Acts 24:14

“But this I confess unto thee, etc.] What was truth he was not ashamed of, but ready to own, and bear his testimony for, whatever was the consequence of it: that after the way which they call heresy; referring to the charge of his being a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, (<442405>Acts 24:5) and meaning by the way the Christian religion, or the doctrines of Christianity, which the Jews called heresy; and as early as this were the Christians, by them, called heretics: so we read f1193 of µynymh tkrb, “a prayer against the heretics”, which Samuel (the little) composed before, or in the presence of R. Gamaliel the elder, he approving of it; which R. Gamaliel was Paul’s master; and some…”

“But this I confess to thee--in which Felix would see no crime. that after the way they call heresy--literally, and better, "a sect." so worship I the God of my fathers--the ancestral God. Two arguments are contained here: (1) Our nation is divided into what they call sects--the sect of the Pharisees, and that of the Sadducees--all the difference between them and me is, that I belong to neither of these, but to another sect, or religious section of the nation, which from its Head they call Nazarenes: for this reason, and this alone, am I hated. (2) The Roman law allows every nation to worship its own deities; I claim protection under that law, worshipping the God of my ancestors, even as…”

“But this I confess ... - The next specification in the charge of Tertullus was Acts 24:5 that he was “a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.” To this, Paul replies in this and the two following verses. Of this reply we may observe: (1) That he does not stoop to notice the contempt implied in the use of the word “Nazarenes.” He was engaged in a more important business than to contend about the name which they chose to give to Christians. (2) He admits that he belonged to that sect or class of people. That he was a Christian he neither denied, nor was disposed to deny. (3) He maintains that in this way he was still worshipping the God of his fathers. Of this, the fact that he was engaged…”

“After the way which they call heresy - This appellation St. Paul corrects. Not that it was then an odious word; but it was not honourable enough. A party or sect (so that word signifies) is formed by men. This way was prescribed by God. The apostle had now said what was sufficient for his defence; but having a fair occasion, he makes an ingenuous confession of his faith in this verse, his hope in the next, Act 24:14-15, his love in Act 24:17. So worship I the God of my fathers - This was a very proper plea before a Roman magistrate; as it proved that he was under the protection of the Roman laws, since the Jews were so: whereas had he introduced the worship of new gods he would have…”

“24:14 the Way: See study note on 9:2. • Paul emphasized his common ground with his Jewish audience, including his worship, belief in the Jewish law, acceptance of the prophets, and hope in the resurrection (24:14, 15; see 24:21).”

“I confess: Psa 119:46; Mat 10:32 after: Act 9:2, Act 19:9, Act 19:23; Amo 8:14; Pe2 2:2 heresy: Act 24:5; Co1 11:19; Gal 5:20; Tit 3:10; Pe2 2:1 so: Mic 4:2 the God: Act 3:13, Act 5:30, Act 7:32, Act 22:14; Exo 3:15; Ch1 29:18; Ti2 1:3 believing: Act 3:22-24, Act 10:43, Act 26:22, Act 26:27, Act 28:23; Luk 1:70, Luk 24:27, Luk 24:44; Joh 5:39-47; Pe1 1:11; Rev 19:10 in the law: Act 13:15; Mat 7:12, Mat 22:40; Luk 16:16, Luk 16:29; Joh 1:45; Rom 3:21 Acts 24:15”