BiblicalMastery Buddy's bible blog

Lesson 39

Paul before the Religious Leaders

Acts 22:30-23:35

One of the things that I have learned over the years that I have been teaching is to try and understand your audience. If it is a group with which I meet on a consistent basis I have tried to get to know them by having fellowship times and listening to the needs that are present in their lives.

It is not always possible to have an opportunity to build relationships. One thing that will help in communicating is to have an affinity with people on the subject being shared either by teaching or speaking. Body language will often indicate whether the group is with you and taking actual part in what is being shared. Heads resting on chests is not a good sign. Heads nodding in agreement is what you hope to achieve.

I am still learning how to present material in such a way that I am not just presenting facts but speaking in such a way that what I am saying is having an impact on the lives of the listener. I read somewhere that teaching and learning come from the same root word. In other words if a person is not grasping what is being taught then teaching is not taking place.

Although some of us will never stand before a group of people, it is important to begin to know the people who attend the Bible Study and/or Worship Service. Each and every one of them and we have needs in our lives. It may be that a handshake will fulfill what a person needs on a given Sunday. There may be more deep seated needs that are going on. We have opportunities each and every Sunday to make people feel welcome. Look around and see what seems to be the atmosphere of the gathering. Does it seem that the Holy Spirit is truly moving in the times together? If so we can be assured that the message of God’s good news is reaching down into the hearts of people.

Paul in this morning’s lesson was alert to the climate in which he found himself. We need to do the same and to respond accordingly. This chapter will be a continuation of the different ways that Paul defends himself in different settings.

Acts 22:30

It was for the benefit of the Commander to find out why there had been such a violent reaction to the presence of Paul in the city. He could not allow such unrest to continue. Unless he could resolve the issue peaceably he would find himself in trouble with his superiors. In order to determine what had happened he brought all the parties in the conflict together.

Acts 23:1-2

It was obvious from Paul’s opening remarks that he would never get a fair hearing from the Sanhedrin. After addressing those assembled as the “council and brethren” he made the claim that he was innocent before God. This brought immediate reaction from Ananias the high priest who considered Paul’s statements arrogant and an affront to the leaders sitting there. He had someone slap Paul on the mouth to shut him up before he was able to give a defense. Paul was indeed equal with these men because he had once been a part of the religious establishment as a Pharisee. By having Paul slapped Ananias violated the law because an Israelite was not to be slapped across the face.

1. Why was it impossible for Paul to get a fair hearing from the Sanhedrin?
2. Why did Ananias have Paul slapped?
3. In what way were Paul’s statements accurate? (See Philippians 3:4-6)
4. How did Ananias deny Paul’s rights by his actions?

Acts 23:3-5

Ananias’ action made Paul angry. He pronounced God’s judgment on him and use the term “whitewashed wall” describe him. Remember Jesus used this same analogy in describing the religious leaders back in Matthew 23:27. It referred to the practice of whitewashing tombs so that a person would not become defiled by touching them. Jesus called those who did this as those who were hypocrites. Paul was basically saying your actions which are against the law are louder than the pious words you speak. Whether sarcastically or sincerely he responded to the one who mentioned that Ananias was high priest by indicating he did not know he was the high priest and he knew it was not right to speak against a leader of the people.

1. Why did Paul get angry?
2. What did he declare about Ananias?
3. What justification did he have for his anger and his statements?
4. What do you think of his response to the one who informed him that Ananias was high priest?
5. What are instances in your life when you felt justified in speaking out as Paul did?
6. In what ways can you recognize a person who is hypocritical?
7. What is basis upon which you make that distinction?

Acts 23:6-9

Paul quickly determined that there were both Pharisees and Sadducees in attendance. Even after the previous incident he again addressed them as “Brethren.” This time however he included the declaration, “I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee.” Then he said, “I am on trial for the hope and resurrection of the dead.” These statements elicited the expected results from the group, since both parties would respond according to their beliefs. Those beliefs were for the Sadducees:

• Belief in only the written law
• Did not believe in angels and spirits
• Belief in free will
• Did not believe in any type of resurrection

It also could be said about them that they were the party in who collaborated with the Romans and were in power because of that relationship.

The Pharisees on the other hand believed in:

• Strict adherence to both the written and oral law
• Angels and spirits
• Predestination
• A resurrection of the dead.

This conflict of two different doctrines brought about a great dissension and division as some began to side with Paul while others maintained his guilt. With so much conflict taking place in their own ranks how it the world could they condemn Paul.

1. How was Paul able to perceive that members of both religious parties were there?
2. What different dynamics did his statement about being a Pharisee bring to the proceedings?
3. Why would he interject this fact?
4. What did Paul say and not say with his statement about the resurrection?
5. What did the dissension that arose tell us about the Jewish religion?
6. What can we glean from this incident?
7. How does all of this compare with what has been seen of the church?

Acts 23:10

As he witnessed the bedlam that occurred, the commander went in and rescued Paul. He was afraid they might cause him physical harm. Although not mentioned here this whole episode certainly did not answer any of the concerns of the commander. Further, we can only imagine the effect it may have had on his view of religion and Judaism in particular.

1. Why did the commander sense that he needed to rescue Paul?
2. In what ways do you think that this whole episode might impact the commander and those under his command?
3. How did the actions of the Jews reflect what can occur within the walls of the church today?
4. In what ways can the church today be a poor witness for what we are suppose to believe?

