Acts 24:9

Wednesday, 31 January 2024

And the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so. Acts 24:9

The previous verse completed Tertullus' words to Felix. With that, it next says, “And the Jews also assented.”

They agreed either collectively or individually, but they stood behind the substance of his words, affirming that Paul was a plague that needed to be eradicated. One can see them seated behind Tertullus nodding in agreement and maybe vocally assenting to the presentation. It is likely that they were all in agreement before they even arrived and were thus satisfied with Tertullus’ presentation. As such, they were “maintaining that these things were so.”

A new word is introduced: phaskó. It will only be seen again in Acts 25:19 and Romans 1:22. It is a prolongation of a more common word that signifies to say. Thus, it means to affirm, allege, profess, or something similar. Its use in Romans gives a sense of one of its intended meanings –

“Professing to be wise, they became fools.” Romans 1:22

One can see scientists haughtily proclaiming that the universe exploded itself into existence and man arising over billions of years out of goo and thus proclaiming, “We don’t need God. We are free from His rule over us! Look at how wise we are!” God says they are fools.

These Jews had come together, affirming that Paul was guilty and needed to be punished for his transgressions.

Life application: The Bible makes many proclamations about how the world was created by God, is governed by His power and sustaining hand, is guilty before Him for failing to acknowledge Him, and so forth.

Either what it says is reliable and true, or it is not. If the first chapters of Genesis are not literal history, then the rest of the Bible is suspect as well. Jesus cites those chapters and proclaims they are literally true, acknowledging the events really happened.

We cannot allegorize the creation account without falling into great error. If we are saved, we will not lose our salvation. But if we fail to accept God at His word, we will be judged for our lack of faith in regard to what He has proclaimed.

There are abundant videos and teachings available that give reasonable explanations that fully support the Genesis creation account. If you are unsure if the word is reliable in these chapters, test them by watching or reading what is out there. In the end, the Lord asks you to use reasoned faith in your relationship with Him. You cannot do this without checking things out.

Be wise and discerning. What can you skip in your normal routine that will allow you sufficient time to investigate such things?

Lord God, Your word is written, and it makes certain proclamations about who You are and what You have done. Help us to be willing to research and investigate these things and come to reasonable conclusions about the claims that are made there. May our faith be grounded in reality as we seek the mysteries of the world around us. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.