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Hello my name is Jerral Campfield and this web site is dedicated to Moral Recognition Therapy using Biblical principles. Please come back often to join me in understanding Gods hands are outstretched still to forgive. |
Acts 23:1-35 Power of Persuading |
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Contributed by Jerral Campfield
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Saturday, 05 November 2016 |
Here we are seeing Paul giving those who are questioning his citizen ship
a picture of what he seeing going on and has a chance to persuade them to
follow the Lord which was and is good news for all. Acts 23:1-35 (NKJV) 1 Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, "Men
and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this
day." Here
we see Paul is very stern looking at them right in the face. Calling them
brethren, some one just like him. So wanted them to know how he really felt as
some one that was doing all God wanted him to do since his conversion and he
was not about to change the way, truth and life the Lord had now given a
newness what God expected. 2 And
the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the
mouth. What
a surprise this most of been for here he had already told them he was a Jew and
what he had received from the Lord at his conversion and a Religious leader
commanded some one to strike him on the mouth. What a act of deviants, for Paul
was not being sarcastic but very open to them and the High Priest did not like
his commitment to the Lord. Remember what they did to the King of the Jews,
Jesus; they spit and struck him not only on the face, but His body, till it was
marred more than any other body. Satan does not like people that stand up
against the wrongs of government, or even wrongs with in the Church. Lord help
us to now how to accept opposition to the way, truth and life taught to us by
the Lord
3 Then Paul said to him, "God will strike you, you
whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you
command me to be struck contrary to the law?" Paul did not keep silent but he
spoke with anger I am sure for here they were suppose to be godly and did the
most ugly thing possible to Paul. Notice how he condemned what they did as they
were judging him and that was against the law and Paul knew it, so his outrage
was demeaning to them and made them madder yet. 4 And those who stood by said, "Do you revile God's high
priest?" What’s
the matter with you Paul are you better than the High Priest, so the mob
mentality set in and Satan was having a field day. 5 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.' " Right
away Paul knew what they accused him of and wanted them to know he was all for
the High Priest and should not be speaking evil of them. So immediately
reminded them of who he was. 6 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!" Paul knew the Sadducee practiced the ancient Jewish party
that ruled and accepted the law and rejected the oral law that the Pharisees
practiced. Paul was quick to remind them, I am a Pharisee, one that practices
the written law as a Jew and the law written by God on the cross. So here Paul
was using the wisdom to lift up the Gospel of Grace and divide the opposition
present. Paul was a descendant of generations of Pharisees and was putting to
practice what he was taught at his conversion. For know he no longer was
persecuting Christians but was united with them. 7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the
Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. So here we see the Lord will is
being done and the Pharisees and Sadducees are now divided, and Paul is able to
continue on with his reason for doing what he is doing. 8 For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection--and no
angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both. Paul is showing he is aware of who theses Sadducees are and
what they believe, and it is God did not send His Son Jesus to come and show us
how to live a life of victory and was tried and sentenced to die on a cross,
then was buried in a grave, but after three day resurrected and they did not
want to accept this, but hung on to the law and how it was to be obeyed. The
spirit of God and angels of God were not real and needed to be doubted and not
trusted. But the Pharisees confessed to Jesus coming and living a life of
victory over sins addictions and Jesus died and rose again from the grave to
live in us. 9 Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the
Pharisees' party arose and protested, saying, "We find no evil in this
man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against
God." Sure
enough what Paul said made the Pharisees rally around Paul and could not find
any fault in what Paul said or stood for. So they said let’s not fight against
God for there is no evil in Paul statements. 10 Now when there arose a great dissension, the commander,
fearing lest Paul might be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to
go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the
barracks. This
did not stop the dissension it only became more heated and ready to kill Paul
right on the spot and instead had the soldiers take him by force into the
barracks. 11 But the following night the Lord stood by him and said,
"Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so
you must also bear witness at Rome." Thank the Lord His hands are extended to Paul and speaks to
him to be of good cheer for you have testified of Me, where ever you have gone
since your conversion. So I will be with you even as you go to Rome. 12 And 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. What
hate is shown to Paul as they still wanted to Kill him and even vowed to
themselves by taking an pledge or oath to do so or they would not eat of drink
till Paul was killed. 13 Now there were more than forty who had formed this
conspiracy. Here
we see forty who are bent on taking Paul’s life. 14 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. Here
they go to the chief priest and elders showing they really meant to kill Paul
as they promised themselves to do. Man some time is so defiant but God knows
how to intervene.
