The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 2 — Section 236

ffi. 1TB ENTIRE ADBTINENOE FROII ANYTHING BEARING THE BEMOTE!l'l' REBEMBLANOB '1'0 ABUl!E OF RIB AOOUBEBII. Paul denies the allegations laid to his ohargc, shows to an experienced judge that there was very little time in which the things alleged could possibly have occurred, and challenges, by a direct contradiction, the ability of his highly respectable accUBers to prove their &B88rtions and make out their charges. But through all there is not a word that sounds like "pestilent fellow," or" sedition," or "ringleader." IV. 1TB DIBEO'l' l'KRETBATING TO WHAT LAY AT THE HEART OF THE MATrER, This was a difference" in the way of worshipping God." The keen Roman judge (and Paul knew it and cor.ectly took advantage of his knowledge) was not likely to be so very anxious to lend the force of Roman law and a Roman executive to the mere bid- ding of Jewish bigotry and ecclesiasticism. V. ITS HONOURING BEFORE ONE WHO KNEW LITI'LE AND THOUGHT LESS OF IT, OON• SCIENCE TBlt FOUNDATION PRINCIPLE OF ALL RELIGION. Paul does not blow contempt upon the truths or methods of religion, even in that shape of religion least understood or honoured by Felix, revealed religion. He declares: 1. His conscience. 2. His living const7.nt care of it. 3. His acknowledgment of the necessity of training it to correct- ness and to vigour. 4. His recognition of its twofold duty, (1) toward God and (2) toward man. In all this, there can be no doubt that Paul honoured his God, his reli- gion, and his individual conscience, with no hope of any deep sympathy, on the part of Felix indeed, but also without any fear of \he high priest Ananias again de.ring to order them to " smite him on the mouth.n VL 1TB VERT EVIDEllT BtJT NONE TBE LBS8 OONBU'11QlATE BTBOKE OF l'OLIOY, IN POTh'TING TO THE FACT OF THE STRANGE ABSENCE OF SOME WITNESSES, .AND THE STRANGEB llll.ENCE OF OTHERS ALTHOUGH THEY WERE PRESENT. Paul calls attention to the fact that these two things speak for themselves. And finally challenges once more contradiction of this position, that he had not been the originator of any distur- bance whatever, much less seditious disturbance in Jerusalem, unleSB his famous inter- polation, " Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day,'' could be interpreted as such. But Paul knew this challenge could not be taken up, both becanse the Pharisees sided with him in the matter on the very occasion, and because the disturbance was one as between the rival theologies of the Jews,and not 81! between mere civilians. The correctness, cogency, calmness, of this defence made up its 111&8terly convincingness. There could be no doubt which party had the moral victory of the day, There can be no doubt of the fallen countenances of Ananias and elders and Tertullns. And there can be no doubt that, in this very defence, the accused Christian may hear to the end of the world words not altogether unlike these: "Aft.er this manner, therefore, defend ye yourselves."-B. Ver.14.-Th£ «mfusi<Jn of a roherent worship and faith. Paul ia, of course,at no loss to account for the enmity of the Jews manifested t.oward him. And it is hie intention that his judge shall overhear, if not hear, the true state of the case, He haa vindicat.ed himself and will still vindicate himself against the ostensible accusations laid Ml his charge. But now he pierces beneath all pretences and appearances, and touches firm ground. And the concisest way of conveying his view of the state of things to his judge lies in a very simple confession of his religion. To which we may consider (as auggested by Paul's language here) two things to be essential, They e.re- L WoBSBIP. And Paul is able t.o say these three things all distinctly germane to the confession. 1. That he WO'l'Bhips. 2. That he 'UJO'Tships God, 3. 'l'hat he worships tJ;e God of hufathers, ie. the very same God whom his accusers profess to worship, IL A DBl'Ilm'J: FAITJL .An intelligible faith makes an informed instead of a super- ■titious worahip. There are ways and way,, of worship. And these follow very con- sistently the faith that is held. Notice: 1. That Paul very decidedly pronounces tor hiiwMilf that hi■ faith embraces "all thin~s written in the Law and the prophets." 2. He implie■ that the faKh or bis enemies failed of this. It fell short, perhaps, partly in itll very charaeter, but probably much more serioUBly in its compaSB, The typical Jew of the days of Jesus prided himself in readmg the Law literally and fully, though with many a corTupt addition. Hi■" way" of interpreting the prophets waa of a far more ecloctic c~t,er. ffe coul~'t soe, bec~qse be wtnMn't ~l~ve, the bulllble IUld Cll, XXIV, 1-27,] THE AU'l'S OF THE APOSTLES.