Paul’s Defense (Acts 24:10-23)

 Paul’s Defense

 

  

 

[Acts 24:10-23]

  

 

Last Sunday, we focused on Acts 24:1-9 under the title "Paul Being Sued."  In this passage, Jewish religious leaders, including the high priest Ananias and elders, accused Paul before Governor Felix through their lawyer, Tertullus. They charged Paul with four accusations: (1) being a pestilent fellow (a troublemaker), (2) stirring up riots, (3) being a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, and (4) attempting to profane the temple.  Today, we will meditate on Acts 24:10-23, focusing on how Paul defended himself against these four charges before Governor Felix.  In the course of Paul's defense, we have a valuable opportunity to learn about true faith and a life of faith.

 

First, Paul's defense asserted, ‘I am not a troublemaker or a rioter.’

 

When given the chance to defend himself before Governor Felix, Paul did not resort to flattery but, unlike Tertullus, straightforwardly presented his case joyfully to the governor, the judge of the Jewish nation (v. 10).  The content of his first defense addressed the first and second charges brought by Tertullus.  Paul defended himself, stating that he was neither a pestilent fellow nor a rioter (vv. 11-13).  Consider this: Paul had only been in Jerusalem for 12 days for the purpose of "worshipping" (v. 11).  How could he disrupt the peace of Jerusalem in such a short time?  It was practically impossible (Yoo).  Paul informed Governor Felix that during his stay in Jerusalem, neither the Jewish leaders who accused him nor the Jews who agreed with him had witnessed him causing trouble in the temple, the synagogue, or anywhere in the city (v. 12).  In other words, he confidently told Governor Felix that the Jewish leaders accusing him, including the high priest Ananias and the elders, as well as Tertullus and the Jews who supported their accusations, had no credible evidence or witnesses to substantiate their charges against him (v. 13).  In reality, those who accused Paul and their representative Tertullus failed to present any evidence or witnesses to support their accusations against Paul (Yoo).

 

Paul, like a peaceful presence, did not disturb the tranquility of the Jewish temple, synagogue, or the city (the inner city).  On the contrary, he was a bearer of the gospel of peace.   In other words, Paul was a contagious Christian, spreading the message of peace.  Ephesians 2:14 states that Jesus is the "Prince of Peace."  He came to this earth and, through His death on the cross, reconciled us with God and with each other (v. 16).   He brought peace to us (v. 17).  Paul, as an apostle called and commissioned by Jesus, took on the ministry of spreading this peace.  He proclaimed the gospel of peace, and this is what true faith looks like.  Our faith life should involve embracing the ministry of spreading the gospel of peace as contagious Christians.  Those who spread the peace of Jesus Christ can truly be called genuine believers.

 

Second, Paul's defense was, ‘I am not a menace of heresy.’

 

This defense addressed the third charge brought by Tertullus, accusing Paul of being a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.  Paul stated to Governor Felix: "... I worship the God of my ancestors, believing everything laid down according to the law or written in the prophets.  I have a hope in God—a hope that they themselves also accept—that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous" (vv. 14-15).  Here, Paul clarified that what the Jewish religious leaders and Tertullus called "heresy" was, in fact, not heresy but "the Way," meaning the true path of Christianity following Jesus Christ.  Paul confessed that he served the God of his ancestors in accordance with the law and the prophets.  He believed in everything laid down in the Jewish scriptures.  He shared the hope, accepted by many Jews, in the resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.  This hope was none other than the hope of resurrection based on God's word— the hope of the resurrection of the righteous granted to him and us through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.  Because of this hope in resurrection, Paul confessed to Governor Felix that he always strove to maintain a clear conscience before God and people (v. 16).

 

Paul was not a menace of the sect of the Nazarenes.  Christians who believe in Nazarene Jesus are by no means heretics.  Rather, heresy pertains to groups teaching false doctrines that deny the divinity and humanity of Jesus.  As a follower who believed in Jesus as the truth, the way, and the life, Paul exemplified true faith in three ways: (1) Paul's genuine faith involved serving the God of his ancestors.  (2) Paul's true faith involved believing in the law and the writings of the prophets.  Paul lived within the faith of trusting in God's word.  In particular, he lived in faith, believing in the death and resurrection of Jesus.  He had genuine hope in the true resurrection.  Similarly, we must live in faith, believing in the death and resurrection of Jesus, just like Paul.  This is what true faith looks like.

 

Third and last, Paul's defense was, ‘I did not defile the temple.’

 

In today's passage, Acts 24:17-20, Paul defends himself against Tertullus's fourth charge that he intended to defile the temple.  In his defense, Paul confesses to Governor Felix that he came to Jerusalem to bring alms and offerings for his nation, intending to offer peace offerings.  He vehemently denies Tertullus's claim that he stirred up riots or defiled the temple.  As evidence, Paul points out that during his time in the temple, there was no crowd, no disturbance, and no evidence of any provocative actions on his part.  He asserts that the Jews from Asia who accused him should have been present if his actions were as they claimed, but they were not, indicating the lack of credibility in their accusations.  Furthermore, Paul challenges them to bring forth any evidence of wrongdoing on his part, confidently asserting his innocence before Governor Felix.  Paul skillfully refutes Tertullus's false claims, showing his wisdom in defending himself against baseless accusations.  Moreover, Paul urges Governor Felix to let any witnesses from Asia testify if they indeed have evidence that he defiled the temple.  In doing so, Paul confidently asserts his innocence before Governor Felix, firmly convinced that he did not defile the temple.

 

Paul never defiled the Jerusalem temple.  He made every effort to have a clear conscience before God and his own spirit.  He possessed a pure conscience and lived a clean life.  This is what true faith looks like.  We should strive to have a pure conscience and lead a clean life.

 

Through Paul's defense, we have reflected on true faith life.  True faith life involves spreading the peace of Jesus Christ, serving God, living by faith in God's word (especially faith in the resurrection), having a pure conscience, and leading a clean life.  I hope and pray that you and I can live such a life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Desiring to live with a pure conscience and a clean life,

 

 

 

 

 

James Kim

(Emphasizing the importance of wise argumentation)