Acts 24:10-21

Paul said. Roman law condemned no one without allowing them to speak in their own defence. I know that you. The frequent turnover of Roman Governors makes Paul's statement accurate. Felix had been governor for from six to ten years at this time. Felix had first-hand knowledge of the people of Judea. It was no more than twelve days ago. It would be easy to find out the facts. The first day was when Paul met with James and the church elders; the second he entered the vow with the others; the seventh he was grabbed in the temple; the eighth he was tried by the Council; the eleventh he was sent to Felix; and the thirteenth he stands before this court. Nor did they find me. He had done nothing to agitate the people. In fact, he had been doing things to promote peace and harmony. I do admit this. He worships God by following the Way of Christ. Which they say is false. The language implies that Paul sees Christianity, not as a sect [false way] of Judaism, but as the fulfillment of God's promise to the ancestors (Acts 13:32). It is Judaism transformed into a Perfect Way, which supersedes Judaism. But I also believe. By becoming a Christian, he had not "turned traitor" to the faith of the fathers, as they claimed. I have the same hope In God. The common hope of Judaism (but not the Sadducees) and Christianity was that all the dead will be raised. Therefore, Paul was not preaching something new and illegal. And so I do my best always. Paul lived his life to honor God! This should free him of such suspicion that motivated these false charges. After being away from Jerusalem. His motives in coming were good. To take some money. Donations from the Gentile Christians (see Romans 15:25-31; 1 Corinthians 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8:1-9). To offer sacrifices. The ordinary sacrifices of the Law. He was in the temple to do this when he was grabbed. But some Jews. They knew there had been no crowd and no disorder with Paul in the temple. They were the ones who accused him, yet none of them seemed to be at the court. They themselves ought to come. Roman custom required the accusers to face the accused. The High Priest and the members of the Council were not the ones who had accused Paul. Or let these men here. The Council had not really found him guilty (Acts 23:9). Except for the one thing. This was the real "crime" which the High Priest and his fellow Sadducees were accusing Paul of.