Acts - Week 75

Week 75 Acts 24 

Day 1 

READ 

Acts 24:1-4 

1 Five days later Ananias, the high priest, arrived with some of the Jewish elders and the lawyer Tertullus, to present their case against Paul to the governor. 2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented the charges against Paul in the following address to the governor: “You have provided a long period of peace for us Jews and with foresight have enacted reforms for us. 3 For all of this, Your Excellency, we are very grateful to you. 4 But I don’t want to bore you, so please give me your attention for only a moment. 

The trial now began. The high priest was there with some of the Jewish elders. Tertullus was chosen as the spokesman to present the charges against Paul. Tertullus went out of his way to praise Governor Felix; part of this was true, but Tertullus was also trying to increase the favor for his case. Paul was listening while the trial began. What would the charges be since he was innocent? 

REFLECT 

If you have ever been on trial when you knew you were innocent, you can identify with Paul. Surely he listened with heightened interest as Tertullus was about to present the charges against him.  

RESPOND 

With your disciple, read Matthew 10:16-20 to see what Jesus warned His followers to expect. Now will be seen how Paul used his opportunity before Governor Felix to witness for Jesus. 

Day 2 

READ 

Acts 24:5-9 

5 We have found this man to be a troublemaker who is constantly stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the cult known as the Nazarenes. 6 Furthermore, he was trying to desecrate the Temple when we arrested him. 8 You can find out the truth of our accusations by examining him yourself.” 9 Then the other Jews chimed in, declaring that everything Tertullus said was true. 

This passage presents the charges Tertullus presented: 1) Paul was a troublemaker; 2) he is constantly stirring up riots among the Jews; 3) He is a ringleader of the “cult of the Nazarenes”; and 4) he was trying to desecrate the temple. Tertullus invited Governor Felix to examine Paul by himself to substantiate these charges. Other unbelieving Jews present acknowledged Tertullus told the truth. 

REFLECT 

When someone is making accusations against you, listen carefully to what each one is. Then you can seek to refute each one step by step. 

RESPOND 

Pray for believers around the world who may be caught up in false trials. Some risk death by even mentioning the name of Christ.  

Day 3 

READ 

Acts 24:10-13 

10 The governor then motioned for Paul to speak. Paul said, “I know, sir, that you have been a judge of Jewish affairs for many years, so I gladly present my defense before you. 11 You can quickly discover that I arrived in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago to worship at the Temple. 12 My accusers never found me arguing with anyone in the Temple, nor stirring up a riot in any synagogue or on the streets of the city. 13 These men cannot prove the things they accuse me of doing. 

At the governor’s signal, Paul began to speak. He also complimented the governor and was pleased to present his defense before him. Instead of coming to Jerusalem to cause a riot, he had come to worship. No one, he claimed, found him arguing with anyone in the temple, synagogues or streets. He also told the governor that those charging him could not prove what they were claiming.  

REFLECT 

It is one thing to accuse someone of wrongdoing; it is quite another to be able to prove that. What is the basis of proof? 

RESPOND 

In the Christian life, the basis of proof must be the Bible, the written Word of God. With your disciple, read and talk about 2 Timothy 3:16-17. This passage reveals it is the Scriptures that are to be used for reproof and correction. Plus, it is those same Scriptures that equip believers for every good work. 

Day 4 

READ 

Acts 24:14-16 

14 “But I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult. I worship the God of our ancestors, and I firmly believe the Jewish law and everything written in the prophets. 15 I have the same hope in God that these men have, that he will raise both the righteous and the unrighteous. 16 Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people. 

Paul then used the occasion to witness about His Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. To the Jews present he said he worshiped the God of their ancestors. He also said he believed all that was written in the law and the prophets. Paul also referred to Jesus raising both the righteous and unrighteous from the dead. Because of believing all this, he tried to live with a clear conscience before God and all people. 

REFLECT 

Can you say the same as Paul? Because of what you believe, do you try to live with a clear conscience before God and all people? 

RESPOND 

Read 1 Timothy 3:1-10 for what Paul wrote about the need of church leaders to have a clear conscience concerning their faith. Is this what you and your disciple are striving for? 

Day 5 

READ 

Acts 24:17-21 

17 “After several years away, I returned to Jerusalem with money to aid my people and to offer sacrifices to God. 18 My accusers saw me in the Temple as I was completing a purification ceremony. There was no crowd around me and no rioting. 19 But some Jews from the province of Asia were there—and they ought to be here to bring charges if they have anything against me! 20 Ask these men here what crime the Jewish high council found me guilty of, 21 except for the one time I shouted out, ‘I am on trial before you today because I believe in the resurrection of the dead!’” 

Paul’s reason for returning to Jerusalem was to bring aid to the Jewish people and to worship. He was in the temple with no crowd around him and no rioting. Those claiming otherwise should be before Governor Felix to present their false charges. He invited the governor to ask the Jews present what crime the Jewish Sanhedrin had found him guilty of. Paul admitted to causing a stir at that time by bringing up that he believed in the resurrection of the dead.  

REFLECT 

Notice how Paul was using the occasion to tell about Jesus and even bringing up the crucial point about the resurrection from the dead. 

RESPOND 

Take the time to read again about the resurrection of Jesus that Paul wrote about in 1 Corinthians 15:1-6. The gospel includes the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus as well as over 500 eyewitnesses, most of whom were still alive as he wrote the passage in A.D. 55.  For any who doubt Jesus’ resurrection today, ask how they would have refuted the many eyewitnesses at that time.