Acts 24:10-16 ¹⁰And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul answered, saying: “Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I gladly make my defense. ¹¹You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem. ¹²And they did not find me arguing with anyone or stop by making a crowd either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city, ¹³neither are they able to prove to you about the things they now bring up against me. ¹⁴But I confess this to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, thus I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, ¹⁵having a hope in God, which these people themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. ¹⁶In this, I myself do my best in all things to have a clear conscience toward both God and people.

It was Paul’s turn to make his defense. He also started his speech with his own capitatio benevolentia, like Tertullus, with a statement acknowledging the position of Governor Felix a judge. By acknowledging Felix’s position, Paul may have been implying that Felix was fair, and Paul was subtly expecting him to see through the ploy of the Jerusalem Jews and realize Paul’s innocence. Knowing this, Paul could cheerfully give his defense (apologoumai, “apology”).

Paul first showed how the accusations against him raised by Tertullus were all wrong and lies. He could not have started a riot or been an insurrectionist in Jerusalem because he had only been in the city for twelve days. Determining how to count these days is difficult. Did he arrive twelve days before his defense, which would only count his days of purification and the travel and waiting for trial, or was he in Jerusalem a total of twelve days? In either case, the time was short, and he could not have formed any type of insurrection, mob, riot, or other things in such a short time. Throughout his time in the city, he remained peaceful and attended to his own personal business, which included worship at the temple.

Second, the Jews had no evidence against him to prove their accusations. He was not the one who caused the riot but the Jews from Asia with their false accusations. They were to blame for all the problems, not him.

Third, Paul argued that he was a faithful Jew who worshipped the same God as the Jews who were accusing him. He believed in and followed the Law and the Prophets, the sacred writings of the Jews. When under threat and experiencing significant stress in his trial before the governor, he did not shy away from his faith in Jesus. Tertullus had accused Paul of being a “ringleader” of the sect of Nazarenes, but Paul changed the name from “sect” to Way, a reference to early Christians who believed they knew the one way to God—through Jesus. He was a faithful Jew but interpreted his Judaism as a believer in Jesus. Paul later had an opportunity to explain this faith in more detail in verses 24–27.

Fourth, Paul narrowed the issue down to the topic of the resurrection of the dead, which he addressed in all his defense speeches. The resurrection of Jesus was central to his preaching, teaching, and defense. The Jews, especially those of Pharisaic background, should have had no problem with accepting the idea that there would be a resurrection and judgment someday. This resurrection would include both the just and the unjust. Those on the wrong side of the truth would be judged for it. This point was a subtle warning to anyone listening to him, providing a small opportunity to consider which side they were on.

As for Paul, he had nothing to hide and spoke the truth because his conscience was clear before both God and people. Could his accusers say the same thing? Were they willing to make such an oath before God? We should not fear when we speak the truth because our consciences can be clear before God who will judge us for what we say.