Acts 24:11-15

 

Acts 24:11 (KJB)

Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.

 

Paul gives a very wise defense of his position. He begins with the charge that he was responsible for stirring up a riot in Jerusalem and the way he approaches that was by telling Felix that it has only been twelve days since he went up to Jerusalem. Paul had been in Caesarea for five days already and then add the two day trip from Jerusalem to Antipatris to Caesarea and Paul would only have been in Jerusalem for five days. He brings up this point because basically he wants the Governor to realize that in five days it would be literally impossible to get an entire city in an uproar. It would also show that the Jews would not have had sufficient time to investigate Paul and confirm the claim that he was a dangerous person. Paul states he came to worship in the temple and not to cause strife or defile it. In fact, when the Jews grabbed Paul, he was worshipping in the temple and not defiling it since he was sitting with the four men who had a vow on them.

 

Acts 24:12 (KJB)

And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:

 

He then goes on to directly state that they found him in the temple and he was worshipping and was not in any type of dispute with any man. He had not even partook in any type of argument, which would also negate their accusation that he was a pest. Paul then states that he was not going from synagogue to synagogue inciting the people nor was he trying to incite a mob anywhere in the city. Paul did not deny that there were not any riots in other places but he did not cause them, it was those who rejected the Gospel that stirred up the crowds to get rid of Paul and his company. This information would not matter because Paul was not on trial for what happened in other cities, just in the jurisdiction of Felix. Therefore, Paul was correct in stating that he did not incite the riots.

 

Acts 24:13 (KJB)

Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.

 

Since these were all false accusations, it would be impossible for them to actually prove them unless they could get false witnesses to create an agreed upon scenario but they did not bring many with them to Caesarea. They had hoped that Tertullus would have been able to convince Felix but Felix already had them pegged for what they really were when Tertullus started flattering him.

 

Acts 24:14 (KJB)

But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

 

Paul did not only deny the charges which were made against him but here he took the opportunity to declare the Gospel of Christ. By doing this, Paul had made Felix well aware that the charges against him were not civil or political, but of a religious nature. The Jews had accused Paul of worshipping God in a different manner than them and that is why they labeled the Christians as a sect. Paul then states that he was worshipping the God of his fathers and he was no less loyal than the Jews were. There was one major difference. (1 John 2:23 KJV) Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. Paul was worshipping correctly because he went through the Son of God to worship the Father. The Jews rejected the Son, therefore, they had a dead religion because they did not have the Father either. Paul did not disbelieve the law nor did he set it aside, he just worshipped according to what was written in the law and the prophets. If these were Sadducees that came, they would have taken issue with Paul when he mentioned the prophets. The Sadducees only believed in the first five books of the Bible as their law.

 

Acts 24:15 (KJB)

And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

 

With believing both the law and the prophets, Paul had an eternal hope toward God. This great hope showed a great confidence in the plan of God which included a resurrection of the dead. Paul spoke of the just and the unjust, which means there will come a day of reckoning which shows the justice of God. (John 5:28-29 KJV) Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, {29} And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.  The Lord Jesus Christ had stated that there will be a general resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust, that is, those who are saved and those who are unsaved. (Titus 2:13 KJV) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Paul had written to Titus that they were looking for that blessed hope.

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