Acts 23 - BibleStudy.ph

These are the original teaching notes from this passage.

Citizenship in heaven…
- The Testimony…
  - Paul turned to the COMMANDER – asked [in Greek] if he could speak [in Hebrew] to the crowd…
  - He gave his DEFENSE [ἀπολογία] to them – by giving his TESTIMONY…
  - Saul was a Jew – taught by Gamaliel – zealous for God…
  - He PERSECUTED Christians – putting them in PRISON – or to DEATH…
  - But then Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus – why are you PERSECUTING Me?
  - He CHOSE Paul – to see Him and hear Him – to he could tell everyone about the Lord…
  - About the GRACE of God that was so great it could save a SINNER like Paul – I Timothy 1:16
- The Gentiles…
  - After THREE years Paul returned to Jerusalem – Galatians 1:18
  - The Lord told him to QUICKLY get out of Jerusalem…
  - Because [διότι] the people would NOT listen to his TESTIMONY [μαρτυρία]
  - God instead would instead send Paul to the GENTILES…
  - The moment the crowd heard GENTILES – they SHOUTED kill him for he was not fit to live!
- Citizenship…
  - The COMMANDER ordered Paul to be brought into the Antonia Fortress…
  - He was to be TORTURED – to find out [ἐπιγινώσκω] what got the crowd angry…
  - Paul turned to the CENTURION next to him and calmly asked if it was lawful to torture him…
  - The COMMANDER came and demanded [imperative] to know if Paul was ROMAN…
  - He had BOUGHT his citizenship at a high price – but Paul had been born FREE…
  - The next day the COMMANDER had Paul brought before the SANHEDRIN!
1^st – The Sanhedrin… vs. 1-11
- 1^st – Good conscience… vs. 1-5
  - The Council… vs. 1
  - Then Paul looking earnestly at the council said:
  - Men and brethren I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day!
  - As Paul looked intently [ἀτενίζω] at the 71 leaders of Israel [συνέδριον] – Numbers 11:16
  - He opened up his DEFENSE to them by saying – he had lived as GOOD citizen [πολιτεύομαι]
  - Always [πᾶς] with GOOD [ἀγαθός] conscience before God up to this very day…
  - His argument was that he had NOT broken any ROMAN laws [citizen]
  - And he had also NOT broken any BIBLICAL laws [conscience before God]
  - Paul was NOT afraid of the standing before Council – because he had done NOTHING wrong!
  - I Peter 3:15-16 – “If someone asks about your hope always be ready to explain it… keep your conscience clear. Then [when] people speak evil against you they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.” [NLT]
  - If our lives do NOT match our WORDS – they lose their impact…
  - We need to be careful to avoid the sins that would compromise our WITNESS…
  - Sins that would DEFILE our conscience – ruin our TESTIMONY for Jesus!
  - Whitewashed… vs. 2-3
  - And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.
  - Then Paul said to him: God will strike you – you whitewashed wall!
  - You sit to judge me according to the law – you command me to be struck contrary to the law?
  - The HIGH Priest Ananias – his name means the GRACE [חָנַן] of God [יָהּ]
  - Ananias ordered Paul to be STUCK on the mouth [rebuke of his defense]
  - Paul retorted God would STRIKE him – a whitewashed wall [2x NT]
  - The same description Jesus had given to the Pharisees and Sadducees – Matthew 23:27
  - They looking CLEAN on the outside – but were ROTTEN on the inside…
  - ROTTEN because he was JUDGING Paul from the Law – but BROKE the law by striking him…
  - Paul had NOT been officially accused of ANY crime – Deuteronomy 25:2
  - The problem with RELIGION – is that it makes people HYPOCRITES…
  - The same MEN who tells to follow RULES – also break their own RULES!
