Part One
Acts 24:1–16
Five days later, the high priest Ananias came down to Caesarea. Some elders and a lawyer came along. Paul entered the governor’s court, and the lawyer began to accuse him: “Your Excellency, thank you for the peace and favor you’ve given us. I’ll keep this short. This man is a pest in our nation. He stirs up Jews all over the world. He’s a leader of a sect called the Nazarines. He even tried to infect the temple with Gentiles. We wanted to judge him ourselves. But the captain took him away from us. That’s why we’re here today.” Ananias joined in accusing Paul. He agreed with all the lawyer said.
Paul then spoke to Felix. “I’m happy to tell you my side of this story,” he began. “I went to worship in Jerusalem twelve days ago. I didn’t argue with anyone or stir up the crowds. They can’t prove the things they say against me. I worship my ancestors’ God, believing the law and the prophets. My hope in God is the same as theirs. I always do my best to have a good heart. It is free from wrong before God and before people.”
Questions: What did Paul say about his way of worship? What did Paul say about his heart?