Paul Is Interrogated By The High Council Series

To the Ends of the Earth, Part 35

Paul is Interrogated by the High Council

Acts 22:24 – Acts 23:11

Dismiss children for nursery (under 4) and children’s church (ages 4-7)

Men’s and Ladies studies are Tues nights, 6:30, here at the church

Wed nights: Book of Romans - focused on chapters 8 through 15

Planning a farewell fellowship lunch on Oct 20 for Rufus Pearson

Introduction

- Welcome to Seasons Church & 2024 sermon series, “To the Ends of the Earth”

-- Last week: we saw Paul’s testimony being given to a mob in Jerusalem

-- His testimony infuriated the crowd (v22); yours can have similar effects today!

- “We” are not called to sit in a chair and hope for the best … called to GO!

-- The Gospel affects lives everywhere it is shared, even those who reject it

-- What we choose to do is very telling about who we serve … about who we love!

- Today, let’s follow Paul through the first trial in Rome

-- One thing we should pay particular attention too is his trust in God

-- It really is what carries him through this – and can carry us today

- Read Acts 22:24 – 23:11 / Pray

- TR: How does Paul defend himself in Rome?

Point 1 – Paul must claim his legal (Roman citizenship) rights

- FACT: Paul was under extreme persecution for the cause of Christ

- Paul was aggressively rejected by the crowd & rescued by Roman soldiers

• But even in being rescued, they were determined to make him confess (v24)

• SEE: It would’ve been common to beat someone to confess their guilt

• APP: Everyone has a breaking point, will confess to make punishment stop

- He had to rely on the truth of being a Roman citizen to make it stop

• KNOW: Paul was granted citizenship being from Tarsus (Roman colony)

• APP: He makes this claim to stop the punishment (prob very cruel)

• Paul claimed citizenship once before (Philippi), and will later with Caesar

• But notice – something unusual is revealed about this commander (v28)

- It would appear that his citizenship had to be proven; could be earned? “cost”

-- Greek: polus; many Greek: kephalaion; a sum of money

-- The interrogation is stopped, but there is still something to be done

- Roman commander becomes determined to find out the cause of the riot

• Paul was held overnight until the Sanhedrin (high council) could meet

• SEE: Originally Paul wanted to go to Rome as a missionary

• Now he is a prisoner, and his imprisonment would last ~five years

- We need to understand this: Everything was happening by God’s design

-- God sent Paul there to be a witness, through the power of the Holy Spirit

-- He was sent to be committed in sharing the Gospel in Rome

-- Meeting would have him testifying before the religious leaders (of Jewish faith)

- Note two things as he is brought before the Sanhedrin:

1. Paul stands firm before the high council (v23:1)

- Think of it like a stare down – he would not shrink from their accusations

-- “Brothers” – refers to them again as family, as part of their heritage

-- Consider: What if he knew any of them? Could he find a familiar face?

-- Perhaps this would endear him to them in some sort of positive way?

2. Paul makes one of the greatest claims possible (v1)

- His testimony is that (re: before Christ) he lived a life of high honor to God

-- His innocence is intact, and he was not guilty in the eyes by the Law

-- He knows they will judge him by the Law, and he knows his own testimony

-- So, he uses the Law to bring them into a conversation about the real topic

- TR: Don’t miss: As a repentant sinner, he knows who he is in Christ

-- This becomes clear in how he handles this interrogation …

Point 2 – Paul testifies before the Sanhedrin

Two things to note here as Paul speaks to the Sanhedrin council …

1. Paul’s maintains respect for God’s ultimate authority

- The high priest interpreted Paul’s claim (v1) as blasphemous - had him slapped

-- His response is to remind them of the Law they hold so dear (sarcastically)

-- He reminds them of their rules, and what it means to honor a fellow Jew

- This is how we get the word hypocrite: he calls them a: “whitewashed wall”

-- Greek: koniaó; wash over Greek: toichos; wall

-- Meaning: You look like you are clean, but your actions don’t show it!

-- You’re dressed for the part, but your behavior is conflicting (see this today…)