Acts 24 14

Acts 24:14 kjv

But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

Acts 24:14 nkjv

But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets.

Acts 24:14 niv

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,

Acts 24:14 esv

But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets,

Acts 24:14 nlt

"But I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult. I worship the God of our ancestors, and I firmly believe the Jewish law and everything written in the prophets.

Acts 24 verses

Acts 24 14 Meaning

This verse states that Paul, standing before Felix the governor, acknowledges his religious devotion. Paul asserts that his faith and practice align with the established Jewish Law and the writings of the Prophets. He is not renouncing or acting contrary to their core beliefs but is instead adhering to them.

Acts 24 14 Context

Paul is on trial in Caesarea before the Roman governor Felix. The Jewish leaders from Jerusalem have brought specific charges against him, accusing him of being a ringleader of the Nazarene sect and attempting to desecrate the temple. Paul is given the opportunity to present his defense. In Acts 24:14, Paul begins his defense by affirming his foundational belief in the God of Israel and the authenticity of the Jewish scriptures. This is a strategic move to establish common ground with his accusers and the Roman authorities who are present. He is essentially saying, "I am not a foreign disruptor; my beliefs are rooted in what you yourselves hold sacred."

Acts 24 14 Word analysis

• But (δὲ - de): A conjunction introducing a contrasting or connecting idea. Here it marks a transition in Paul's defense.

• this I do confess (τοῦτό μοι ὁμολογῶ - touto moi homologō):

  • τοῦτό (touto): This thing, referring to his faith.
  • μοι (moi): To me, personally.
  • ὁμολογῶ (homologō): I confess, admit, agree. It's a strong declaration of acknowledging truth. Paul readily admits his devotion.

• unto God (τῷ θεῷ - tō theō): To God, the one true God of Israel.

• after the way (κατὰ τὴν ὁδόν - kata tēn hodon): According to the way or manner. "The way" was a common early designation for the Christian faith.

• which they call (ἣν λέγουσιν - hēn legousin): Which they (his accusers) name or describe.

• heresy (αἵρεσιν - hairesin): A sect, school of thought, or party; in this context, it implies a division or heresy from mainstream Judaism, as his accusers would view it.

• so worship I (οὕτως λατρεύω - houtōs latreuō): In this manner, I serve or worship.

• the God of fathers (τοῦ πατρῴου θεοῦ - tou patrōiou theou): The ancestral God, the God of his forefathers (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob). This highlights his heritage.

• of my fathers (τῶν πατέρων - tōn paterōn): Of my fathers.

• Believing all things (πιστεύων πάντα - pisteuōn panta): Believing all things.

• which are written (τὰ γεγραμμένα - ta gegrammena): Those things which have been written.

• in the law (ἐν τῷ νόμῳ - en tō nomō): In the Law (Torah) of Moses.

• and in the prophets (καὶ ἐν τοῖς προφήταις - kai en tois prophētais): And in the writings of the Prophets. This collectively refers to the Old Testament scriptures.

• Phrase analysis: "after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers" - Paul is turning the accusation of "heresy" around. He is not saying it is heresy, but that this is how they describe it. He asserts his worship of the God of his fathers is in that way, implying their labeling of it as heresy does not make it so in reality, especially as it pertains to the ancestral faith.

• Words-group analysis: "Believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets" - This is a crucial statement affirming that his belief system is not alien or contradictory to the foundational Jewish scriptures. He believes them in their entirety, indicating his adherence to their core message.

Acts 24 14 Bonus section

Paul consistently presented his faith as being in full accord with Judaism. His conversion did not alienate him from his Jewish roots or heritage but deepened his understanding of God's unfolding plan. He appealed to the Old Testament as the basis for his witness about Jesus on multiple occasions, as seen in his sermons recorded in Acts. This was essential for building credibility with Jewish audiences and demonstrating that Christianity was not an entirely new or foreign religion, but the very expression of God’s ancient promises. His method was to show how Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets, not abolished them.

Acts 24 14 Commentary

Paul’s defense is rooted in continuity, not disruption, with Judaism. He frames his belief in Jesus as the natural, faithful continuation of what the Law and the Prophets already taught and predicted. By mentioning the "God of my fathers" and belief in "the law and the prophets," he appeals to the common heritage and authoritative scriptures shared with his accusers. He acknowledges their label ("heresy") but does not accept its validity, instead aligning his Christian faith with the true worship of Israel's God as revealed in their sacred texts. This establishes that Christianity, in Paul's view, is not an abandonment of God's covenants but their ultimate fulfillment.