Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Acts 21:16 – 23:1-35



Acts 21:16 – 22:1-29 – Testifying while in Trouble

Paul arrived in Jerusalem and found James and other elders.  Many Jews were believers now, but still were zealous for the law.  They believed in circumcision.  They had heard that Paul taught to turn away from Moses’ Law and that Jewish Christians should not do circumcision, but this was not true.  Paul taught that it did not matter to God, if they were circumcised or not.  James and the others were going to go through seven days of purification rites by having their heads shaved and invited Paul to join them.  Paul was free from Jewish law, but agreed to take part in the purification rites in the temple.  Paul’s actions showed loyalty for the Jewish vows and was supporting James and the others.  As we learned earlier in 1 Corinthians, Paul believed in becoming all things to all people.  “To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.  To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.”1 Cor. 9:20

Obeying customs is doing it for the sake of tradition and because it’s always the way things have been done.  But obeying the Word of God is obeying God because it’s the right thing to do and He requires it of us.

Is there some custom you are obeying just because of tradition, but need to obey God instead?

As a result of Paul being in the temple at Jerusalem, word spread that he had brought a Gentile into the temple, which he had not.  This offended the legalistic Jews and they stirred up the crowd against him.  They seized and dragged him from the temple trying to kill him, but Roman troops stopped them and took him to prison.  Roman law didn’t allow people to be killed without a trial. 

Why did God allow these accusations and physical harm come to Paul?  Maybe He wanted his faith to be strengthen and show His glory not only to Paul but to others.  Maybe He wanted this to be a witness for others.  We don't really know all the reasons why God allows things to happen, but God always has a plan and nothing can stop Him.  He is an Unstoppable God!
 
Paul was allowed to speak to the crowd.  He told them his story.  He told of his life before Christ, his conversion and God’s plan for him to spread the message to the Gentiles.  He told them he was a Jew and was not against the Jewish religion.  In the past he had been very eager to obey God thinking it was ok to arrest and persecute Christians.  Then he told them of his conversion on the road to Damascus.  Paul told them that God wanted the Gentiles to know Him, too and they didn’t have to be a Jew.  This made the crowd very angry again and again they tried to kill him.  Paul told them he was a Roman citizen.  It was illegal to flog a Roman citizen so he was brought before the Sanhedrin for trial. 

Who do you need to tell your story of salvation?

Principle:  God calls His people to witness to what they have seen and heard.

Acts 22:30 – 23:11 – The Questions

Paul was brought before the Sanhedrin.   He said, “My brothers, I have filled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” Acts 23:1.  Paul’s quality of Paul’s life was with God.  He lived a godly life and obeyed God in all things.  He never made excuses for the truth.  When the priest told one standing near to him to strike Paul on the mouth, Paul didn’t let that go.  He called him a “whitewashed wall” which means hypocrite.  The priest was sitting in judgment but he himself violated the law.  Paul was submissive to man under God when he was told that Ananias was a high priest.  Paul backed down and submitted to his authority.  Paul was submissive to man under God.  He quoted Ex. 22:28 “Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.”  They couldn’t find any reason to kill Paul, but still kept him in prison. 

 Can you say you have fulfilled your duty to God?

Paul was alone in chains, but a believer is never really alone.  God was with Paul and comforted him.  God is always with us.  God told him, “Take courage!  As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify in Rome.” Acts 23:11.  Paul’s work was not done yet.

How are you being persecuted?
Can you admit you are sorry for something you’ve said?
How has God been a comfort to you?
Where do you need God’s comfort in your witness?
When trouble comes, where do you turn?
Will you testify in trouble?

Principle:  God has a purpose for the trials of believers.

Acts 23:12-35 –The Plot

The Jews were so angry with Paul because he was preaching to the Gentiles.  Maybe they felt superior - after all they were God’s chosen and he had called them hypocrites.  They thought he wasn’t obeying the law and taught others the same.  So they formed a conspiracy to kill Paul.  More than 40 men vowed to not eat until they had killed Paul.  God allowed Paul’s nephew to hear of the murderous plot.  He then warned Paul and the Roman commander.  Since the commander had a low opinion of Paul’s enemies, he believed the story and removed Paul from Jerusalem to Caesarea.  The commander sent a letter to Governor Felix who kept Paul under guard in Herod’s palace so no harm would come to him until the truth was known.  He said he would her Paul’s case.  In our next study we will see the response of Felix.

God allowed all this to happen.  Paul never wavered.  He was bound, beaten, and despised by his countrymen.  Still with all his difficulties he had not failed or disobeyed God’s Word.  He was prepared for suffering.  He knew God’s purpose for his life and nothing was going to stop him.  He used every situation as an opportunity to serve God.

How are you using your trials to serve God?

Principle:  God protects His people so they can do His work.

Join me here next week for our study of the book of Acts.  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.
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