Page 116 - Acts Student Textbook

If he was not causing trouble, in which way did Paul maintain peace? (24:14)

Having so easily dismissed their accusations against him, Paul, then took the opportunity to affirm his
service to God. He began by referring to their accusation that he was a ringleader of the sect of the
Nazarenes. He confessed openly that He served God according to the Way that they called a sect.
"The Way" This was the early title for Christians which emphasized that Jesus is the way to God (John
14:6) and a lifestyle fellowship (cf. 9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:22 and possibly 18:25-26). However, this did
not violent the Jewish law (let alone Roman law), because his beliefs completely harmonized with the
Law and the Prophets. A “sect” is a heresy, division, or departure from truth. The Jews had so
referred to Paul’s beliefs; he did not admit that part. He instead said, "I do serve the God of our
fathers." Paul clearly asserts in this verse that what he preaches about Jesus in no way violates the
OT. Jesus is the fulfillment of Israel's hopes and promises. He does not see Christianity as something
new and different but a fulfillment (cf. Jesus in Matt. 5:17-19). In so saying, Paul showed that the real
issues here were religious in nature. The disagreement had nothing whatever to do with Roman law
but was simply a matter of how God should be worshiped.

What was Paul’s message? (24:15, 16)

Furthermore, Paul affirmed that his convictions harmonized with the very hope held by his accusers.
Their only real hope (whether or not they realized it) was in the resurrection of the dead. (The
Pharisees believed this, while the Sadducees did not, but it was still the only hope for anyone for
eternal life.) On this point, Paul’s view agreed with the Old Testament Scriptures that these Jews
professed to believe. If they believed their own law, they should have been defending Paul, not
accusing him!

Because Paul believed in this resurrection, he sought to please God and always tried to have a
conscience pure before God and man (see as in 23:1). He would not admit that he had violated the
law, either of God or man. He was very concerned about having a clean conscience.

According to Paul, what was his purpose in Jerusalem and how was he arrested? (24:17-19)

Paul then explained the real nature of his visit to Jerusalem. He had come on the peaceful and
benevolent mission of bringing gifts to his nation (the Jews). This refers to the collections of funds
the churches had sent to the needy saints in Jerusalem (see notes on 20:1-6; 1 Cor. 16:1-4; etc.).

Having come to bring these gifts, Paul also went into the temple to be purified. He was peaceably
attempting to worship God. While he was in the temple, some Jews from Asia had brought
accusations against him (21:27, 28). If they were the ones who made the original accusations, they
should have been there on the present occasion to give their testimony against Paul. "if" (24:19b)
This is a fourth class conditional, a way to express a contingency which is the farthest removed from
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possibility. A. T. Robertson, calls it a mixed condition with a second class conclusion (i.e., but they
are not present, v. 19a). Again, Paul showed that the real point to remember is that there was no one
who could give any real evidence against him.

How did Paul conclude his defense? (24:20, 21)

The whole thrust was, first to show that the Jews had no evidence whatever against him, and second
that the issues involved were religious in nature that would not be of any concern to the Roman
authorities. In the process, he had been able to present some of the religious views that he hoped
would interest the listeners in learning more about the gospel.

61 Robertson, (p. 420).
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