Unstoppable! 'This Is the Truth!' — Acts 24:14-16

Friday, November 14, 2025

[In responding to the accusations made against him, Paul denied they were true, and then went on to say:] "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. I have the same hope in God that these men have, that he will raise both the righteous and the unrighteous. Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people."

— Acts 24:14-16 NLT

Key Thought

Paul was willing to admit that he was part of the Christian movement that followed "the Way." He acknowledged that it was connected to the faith of sincere and law-abiding Israelites. The faith Paul embraced was consistent with the Jewish prophets, and his hope was anchored in Jesus' resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). In Paul's defense, the connection to the Israelite faith was essential for legal reasons. However, we need to recognize that connection as part of our spiritual heritage as well.* On the one hand, Paul was willing to be blamed for or accused of following Jesus of Nazareth as the Jewish Messiah. On the other hand, he wasn't going to let false allegations go unchallenged - see yesterday's Unstoppable. Paul was not afraid of suffering or martyrdom for his faith, ministry, and mission in Christ Jesus.** He was, however, not going to suffer unnecessarily, so he disputed untrue accusations against him. He used every legal right he had to protect himself and his ministry - as we see in the unfolding story of the rest of Acts. His example in the ordeal he faced during the last eight chapters of Acts helps us discern how we should approach unfairness, false accusations, and threats made against us and our faith.

* See the first set of Related Scripture Readings.
** See the second set of Related Scripture Readings.

Today's Prayer

O Father, I need your help as I seek to live for Jesus in a world that seems to be growing more hostile to the Christian faith. I want to passionately pursue your standards of morality, righteousness, and character. I want to value each person as someone made in your image and for whom you have a purpose in life. So, dear Father, please help me know how to navigate criticism, slander, and persecution with a grace that opens people to the message of Jesus. At the same time, Father, I want to use all the legal power available to me to protect the ministry and mission you have for me. Give me the wisdom, dear God, to keep these principles in balance and use me to bless others on their way to know Jesus as Lord. I pray this in his name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

7 Related Resources by Heartlight

Clear Conscience
Article by Jeff Lee
How well do you feel about where you are right now? God calls us to have a clear conscience.
The Way of Jesus #1: Truly See the Coming King
Article by James Nored & Phil Ware
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, James Nored and Phil Ware share the significance of Jesus' Triumphal Entry as they begin a special Holy Week series.
The Way of Jesus #7: Which Way Will I Run?
Article by James Nored & Phil Ware
Will I run in faith to follow the Jesus of the empty tomb even if it means I have to follow him to a cross of my own? James Nored and Phil Ware share in video, words, and images some of the many reasons Christians have to believe that Jesus was raised from the dead and is Lord, Christ, Jesus, and Son of God, and how his love defined the way of Jesus through the cross to
The Way of Jesus #2: Unsettling the Religious Status Quo
Article by James Nored & Phil Ware
We must always remember that God's love for broken people and our call to his mission must matter most. James Nored and Phil Ware remind us of the deadly consequences of a religion that forgets the love of God for broken people and the mission Jesus has for us to the lost world and helped define the way of Jesus through the cross to the empty tomb.
See All 7 Related Resources about Acts 24:14-16

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 24:14-16 NLT — [In responding to the accusations made against him, Paul denied they were true, and then went on to say:] "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. I have the same hope in God that these men have, that he will raise both the righteous and the unrighteous. Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, November 14, 2025

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Move Beyond the God Talk'
"Dear Partner in the Kingdom, People can speak in "God talk" and live in anti-God ways. Unfortunately, Christmas is a time when a lot of that happens...."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Matthew 11:28
"The cry of the Christian religion is the gentle word, "Come." The Jewish law harshly said, "Go, take heed unto thy steps as to the path in which thou...."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'The Gamble' (Mt. 27:35-37)
"After they had nailed [Jesus] to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. Then they sat around and kept guard as he hung..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Discerning, not Deceived' (Co. 2:4-7)
"Dear Father, my rock, Help me to think clearly with discernment. Keep me from being taken in by the beguiling speech of deceivers. Give me great joy...."

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More Unstoppable!