“I’ll think about it tomorrow”

And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you." Acts 24:24-25

Scarlett O'Hara, the heroine of “Gone with the Wind,” famously said, “I’ll think about it tomorrow.” She didn’t want to deal with anything uncomfortable today, and so she figured tomorrow would be a better time. But when what needs to be done today is put off until tomorrow, tomorrow often never comes.

This appears to be the case with Felix. The Roman historian Tacitus described Felix, the Roman governor over Judea and Samaria, as “cruel, licentious, and base.” He was somewhat acquainted with “Jewish sect” (as it was understood to be at the time), of Christianity. Paul stood before Felix regarding Paul’s fate in the face of criminal charges. Rather than merely defending himself, the Apostle spoke about Christ and the gospel—including the judgement of God to come. (Please do not miss that God’s judgment is a part of the gospel!)

Luke records that Felix was “afraid.” Why? Because like all people (Romans 1:18-ff), Felix knew that God exists and that all will be judged by God. Felix was reminded by Paul that he was guilty before God and that judgment was coming. So Felix was correctly afraid.

Felix employed a common means of “suppressing the truth in unrighteousness.” He did this, as do so many throughout history, by saying, “I’ll think about it tomorrow.”

God’s Word warns us not to be so foolish since “Today is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Thank God for small favors

But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case." So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him. Acts 24:22-23

Sure, Paul was under arrest and being held as a prisoner. Not optimum, to say the least.

But, the Lord in His kind mercies, allowed Paul “liberty,” and allowed Paul’s friends to visit him any time.

In big picture matters I am an optimist. I know God’s Kingdom cannot fail. But in the little things, I can easily be more prone to fret over life’s inconveniences than to notice and praise God for His small, and therefore easily overlooked blessings.

If this resonates with you, lets you and I resolve to look for God’s blessings, no matter how small, and praise Him for these bits of kindness. And let us resolve not to major on the things we do not like, about which we have no control.

Life will be better, I’m sure!

Hurry up and wait

But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case." So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.
Acts 24:22-23

About these verses one commentator wrote the following:

After Paul had defended himself, Felix explained that he would wait for the arrival of Claudius Lysias before deciding Paul's case. In view of Paul's defense, he should have dismissed the case for lack of evidence. Instead he adjourned the court. (Baker New Testament Commentary)

Hurry up and wait. This is the way of government and big business.

What about Felix “having more accurate knowledge of the Way [Christianity]”? Felix was not a Christian by any stretch of the imagination, but by this time Christianity was established enough that as a shrewd bureaucrat, he wisely must have educated himself about it. He was neither a spokesman nor an expert n Christianity, but he had a more accurate knowledge of the faith than most.

As previously stated, the law would have leaned toward releasing Paul since the charges were flimsy, having no evidence to support them. Why then was Paul held for more inquests into the matter? From a human standpoint, I cannot say. But from a divine standpoint, first, God wanted Paul to go to Roman (even as a prisoner). Second, it is while imprisoned that Paul would pen (God was the divine Author), a number of books that make up our New Testament.

We often do not understand God’s providential plans or His timing. When this is the case, let us by faith embrace what we cannot change, knowing that God has everything under control.

How's your conscience?

So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. Acts 24:16

As a footnote to Paul’s defense before Felix, I have been thinking about the Apostle’s words regarding conscience. A couple of thoughts:

Conscience is not always reliable. Everyone has a conscience. This is part of what it means to be an image bearer of God. Not everyone’s conscience is equally reliable since people believe all sorts of lies, and when a person’s mind is filled with lies, that person’s conscience reflects those lies. For our consciences to be reliable…

Conscience needs to be properly programmed by the Word of God. Paul wrote in Romans 12:2 that believers need to have renewed minds. This renewing of the mind has two equally important phases: (1) Unlearning the lies we’ve believed, and (2) learning the truth as set forth in the Bible. The result is a properly (that is, biblically) programmed conscience.

Conscience (biblically programmed) needs to be obeyed. If we know the truth and habitually disobey the truth, we are in dangerous waters. Therefore, let us be serious about…

>>Learning the Word of God, which is the only pure source for truth. >>Saying “No,” to the lies the world is constantly feeding us. >>And “being doers, not just hearers of the Word,” lest we deceive ourselves.

