Tag: Acts 23
Violent disagreement
Scripture reading for June 5: Acts 23
“Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection , nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?”” Acts 23:6-9
Paul, himself a Pharisee, knew what it was like to hold belief in the supernatural in a religion where there were others who mocked that belief. As Paul faced accusations against his preaching of Jesus, he perceived the conflict between the factions in Jewish leadership and took advantage of that. He argued for the resurrection of the dead, a key factor in the Gospel message he was ready to share even with these who were opposed to him. This statement brought new discussions and dissension. Luke records that a great clamor arose and there was sharp conflict verbally. It even got so heated that the Roman soldiers felt they had to protect Paul from bodily harm or death.
That night in the barracks of the soldiers where Paul was being guarded, the Lord Jesus appeared to him and gave him a word of knowledge, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about Me in Jerusalem, so you must testify in Rome.” (Acts 23:11) Believers are always about the Lord Jesus’ work. Paul had been testifying about the resurrection and Jesus in Jerusalem. God was moving him to a new mission field through unusual means. Conflicts are part of the spiritual battle between Christ’s supernatural resurrection message and the sad view of ‘Sadducees’ who only view life in the natural.
Have you ever argued with someone about supernatural truths or the Gospel? What happened through the conflict or clamor that furthered God’s work? How should we as New Testament believers view doctrinal disagreements with others?
Prayer: Father God, I thank You that You are always working through each encounter and the grid of world views that are strictly natural to bring about repentance and an expanded understanding. I offer my life and belief in Jesus Christ as a daily testimony to those in my path. Use me as You see fit! Amen.
God standing near us!
Scripture reading for June 6th: Acts 23
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Acts 23:9-11 “There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Pharisees stood up and argued vigorously. “We find nothing wrong with this man,” they said. “What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks. The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so you must testify in Rome.”
Paul, the Apostle, found himself in the middle of a religious dispute that he had started by proclaiming that he was on trial because he believed in the resurrection from the dead. This belief in the supernatural brought conflict between the Pharisees and Sadducees that became violent. Troops had to rescue Paul and brought him to in their barracks. The next night, the Lord Jesus stood near Paul and encouraged him with a word of knowledge about his mission and the need for courage! God was in control and He would take Paul where He wanted the testimony of Jesus to be shared!
Observations for over-comers: God is faithful to His word and the promise to never leave or forsake His people! We can count on God standing by us, even if all others forsake us! “For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake His faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off; the righteous will inherit the land and dwell there forever.” (Psalm 37:28-29)
The Lord stood near Paul!
Scripture reading for June 5th: Acts 23
After Paul let the commander know that he was also a Roman citizen, the commander sought to find out why the Jews were so angry with Paul. He had the Jewish leadership convene the Sanhedrin, the ruling council of 70 elders. Paul was brought before them. “”Paul looked at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall!”” (Acts 23:1-3)
This group of men had already judged Paul, even before hearing him! Paul chose words similar to what Jesus used to speak to the leaders! (Matthew 23:27-28) Paul, however, apologized for his remark by citing another passage from the law, “Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.” (Exodus 22:28) Paul was confronting some of the same people that had Jesus crucified unjustly!
Paul then made a statement that set the Sanhedrin in conflict. “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. I stand on trial because of my hope in te resurrection of the dead.” (Acts 23:6) A dispute broke out in the Sanhedrin between the Sadducees and the Pharisees over this theological issue. The conflict became so violent, that the Roman commander had Paul taken from their meeting and kept in the barracks.
“The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” (Acts 23:11) Paul had another personal encounter with Jesus! Jesus told him to have courage! He would also testify in Rome as he was now having opportunity to share with those in Jerusalem! Every opportunity is directed by our Lord and He stands with His own!