Trial for a Clear Conscience

Introduction

Good morning please open in your Bible’s to Acts 24 that is Acts chapter 24. As a quick refresher Paul is being held by the Romans because the Jews want to kill him. The accusations that the Jews are making are unclear to the Romans and the tribune who has taken the lead in Paul’s case has stated in writing that he does not believe that Paul has done anything deserving of imprisonment or death. Yet, because of plot against Paul’s life the Romans have moved him from Jerusalem to Caesarea where he will be able to have a trial before the governor Felix. And in this trial Paul will make this statement, Acts 24:16, “16 So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.” As Paul is on trial and defending his very life, his primary concern is that he would have a clear conscience.

We are going to see today that there are three accusations made against Paul. And he gives a response to each accusation to ultimately make the case that he has a clear conscience before God and man. We will divide the text by looking as each accusation and Paul’s corresponding defenses. As we look at this text it is my hope that we would seek a clear conscience. May God show us our sin, and how to deal with through in Christ Jesus. [Read Acts 24]

Accusation 1: Paul Stirs up Riots around the World v. 5a; 11-13

This is a formal trial and so the Jews arrive at Caesarea and they have with them a formal prosecutor named Tertullus. Tertullus begins he speech by flattering Felix which would have followed the the typical format of a Roman trial. He lavishes Felix in compliments which would have required him to stretch the truth a bit. Felix was not known to be good to the Jews and they didn’t really have much peace. Felix has put down several riots with extreme prejudice according to Jewish historians. Yet, Tertullus gives him compliments and then makes his accusations. The first being this: Acts 24:5 “For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world……” Tertullus is a good lawyer. He knows if he makes this case all about Jesus, then the Romans won’t care. The Roman tribune has explained earlier that the conflict is about Jewish law. This is not a concern for Rome. But if he can link Paul’s commitment to Christ to an act sedition then Felix might do what the Jews desire, put Paul to death. Now, let’s look at Paul’s defense in verse 11-13. This is Tertullus’ strategy.

Paul begins his speech in verse 10 also complimenting Felix, but with more tact and less stretching of the truth. But his defense for this first accusation in verse 11 through 13. He says, Acts 24:11–13 “You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city. Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me.” He points to the time period to establish that he did not have time to gather people to start an insurrection. He then explains that when the Jews found him in the temple that they did not find him disputing or stirring up a crowd in the temple, the synagogues, or the city. He points also to their lack of evidence that he was starting a riot. In fact, what did happen, which Paul refers to in verse 18 is that so Jews from Asia stirred up the crowds against him. If anyone is guilty of starting a riot, it wasn’t Paul.

Yet, we also know that trouble seems to follow Paul whenever he went. On his first missionary journey as earlier as at Antioch in Pisidia the Jews stir up people to persecute him. This happens in Iconium as they attempt to stone him, in Lystra where they do stone and leave him for dead. On the second missionary journey his is imprisoned in Philippi because he cast a demon out of a slave girl who was a fortuneteller. This loses money for her owners and they stir people up against Paul. In Thessalonica, the Jews again persecute him and follow him to Berea in order to run him out of town. He is persecuted again by Jews in Corinth, but the Roman official Gallio recognizes that Paul is not breaking Roman law, and that this is a religious dispute among the Jews. And then in Ephesus on his third missionary journey perhaps the largest riot breaks out because the silversmith, Demetrius convinces everyone that Paul is trying to profane the temple of Artemis. What is clear is the riots and violence do seem to follow Paul all throughout the world. But, they are not started by Paul. Rather they are started by Jews and Gentiles that are jealous or are no longer profiting from paganism as the power of the Gospel moves throughout their city. Paul’s message is controversial to the individual because the Gospel pierces the heart and conscience of men. We will get a glimpse of this with Felix later.

However, Paul is not guilty of sedition. That is raises up an insurrection or opposition to the Rome authorities. He isn’t calling for the overthrow of Roman rule, but he is calling for the overthrow of sin. He does not wish to see Rome struck down. He does wish to see King Jesus rule over every heart. This desire is what brings about the violence.

Though sinners respond in violence to the rule of Christ, Christ’ rule over individual hearts is simply not illegal in Rome. Paul is not breaking the law by peacefully following God and worshipping God. He is able to testify at this trial with a clear conscience.

And with clear conscience he does not out deny accusation number 2, but does clarify it.

Accusation #2: Paul is the Ringleader of a Dangerous Sect v. 5b; 14-16

Tertullus says in Acts 24:5 “[Pau] is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.” He says this in connection to his first accusation that Paul is stirring up riots all over the world. Tertullus is attempting to separate Judaism from Christianity, and present Christianity as a cult like off shoot. He isn’t just going after Paul but all Christians. He is trying to paint Paul as a leader amongst a small radical group of wayward Jews that are attempting to overthrow the Roman government. This is Paul’s defense Acts 24:14–16 “But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.” Paul refers to the Way, a designation for early Christians. But, the designation matters. Paul isn’t saying that he belongs to some offshoot. Rather he is saying I belong to the truth and most pure form of Judaism. I belong not to a denomination of Jews, but the WAY. And he supports that argument by citing that he worships the God of their father's (Abraham, Issac, and Jacob the Jewish patriarchs) and believes everything they laid done in the Law and the Prophets. The Law is the first five books of the Old Testament and the Prophets would encapsulate the rest of the OT. It is Paul’s way of saying I believe all of the Old Testament Scriptures, even dot and tiddle. And he says his hope in God. And caps it off by saying just like these men. If I am guilty they are guilty. I worship the same God, believe that God’s words, and hope in that God. I am not a member of some dangerous sect, I follow the WAY to God.