Keeping the main thing, the main thing

However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

"After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings. I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me. Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin-- unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence:

'It is concerning the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you today.'"
Acts 24:14-21

Please note that Paul’s defense before Felix had two points: (1) Paul’s proclamation of the gospel, and (2) Paul’s defense of regarding the charges made against Him

First, Paul’s proclamation of the gospel. This is first! Granted, Paul did not give a full presentation of the gospel in this case (though he certainly would in later legal proceedings), but Paul’s first point was that following Jesus was neither new nor novel as it was prophesied throughout the Old Testament.

Second Paul again explained that the specific charges against him were fallacious.

The lesson is just this: besides sticking with “just the facts,” while refraining from attacking his accusers, Paul made clear who he was and what he was doing because of his commitment to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Let us remember to “keep the main thing, the main thing.” And what is the main thing? Christ and the gospel—including the Resurrection!

"Just the facts"

When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: "I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense. You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me. Acts 24:10-13

In the iconic radio, and then television show, Dragnet, LAPD detective Sgt. Joe Friday was famous for the words, “Just the facts.” He said these words to those he was interviewing when their statements got side-tracked from, well, the facts!

Paul’s accusers front-loaded their testimony with slanderous (and false) statements about him. When he had opportunity to answer the charges, he rightly and wisely refrained from returning evil for evil by making any personal attack statements about those who had verbally assailed him. Instead, Paul stuck with, “just the facts.” He simply stated that the charges were false, while pointing out that his prosecutors had no facts to substantiate their accusations.

The natural urge in most of us is to answer personal attacks with retaliatory personal attacks. Let us learn from Paul (and a host of proverbs) not to make things more personal than is prudent and simply stick with “just the facts.”

Those screaming for justice are frequently the farthest from justice themselves

For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law. But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands, commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him." And the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so.
Acts 24:5-9

The libelous attacks against Paul as a person aside, what about the actual charges? From the biased perspective of the Jewish religious leaders, they were as true as true could be. Though Paul was not out to create “dissension among the Jews throughout the world,” it is true that the gospel does divide. It divides those who believe from those who do not believe. And we shouldn’t be surprised about that. But that is never our aim when proclaiming Christ and the gospel.

As for “profaning the temple,” that accusation was not factual and was therefore simply not true! But understand that when people are exercised about what is dear to them, an absence of facts is small matter in their eyes.

Do not miss (v.9) “the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so.” If there is anything more insidious than false accusations, it is the reality that the crowd is often easily aroused to join in. It reminds me of the sober and weighty warning in God’s Law, “You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice” (Exodus 23:2).

Let us be careful not to flatter people to win their approval, attack a person when the charges are untrue, and be on guard never to “follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice.”

AND, let us praise God that our perfectly just God will have the final word on all cases of injustice!

Do you know what ad hominin means?

For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law. But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands, commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him." And the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so.
Acts 24:5-9

After the disingenuous flattery of Felix by Tertullus on behalf of Paul’s Jewish accusers, the character assassination of Paul began. Before considering the accusations, note the personal attacks on Paul. Flatterers are also character assassins! As much as they will lie to ‘butter up’ a person (for their own advantage), they have no compunction about lying about those they oppose.

One of the oldest and most insidious methods of debate is called ad hominin, Latin for “to the person.” The simplest explanation of the reason for, and method of ad hominin is this: When a person does not have facts to support his case, he resorts to simply attacking the person with whom he disagrees. This could also aptly be referred to as “verbal bullying!”

Go back and read Tertullus’ words and notice the absence of facts versus the wealth of personal attacks.

Those who specialize* in personal attacks of their opponents may have the right to speak, but they do not deserve to be heard. This is true in personal matters, as well as in formal public debate. Sadly, politics in our land has devolved into ugly name-calling instead of honest consideration of facts regarding issues.

Let us resist the temptation to practice ad hominin arguments, and may we refuse to be swayed by such tactics—even when we agree with what is being said. We need to think twice before voting for caustic bullies.

