Paul starts his defense

Good morning all,
Today Paul makes his defense in front of the governor and his accusers. He doesn't say much, nor does he use the opportunity to say anything about Jesus. Instead he explains himself as a worshiper of the God of his ancestors according to the Way. So he's saying that he is Jewish and in fact pretty traditional about his Judaism, but according to the Way, which is the way of Jesus.

I like Paul's quick explanation: he believes in the resurrection so he tries to always have a clear conscience. It is a simple statement and gets to the heart of his belief. There's also a lot missing from what Paul says, though as we'll see later, he has more to say in the course of his various trials. I hope whenever someone asks me about my faith and actions I can be cheerful in saying what I believe instead of giving in to fear and anxiety.

God bless,
Sam


Acts 24:10-21

10When the governor motioned to him to speak, Paul replied: “I cheerfully make my defense, knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation. 11As you can find out, it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem. 12They did not find me disputing with anyone in the temple or stirring up a crowd either in the synagogues or throughout the city. 13Neither can they prove to you the charge that they now bring against me. 14But this I admit to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our ancestors, believing everything laid down according to the law or written in the prophets. 15I 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.

16Therefore I do my best always to have a clear conscience toward God and all people. 17Now after some years I came to bring alms to my nation and to offer sacrifices. 18While I was doing this, they found me in the temple, completing the rite of purification, without any crowd or disturbance. 19But there were some Jews from Asia—they ought to be here before you to make an accusation, if they have anything against me. 20Or let these men here tell what crime they had found when I stood before the council, 21unless it was this one sentence that I called out while standing before them, ‘It is about the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.’”