Acts 24:10-16 

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.

Peter’s Denial

On the night the Lord Jesus was betrayed, all his disciples have lost courage to testify about the Lord. Judas started it when he agreed to betray Jesus. When Jesus was arrested, everyone ran away. Peter denied the Lord 3 times. Peter was given three opportunities to testify that he knew the Lord Jesus but he blew it away, why? The Lord declared the Peter would deny Him 3 times, and it certainly happened.

It also proved that man can easily claim to have faith in Jesus but to testify about Him manifests the present of Christ’s Spirit in the believer’s life. When the Holy Spirit is at work in our life, we can experience the sufficiency of God’s grace.

By God’s grace, a believer can sacrifice for the Lord. To stand up for the Lord testifies to the power that comes from the Holy Spirit. Many believers appreciate Paul’s devotion for Christ but only spiritually mature disciples are willing to lay down their life for Jesus’ sake, like Paul. By, God’s grace, Paul has overcome many difficult trials and persecutions. He was always ready to testify and defend his faith in Christ Jesus.

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.

When Paul delivered his defense, he was not slow to acknowledge the length of service the governor had over Israel. He was will informed about the governor. Did Paul hope that the accusation presented to the governor would be decided fair and square?

1.  Accusation

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.

In his defense, Paul believed that the governor can easily verify that he did nothing to disturb the peace in the temple or in Jerusalem. Paul was confident that his accuser cannot produce or present legitimate or concrete evidence of their charge.

Earlier, accusation against Paul was presented to the governor. The lawyer Tertullus that the chief priest and the elders brought to present their case against Paul was also confident that their accusations were true. In Acts 24:8, ⁸ By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.

Paul had great confidence that the governor can easily investigate that their accusation have no proofs. Paul did not admit to any charge they accused against him. Paul did not initiate riot nor with anyone in the temple or in Jerusalem.

Jews who were determined to eliminate Paul were the ones who started the riot.

Paul constantly met oppositions to his ministry. Most opposition to Paul’s ministry come from Jewish background, why? It’s hard for them to accept the message of Christ. Those who opposed Paul served as God’s “go signal” for Paul to move onto to the next mission point. Persecution has been an effective force to mobilize 1^st century believers to spread the gospel wherever they went. Trials are opportunities to testify of God’s grace.

In Acts 8:1-4, ¹On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. ² Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. ³ But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. ⁴ Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.

Difficulties in life are divine catalysts to the proclamation of the gospel. Lack of employment, adversities, or financial problems can force believers to go where God wants them to be. Do you believe that God has designed for you to be in this country? As Paul told the people of Athens in Acts 17:26, ²⁶ …He decided exactly when they should live. And he decided exactly where they should live.

With much confusion, God allows calamities for His glory. He has designed everything according to His pleasure. It’s not easy to accept that God’s has arranged hardship and pleasures for the betterment of our life. We need God’s help to understand and accept that reality. Do you know the purpose of God in your current situation? Can you accept that trials and challenges of life are meant for your goodness?

Amidst troubles, Paul has proven much of God’s sufficient grace. Paul never complained of the difficulties he experienced, why? Did Paul trust that God has a great plan for him? The accusations presented to the governor against Paul had served as good opportunity for Paul to explain or expound the resurrection of Christ. He did not admit to the charges but He admitted his belief and devotion to God.

2.  Admission

 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. 

When Paul admitted that he believes what his accusers believe in the Law and everything that is written in the Prophets, he implied that he did nothing against his accusers. He also acknowledged that he adheres and has hope to the resurrection that his accusers also hoped in God. Moreover, he was very sure that he was not guilty, and his conscience does not convict him of any wrongdoings before God and man.

Can you identify with Paul? Have you warned people but they have interpreted it as personal grudge or vindictiveness? Did you share something that others did not like?

Have you ever sought clarifications that others considered it as selfish imposition?

Have you testified to God’s goodness that others think it as self-glorification?

Truly, we may warn others about the impending wrath of God, and we are considered as racial, vindictive, or judgmental. When we ask for personal opinion of God or heaven, we could be accused of too much incursion or invasion of privacy. When we testify the good things that God has done in our life, oppositions would sneer and charge us of placing ourselves above others.

How should we respond to hostile people? How should we present of defense convincingly? If people raise their voice, do you consider them to be unkind people?  What is the acceptable level of voice that you would consider as kind or caring?

Mission Struggle

One of our not so pleasing adventures in the mission field was confronting believers who insist on what they believe to be their right. We were caught in the middle of misunderstanding between local believers and our mission coordinator.

Our coordinator instructed us no to allow two local believers in our apartment. They insisted of staying. After explaining our concern, and listening to their reasons, I raised my voice in an attempt to let them know that they were supposed to stay somewhere else. To our surprise, instead of hating us, they became more persistent to stay with us.

They left our apartment after everything was settled. After few months, I joined a group of four to teach in their town. It was quite awkward on my part. I expected to be treated unfairly but the daughter came to see us and guide us around visiting places.

What made those locals not apprehensive or hate me for raising my voice? Was it because they valued my seriousness as great concern for them? Some Chinese consider it as great concern to discipline them. Raising voices signal intensity of seriousness, not necessarily hatred or hostility but more of concern to discipline.

This is also true to many parents. Parents would raise their voice not because they hate their children but because there’s urgency to be acted upon. This is why ambulances are loud not because they hate slow drivers but their urgency needed to be attended.

It’s great to be reminded that God disciplines His children too. When God allows us to be misunderstood by opposition, He just wants us to experience much of His grace. When God allows trials in life, He wants us to grow deeper in our trust in Him. When we feel that we are getting weak spiritually, God wants us to realize that we are limited and test our faith if we still trust Him in spite of not experiencing our expectation from Him.

 ¹⁶ So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

To have clear conscience before God and man is a great defense before accusers.

Let’s imitate and be like Paul.  Let’s seek the help of the Holy Spirit in keeping our conscience clear before God and man.

By God’s grace we can have conscience clear before God and man. Amen!

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