*I say specialize, because nearly all of us resort to ad hominin at times when frustrated. But if this is a person’s regular practice, that is another matter!

Do you know the difference between compliments and flattery?

Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul. And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: "Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight, we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us. Acts 24:1-4

The accusers began their attack on Paul by flattering Felix, from whom they wanted favor. It is hard to miss the disingenuous flattery poured out on Felix by Tertullus, the chief spokesman for those accusing Paul. Flattery is a wicked attempt to manipulate those from whom something was wanted. Flattery is resoundingly warned against (and condemned) throughout the Proverbs.

First, it is not wrong to pay someone a legitimate compliment. Such compliments become flattery when they are excessive, over-the-top, and clearly duplicitous. It takes no super powers of discernment, as it is generally quite obvious.

Another indicator that a compliment is flattery is when the compliment is interwoven (or immediately followed) by a request for favor. When “giving” a compliment is intended to obligate a person from whom we hope to “get” something in return, we are “flatterers!”

Second, as Christians we do well to speak kind and even complimentary words to one another. But let us not venture into flattery. And especially as believers, let us acknowledge the Lord’s mercies when complimenting others. Instead of piling on about how great the person is/was, try telling the person how grateful you are to the Lord for blessing you through that one.

Let us neither be flatterers, nor by seduced by flatterers!

Could there be a greater concern than my convenience?

Then the soldiers, as they were commanded, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. The next day they left the horsemen to go on with him, and returned to the barracks. When they came to Caesarea and had delivered the letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him. And when the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. And when he understood that he was from Cilicia, he said, "I will hear you when your accusers also have come." And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's Praetorium.
Acts 23:31-35

Paul arrived in Caesarea, and Felix was handed the letter from Claudius explaining why Paul was being remanded to him. Felix wanted to know where Paul was from—probably in hopes that he could shuffle Paul off to another court in that locale. But Felix decided to hear the case himself. Why? Probably because Paul was from far away. The distance would make it burdensome to transport him so far, and to demand that Paul’s accusers travel so far themselves.

Felix likely saw this as a small matter since Claudius had assured him that Paul was not guilty of any serious crime. The wheels of justice were grinding slowly and with much bureaucratic red tape.

Paul was to remain imprisoned until his accusers could come from Jerusalem.

Why so many delays? We who are familiar with the rest of the story know that it was God’s will that Paul end up in Rome, and these were all part of a series of steps to get Paul there—on Rome’s dime.

When will I learn that God’s will does not depend on or promise my convenience?

The Lord's peace even when in trouble

And he called for two centurions, saying, "Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at the third hour of the night; and provide mounts to set Paul on, and bring him safely to Felix the governor." He wrote a letter in the following manner: Claudius Lysias, To the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings. This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them. Coming with the troops I rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman. And when I wanted to know the reason they accused him, I brought him before their council. I found out that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but had nothing charged against him deserving of death or chains. And when it was told me that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him immediately to you, and also commanded his accusers to state before you the charges against him. Farewell. Acts 23:23-30

Because of Paul’s Roman citizenship, the Roman authorities were responsible to get Paul back to Caesarea for the Roman governor, Felix, to hear Paul’s case. Ironically, the Roman authorities previously had to rescue Paul from the Jewish mob. But at this point Paul’s safety depended on his departure from Jerusalem and return to Caesarea.

Don’t miss the size of the detachment of soldiers needed to transport Paul: “two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen”! Note also that the trip to Caesarea was planned to be under cover of darkness. Obviously, the Jewish threat was formidable.

Another point to note is that the letter to Felix makes it clear that from the vantage point of the Roman authorities, Paul was innocent of any wrongdoing that would warrant imprisonment, much less, death. From this let us be instructed that guilt is not the only reason to be in trouble—either with popular opinion (the Jews), or the law (the Roman authorities). But either way, God is in control. When we forget this, we may be tempted to despair. When we remember this, we may have the Lord’s peace.

Help comes in unexpected ways!

