Acts 24:14-16

Confess. Gr. homologeo, “to declare,” “to profess.” Paul did not “confess” in the sense of admitting any aspect of the charge brought against him.

The way. Virtually a technical term for Christianity (see on ch. 9:2).

Heresy. Gr. hairesis, here meaning “sect” (see on ch. 5:17; cf. ch. 24:5).

So worship I. Paul acknowledges that he worships God in “the way” of the “Nazarenes” (v. 5). But there was at this time no law, Roman or Jewish, against being a Nazarene, or Christian. The Jews had not asked for a verdict on the basis that Paul was a Christian.

God of my fathers. Paul insists that he has not departed from the faith of Israel by becoming a Nazarene. He still worships the same God. He denies that he is heterodox.

Believing all things. Not only does Paul still worship the same God, but he still has full faith and confidence in the OT, the Jewish Scriptures. Paul here gives the lie to the contention that the OT is of inferior value for Christians. All who, like Paul, look to Christ for salvation do well to emulate his example of “believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets” (see on Luke 24:27).

In the law. Literally, “according to the Law” (see on Luke 24:44). As used here in combination with “the prophets,” the “Law” is a technical term for the Pentateuch, the five books of Moses. The Law and the Prophets constitute two of the three divisions of the Hebrew OT, and when used, as here, in a general way, the expression is virtually equivalent to “the OT.” The Law pointed out the true way, and the Prophets illustrated and amplified the Law. Paul believes all this. He is not a heretic. Paul implies that the OT — the supreme authority of Judaism — fully validates his belief and practice as a Christian.