Tag: contended sharply
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.