So when Paul's sister's son heard of their ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, "Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him." So he took him and brought him to the commander and said, "Paul the prisoner called me to him and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to say to you." Then the commander took him by the hand, went aside, and asked privately, "What is it that you have to tell me?" And he said, "The Jews have agreed to ask that you bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire more fully about him. But do not yield to them, for more than forty of them lie in wait for him, men who have bound themselves by an oath that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him; and now they are ready, waiting for the promise from you." So the commander let the young man depart, and commanded him, "Tell no one that you have revealed these things to me." Acts 23:16-22

The radical Jewish religious leaders made an oath not to eat or drink until Paul was dead (v.12 & 14). Talk about blind rage! God could have done anything to rescue Paul from these maniacally dangerous men. What He did was not what we might have expected.

Who knows that Paul had a nephew? Who knows how Paul’s nephew caught wind of the plot to ambush Paul? How did the nephew get in to see Paul? Why was Paul able to tell the Romans about the plot, and why would they listen to Paul? Why was the nephew allowed to tell the Roman authorities and why did they listen to him?

Providence. None of these were miracles, per se, but they were evidence of the sovereign hand of God orchestrating circumstances (including unlikely circumstances) to accomplish His will.

This is why we ought not pray to God when we are in trouble by telling Him how to solve the dilemma. Pray? YES! But remember that He doesn’t need our counsel on solving our difficulties. Instead, let us pour out our concerns to Him, trusting Him to do what is right—and best!

Never be surprised by opposition

And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. Now there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy. They came to the chief priests and elders, and said, "We have bound ourselves under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul. Now you, therefore, together with the council, suggest to the commander that he be brought down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to make further inquiries concerning him; but we are ready to kill him before he comes near." Acts 23:12-15

Even though the Lord used the Roman civil authorities to rescue Paul from the Jewish mob, and even though the Lord encouraged Paul that He had plans to use him in Rome, that did not eliminate the opposition. Let us be reminded that while the Lord is in control and has plans for our lives, opposition not only continues to exist, it may even be intensified.

We must not make our plans, or worse, give up altogether based on whether opposition exists. Instead let us train our eyes on God’s Word, His promises, and His steadfast love. Let us trust that “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You [the Lord] shall condemn” (Isaiah 54:17).

Our responsibility is to continue to forge ahead, trusting and following the Lord.

Christ the Encourager

Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees' party arose and protested, saying, "We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God." Now when there arose a great dissension, the commander, fearing lest Paul might be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks. But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome." Acts 23:9-11

Those rascals were at it again! The Pharisees and the Sadducees, two very different rival parties within Judaism turned on each other. They were united only for a heartbeat in their common hatred of all things Christian. But when Paul stealthily reminded them how much they hated each other, their ire shifted away from Paul (and Christ) and onto their intramural hatred of each other.

Upon learning that Paul was also a Pharisee by training, the fiercely loyal-to-their-party Pharisees defended him and attacked the Sadducees. As the text says, the feud became so intense that the Roman officials rescued Paul from the fray. After all, Paul was a Roman citizen, and it is very likely that none of the Jewish religious leaders enjoyed the benefits of Roman citizenship. Paul remained in custody for a couple of days, however.

But then the Savior appeared to him, encouraging him that He had plans for Paul. Those plans included Paul preaching in Rome. That Paul would remain in custody even in Rome is a reminder that though God’s plans are always good and for His glory they are not always pleasant!

There are times when it appears that all is lost, but the Lord almost always has more plans for our lives. He doesn’t always reveal what they are (as He did for Paul), but as long as we are alive, we are not done! God has more for us to do! So be encouraged!

Persecution of non-believers as though they are believers

And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both. Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees' party arose and protested, saying, "We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God." Acts 23:7-9

We have been considering how Paul, used the division between two Jewish parties (the Pharisees and Sadducees) to divert their attention away from him. We have been discussing the fact that Christians must not divide ourselves unnecessarily, diverting our attention from Christ and the gospel, and giving the upper hand to those who oppose Christianity. If you missed them, read the previous two posts.

