what transpired during his short time in Jerusalem. Paul challenges their ability to provide any evidence of the charges they brought against him, which of course they couldn’t. 

Paul confesses to worshipping the God of his father according to the way. Paul worshiped the one and only God Jehovah; the same God of the Jews. What a sad testimony that the fellow Jews and worshipers of the same God would so severely hate someone of like faith. Hatred and resentment can be stirred by little differences if not kept in check. Just get a group of people from different denominations together and start talking about religion. Then stand back and watch the sparks fly.

As believers, we must be careful to not allow differences to cause us to go against our brothers and sisters in Christ; least we become like the Jews against Paul.

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Tomorrow’s reading for May 24:17-27

¹⁷ “After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings. ¹⁸ I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance. ¹⁹ But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me. ²⁰ Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin— ²¹ unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”

²² Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.” ²³ He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.

²⁴ Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁵ As Paul talked about 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.” ²⁶ At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.

²⁷ When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.