Acts Of The Apostles 34 Of 39

He was brought before a council that did not care a thing about justice. When he observed that the council was composed of both Pharisees and Sadducees, he divided the group by stating he was a Pharisee, and a firm believer in miracles and the resurrection. Since the Sadducees did not believe this, they began to quarrel over that point and the argument became so heated, that Paul had to be again withdrawn lest he be killed. As strong as the bitterness was against Paul there, it was even stronger on the outside. Let us consider:

I. THE PLOT DISCUSSED

A. THE SCHEME

Verses 12-13, "And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy."

Notice the words, "banded together." This is one thing you can give Satan's people credit for, banding together. I do not wish to sound negative, but in most cases the devil's people seem to know more about how to band together than God's people do. You have observed this in your daily news reports as they tell of the large numbers of abortionists, homosexuals, etc., gathering and marching with placards and chanting, trying to sway public opinion in their direction. Seldom do the Christians band together in large numbers to accomplish anything for Christ. When it does happen that someone is successful in getting enough people together to try to persuade the public to obey God's Word in these important matters, do you think it is reported? Not very often, and not very loudly. However, we can not let that discourage us. It did not stop the apostle Paul. We need to use the strength God provides in joining with other Christians in our goal of winning the lost to Christ!

Illus: Do you remember the children's game, "Red Rover"? The words, "banded together," brings this to mind. The children are divided into two teams. The two teams line up facing each other about 30-40 feet from each other. A spokesman from one team calls out, "Red Rover, Red Rover, send Johnny right over!" Then Johnny runs with all his might because he has to break through the opposing line. Why is it hard for him to do this? Because they all are holding together in a strong wrist grip to keep him from being able to break through. Not only does Johnny run with all his might, he has a plan - he runs and hits between the two people that he feels are the weakest. But if everyone in that line holds strong, he cannot break through and then is obligated to join up with that side.

It is a wonderful thing when God's people understand the value of banding themselves together so that Satan cannot enter in. A church can enjoy a tremendous revival in which souls are saved, sins are confessed and repented of, and love permeates the atmosphere and this is good. But then there is the obligation of banding together in the Lord, because that is the only way to keep Satan from hindering the Lord's work!

Illus: One congregation in South Carolina built a new church building. At the first stage of construction it looked like any other large church building, but as the walls began to go higher it took on a different look from any other church anyone in that area had ever seen. When the walls were finally finished, people began to ask, "Why did they build that church to look like a military fort?" (For it was complete with notches in the top as on a fort where cannons could be placed.) One man, talking to a man that attended that church, asked, "Why did they build that building to look like a military fort?" The man said that they had built that way to keep the devil out of the church.

Well, we all know it would take more than that, in fact it was not long before they experienced some devastating attacks. God lets us know there is only one way for His children to overcome Satan as we march forth to win the lost, and that we cannot win battles all by ourselves. Because of the strength in numbers, God instituted the church, a group of believers, banded together for the cause of Christ. The devil's crowd knows this strategy also, that is why those who hated Paul and Silas, and wanted to stop them from preaching Christ, banded together.

Look at their determination in verses 12-13, "...saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy."