Acts 23

Paul is brought before the council - the Sanhedrin - they were trying to figure out why the Jews had accused him and of what. Paul states, "Brethren, I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day." v.1 Can you say that? I can't. Quite a statement. The High-Priest, Ananais was a brutal leader, and corrupt. After Paul spoke he commanded those standing beside him to strike him on the mouth. John MacArthur, "An illegal act in keeping with Ananias' brutal character. The verb translated 'strike' is used of the mob's beating of Paul and the Roman soldier's beating of Jesus. It was no slap in the face, but a vicious blow." Paul calls Ananias a "whitewashed wall". I love that...I'll have to remember that. He was meaning that Ananias was in violation of the law himself, for having him arrested for nothing. But you were not allowed to talk back to a High-Priest, so Paul ends up apologizing to the man that just had him struck, "You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people."v.5

The Bible really shows how Barbaric the times of Christ and the early church was. I can't get over the physical damage and torture that was constantly poured onto the apostles. Just reading about scourging, stoning, being stretched out to be whipped with metal throngs on the end of a tether, etc. really brings home the fact that these Disciples of Christ truly believed their message and trusted completely in the One that sent them. What would I have done? Do you remember that little girl at Columbine that would not recant her belief in Christ and the shooter killed her? I wonder if I could even stand in that way. I guess you don't know until the time presents itself. The idea of physical pain is tough for me...I can't even go to the dentist without complete and total dread. LOL But it doesn't have to be physical...it could mean standing up and representing Christ when asked or any verbal opportunity that presents itself to share the Gospel. I am doing this more and more at work. It's funny, since I've started this blog, the chance to talk with co-workers and customers about what I am learning has brought opportunity and I am taking those windows to share.

Moving on. The Sanhedrin - the council - was made up of Pharisees and Sadducees, two different theological groups of Jews. Paul had been a Pharisee. So here, for help, he appeals to the Pharisees for support. Sort of a 'divide and conquer' tactic. John MacArthur, "The Sadducees accepted only the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament, or the Book of the Law) as divinely inspired Scripture. Since they claimed that the Pentateuch did not teach that there would be a resurrection, they rejected it. The Pharisees, however, believed in the resurrection and afterlife. Their beliefs were thus closer to Christianity than those of the Sadducees. Significantly, the Scripture records the conversion of Pharisees but not of Sadducees." So sure enough, the Pharisees defend Paul and say, "We find nothing wrong with this man..." v.9 An uproar starts again and the commander rescues Paul and throws him in the barracks to save his life. Protective custody, if you will.

The next night, the Lord stood at Paul's side - wow! - and said, "Take courage, for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also." v.11 A comfort? It was, because Paul's desire had been to go to Rome.

This chapter in itself could be a movie! So, the Jews plot to kill Paul. Paul's nephew hears of the plot and reports it to the commander. The commander knows he needs to get Paul out of Jerusalem to save his life. He has him moved by horseback in the night, with a letter explaining to Governor Felix, to Caesarea. Gov. Felix hides him in his official residence. Gov. Felix says, I will hear your case."