How Do You Respond When People Accuse You?

A Few Thoughts to Consider

Have you ever been accused by someone of doing something you didn’t do?

In Acts 24, the Apostle Paul finds himself in a legal predicament after returning to Jerusalem. Accused by Jewish leaders of causing unrest and profaning the Temple by allegedly bringing Gentiles into sacred areas, Paul is arrested by Roman authorities to prevent a riot. Aware of a plot to assassinate him, the Roman commander transfers Paul under heavy guard to Caesarea to stand trial before Felix, the Roman governor of Judea.

In Caesarea, the high priest Ananias and a lawyer named Tertullus present their case against Paul, accusing him of being a troublemaker and ringleader of the Nazarene sect, setting the stage for Paul's defense and the events that unfold in Acts 24. In verse 10, after the governor motions for him to speak, Paul says,

¹⁰ Because I know you have been a judge of this nation for many years, I am glad to offer my defense in what concerns me. ¹¹ You can verify for yourself that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem. ¹² They didn’t find me arguing with anyone or causing a disturbance among the crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or anywhere in the city. ¹³ Neither can they prove the charges they are now making against me. ¹⁴ But I admit this to you: I worship the God of my ancestors according to the Way, which they call a sect, believing everything that is in accordance with the law and written in the prophets. ¹⁵ I have a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection, both of the righteous and the unrighteous. ¹⁶ I always strive to have a clear conscience toward God and men. 

Paul chooses several important things throughout his defense. First, he is cheerful. He doesn’t get angry and lash out despite having every reason to be enraged. Instead, he speaks in a manner that is polite and courteous.