August 22nd, 2012
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Articulate Self-defense

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

Ever-present God, today I rejoice in the certainty of Your presence and the promises of Your Word.

Read Acts 24:1-27

[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] By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.” [9] The other Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true. [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. [17] “After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings. [18] I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance. [19] But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me. [20] Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin- [21] unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: ‘It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.'” [22] Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.” [23] He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs. [24] Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. [25] As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” [26] At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. [27] When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“When we witness we need to tell our story of how we accepted God’s story” (Max Anders).

Think Further

Self-defense is not a cop-out. As I look on some of my Christian friends’ Facebook profiles I see different styles of being open with our faith in an environment which in some ways is growing more hostile to Christian belief.

The defense of Paul before Felix is an example of how to be frank without being unnecessarily confrontational. It is a summary, of course, but there are some interesting omissions from the account we have. Not once does Paul mention Jesus by name. Instead, he stresses the continuity of his faith with the God of his ancestors and those of his accusers. He does say that he is a follower of the Way (14), an early term describing the Christian movement (at this point, “church” sounds too established, though the root meaning of “ecclesia” is “gathering,” not a building). The Way is an interesting and, for us, fruitful approach to defining what it means to be a Christian. Jesus himself claimed to be “the way” (John 14:6) and being a Christian is indeed a way of living. Most of all, however, it is a way of life that can transcend death, and that is at the heart of what Paul proclaims.

Away from the courtroom setting, Paul speaks to Felix and his wife Drusilla (24,25; she was the youngest daughter of Herod Agrippa) and the reaction is much more animated. In public, a dry, well-informed dismissal is all Felix gives (22,23). Here, as Paul speaks about justice and the judgment of God, Felix takes fright, but what seems like a conviction of sin does not go any further. It seems that he kept sending for Paul again, not out of interest in his message but in the hope of a bribe—in which he is sorely disappointed.

Apply

Self-defense, defensiveness, or openness—which best defines your approach to being a witness to Christ? How might it need to change?

Closing prayer

Merciful Father, the story of Your love for me is assuring. I thank You that I embraced Your story. Give me sensitivity and opportunity for sharing it.

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