And he states that he believes there will be a resurrection from the death of the just and unjust. Thus, he makes pains to live with a clear conscience before God and man. Paul is making clear, I follow the God of Israel. I am convinced there will be a resurrection of all people. Suggesting all people will have to give an account before this God. So, am I ringleader of this sect. Yes, but it is the only way to God. So I must live in a way that provides me with a clear conscience.

So, what about us? Do you believe that this is the WAY. Do you believe that the just and unjust will be resurrected? And do you take pains to have a clear conscience toward God and man? Maybe you want to, but you’re not sure how? 1 John 1:5–10 “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. (murky conscience) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (clear conscience) If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” Confession leads to a clear conscience. We cannot say we have no sin, lest we make God a liar. If we are to take pains to have a clear conscience we must confess our sin, our fear, our worry. Psalm 32:3–5 “For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah (Pause to reflect on the truth that silence equals distress) I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah” (Confession equals peace). The confession of sin is not all it takes to live with a clear conscience. If we are to live with a clear conscience we must willingly confess our sin and our savior no matter the earthly consequence.

I mention confession of sin because we can’t have a clear conscience while living in un-confessed and un-dealt with sin. But I don’t think in this moment Paul had un-confessed sin, and yet he says he takes pains to live with a clear conscience. Because he conscience compels him to confess the truth about Jesus. We must confess our sin and Savior. And in confessing our savior we confess that his death and resurrection are sufficient to atone for our sin. But not only that, his death and resurrection are sufficient to atone for the sins of the whole world. That whoever believes in work of Jesus whether Jew or Gentile, male or female, rich or poor, they will have the forgiveness of sins. The freedom of shame, a clear conscience.

And his deep desire to confess this to all is what leads to his trial now.

Accusation #3: Paul Tried to Profane the Temple v. 6; 17-21

Tertullus accuses Paul of profaning the temple. We know for chapter 21 that Paul was accused of taking a gentile into the inner court of the temple. He did not do this, but rather simply met with this gentile man while out in the city of Jerusalem. Paul in verses 17-20 begins to recount this story, and it is almost as if he stops midway (v. 18) because he realizes that the Jews of Asia, who made the false accusation aren’t even there to accuse him. Therefore, Paul has no need to provide a defense for this accusation. Though he didn’t do it, but rather was there purified in accordance with Jewish law and there paying for other men to fulfill a vow as well. So instead he suggests that Tertullus’ and the Jewish council who he represents bring their actual accusation against. Which Paul lays out clearly in verse 21. Acts 24:21 “other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’ ”” Paul is so passionate about the resurrection that he brings it into the trial. Why?

Because if the resurrection is true, then Paul wins his case. If Jesus rose and he is the savior of the world. Then Paul is stirring up trouble around the world, he is announcing the good news that all can be saved from sin and forgiven by God. If Jesus rose, Paul is not the ringleader of some dangerous sect, rather he is a leader of the truth church of the true God who will one raise the just and the unjust. He isn’t an insurrectionist trying to take over the Roman government, he is an ambassador a peace maker between all men and God almighty. If Jesus rose, then he cannot profane the temple because Jesus said he would tear down the temple and raise it in three days, and he was describing his boy. The New Testament then teaches us that all Christians Jews and Gentiles are then a part of the temple because the Holy Spirit lives is all Christians. If Jesus rose and is the very hope of the resurrection then Paul must be declared innocent!

But that not what happens… …

The Result: Felix’s Indecision v. 22-27

Felix has an accurate knowledge of the Way. He knows that Paul is innocent. But instead of making a decision he stalls. He says that is going to weight for Lysias, the tribune that initially took the case. Now, we know from Acts 23:29 that Lysias wrote to Felix and said, “I found that he was being accused about questions of their law, but charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment.” And it doesn’t seem like Lysias ever came to Caesarea to testify at Paul’s trial. Because Paul is left in prison for two years and then when Felix leaves he does the Jews a favor by leaving him in prison.

A few days after this initial trial Felix and his wife Drusilla send for Paul to hear him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. Paul preaches the gospel and seems to spend time on righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgement. Why talk about those things? Well the background information is that Drusilla, Felix’s third wife, was very beautiful and was married to another man. Felix, negotiated her away from this other man because he wanted her for himself. So, as Paul preaches to these two adulterers, which is what they are because they were divorced because of their dissatisfaction with their spouses, they become alarmed. If Christ is raised, we will be judged. Now instead of experiencing alarm and repenting of their sin, what do they do? They stall. They send Paul away and claim they will talk to him more later. Felix does send for Paul often, but only because he hopes to receive a bribe from him. Another example of a lack of self-control and an unwillingness to do the right thing and set Paul free.

Conclusion

So, what about you? At the preaching of the resurrection and the judgement to come are you alarmed? Is your conscience not clear, but murky. Will you repent and confess your sin and your savior? Or will you put it off and send him away until you have another opportunity? What is the Monday morning difference?

Acknowledge the reality of the judgement to come

Paul took pains to live with a clear conscience before God and man because he knew the just and the unjust would be resurrected and judged. That included him. He knew he would stand before God and give an account for his life.

Confess Your Sin and Your Savior

Confess to another person. James 5:16 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” Don’t just “confess to God” and think you don’t need to talk to someone else. We should fear God more and man. Confess to a more mature Christian who can help you and pray for you. It’s hard but it is so worth it.

Confess your Savior. Know that if you confess your sins, God is faithful and just to forgive you of sin and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. Only through Jesus can you be made clean.

Confess your Savior and his saving powers before others

You don’t need to have all the answers or have your life all together. Just be honest with others about what Jesus is doing in your life.

Don’t Put It Off

Repent early and often. When sin is committed don’t give it opportunity to grow. Cut it off at the head and put it to death. Don’t put Jesus off like Felix did. Respond today.