Acts Of The Apostle 33 Of 39

Yes, Paul had been warned and the words of the warning came true. He was bound and made prisoner. In chapter 23, we read of his defense in the presence of the council. We read of:

I. THE ABUSE

A. HIS CONDUCT

Verse 1, "And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day." This first verse shows us:

1. HIS SINCERITY

"And Paul, earnestly beholding the council..." The word, "earnestly" modifies the verb, "beholding," and changes the meaning of this sentence by showing us how Paul beheld the council. Paul beheld them "earnestly," or intensively and sincerely.

Often you can see the strength of a person in his eyes. Paul had a strong faith and a strong look to back it up.

The word "earnestly" lets us know he beheld the council with eyes of sincerity. Let us learn a lesson in this, that is, that we must be sincere in all we do for Christ.

It should be:

• When a teacher is teaching the sincereity can be seen in the way they teach.

• When a preacher preaches the sincereity can be seen in the way he delivers the Word of God. There is nothing more boring than to listen to one who is insincere.

• When a person sing the sincereity can be seen in they way they sing. We all are blessed by good gospel singing that is sung with expression by people who have a strong Christian testimony whether they be in a choir, an ensemble, or soloists. It is hard to be blessed when the person, or people singing, sing as if it will be a relief to get it over with. But just let that message in song go out as a sincere ministry and it is a blessing to all.

The Bible reveals that anyone who saw Paul could tell, even if he did not agree with him, that Paul was a man of strong faith. Courage and sincerity were written all over his face.

2. HIS DISTINCTION

Paul recognized there were two kinds of men present there, carnal and spiritual, so he addressed both, "...Men and brethren...".

Not everyone is aware of that distinction. Non-Christian people would like to think that God is the Father of all men, no matter how they live or what they do.

God does not accept sinners as His children. Jesus let us know this when he voluntarily bore our sins as He died on that cross. Remember His words? He said, "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me!"

• Before he took our sins He always referred to God as His heavenly Father.

• But as He became sin for us he no longer prayed, "My Father..." but instead, He prayed, "My God!" God is God, and Creator, to all, But He is only the heavenly Father of those who have come to accept and know His Son, Jesus, as their personal Savior! So we note that Paul recognized the two kinds of people he was addressing when he addressed them as “Men and brethnren.”

3. HIS CONDUCT

"...I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day."

Throughout the scriptures Paul consistently lets us know he lived his Christian life having a clear conscience before God and man.

Not everyone can say that. In fact, very few can truthfully say that, and the ones who cannot say that do not have clear consciences.

• Has anyone ever borrowed money from you and failed to pay it back? How did he act? Did he try to dodge you? Why? Because his conscience was not clear.

• Have you ever had someone make derogatory remarks about you? Could that one look you straight in the eyes after that? Probably not.

Why? His conscience was hurting him because of the way he treated you behind your back.

This was not the case with Paul. His conscience was clear before God and man.

In our text he reaffirms this.

Look back at Acts 21:27-28, which is the account of his enemies falsely accusing him. "And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him, Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place."

To hear those men make their charges concerning Paul, you might get the idea that Paul had done some terrible things against God, but Paul said, "...I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day."