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…)
- SEE: They professed to be followers of God, but how they behaved is contrary
-- Matthew 7:21, “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.”
- Naturally, his response is taken as one of offense to the high council
-- Exodus 22:28, “You must not dishonor God or curse any of your rulers.” (Wed)
- And so Paul shows an incredible loyalty to the Scripture:
• As soon as he realized he was disobedient, he repented of his action (v5)
• Why? Because within him was still the leadership of the Holy Spirit
• Could it have been a sarcastic response? Perhaps, but either way he repents
2. Paul’s strategy to witness is driven by the Holy Spirit
- Understand what is at play here: in the council were Sadducees and Pharisees
-- These are two groups who do NOT get along; have many doctrinal disputes
• EX: The Pharisees believed in the spiritual world and resurrection
• The Sadducees did not believe in the spiritual world or resurrection
- This testimony of Paul puts the two groups at odds with one another
• But, at odds over what? Over the truth of what Jesus has accomplished!
• SEE: It actually got them talking (“divided”) about the resurrection (vv7-8)
• Paul even had to be rescued by the soldiers again for this one! (v10)
- Understand this: It was not Paul’s intent to pit them against each other
-- But he knew that this would be a firm dividing line for their legalistic ideology
-- Now, he is not going to just slip away (cartoon) while they argued, either!
- However, what did happen though is they had to conclude something …
-- Something did happen to him (v9: “perhaps a spirit or angel spoke to him”)
- Consider the total picture of these events:
• Paul testifies to his faith and “the religious” disagree with it
• As God has always promised, He gave Paul the (exact) words to say
• This caused the focus to not be on Paul, but on the truth of Jesus
• He also provided the way of escape for Paul to not be convicted
• Why? Because God still has a plan for Paul’s life!
- TR: How can we be so sure? Re-read verse 11
BIG IDEA
- RE: For two days, Paul has been under immense emotional strain
-- Surely, his physical and mental limits would have been tested also
-- Yet, God still knew how far Paul could/would go to preach Jesus
-- He has brought him to this place – and He is still providing a way for him!
- Through this trial, it would appear as if Paul was alone before the high council
-- There is no mention of James, or Peter, or any other disciples with him
-- He faced this council with only the company of God – and it WAS enough (v11)
• Jesus appeared to him (be not afraid …)
• Jesus exhorted him to be of good cheer (encouraged)
• Jesus assured him that his witness here was of and from God (purpose)
• Jesus assured him that he would preach the Good News in Rome!
- God’s promise to Paul is no different than the one He makes to us
-- Psalm 27:1, “The Lord is my light and my salvation - so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble?”
- APP: Where we are lacking, we must lean on God for strength and courage
-- This is the lesson Paul shows us here, and it is what we MUST grasp today!
-- Are we being faithful to do the things that God has called us to do?
- Pray