  - Colossians 2:23 – “Rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion – pious self-denial and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering evil desires.” [NLT]
  - RULES may change the OUTSIDE – but they are superficial…
  - RULES do NOT have the POWER to change our HEARTS…
  - The solution to being a HYPOCRITE – is to admit we are NOT good…
  - That sets us free to come to the ONLY one who can change our heart – Romans 7:24
  - High Priest… vs. 4-5
  - And those who stood by said: Do you revile Gods high priest?
  - Then Paul said: I did not know – brethren – that he was the high priest.
  - For it is written: You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people!
  - Other men from the Sanhedrin rebuked Paul for speaking against the High Priest of God…
  - Paul apologized [imperfect] – it is written NOT to speak evil about a ruler – Exodus 22:28
  - Not that Ananias deserved respect – he was a harsh and corrupt man [Josephus]
  - He used force to take tithes to make himself rich – part of a violent and oppressive leadership!
  - The High Priest was supposed to be HEREDITARY [passed from father to son] – Exodus 29:9
  - The reason Paul did NOT recognize Ananias as High Priest – it had become POLITICAL…
  - High Priest were appointed by ROME – not anointed by GOD!
  - I Peter 2:13– “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man – for the Lords sake.”
  - All authority comes from God – so NO leaders are there by accident…
  - Therefore we should obey and respect those in AUTHORITY [even if they are corrupt]
  - Not because they DESERVE it – but as a GOOD witness to others!
  - I Peter 2:15 – “By doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men!”
- 2^nd – Causing Division – vs. 6-10
  - Anger…
  - Paul realized that through his outburst he lost any chance of a fair trial…
  - Rather than turn the other cheek – Paul had reacted in anger – Luke 6:29
  - And even though he had apologized – he still offended the High Priest!
  - Just because something is in our HEADS – does NOT mean it needs to come out our MOUTH…
  - In the MOMENT we often are full of EMOTION – and need to COOL down before we speak…
  - Because if we let HURTFUL words come out – they WILL do DAMAGE!
  - Proverbs 15:1 – “A soft answer turns away wrath – a harsh word stirs up anger.”
  - The Resurrection… vs. 6-8
  - But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees.
  - He cried out in the council: Men and brethren – I am a Pharisee – the son of a Pharisee.
  - Concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged.
  - And when he had said this a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees.
  - And the assembly was divided. For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection.
  - And no angel or spirit – but the Pharisees confess both!
  - But since Paul KNEW [γινώσκω] the SANHEDRIN was broken up into TWO groups…
  - Some of them were SADDUCEES – the others [ἕτερος] were PHARISEES…
  - He SHOUTED to the Council that he was [present] a PHARISEES [son of a Pharisee]
  - And because [περί] of his HOPE in the RESURRECTION he was being JUDGED [κρίνω]
  - IMMEDIATELY it caused a DIVISION [σχίζω] in the Council…
  - Because the SADDUCEES did NOT believe in the resurrection or angels [spirts]
  - But the PHARISEES believed in them BOTH – Matthew 22:23
  - One might question who Paul was trusting to get him out of trouble [himself or God]
  - But as we follow and serve the Lord – God does NOT tell us to turn our brains off [γινώσκω]
  - It is true that God works all things out – but He had given us a mind as well…
  - There is a BALANCE between having FAITH in God – but also using COMMON sense…
  - We are called to be WISE [make good choices] – but ultimately TRUST in the Lord!
  - Proverbs 16:9 – “A mans heart plans his way – but the LORD directs his steps.”
  - No evil… vs. 9-10
  - Then there arose a loud outcry. The scribes of the Pharisees party arose and protested saying:
  - We find no evil in this man. If a spirit or an angel has spoken to him let us not fight against God.
  - When there arose a great dissension the commander fearing Paul might be pulled to pieces.
  - Commanded the soldiers to go – take him by force from among them – bring him to the barracks.
