Paul’s defence before Felix (Acts 24:10-21)

After Paul was captured in Jerusalem, he had a couple of opportunities to defend himself, once publicly, and once before the chief priests and the council. He was subsequently brought before Felix, the governor, because the commander found out that there were Jews who lay in wait for him.

There are two points that I noted in today’s reading of Paul’s defence before Felix.

Firstly, it is Paul’s blamelessness that strikes me. Paul was able to speak so freely and confidently before Felix because of his clear conscience.

“I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.” (Acts 24:16)

Indeed, he was not guilty of any disputes or mob, like what the Jews might have tried to suggest. Who can accuse you of something which you have indeed not done?

That’s the power of having a clear conscience. We have done nothing against the commandments of God, and we have done no wrong to anyone. We are able to walk with our heads high because we know that we have indeed done no wrong, and God can attest to that.

On the other hand, one who is guilty of deeds done against God or men (especially secretly) will find himself without peace. If he was to be placed in a similar situation like Paul, his voice will surely not be as loud and confident as Paul’s.

On the last days when Jesus comes again, if we were to be called up one by one to give our defence before God, giving an account of what we have done or not done, will we be able to stand before God with a clear conscience? Can we speak boldly and with confidently, being blameless before God?

Of course, this is not to say that we are perfect creatures and ought never to be guilty of any trespasses and that if we were to commit any wrong, we are condemned.

Being in the flesh, we will definitely have moments of weakness and times when we fall into sins. However, if we are able to confess our weakness and our sins before God, asking Him to wash us clean and help us to do right, then Jesus’ blood would continue to cleanse us of all unrighteousness and justify us before God. In other words, we remain blameless in the eyes of God.   

The second thing that strikes me was how Paul still maintained his stand of believing in Jesus Christ and declared it openly so, despite the fact that this was precisely the reason why the Jews captured him in the first place.

“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.” (Acts 24:14)

If we were in Paul’s circumstances at that time, what would we have said? Paul said it so plainly, but it must have come with conviction and with true knowledge and deep faith, knowing that this is the True Way. He did not reject the Old Testament Scriptures, nor the Jewish God, drawing parallels with the Jews who spoke against him, but testified of the Way. Are we able to speak with such conviction the next time we are questioned regarding our faith?

May we be blameless in our journey of faith and learn from Paul’s confidence that arise from his clear conscience and conviction.