Acts 24:1-23
A Clear Conscience Before God
1Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul.
2When Paul had been called in, Tertullus opened the prosecution: “Because of you, we have enjoyed a lasting peace, and your foresight has brought improvements to this nation.
3In every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with all gratitude.
4But in order not to delay you any further, I beg your indulgence to hear us briefly.
5We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,
6and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.
8By examining him yourself, you will be able to learn the truth about all our charges against him.”
9The Jews concurred, asserting that these charges were true.
10When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he began his response: “Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense.
11You can verify for yourself that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
12Yet my accusers did not find me debating with anyone in the temple or riling up a crowd in the synagogues or in the city.
13Nor can they prove to you any of their charges against me.
14I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,
15and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
16In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
17After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to bring alms to my people and to present offerings.
18At the time they found me in the temple, I was ceremonially clean and was not inciting a crowd or an uproar. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia
19who ought to appear before you and bring charges, if they have anything against me.
20Otherwise, let these men state for themselves any crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,
21unless it was this one thing I called out as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”
22Then Felix, who was well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “When Lysias the commander comes, I will decide your case.”
23He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.
Berean Standard Bible
The high priest and elders bring a lawyer named Tertullus to accuse Paul before Felix. They call him a pestilence and a ringleader, but they cannot prove their charges. Paul admits that he worships the God of his fathers according to the Way and believes the Law and Prophets.
In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
Paul explains that he came to Jerusalem to bring alms and offerings, not to stir up a crowd. His real hope is the resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. Felix postpones the hearing, keeps Paul under guard with some freedom, and permits friends to care for him.
Five days later, the high priest Ananias arrives with elders and the lawyer Tertullus. Tertullus flatters Felix, then calls Paul a pestilent fellow, a leader of the Nazarenes, and a profaner of the temple. The accusations combine political danger with religious offense, but no witnesses establish that Paul actually caused the disturbance.
Paul answers calmly. He has only recently arrived in Jerusalem to worship, and his accusers did not find him arguing with anyone in the temple or stirring up a crowd. He does acknowledge that he follows the Way, which the accusers call a sect. He worships the God of his ancestors, believes everything written in the Law and the Prophets, and hopes in the resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
Paul also explains that he came to bring charitable gifts to his nation and offerings, having been ceremonially purified. The Asian Jews who first stirred the crowd are absent, so the present accusers cannot prove their claims. Felix adjourns the hearing and keeps Paul under guard with some freedom, allowing friends to serve him. A clear conscience does not prevent false charges, but it gives Paul a steady way to answer them.
Questions
1 What did Tertullus call Paul?
AnswerHe called Paul a pestilence and a ringleader of the Nazarenes.
2 What did Paul say he worshiped?
AnswerHe worshiped the God of his fathers according to the Way.
3 What hope did Paul share with his accusers?
AnswerHe shared hope in a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.
4 What freedom did Felix allow?
AnswerHe allowed Paul some freedom and permitted friends to minister to his needs.
What This Means for Us
A clear conscience is not the same as a claim to perfection. It is the steady practice of living honestly before God and people, even when others describe our actions unfairly.
Prayer
Lord, help us live transparently and repair wrongs quickly. Give us patience when others misrepresent us and courage to keep our conscience clear before you. Amen.