what is truth? acts 24

questions, questions from Acts 24: what is the truth?

2 ‘We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight ….’ and ‘8 By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him. ‘

There is so much in the beginning of Acts 24:

• The High Priest and the some of the elders travel to Caesarea to present charges against Paul to the governor Felix

• They do not bring any of the 40 Jews who were praying and fasting to Paul’s murder

• A lawyer comes with them, Tertullus, who presents a succinct case, a literal brief, against Paul. He is undoubtedly a connected lawyer, a possible ‘politician’

• The footnote to verse 7 below reads, Footnote- Acts 24:7 Some manuscripts include here him, and we would have judged him in accordance with our law. 7 But the commander Lysias came and took him from us with much violence, 8 ordering his accusers to come before you.

This footnote reveals an apology for their presence and the mixture of their laws with the Roman law. The implication is ‘Lydian should have left him to us; our governing; our laws; our justice’

Here is the description of their appearance and their two charges before Felix.

Acts 24

‘ 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. [7] 8 By examining him yourself you will be able to learn the truth about all these charges we are bringing against him.”

9 The other Jews joined in the accusation, asserting that these things were true.

But the key, essential question is, what is truth?