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

Paul, under accusation, defends himself by openly stating his Christian faith. He acknowledges that his followers are called "The Way," a designation others refer to negatively as a "sect." However, he emphatically asserts that in this "Way," he serves the same God worshipped by the patriarchs of Israel. Crucially, he also affirms his belief in the entirety of the Hebrew Scriptures—the Law (Torah) and the Prophets—thereby establishing his faith not as an abandonment of ancestral Judaism, but as its true and intended expression, founded on the revelations already given by God.

Acts 24 14 Context

Acts chapter 24 details Paul's trial before Governor Felix in Caesarea, following his arrest in Jerusalem. The high priest Ananias and a Jewish elder, Tertullus, present their charges against Paul. They accuse him of being a "plague," a mover of insurrections among all the Jews throughout the Roman world, a ringleader of the "sect of the Nazarenes," and attempting to desecrate the Temple. Paul's defense, beginning in verse 10, methodically refutes these accusations. Verse 14 is a core part of his defense, where he explicitly identifies his faith while clarifying its true nature. Historically and culturally, the Roman authorities distinguished between legally recognized religions (religio licita) like Judaism, and new, often viewed with suspicion, or unlawful ones (religio illicita). By connecting his faith to the "God of our fathers" and the "Law and the Prophets," Paul aimed to demonstrate that Christianity was not a new, disruptive, or foreign cult but rather the legitimate, Messianic fulfillment of Israel's ancient, permissible faith.

Acts 24 14 Word analysis

• But this I confess to you: (Ὁμολογῶ δὲ τοῦτό σοι, Homologō de toutó soi). "Homologō" signifies an open declaration, an unashamed acknowledgement. Paul isn't denying his beliefs but boldly stating them, counteracting the accusations.
• that according to the Way: (ὅτι κατὰ τὴν ὁδὸν, hoti katà tēn hodón). "Hodós" means road, path, or way. It was a primary self-designation for the early Christian movement, signifying a distinct course of life and belief centered on Christ, embodying discipleship and following.
• which they call a sect: (ἣν λέγουσιν αἵρεσιν, hēn légousin haíresin). "Hairesis" denotes a "choice," "school of thought," or "party." In Jewish usage, it referred to distinct groups like the Pharisees or Sadducees, not inherently negative. However, Paul's accusers used it to imply an illegitimate, schismatic, and potentially dangerous breakaway group.
• so I serve: (οὕτως λατρεύω, hoútōs latreúō). "Latreúō" means to render religious service, worship, or devotion, often associated with temple worship. Paul's use asserts that his worship is a legitimate, devout service to God, not an arbitrary deviation.
• the God of our fathers: (τῷ πατρῴῳ Θεῷ, tō patrōō Theō). "Patrōos" means ancestral, or belonging to one's fathers. This is a crucial theological link, grounding Christian faith in the worship of Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It refutes any charge of polytheism or worshipping a new deity.
• believing all things which are written: (πιστεύων πᾶσι τοῖς γεγραμμένοις, pisteúōn pâsi toîs gegramménois). Paul affirms complete and unreserved trust in the divine authority of the Jewish scriptures. "Pâsi" emphasizes universality, no part is rejected.
• in the Law and in the Prophets: (ἐν τῷ νόμῳ καὶ ἐν τοῖς προφήταις, en tō nómō kaì en toîs prophḗtais). This is the traditional Jewish comprehensive term for the entire Old Testament. The "Law" refers to the Torah (Pentateuch), and the "Prophets" refers to the Nevi'im (the prophetic and historical books).

Words-group analysis

• "But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect": Paul contrasts the formal charge of leading an illegal "sect" with the actual, spiritual identity of "The Way." He embraces "The Way" as an authentic self-designation while implicitly correcting the pejorative "sect" label imposed by his accusers. It highlights the early Christians' distinct, divinely appointed course.
• "so I serve the God of our fathers": This phrase meticulously anchors Christian worship within the historical continuum of Israel's faith. Paul clarifies that "The Way" serves not a new or foreign god, but the very God who revealed Himself to the patriarchs, reinforcing loyalty to the monotheistic heritage of Judaism.
• "believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets": This statement firmly grounds the Christian faith in the Old Testament Scriptures. It emphasizes that Christianity is not an innovative rejection of earlier revelation but its fulfillment, testifying to the continuity of God's redemptive plan foretold in these sacred texts. Paul insists that Christ is the hermeneutical key to these scriptures.

Acts 24 14 Bonus section

• Paul’s defense strategy in Acts is consistently rooted in demonstrating that the gospel he preaches aligns perfectly with the promises of God to Israel, foretold in the Old Testament Scriptures (e.g., Acts 23:6, 26:6-7, 26:22-23). This rhetorical approach sought to prove legitimacy before both Jewish and Roman authorities.
• The term "The Way" encapsulates the ethical, doctrinal, and communal aspects of early Christian life. It refers not merely to a belief system, but to a holistic pattern of living that followers of Jesus adopted, involving distinct moral conduct, worship, and community practices.
• The use of "God of our fathers" was a powerful theological and cultural marker for Jewish people. It evoked national identity, historical covenant, and a deep reverence for ancestral worship practices, giving Paul's statement profound weight in a Jewish court.
• The enduring significance of "Law and Prophets" for Christians underscores that the Old Testament is not merely background, but essential revelation for understanding Christ and the complete biblical narrative of salvation. It provides the foundation upon which New Testament revelation builds and fulfills.

Acts 24 14 Commentary

Acts 24:14 is Paul's poignant and potent theological defense. He deftly turns the accusation of being a sectarian rebel into an affirmation of authentic devotion. By proclaiming his service to the "God of our fathers," Paul situates the emerging Christian faith squarely within the ancestral monotheistic tradition of Israel, making a clear case against accusations of paganism or religious novelty. His commitment to "all things written in the Law and the Prophets" underlines the Christian assertion that Jesus Christ and the Gospel are the ultimate culmination, not contradiction, of Old Testament prophecy and covenant. Paul, in essence, declares that to truly understand and live out the faith of Abraham, Moses, and the prophets, one must embrace "The Way"—the path inaugurated by Christ—as its divinely appointed and truthful extension. It’s a declaration that Christianity is the true Judaism, not a departure from it. This provides a theological framework for understanding Christian roots and continuity in God's eternal plan.