March 7, 2016
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Defending the Faith

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Opening Prayer

Lord, in the midst of the temporal events of today, open new eternal truths to me from Your Word.

Read ACTS 24:1-21

[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.'”

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Reflect

Paul spoke with modesty and courtesy before Governor Felix (in contrast to the dishonest flattery of Tertullus). Paul is a good model for us when we are making a defense of our faith.

Paul had been hurriedly transferred, by night, from Jerusalem to Governor Felix in Caesarea, under the protection of a substantial military escort. They carried a letter, explaining Paul’s situation, from Lysias, their commander. Tertullus, the lawyer representing the Jews, used his skills of oratory to persuade Felix of the danger Paul posed. He lavishly praised Felix’s achievements in office (this was pure flattery, as both Josephus and Tacitus record his brutal, corrupt regime) before presenting two arguments: that Paul (1) was a political threat to the peace of the empire, causing a public nuisance and stirring up riots among Jews all over the world; and (2) had offended Jewish religious practice by desecrating the Temple. They produced no witnesses or supporting evidence, so to add strength to the prosecution the Jews falsely claimed to have protected Paul by seizing him. 

Paul made his own respectful defense before Felix. His innocence was obvious, but he seized the opportunity to speak in defense of the faith. He stressed the common beliefs in God, the Law and the Prophets which he (and followers of the Way) held with his accusers and their Jewish ancestors. His hope was in God and the resurrection of the righteous and wicked. He stated that his conscience was clear and he was in the Temple bringing offerings and alms for the poor when he was set upon by the Jews.

Opportunities for us to defend the faith may arise in either sympathetic or harsh, corrupt circumstances. Peter’s wise advice is relevant today: “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” (1 Pet. 3:15-16). Our faith is enhanced by such words and deeds.

Apply

How would you handle an unexpected opportunity to share the Good News before an intimidating person?

Closing prayer

Lord, while I trust You to guide me in faith-sharing opportunities, help me to be prepared as much as possible.

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