Consicence
Among the Jews -- as in all other groups -- we find different kinds of people. They may be leaders, politicians, teachers....anything. Some are law-abiding, ready and willing to follow what is right (assuming the laws are good laws). Others are lawless. Sometimes the easist place to succeed at lawlessness is among the leaders. We see that in governments. Some rulers are good, noble, and generous -- not too arrogant to identify with the people. Others consider themselves above the law and gather supporters who will conceal the lawlessness and punish critics.
Now after afive days bAnanias the high priest came down with the elders
and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor
against Paul.
2 And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying:
“Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and 1prosperity is being
brought to this nation by your foresight, 3 we accept it always and in all
places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 Nevertheless, not to be
tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your 2courtesy, a few words
from us. 5 cFor we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension
among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the
Nazarenes. 6 dHe even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, 3and
wanted eto judge him according to our law. 7 fBut the commander Lysias
came by and with great violence took him out of our hands, 8 gcommanding his
accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these
things of which we accuse him.” 9 And the Jews also 4assented, maintaining
that these things were so.
The Defense Before Felix
10 Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered:
“Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I
do the more cheerfully answer for myself, 11 because you may ascertain that it
is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem hto worship. 12 iAnd
they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the
crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. 13 Nor can they prove the
things of which they now accuse me. 14 But this I confess to you, that
according to jthe Way which they call a sect, so I worship the kGod of my
fathers, believing all things which are written in lthe Law and in the
Prophets. 15 mI have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, nthat
there will be a resurrection 5of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.
16 oThis being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without
offense toward God and men.
17 “Now after many years pI came to bring alms and offerings to my nation,
18 qin the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me rpurified in the
temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult. 19 sThey ought to have been here
before you to object if they had anything against me. 20 Or else let those who
are here themselves say 6if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood
before the council, 21 unless it is for this one statement which I cried out,
standing among them, t‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being
judged by you this day.’ ”
Felix Procrastinates
22 But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the
uWay, he adjourned the proceedings and said, “When vLysias the commander
comes down, I will make a decision on your case.” 23 So he commanded the
centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and wtold him not to
forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.
24 And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was
Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the xfaith in Christ. 25
Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come,
Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time
I will call for you.” 26 Meanwhile he also hoped that ymoney would be given
him by Paul, 7that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often
and conversed with him.
27 But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, zwanting
to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.
The New King James Version. 1996, c1982 (Ac 24:1). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.