  - The men who did NOT believe in the RESURRECTION [ἀνάστασιν]
  - ROSE up [ἀναστάντες] – play on words – and let out a great CRY [μέγας]
  - Then some SCRIBES [most conservative Pharisees] stood up to FIGHT for Paul…
  - SINCE [indicative] and Angel or Spirit had spoken to him – let us [subjuntive] NOT fight God…
  - The COMMANDER feared Paul would be TORN to pieces [2x NT] – Mark 5:4
  - And he told his soldiers to RAPTURE [ἁρπάζω] Paul – and take him to the FORTRESS!
  - The amount of EMOTION that Paul stirred up in the Council [συνέδριον]
  - Reflected the greater state of Jerusalem at this point in history…
  - HISTORICAL differences between the LIBERAL Sadducees and CONSERVATIVE Pharisees…
  - Compounded by the recent conversion of THOUSANDS of Jews to Christianity…
  - Had brought Israel a boiling point – and Paul was at the very center!
- 3^rd – To Rome… vs. 11
  - Good cheer…
  - The following night the Lord stood by him and said: Be of good cheer Paul!
  - The next NIGHT – the Lord [κύριος] stood with Paul…
  - And commanded [imperative] him to have COURAGE [θαρσέω]!
  - When the disciples were crossing the STORY sea – and Jesus came walking on the water…
  - He gave the SAME command – be of good cheer [θαρσέω] – Matthew 14:27
  - When we are the STORMS of life – when everything seems to be going WRONG [prison]
  - It is easy to FORGET that God is beside us – we can SMILE…
  - That does NOT mean He will change our CIRCUMSTANCES [still in prison]
  - But with God on our side – we have the COURAGE to go on – Romans 8:31
  - Testify…
  - As you have testified for Me in Jerusalem – so you must also bear witness at Rome!
  - The WORK [διαμαρτύρομαι] Paul had for Paul in Jerusalem was done…
  - It was time for him to move on – and be a WITNESS [μαρτυρέω] in ROME…
  - God was CLOSING one door – so He could lead Paul through another!
  - We can get focused on our CIRCUMSTANCES – and miss the bigger picture…
  - God allows things to happen in our lives – to DIRECT us to where He wants us to be!
2^nd – Plot against Paul… vs. 12-22
- 1^st – Forty men… vs. 12-15
  - The Curse… vs. 12-15
  - When it was day some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath.
  - Saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.
  - Now there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy!
  - The NEXT day a group of more than FORTY Jews bound themselves to a CURSE [ἀναθεματίζω]
  - They would NOT eat or drink until they had KILLED Paul!
  - The rule of THREE: an average person can last THREE minutes without air…
  - THREE days without water – and about THREE weeks without food…
  - This meant these FORTY plus Jews did NOT have much time to KILL Paul!
  - The Test… vs. 14-15
  - They came to the chief priests and elders and said:
  - We have bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul.
  - You therefore together with the council – suggest to the commander he be brought tomorrow.
  - As though you were going to make further inquiries concerning him.
  - But we are ready to kill him before he comes near!
  - They came to the Chief Priests and Elders telling them about their CURSE…
  - The COUNCIL needed to [imperative] ask for the COMMANDER to bring Paul back tomorrow…
  - Pretending they were going to ASK for more information [διαγινώσκω]
  - But the FORTY Jews would be READY to KILL him!
  - In the Bible FORTY is the number of trials or testing [Noah – Israel – Jesus]
  - Right after Paul had been given a PROMISE from God – he was TESTED!
  - I Peter 4:12 – “Do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you!”
  - We want God to use us – but at FIRST we need to be PREPARED…
  - God must FORGE us through fiery trials – into something useful…
  - God allows us to go through TRIALS – He puts us in the FIRE…
  - So we can be reshaped into the perfect TOOL – fit for the MASTERS use!
- 2^nd – Divine protection… vs. 16-22
  - The nephew… vs. 16
  - When Pauls sisters son heard of their ambush he went and entered the barracks and told Paul!
