A Study of Acts: Paul Responds to the Accusations
Acts 24:10-23 - An apt description of conscience is that it is two warring dogs inside us (good and bad). Which side will win?
“When the governor had nodded for him to speak, Paul responded: “Knowing that for many years you have been a judge to this nation, I cheerfully make my defense, since you can take note of the fact that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. Neither in the temple, nor in the synagogues, nor in the city itself did they find me carrying on a discussion with anyone or causing a riot. Nor can they prove to you the charges of which they now accuse me. But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets; having a hope in God, which these men cherish themselves, that there shall certainly be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.
Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings; in which they found me occupied in the temple, having been purified, without any crowd or uproar. But there were some Jews from Asia— who ought to have been present before you and to make accusation, if they should have anything against me. Or else let these men themselves tell what misdeed they found when I stood before the Council, other than for this one statement which I shouted out while standing among them, ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.’ ”
But Felix, having a more exact knowledge about the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the commander comes down, I will decide your case.” Then he gave orders to the centurion for him to be kept in custody and yet have some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to him.”
Acts 24:10-23 NASB1995
Paul is now given his turn to speak to the accusations against him. He noted that it has only been twelve days since he went up to Jerusalem to worship (a lot can happen in twelve days!). He was not carrying on discussions with anyone or causing a riot. He considers that the charges that have been brought against him cannot be proven. He admits that he is a follower of the Way and this is how he serves the God of his people, believing in everything in accordance with the laws and the writings of the Prophets, but he also has the hope in God that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. As the main accusers, the Sadducees, did not believe in the resurrection of the dead, this is probably one of their biggest complaints against Paul.
Paul once again says that he tried his best to maintain a blameless conscience both before men and before God. Paul talks about the conscience quite often in his epistles. I like this commentary (a bit long, but worthwhile) from Dr. Wayne Detzler, a missionary and apologist, quoted on Precept Austin:
Often conscience has been trivialized. According to Franklin P. Jones: "Conscience is a small, still voice that makes minority reports." To this someone added: "Con-science is also what makes a boy tell his mother before his sister does."
Christopher Morley said about conscience: "Pop used to say about the Presbyterians, 'It don't prevent them committing all the sins there are, but it keeps them from getting any fun out of it.' "
The late General Omar Bradley was more serious in commenting on conscience: "The world has achieved brilliance without conscience," he conceded. "Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants."
When a person comes to faith in Christ, his conscience becomes acutely sensitive to sin. No longer as a Christian can he sin with impunity. The story is told about an old Indian chief who was converted. Later a missionary asked him: "Chief, how are you doing spiritually? Are you experiencing victory over the devil?"
"It's like this," the chief replied. "I have two dogs inside me: a good dog and a bad dog. They are constantly fighting with each other."
"Which dog wins?" asked the puzzled missionary.
"Whichever one I feed the most," retorted the wise old man. His conscience was being shaped by the Scriptures.
As a young missionary I taught at a small Bible institute. As we surveyed the Old Testament I taught students about the danger of tolerating unforgiven sin. One young man came after class and confessed having stolen a piece of equipment from his employer. That same day he wrote to his former boss and made it right. The result was not just a good grade in the course, but also a clear conscience, which is worth much more.
It is important to have a conscience sensitive to others. When we moved to England, I carried on with many practices which were acceptable to American Christians. Soon a British brother mentioned to me that English evangelicals did not go to restaurants to eat on Sunday. This was strange to me, but for the sake of my English friends I stopped eating out on Sunday. This protected my conscience and our fellowship.
In his usual practical way Billy Graham set out the importance of a clear conscience: "To have a guilty conscience is a feeling. Psychologists may define it as a guilt complex, and may seek to rationalize away the sense of guilt, but once it has been awakened through the application of the law of God, no explanation will quiet the insistent voice of conscience."
I think these observations are superb about conscience. When your conscience is shaped by the Holy Spirit and by an understanding of Scriptures, it becomes obvious when there are reasons to have guilt. A few takeaways from this list:
Conscience is not trivial.
Sin is no longer fun when you have a conscience sculpted by God.
Brilliance does not equate to conscience or to ethical behavior. As the legendary movie character Dr. Ian Malcolm says (played by Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic Park, 1993), "Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether they could, they didn't stop to think if they should."
We have two warring dogs in our minds, for good and for bad. Who will win? What “dog” do we feed?
We should not tolerate sins in ourselves that have not been repented/forgiven.
Our conscience should be sensitive to others in practicing fellowship.
No rationalized explanation will quiet the insistent voice of conscience.
Paul testifying before Felix - Lifeway Collection
Paul continues his defense by saying he was bringing alms and offerings to the temple and completing purification rites. He noted that the accusations against him had come mostly from Jews in Asia and asked that they come forward with evidence as they were not present either in Jerusalem when he was there or now, in Caesarea. Where are his accusers? He admits that the only thing he shouted was that he was being put on trial for his belief in the resurrection of the dead. Precept Austin has this good commentary from Jack Andrews:
I read about the preacher that had on his desk a special book labeled “Complaints of members against one another.” When one of his people called to tell him the faults of another he would say, “Well, here’s my complaint book. I’ll write down what you say, and you can sign it. Then when I have to take up the matter officially I shall know what I may expect you to testify to.” The sight of the open book and the ready pen had its effect, ‘Oh, no, I couldn’t sign anything like that!” and no entry was made. The preacher said he kept the book for forty years, opened it probably a thousand times, and never wrote a line in it. (Jack Andrews Expository Studies – Understanding Acts
When the rubber meets the road with accusers and baseless accusations, most accusers will usually flee rather than commit to any serious action. This is probably a bit different in our litigious age full of lawsuits and countersuits, but the preacher’s approach in the story above is a valid way to deal with believers who complain about other believers. Paul is absolutely right to demand to meet with his accusers.
Felix apparently has some knowledge about the Way so he defers a decision until Lysias, the commander, can come and testify. He tells the centurion to keep Paul in custody, but also allow him some freedom and visits from friends ministering to him. It is likely that Felix thinks that Paul is innocent.
My next devotional examines Acts 24:24-27 - Felix and his wife Drusilla hear Paul’s testimony, yet Paul languishes in custody for two years.
Heaven on Wheels Daily Prayer:
Dear Lord - Please continue to sculpt my conscience to conform to Your Will and Your Word. Amen.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Precept Austin was accessed on 1/22/2024 to review commentary for Acts 24:10-13.