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Lesson 29 : Paul’s Defense Before the Sanhedrin & Armed Transfer to Caesarea (22:30-23:35). I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study. Paul was taken before and made his defense to the Jewish Sanhedrin (22:30-23:10).
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Lesson 29:Paul’s Defense Before the Sanhedrin & Armed Transfer to Caesarea (22:30-23:35)
I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Paul was taken before and made his defense to the Jewish Sanhedrin (22:30-23:10). • The Roman commander (at temple), Claudius Lysias, summoned the Sanhedrin (22:30). • Paul began his defense before the Sanhedrin but was harshly struck (23:1-5). • As Paul looked at the Sanhedrin members, he may have known some of them. • Paul affirmed that he had “lived in all good conscience before God” (23:1).
II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • One’s conscience is not a safe or trustworthy guide in religious matters! • Paul said, “I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day” (Acts 23:1; 26:9). • He thought what he was doing was right. He was wrong! • God plainly taught that blindly following one’s conscience has serious consequences (Prov. 16:25; Rom. 10:2-3). • One’s conscience is his inner guide to the rightness or wrongness of his behavior. • One’s conscience is only as good as the standard used to train it. • In order for one’s conscience to be trusted, it must be trained by God’s Word! • Our thoughts (1 Cor. 4:6), words (1 Pet. 4:11) and actions (Col. 3:17) must be governed by His Word.
I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Paul was taken before and made his defense to the Jewish Sanhedrin (22:30-23:10). • The Roman commander (at temple), Claudius Lysias, summoned the Sanhedrin (22:30). • Paul began his defense before the Sanhedrin but was harshly struck (23:1-5). • As Paul looked at the Sanhedrin members, he may have known some of them. • Paul affirmed that he had “lived in all good conscience before God” (23:1). • After only one sentence, the high priest ordered Paul struck on the mouth (23:2). • Paul pronounced God’s judgment on Ananias for his corrupt behavior (23:3-5).
I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Paul was taken before and made his defense to the Jewish Sanhedrin (22:30-23:10). • Paul used the sharp divide between Sadducees & Pharisees against them (23:6-9). • The Sadducees were essentially “materialists”—not believe in the resurrection of the dead, immorality of the soul, angels or spirits (23:7). But, the Pharisees did. • Sadducees held majority in Sanhedrin; high priest was Sadducee. • Paul announced that he was a Pharisee, on trial for the resurrection (23:6). • The Pharisees, agreeing with Paul, said, “Let’s not fight against God” (23:9). • Claudius Lysias had Paul forcefully returned to the barracks (23:10).
II. • Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding • Tradition is a powerful motivator, blinding men to God’s will and condemning souls! • The Pharisees & Sadducees were so locked into their traditions, they rejected truth! • Following man-made tradition will cause men to violate God’s will (Mark 7:1-13). • Following man-made tradition will condemn the souls of others (Matt. 23:15). • Following man-made tradition will please self and others but not God (Gal. 1:10-15).
I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Forty Jews conspired to have Paul killed, devoting themselves to the task (23:11-22). • Perhaps (we don’t know) Paul was feeling great stress and even fear for his life. • The Lord came and stood by Paul (23:11). Every indication is that He was really there! • Forty men bound themselves under oath (of death) to kill Paul (23:12, 14, 15, 21, 27). • Perhaps by providence, Paul’s nephew heard the details of the plot (23:16-22).
I. Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study • Paul was dispatched to Caesarea, where Felix the governor lived (23:23-35). • Claudius Lysias mobilized 470 of his troops as an armed escort for Paul (23:23-24). • Claudius Lysias wrote a letter to the Roman governor of Judea, Felix (23:25-30). • Paul arrived in Caesarea and awaited trial before Felix (23:31-35).
III. Practical Points of Application for Our Lives • Our conscience must be properly trained by God’s Word before we can trust it! • Let us remember that we live before God every day, so let His Word be our standard! • Man will divide himself into varying doctrines and practices, but let’s stick with God! • Regardless of what others do, even plotting against us, the Lord will always be with us!