Acts 23:1-11 — Paul Before the Council
Acts 23:12-35 — A Plot to Kill Paul, Paul Sent to Felix the Governor
Thoughts about serving others
This link includes a list of posts about Serving the Least, the Lost, and the Lonely.
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Let the Word evoke words. May your life encourage lives.
Paul’s boldness continues as he provokes the Pharisees and Sadducees at the Sanhedrin. I really wish we had the recording of Paul’s response, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest” (Acts 23:5). Was this said sarcastically? Did they get the idea that there was only one true high priest? Paul then sets them against each other by igniting the flame between these two groups, “(the Sadducees say there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees believe all these things.)” (Acts 23:8). As a result, they’re fighting each other rather than hearing Paul’s comment about Ananias, the not-so-high-priest (my opinion of course).
Jesus speaks directly to Paul to comfort him, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome” (23:11). Paul gets his orders from Christ and the plot to kill Paul by some evil Jews is spoiled in dramatic fashion (23:12-33).
The message of the Gospel will prevail. It has survived centuries and will continue to spread as long as we are bold enough to continue our mission to take the Gospel to all corners of the earth, even our own towns and neighborhoods. Lord help me to continue to draw closer to you, to hear your words and “take courage” as groups of evil-doers collect to destroy Christians. Strengthen us Lord, for we know our reward is not an earthly prize!