Acts 24:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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,

NIV: 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,

NASB: But I confess this to you, that in accordance with the Way, which they call a sect, I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law and is written in the Prophets;

CSB: But I admit this to you: I worship the God of my ancestors according to the Way, which they call a sect, believing everything that is in accordance with the law and written in the prophets.

NLT: But I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult. I worship the God of our ancestors, and I firmly believe the Jewish law and everything written in the prophets.

KJV: 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:

NKJV: But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.

Paul is on trial in Caesarea Maritima, defending himself from the accusations representatives of the Sanhedrin have brought before Governor Felix. Paul has already addressed the claim that he has habit of instigating riots (Acts 24:11–12) and now turns to their description of him as "a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes" (Acts 24:5).

In Roman law, it was highly illegal to spread a religion that was not officially sanctioned by the government. Cicero stated in De Legibus, ii. 8, "…let no one have private gods—neither new gods nor strange gods, unless publicly acknowledged, are to be worshipped privately…" Judaism was officially sanctioned, despite the fact the Romans called the Jews atheists because they have no images of their God.

Paul, who has traveled through Syria and modern-day Turkey and Greece, understands something the Sanhedrin members, who never leave Judea, do not: the Romans don't yet see any difference between traditional Judaism and Christianity. In Corinth, Jewish leaders brought him to the proconsul Gallio and said, "This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law" (Acts 18:13). Gallio shut them down, saying "If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint. But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things" (Acts 18:14–15).

Felix appears to be better educated than Gallio (Acts 24:22) but has the same point of view. It isn't until after the Khobar Rebellion around AD 150 that Christianity's distinctives draw the attention of the Roman government and persecution starts in earnest.

"The Way" is the term Paul uses for Christianity. It is based on Jesus' quote "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). However, Paul's wording indicates he follows the beliefs of the Jews in the way taught by Jesus.

Acts 24:10–21 is Paul's defense against the Sanhedrin's testimony before Governor Felix. The Sanhedrin's lawyer has accused Paul of starting riots and trying to profane the temple (Acts 24:5–6). Paul points out they have no proof and no witnesses. The issue is about the fact that he follows Jesus as the Jewish Messiah and believes in the resurrection of the dead. Felix, who knows quite a bit about Christianity, understands, but he doesn't want to upset the Jewish leaders, so he keeps Paul in custody for the remainder of his term (Acts 24:27).

Acts 24 covers Paul's trial before Governor Felix. The Sanhedrin claim he is a menace and a cult leader who tried to desecrate the temple. Paul explains the real conflict: he believes in the resurrection of the dead and the Sadducees don't. Felix knows the charges are spurious but doesn't want to upset Jewish leaders. He holds Paul under house arrest, hoping Paul will offer him money and make the inconvenience worth his while.

Acts 24 is a transition period for Paul from freedom to captivity. For several years, he has traveled around Judea, Syria, modern-day Turkey, Macedonia, and Greece, spreading the good news about Jesus' offer of salvation. Through a series of misunderstandings and outright lies, he is now in custody in Caesarea Maritima. He will remain there for two years before demanding his case be sent to Caesar (Acts 25:11). Once he arrives in Rome, he will spend another two years in custody (Acts 28:30). Despite his confinement, his message will reach a king and the household of Nero.

The summary of the book of Acts is provided in Jesus' words in Acts 1:8: ''But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.'' In Acts 2:1–13, the Christ-followers receive the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:14—7:60 describes the rapid growth of the church in Jerusalem. Chapters 8—12 find Jewish persecution inadvertently spreading the gospel throughout Judea and Samaria. And in chapters 13—28, Paul and his companions spread the good news throughout the Roman Empire.