  - The NEPHEW of Paul happened to HEAR [participle] about the ambush…
  - So he went into the Antonia Fortress and told [indicative] Paul…
  - What are the CHANCES the nephew just HAPPENED to hear the plot…
  - Paul had NOTHING to do with his nephew being there – it was all God…
  - There are NO coincidences in life – God is in control of EVERYTHING!
  - Just because we do NOT see how God is working – does NOT mean He is not there…
  - God never sleeps – never rests – and is always working…
  - Often the only thing we have to do – is be still and be amazed by what God does!
  - Psalm 46:10 – “Be still and know that I am God.”
  - The witness… vs. 17-19
  - Then Paul called one of the centurions to him and said:
  - Take this young man to the commander for he has something to tell him.
  - So he took him and brought him to the commander and said:
  - Paul the prisoner called me to him and asked me to bring this young man to you.
  - He has something to say to you. Then the commander took him by the hand.
  - Went aside and asked privately: What is it that you have to tell me?
  - Paul called for one of the CENTURIONS – and said [imperfect] to him…
  - Take [imperative] this young man to the COMMANDER [χιλίαρχος] he had a message for him…
  - The COMMANDER took the young man by the hand [gently]
  - Took him aside to a PRIVATE place and asked [imperfect] about his message!
  - The COMMANDER was in a difficult position – Paul was a Roman citizen…
  - Who had been at the heart of a RIOT [Jews in the Temple tried to kill Paul] – Acts 21:31
  - And had divided COUNCIL – they almost tore him to pieces…
  - Any information about Paul was going to get his attention at this point!
  - The warning… vs. 20-22
  - He said: The Jews have agreed to ask that you bring Paul down to the council tomorrow.
  - As though they were going to inquire more fully about him.
  - But do not yield to them for more than forty of them lie in wait for him.
  - Men who bound themselves by an oath they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him.
  - And now they are ready – waiting for the promise from you.
  - So the commander let the young man depart and commanded him:
  - Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me!
  - The NEPHEW relayed the PLOT he had overheard to the COMMANDER…
  - He pleaded with him to NOT [subjuntive] send Paul at the request of the Council…
  - The FORTY men were just waiting for his announcement so they could kill Paul…
  - The COMMANDER let the boy go – and commanded him to tell know one what he had said!
  - We often think God only uses EXTRAORDINARY means to direct us…
  - But God can use ANYTHING – He often uses very ORDINARY means…
  - He works through our FAMILY [nephew] – through the GOVERNMENT [commander]
  - Our part is to recognize when the hand of God moving!
3^rd – Roman guard… vs. 23-35
- 1^st – Small army… vs. 23-24
  - He called for two centurions saying: Prepare two hundred soldiers.
  - Seventy horsemen – and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at the third hour of the night.
  - And provide mounts to set Paul on and bring him safely to Felix the governor!
  - The COMMANDER called for TWO centurions – and told them to PREPARE [imperative]
  - TWO hundred soldiers – SEVENTY calvary [only here] – TWO hundred Spearmen [only here]
  - They were to leave for Caesarea at NINE at night [3^rd hour] – under the cover of darkness…
  - Caesarea was a ROMAN city – capitol of Judea – the Jews did not have much influence…
  - And SAFELY [διασῴζω] deliver Paul there to the Roman Governor Felix!
  - When the President of the US travels in PUBLIC – he has a security detail [Secret service]
  - It is estimated that the total number of people protecting him is around THREE hundred…
  - Paul was getting an ESCORT worthy of a PRESIDENT [470 soldiers] – a ROYAL protection detail!
  - When [not if] people ATTACK us – we have a CHOICE…
  - We can DEFEND ourselves – or we can trust God will be our DEFENSE…
  - If we want God to do the work – we need to WAIT for His TIMING…
  - Knowing He does a FAR better job of PROTECTING us that we could ever do on our own!