15 Now you, therefore, together with the council, suggest to
the commander that he be brought down to you tomorrow, as though you were going
to make further inquiries concerning him; but we are ready to kill him before
he comes near." 15 Now you, therefore, together with the council, suggest to
the commander that he be brought down to you tomorrow, as though you were going
to make further inquiries concerning him; but we are ready to kill him before
he comes near." Here
they where in control and wanted the council to get those in control of Paul to
make sure what every they where going to do, yet they were going to Kill Paul.16 So when Paul's
sister's son heard of their ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told
Paul. Thank
the Lord He always steps in for His chosen and Paul’s sisters son is aware of
what is going to happen according to Paul’s enemies.
17 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." Paul
is still showing his God is able to deliverer him and calls the Centurions to
him and says this young man has something to say to the commander in chief. 18 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." Here we are seeing communication at
it best and the concern became known to the commander and many times it is so
important we learn how to wait upon the Lords timing.19 Then the commander took him by the hand, went aside and asked
privately, "What is it that you have to tell me?" Thank the Lord for the many times
God takes us and leads us without us even knowing the outcome. Here his
captures ask what is it you have to tell me? 20 And 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. I
want you to know they are going to ask you to bring Paul back into the council
tomorrow to inquire more about him. Here he is showing this commander he know
he has the authority to intervine. 21 But do not yield to them, for more than forty of them lie
in wait for him, men who have bound themselves by an oath that they will
neither eat nor drink till they have killed him; and now they are ready, waiting
for the promise from you." This was not a false hood but the truth and the truth is
able to set anyone free when it is based on reality of knowing what is
happening. 22 So the commander let the young man depart, and commanded him,
"Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me." Here in a short time they developed
and bond that was genuine and let him depart and then commanded him to tell no
one what you revealed to me. Secrets some time of valuable when a person life
is at stake, and the respect shown is now beginning to pay off. 23 And 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; 24 and provide mounts to set Paul on, and bring him
safely to Felix the governor." What a scene of power as the commander who heard the truth
asked the Centurions the best of the best leader. to get together 200 hundred
soldiers, 70 horsemen, 200 Spearmen making it a total of 470 fighting men to accomplish
Paul on his way to Rome. He was even given horses for Paul to ride upon to meet
with Felix the governor. Now that is amazing for one minute Paul was ready to
be killed and now here he is provided all the force of the council to protect
Paul on his way to Rome. 25 He wrote a letter in the following manner: 26 Claudius Lysias, To the most excellent governor Felix:
Greetings. Here
is amazing show of force and authority given by the Commander in writing a
letter of what Paul was facing. 27 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. This
commander gives his name and talks about how these Jews where out to kill Paul
but I Claudius Lysias rescued him when I learned he was a Roman. 28 And when I wanted to know the reason they accused him, I
brought him before their council. Can you see his disapproval and disgust and wanted to know
the truth so bought him before their council. 29 I found out that he was accused concerning questions of
their law, but had nothing charged against him deserving of death or chains. Thank the Lord for sooner or latter
the truth is going to be known and here I have seen no charges where bought
against him worthy of death. 30 And when it was told me that the Jews lay in wait for the
man, I sent him immediately to you, and also commanded his accusers to state
before you the charges against him. Farewell. What a closing to his letter that appealed for mercy and
grace for Paul, so he was not killed on the spot. 31 Then the soldiers, as they were commanded, took Paul and
brought him by night to Antipatris. The soldiers here operated by night. Like what they did to
Jesus as he was arrested and tried at night. Yes many times it can be for our
safety and here it was done to escape the mob out to kill him. 32 The next day they left the horsemen to go on with him, and
returned to the barracks. Here
Paul the next day is going on and some returned
to the barracks. 33 When they came to Caesarea and had delivered the letter to
the governor, they also presented Paul to him. Here he is safe a sound in front of the governor with a
letter from the Commander. 34 And when the governor had read it, he asked what
province he was from. And when he understood that he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, "I will hear you when your accusers also have
come." And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's Praetorium. So here Paul is at his destination
in front of the Governor and hears him read the Letter and where he was from
Cilicia, then say, I will hear you when your accusers also have come. I think
this had to be a disappointment for he was hopping for the best and then was
commanded to be kept in Herod’s Praetorium. This was a guarded room next to
Herod’s Palace very will protected. What a story of
how God wants to be in control and when we let Him things work out for His
glory so now we have to wait until we get into the 24th Chapter to
see want happens next. |
Copyright 2005 Jerral Campfield, All rights reserved.
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