In Acts 24, Paul is on trial before the Roman governor, Felix, facing off against his accusers, the high priest Ananias, some elders, and a hired spokesman, Tertullus. It's a battle of oratory skills as each side presents their case before Felix.

Even though Paul is defending himself in a formal trial setting, as Christians living in the 21st century, it can sometimes feel like we are on trial. This could be figuratively, in the sense that our lives, our worldview, look a lot different from culture or more literally, in the sense that when we engage with people who don't know Christ, it can feel like we are on trial. Sometimes these encounters are inquisitive in nature, while other times they are accusatorial. Part of what it means to be a Christian is to be a light to the world, illuminating the gospel through our words and actions. In light of our missional mandate, we are on trial each and every day of our lives. This means we need to be prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks us for a reason for the hope that is in us.