Accusations

 DEVOTION

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

ACCUSATIONS

Acts 24:1-9

4:1 Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor. 2 When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: "We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. 3 Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. 4 But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly. 5 "We have found this man to be a troublemaker, stirring up riots among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the Nazarene sect 6 and even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. 8 By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him." 9 The Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true.

NIV

We are in the courtroom scene, with Governor Felix as the judge and juror, and with Ananias, the high priest, accompanied by a lawyer whom we know we cannot trust. This Tertullus was not part of the Sanhedrin when Paul stirred up the Pharisees and Sadducees. Still, as a lawyer, he represented the accusers and brought charges against Paul before Governor Felix. Looking to win favor, Tertullus uses all the words of flattery he can. Perhaps that is the way things are done, but we wonder if that brings any more truth, or just accusations that cannot be proven. We will get to Paul's defense next, but what can we learn from this fabrication by Ananias and some of the elders, who employed a lawyer to present their claims about Paul? There are two truths we should consider. First, some people might make false claims about our lives, behaviors, or what we have or have not said. Undoubtedly, the people of the world might make false claims about us Christians. We remember when Jesse Ventura, who was once the governor of Minnesota, claimed, "Organized religion is a sham and a crutch for weak-minded people who need strength in numbers." He had more to say, but the point is that he made an untrue accusation. Believers are just the opposite of what he claimed. True faith in Jesus Christ, being a follower of Jesus, a Christian, is for thinking people who search out truth. We will always have someone who will make false claims about Christians. However, some of what the world sees regarding Christianity is from those silver-tongued purveyors of deception who broadcast their falsehoods. Secondly, we should be careful what we say about other believers. There can be this horrible disease within the church, called gossip, or claims about what someone said or did without being able to prove any of the accusations. Some may have witnessed what is considered bad behavior, but it is not their place to gossip about it. Some believers may have felt hurt by someone in the church; however, it is not their place to gossip about how that person hurt their feelings; instead, they should settle the matter quietly with whoever they believe hurt them. When all of us believers are supposed to live by the principle of love that Jesus established, we would not make accusations or gossip about one another because we love them. We would never make any accusations.