The light of the gospel
Acts 24:1-27
Everywhere Paul went he shone ‘the light of the gospel’. But not everyone could see it. He wrote, ‘The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God’ (2 Corinthians 4:4).
These were dark times in Paul’s life. He was imprisoned and on trial. The prosecution lawyer, Tertullus, is an example of a sycophantic lawyer. He flattered the governor: ‘We are most grateful in all times and places for your wise and gentle rule’ (Acts 24:2, MSG).
His flattery was followed by false accusations about Paul, suggesting he was ‘time and again disturbing the peace, stirring up riots against Jews all over the world, the ringleader of a seditious sect called Nazarenes’ (v.5, MSG). The Christian faith was described as a ‘sect’ (v.5) – rather in the way that some people today might dismiss church as a ‘cult’.
Paul makes his defence (v.10 onwards). He deals first with the specific allegations, denying what is not true and admitting what is true. He admits being a follower of Jesus (‘the Way’, v.14). He clarifies what happened at his hearing before the Sanhedrin (v.21). (Sometimes it is helpful to establish what the facts actually are.)
Paul shows the orthodoxy of his beliefs. He worships the God of history (v.14a). He believes everything in the Scriptures (v.14b). He shares the Jewish hope of the resurrection (v.15). He points out that he believes everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets and that he has the same hope in God as the Pharisees, that ‘there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked’ (v.15). He points to his clear conscience (v.16), his ‘gifts for the poor’ (v.17) and his innocence (v.18).
His judge, Felix, was not necessarily evil, but he was weak, dithering, indecisive and politically motivated. He did not want to condemn an innocent man, but he did not have the courage to set him free. As a weak judge, frightened by Paul’s words when he did not know what to do, he simply adjourned the proceedings (v.25).
He kept Paul in prison for two years hoping for a bribe. Then even when a new governor was appointed and there was no financial gain to be had from Paul, Felix still didn’t release him for political reasons (v.27). He used delay as a device in order to avoid making a decision.
But avoiding a decision is a decision in itself. We cannot avoid responsibility by indecision. Indecision is itself a decision not to act. It is a decision to maintain the status quo. It is an action with consequences.
Paul took every opportunity to shine the light of the gospel. Whenever he could, ‘he spoke about faith in Jesus Christ’ (v.24). (Borrowed)