Acts 23:11

After experiencing all that had occurred during those two days Paul was probably demoralized. He had to wonder if his work was through. To encourage him the Lord came to him and indicated that God was not through with him yet and that he would have the opportunity to witness of Christ’s cause in Rome.

1. What would be your mindset if you had experienced all that Paul had in those two days?
2. Why did Christ appear to him at that particular time?
3. What were the important words that Paul needed to hear?
4. In what ways have you received encouragement when you felt that you were no longer had anything to offer in the way of service?
5. Why is it important that you sense that Christ is right beside you in difficult times?
6. When is your work complete?

Acts 23:12-22

The timing could not have been better for the appearance of Christ. Paul had a long way to go before reaching Rome. His troubles in Jerusalem were not over by any means. The Jews had not given up on trying to kill Paul. A new plan was devised by forty Jews. They made a vow that they would not eat or drink until they had eliminated him. Their plan was to lie in wait as the leaders asked that Paul be brought before them for further examination. Fortunately Paul’s nephew heard the plan and reported it to Paul who called to a centurion to carry the lad to the commander. The commander then took the young man to one side and asked him what he had to report. After sharing what the Jews intended to do the commander told him not to tell anyone that he had come forth with the information.

1. What was the next plan that the Jews put in place to eliminate Paul?
2. Why did they continue to desire to have Paul killed?
3. How did this reflect on the Jewish religion?
4. What happened that thwarted the plan of the Jews?
5. Why was the commander willing to believe the word of the young lad?
6. What is our attitude at times when a young person shares what he or she has heard?

Acts 23:23-24

At this point the commander concluded that he could not get to the bottom of what was going on in such a volatile environment. He therefore made immediate plans to have Paul safely transported to Caesarea in the middle of the night.

1. Why did the Commander conclude the best option was to send Paul to Caesarea?
2. What did it say about the commander’s view of the whole situation?
3. What had the Commander gained with all of his efforts to find out why the Jews hated Paul so much?
4. In what circumstances is it good for us to take a step back and re-evaluate the circumstances in which we find ourselves?

Acts 23:25-30

The commander is now named by Luke. In his letter to Felix the governor he identifies himself as Caudius Lysias. It would be foolish on his part to send Paul to Caesarea without giving a clear explanation of the events that had taken place. The key to the whole letter was his efforts to find out the cause of the commotion. He had at least figured out that it was “over questions about their Law.” He also determined that he did not see the accusations against Paul “deserving of death or imprisonment.” The final part of the letter indicated that he would have the Jewish leaders go down to Caesarea to present their case.

1. Why did the commander deem it necessary to send a letter to Felix with Paul?
2. What did the content of the letter show about what he understood was going on?
3. What was the main reason for sending Paul to Felix?
4. In what ways was this a wise decision on his part?

Acts 23:31-34

In ways the delivery of Paul to Felix may seem anti-climatic. He was brought to Caesarea where he and the letter from Claudius Lysias were turned over to Felix. After reading the letter and discovering that Paul was from Cilicia he promised him a hearing once the Jews arrived. The purpose of these verses was to show that God’s promise to Paul was beginning to be fulfilled as he was now in the hands of the Roman authorities. This was the first step in his journey to Rome.

You-

1. Think about how you have reacted to certain situations in the past. Have your actions and words been ones that would please God.
2. Learn to understand and appreciate those around you who will have different personalities and ideas than you.
3. Always think before speaking that your words will be suited to the situation.
4. Grow in your knowledge of God through His word that you may live in one accord with others.

We do play a role in what others think about the church. At the end of the day the Commander in incident had no more idea of what the confusion was all about than when he rescued Paul the first time. When we as a church are conflicted about what we believe how can we expect the world to gravitate towards the church? A church divided can only not stand but certainly it cannot influence the world for Christ. What we have been studying for almost a year is the way the church of the first century grew and dealt with problems within its ranks.

May we in the coming days take the lessons learned and apply them to our own situation. May we get to know the people within the body that we can live in one accord.

Additional Notes:

C-The real reason Paul had been persecuted time and again and now was standing trial among his pears was for “for the hope and resurrection of the dead.” If we truly think about this it is the very message that needs to be heard throughout the world, however wherever it has been proclaimed the church has always been persecuted and ridiculed. He was speaking of true life but they chose death. (Acts 23:6)

C-Paul’s statement brought about a division among his accusers. Some believed in the resurrection, the Pharisees, while others, Sadducees, denied anything of a supernatural nature. When his life became endangered the Roman contingent had to rescue him because he was not caught in the middle of the uproar. (Acts 23:7-10)

S-The Lord appeared to Paul and indicated he would go to Rome as His witness. (Acts 23:11)

C-After a plot against his life was discovered Paul was moved very quickly under the cover of darkness to Caesarea where he was turned over to the Roman governor Felix. (Acts 23:12-33)

OC-Jerusalem was not a time of defeat for Paul but a provided a door opportunity to open for him to go to Rome, the capitol of the world at that time. (Acts 23:11)

RT-It is interesting that although Festus could find no reason to detain Paul, he decided to send him to Caesar anyway. He of course thought he was acting on his own, but he was just providing the means by which the words of the Lord would be fulfilled. Paul had already been told by the Lord that he was going to have the opportunity to preach in Rome. (Acts 23:11; 25:25, 27)

DM-The Jews planned to have Paul killed. (Acts 23:12-15, 21)

C-Paul was detained in Herod’s Praetorium until his accusers could come down from Jerusalem. At that point they would once again have an opportunity to present their case before not a Roman commander but Felix the governor of all of Judea. (Acts 23:25)