Acts 24:1-16 (CLICK HERE FOR BIBLE VERSES)
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is Acts 24:1-16. As usual, I encourage you to read the passage yourself first and see what you can glean with the Holy Spirit’s help, then read the GAME sharing below. Let’s go!
Acts 24:1-9 (NIV)
1 Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor.
2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation.
3 Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude.
4 But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.
5 “We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect
6 and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.
7
8 By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.”
9 The Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true.
On verses 1-9: The trial of the apostle Paul in Governor Felix’s court is about to get under way. The high priest and the Jewish elders decide to lawyer up and retain the attorney Tertullus to bring their case against Paul. But Paul had an even better lawyer on his side to defend him against these false charges: the Lord Jesus. His judge and his accusers couldn’t see him, but Jesus was there.
Similarly, the Bible says that we have an accuser. His name is Satan. Because Satan’s agenda is to steal, kill and destroy our lives, Satan loves to accuse us of sins we have committed and even sins we have not committed. Who stands in our defense? Jesus Christ. You might not have realized it, but heaven paid for you to have the greatest defense attorney who ever lived to stand on your side: as 1 John 2:1 says, “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense–Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.”
Like the most outstanding defense attorney, you can confess your mistakes to Jesus, and Jesus will still make sure you get His best defense. He is committed to standing before the judge and before your accuser and fighting for your cause.
In fact, when we were guilty of sin and when the just punishment for our sins was death and separation from God, Jesus went above and beyond what any defense attorney will ever do: Jesus stepped into our shoes and died in our place. That’s because Jesus’ commitment to defend you is not based on how much you pay him (indeed you can’t afford his invaluable services), but rather Jesus’ commitment to defend you is based on His immense love for you.
Acts 24:10-16 (NIV)
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 fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets,
15 and I have the same hope in God as these men, 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.
On verses 10-16: In response to Tertullus’ false accusations against him, Paul clarifies to Governor Felix that he is not a trouble maker or someone who stirs up riots among the Jews. At the same time, Paul confirms that he is a Christian who believes in resurrection (v14-15) and that he always tries to keep his conscience clear by doing the right thing (v16).
Here Paul sets a good example for us to follow, one that recalls 1 Peter 3:15-16, which says, “in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”
In the verses that follow Paul will continue his defense.
Thank You God that though my sins were great, Your love and mercy on my life is greater. Thank God that whenever I sin, I have one who stands in my defense. Your Son Jesus. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
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