Acts 24:1-23
A Clear Conscience Before God
Read the passage
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
Read aloud
Tertullus opens with praise for Felix and then accuses Paul of stirring up trouble, leading the Nazarenes, and trying to desecrate the temple. Paul answers by asking for facts that can be checked. He came to Jerusalem to worship; his accusers did not find him stirring up a crowd, and they cannot prove their charges.
Paul does not deny everything just to make his defense easier. He openly confesses what he believes: he follows the Way, worships the God of his fathers, believes the Law and Prophets, and hopes in the resurrection of the righteous and the wicked.
That hope affects his conduct now:
In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.
Resurrection means his life is accountable to God, whatever this governor decides. A clear conscience requires ongoing honesty; it is not a claim that he has never done wrong.
Paul also points to the absent witnesses who should bring their charges themselves. Felix postpones a decision until the commander comes. Paul remains under guard, though friends may care for him. A truthful defense has not brought immediate release. It has made clear both what Paul has not done and the faith he will not conceal.
Questions
1 What did Tertullus call Paul?
AnswerHe called Paul a pestilence, a troublemaker among Jews everywhere, and a ringleader of the Nazarene sect.
2 What did Paul say he worshiped?
AnswerHe worshiped the God of his fathers according to the Way, believing everything written in the Law and the Prophets.
3 What hope did Paul confess?
AnswerHe confessed hope in God that both the righteous and the wicked would rise. He described this as a hope shared with his own people.
4 What freedom did Felix allow?
AnswerHe allowed Paul some freedom and permitted his friends to care for him, so the prisoner was confined but not cut off from Christian fellowship.
What This Means for Us
When criticized, we may want to deny everything or admit whatever will end the argument. Paul separates a false charge from a true confession. We can ask what actually happened, own any wrong we did, and correct what is untrue without hiding our faith. God knows the whole account, including the parts no one else sees.
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.