Acts 46. Acts 23:23 -24:21

 2. Consider the lengths to which the Jewish fanatics were willing to go to silence Paul (see 23:12-15). What human and divine factors prevented them (see 23:16-30)?

• Paul's nephew hearing of their plans
• The nephew's concern and efforts for Paul 
• A Roman guard of soldiers, with mounts, at night
• His Roman citizenship

• The character of the tribune: trusting
• Paul's favour with the Roman tribune/centurion.

For Thought and Discussion: a. Why was it so important to Paul to keep a clear conscience before God and man (see 23:1; 24:16)? b. Is this important to you? If so, why? How do you show it?

 Conscience is an internal rational capacity that bears witness to our value system. It serves as a witness to what we already know. (Rom. 2:15, 9:1)  When we conform to the values of our conscience we feel a sense of pleasure or relief. But when we violate the values of our conscience, it induces anguish or guilt. (TGC). It is a trustworthy guide only when it is informed and ruled by God and His Word. Otherwise, it is changeable and fallible. To willfully act against conscience is always a sin. “The conscience of the Christian is obligated and bound only by what the Bible either commands or forbids,” (Sam Storms). Conscience can be incorrectly bound (1 Co 8:7-12, 10:25-29) and can be suppressed by habitual sin.

 

A clear conscience was of great significance to Paul (Ac 21:1, 24:16; 2 Ti 1:3). He claimed it when under trial. Elsewhere (e.g. 1 Ti 1:5) he urges Christians to have a clear conscience.

 

How do we keep a clear conscince 'before God and man'? We comply with God's revealed will and do the best we could not to cause unnecessary offense or stumbling to others. It may also mean doing all things legally, or with respect to reputation. There is both internal and external righteousness. We may appear righteous before people but not before God. We may also be wrongly accused by people yet be right before God (1 Pe 2:19-23).  cf. "Which of you convicts me of sin?" (Jn 8:46)

 

The Christian conscience, once sanctified by God, becomes a reliable way of discouraging us from sin and moving us to repentance. We should be asking ourselves at the end of the day if we have thought, said or or done anything against conscience, 

 

3. How did Paul refute each of Tertullus’s charges against him? 

• making trouble, inciting dissension (see 24:11-13,17-18) The time was too brief ("12 days") to get a following. He denied that there was no evidence of arguments with the Jews or stirring up a crowd anywhere. 
• leading a new and unlawful sect (see 24:14-16)  He agreed that he was a leader of the Way, which was the fulfilment of Jewish belief, especially of the resurrection. He was careful to follow the precepts of Judaism. He was a leader, but not of an unlawful sect.
• desecrating the temple (see 24:11-13,17-21) He was presenting offerings in the Temple, not desecrating it. He had been puriifed and was not in a crowd or making trouble.

Paul further refused to say more in the absence of his direct accusers. He again reinforced his beiief in the centrality of a resurrection (23:7)

 

 

4. Why is it important to us that Paul claimed Christianity was not something new, but the true continuation of the faith recorded in the Law and the Prophets?

So that it would have legal protection as a form of Judaism, not as a new reiigion. 

Also, that outreach to Jews would continue