“But I confess this to you, that I worship the God of our ancestors according to the Way (which they call a sect), believing everything that is according to the law and that is written in the prophets. I have a hope in God (a hope that these men themselves accept too) that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous. This is the reason I do my best to always have a clear conscience toward God and toward people” (Acts 24:14–16 NET).
Ever since the incident at the temple in Acts 21, Paul had been defending himself against false charges made by the Jewish leadership. After hearing of an assassination plot on Paul’s life, the Roman commander in Jerusalem delivers the apostle to governor Felix in Caesarea. Once again, Paul has to answer the same old accusations. How frustrating it must have been!
But Paul graciously and patiently defends himself again. In the text above, we learn there is something which the apostle is eager to confess. To the accusation that he is a worshiper of God as a follower of Christ, Paul would say, “Guilty as charged!” It was his hope in God and his commitment to Christ that enabled the apostle to continue to witness in such difficult situations.
Paul’s goal was to have a clear conscience in every area of life. That meant he treated his accusers in a firm but godly way. It also meant he maintained his allegiance to God even when it was hard to do so. Paul is exemplifying what his fellow apostle Peter taught in 1 Peter 3:15-16: “...but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame” (1 Peter 3:15–16 NAS95).
God loves you!
Mike
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