"Defense and Testimony"

"They ought to have been here before you to
object if they had anything against me. Or else
let those who are here themselves say if they
Found any wrongdoing in me while I stood
before the council"                    Acts 24:19-20


Paul has answered two of the Jews' accusation.
He now turns to the third: "He even tried to
profane the temple'"(24:6a).!. Paul begin by
telling Felix that he was away from Judea for
many years indeed, except for his belief visit
at the conclusion of his second missionary
journey (18:22). he was absent from the
province for nearly a decade. But when he did
return from his journeys in Gentile lands, it
Was not to stir dimension or to intentionally
profane the temple. Rather, he came bearing
gifts to the Jewish believers from their
Gentile brothers. Ironically, it was Jews from
those Gentile lands in Asia who found him
in the temple, but he was "neither with a mob
nor with tumult," and he was undergoing and
had nearly completed the rituals, of
purification (21:27). In short, Paul asserts that
 he has.  Done nothing that. Warrants trial
before the Jews, much less the Roman
governor.
      Paul brings out the fact that his case
 started with in accusation by the Asian
Jews, not the Jews of Jerusalem. That being
the case, the Asians should be present before
Felix to make  their changes. On the hand,
those who are present  the high priest and
elders did not witness the scene  in the
temple. They are qualified to testify only
concerning those things Paul said in his
Appearance before the Sanhedrin, and the
only possible  statement with which they
can take issue had to do with his hope of a
resurrection of the dead. "Paul states that
when he was before the Sanhedrin he
uttered only one critical sentence, and it
pertained not to the political concerns of
Of the Romans but to the theological
concern of Jews and Christians,"
Dr., Simon Kistemsker writes. "This
means that the point of conflict between
Ananias and Paul in a theological issue
that ought to be discussed in Jewish
 ecclesiastical court." With just a few
words, Paul has skillfully undermined
 the credibility  of his accusers and show
that his case does not concern the
Roman Empire.
     It is worth noting that even as Paul
defends himself, he functions as a witness
for Christ by mentioning the resurrection
Of the dead, the hope of eternal life that
is precious to all believers. He speaks
of it before Sanhedrin (23:6) and
Governor Felix (24:15,21). "This doctrine
is fundamental to the Christian faith and
fearlessly [Paul] proclaim it everywhere,"
Kistemaker writes.
      You may never testify about your faith
In a court of the Law. You may not have
Paul's or stick skills. No matter. You must
live and speak of your God day by day.
Never hesitate to bring up spiritual things.
You will face ridicule and anger. But your
testimony may be used in ways you
cannot imagine. Simple speak and trust
God for the results.