Trust Jesus in All Things

Acts 24

​We may not understand why God permits lies to triumph, but leave it all in His hands. He is in control, and the final judgment rests with Him.

Acts 24 describes how the enemy and the unsaved go about opposing the Lord’s servants and their work, more specifically Paul the Apostle and his mission to reach Gentiles.

Harold Wilmington writes in his Handbook to the Bible, “The Jewish religious leaders, along with a lawyer named Tertullus, came to Caesarea to press charges against Paul. After flattering Felix (24:2–3), Tertullus falsely accused Paul of inciting riots against both the Jewish religion and the Roman government, and of profaning the Temple by bringing in a Gentile. He described Paul as a leader of the “Nazarenes,” a term used only here of believers in Jesus of Nazareth.”

Paul, in the testimony of his own case, pleaded innocent to the riot charges, proclaimed his loyalty to his Jewish heritage, and pointed out that his original accusers hadn’t even bothered to press charges.

“And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied:

“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. 11 You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, 12 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. 13 Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. 14 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, 15 having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. 16 So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man. 17 Now after several years I came to bring alms to my nation and to present offerings. 18 While I was doing this, they found me purified in the temple, without any crowd or tumult. But some Jews from Asia— 19 they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me.” Acts 24:10–19 (ESV)

He freely admitted, however, that he was a believer in Jesus and his resurrection, which, said Paul, was the real reason for the trial.

“Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, 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.’ ” Acts 24:20–21 (ESV)

Dr. Tony Evans shares, “When Paul spoke about the subjects of righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became afraid. Why? Because someone who is unrighteous and lacking self-control doesn’t want to hear how divine judgment will be poured out. Felix was apparently interested in religious matters. But when the conversation turned to his own sins and his accountability before God, Felix squirmed.”

Felix knew that Paul was innocent of all charges, but he was unwilling to upset the Jews by setting him free. Nevertheless, God providentially used this injustice to move him toward the goal of proclaiming the gospel in Rome, the center of earthly power in Paul’s day.

God’s Will will be accomplished as we have witnessed this throughout the book of Acts. However, He call us to be courageous in our testimony, despite the slanderous lies, the threats, and the danger associated with sharing the truth of the Gospel.

When given opportunity, Paul did not hesitate to speak the truth and seek to address his illegitimate incarceration through the legal means available to him. The only thing to which Paul would admit was being a worshiper of God according to the Way—that is, Christianity, which his Jewish accusers rejected as a sect but which was nonetheless a fulfillment of Scripture.

How about you? Are you standing firm on the truth of Jesus’ life, death, burial, resurrection, and His ascension? Are you boldly testifying to His Kingship and His great work of salvation and redemption in your life? Are you on mission to ensure everyone hears the hope available in Christ alone?
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Today, trust Jesus in all things; especially in times of slander, accusation, challenges to your integrity, and persecution and be willing to testify to the truth and hope by which you live—who is the messiah, in boldness and wisdom.

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