  - Psalm 94:22– “My soul silently waits for God. From Him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation. He is my defense. I shall not be greatly moved!”
- 2^nd – The Letter… vs. 25-30
  - Claudius Lysias… vs. 26
  - He wrote a letter in the following manner:
  - Claudius Lysias: To the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings!
  - The COMMANDER wrote this letter to go along with Paul…
  - In the LETTER [ἐπιστολή] he gives his NAME: Claudius Lysias!
  - We do NOT have any record of this man outside of the book of Acts…
  - But his name Lysias [Greek] – is likely his given name…
  - And Claudius [Latin] – was likely given to him when he became a Roman Citizen!
  - Rescued… vs. 27-29
  - This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them.
  - Coming with the troops I rescued him – having learned that he was a Roman.
  - And when I wanted to know the reason they accused him I brought him before their council.
  - I found out that he was accused concerning questions of their law.
  - But had nothing charged against him deserving of death or chains!
  - In his letter – Lysias explained to Felix what happened to Paul…
  - He was about to be KILLED by the Jews when Lysias RESCUED [ἐξαιρέω] him…
  - His MOTIVE for RESCUING Paul was that he LEARNED he was a ROMAN…
  - Lysias actually did NOT find that out until AFTER he had ARRESTED him [illegally]
  - But when he sought to find out the ACCUSATION [imperfect] against Paul…
  - He learned from the COUNCIL [συνέδριον] – it was about their LAW [τοῦ νόμου αὐτῶν]
  - And the charges were NOT worthy of DEATH or CHAINS!
  - Charges… vs. 30
  - When it was told me that the Jews lay in wait for the man – I sent him immediately to you.
  - Also commanded his accusers to state before you the charges against him. Farewell!
  - When Lysias heard about the PLOT by the Jews to KILL Paul…
  - He immediately [that night] send Paul to Felix in Caesarea…
  - He also sent word to his accusers – to come to Caesarea to bring their charges against Paul…
  - Lysias was leaving it up to Felix to DECIDE what would happen to Paul!
  - This would mark the FIRST of THREE trials Paul would endure…
  - But it would NOT be Felix who would DECIDE – it would be God who directed…
  - Because it was the PLAN of God for Paul to go to ROME – Acts 23:11
- 3^rd – Caesarea… vs. 31-35
  - At night… vs. 31-32
  - Then the soldiers as they were commanded – took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.
  - The next day they left the horsemen to go on with him – and returned to the barracks!
  - The 470 soldiers did as they were told – and took Paul by night…
  - The brought him to ANTIPATRIS – about half way between Jerusalem and Caesarea…
  - A journey of about 65 kilometers that would have taken most of the night…
  - The next day the 400 troops returned to Jerusalem – while the Calvary continued with Paul!
  - The palace… vs. 33-35
  - When they came to Caesarea and had delivered the letter to the governor.
  - They presented Paul to him. When the governor had read it he asked what province he was from.
  - When he understood that he was from Cilicia he said:
  - I will hear you when your accusers have come. He commanded him kept in Herod’s Praetorium!
  - When they arrived in Caesarea – the Calvary turned Paul over to the Governor…
  - Who asked where Paul was from – did he have LEGAL authority to oversee his case…
  - Cilicia was in the province of Syria – which Felix also had authority over…
  - But he would WAIT until the Jews came and could present their CASE…
  - In the meantime Paul would be kept in Herods Praetorium…
  - A beautiful PALACE built on the Mediterranean Sea by Herod the Great…
  - It was the residence of the Governor – but also used for high profile prisoners…
  - Paul was NOT in a dungeon – he was staying in a coastal PALACE!
  - Men make their plans – they will say what they want – and do what they want…
  - But NO matter how DARK our circumstances might seem…
  - In the end God is in control – and He uses all things for His purpose…
  - So even if we do NOT like where God has us – we just need to TRUST Him…
  - And if we get our eyes off our problems – we will see God is working!