Saturday, June 8, 2019

Keep my conscience clear before God and man

Acts 24;1-27
Paul replied:... My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me. However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you. At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.
Five days after the transfer, Paul's case comes before the Roman governor, Felix. Tertullus opens ingratiatingly for the Jewish prosecution. Paul, confident of Roman justice, gives a succinct summary of events. His only 'crime' concerns his belief in resurrection. Felix adjourns the case, giving Paul limited freedom/
He later returns with Drusilla, a Jewess daughter of Herod, his third wife and the likely source of his information about the Christian Way. Paul's talk of 'justice and self-control and future judgment is too near the bone for this pair, especially as Felix was hoping for a fat bribe from his prisoner.
Why?
Paul is strive always to keep his conscience clear before God and man. This is our altitude of Christian.
Felix could not find any crime from Paul so he said you may leave, but he hoping Paul would offer him a bribe. This is the reason Paul could not be released.
How?
To be a Christian we may suffer trouble like Jesus, but God is with us, let us keep my conscience clear before God and man.





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