One more thought on this topic. The enemies of Christ persecute His people, not because they hate us as much as they hate Him (1 Samuel 8:7, Acts 9:4). As we know, there are many who claim the name “Christian” who are not true believers in Christ. They are cultural or national Christians in name only. The enemies of Christ persecute them as well as true believers. We should be as concerned about persecution of these just as much as we are of the persecution of true believers. Why? Because the enemies of Christ do not know the difference between true Christians and those who are Christian in name only—their hatred of Christ is every bit the same.

So when we read of persecution of Christians (whether genuine or not), we are reading of hatred of Jesus (Acts 9:4). Here are two reasons we should pray for anyone who is being persecuted for being Christian, whether they are Christian or not:

First, they are people suffering persecution, which is never right!

Second, even when those who do not know the Lord are persecuted as though they do, the persecutors believe they are attacking Christ and His people. Though we may not identify with those—who are suffering at the hands of Christ haters—as brothers in Christ, pray for them and for their salvation.

And as hard as it is to do so, pray for the persecutors as well. May God save them!

Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly! (Revelation 22:20)

Follow-up thoughts about agreeing and disagreeing, agreeably

And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both. Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees' party arose and protested, saying, "We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God." Acts 23:7-9

Last time we commented on how Paul irked two rival Jewish parties into dissension. It was intentional on Paul’s part and it did get these enemies of Christ to divert their attention away from Paul—which was his aim. We commented on how we as believers need to be united, which is true. However…

Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 6:14-15:

Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?

These words assist us in who to be united with and how much.

We must not turn against true believers. Do all believers agree about everything? Of course not, but we must discern the difference between matters that separate believers from non-believers and intramural disagreements. Though we do not need to agree about everything, we must not unnecessarily divide the body of Christ over secondary matters about which we do not have exactly the same convictions. We may even disagree over the interpretation of some passages of scripture and still be brothers and sisters in Christ.

What if the disagreement is on essential doctrines? If someone holds a position that places them in the category of outright heresy, they are not Christians. This is why we cannot lock arms with those who are in cults—no matter how much they may insist that they are Christians. This does not mean that we may hate them or be less than pleasantly Christian in our relationships with them—especially if we are family-related!

What if we agree on other matters, but not about Christ and the gospel? If a person is not a Christian, we may agree on other things and therefore be able to encourage each other regarding those matters. For instance, there are people who insist they are Christian (and are not) who are pro-life. We can agree on this moral issue and work side by side to further the pro-life cause—as long as we understand that being pro-life doesn’t make a person who believes a false gospel a Christian. This is true regarding other moral issues and even politics (but let us be doubly careful not to mistake like-political convictions with being followers of Christ!).

The key to all of this is discernment. We must discern the difference between essential gospel issues and issues about which true believers may disagree. We must discern the difference between agreement on moral or political issues and theological incompatibilities. And above all we must remain Christlike (pleasant, winsome, and kind) not only with brethren with whom we may disagree on secondary issues, but also with those who oppose Christ and the gospel.

Remaining as united as is possible

But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!" And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both. Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees' party arose and protested, saying, "We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God." Acts 23:6-9

Paul was on trial before the Jewish religious authorities. Things were not going especially well. Paul noticed that those sitting in judgment over him were from two rival religious parties. Some were Pharisees and some were Sadducees. Though these two parties were united in their hatred of Christianity, they were divided among themselves.

The Pharisees were the very strict religious legalists. The Sadducees were the “liberals” who did not believe in any kind of resurrection—in other words: this life is “it.” The two groups didn’t like each other—except regarding any common enemies they may have had—like Jesus, Christians, and now Paul!

Paul seized the opportunity to get them to turn on each other, in hopes of diverting their attention away from him. So, he announced that he was a Pharisee. The Pharisees, fiercely loyal to their party, defended Paul, which emphasized the partisan divide between the Pharisees and the Sadducees.

Paul’s plan worked!

Lessons?

1. While we have differences among various branches of true and biblical Christianity, we must not turn against each other—especially over secondary matters. Instead, let us defend one another as much as we are able.

2. As we remain united with each other in Christ, it is only a matter of time before the warring factions among non-believers will turn on and devour one another.

“Salute the rank!”

Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, "Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day." And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?" And those who stood by said, "Do you revile God's high priest?" Then Paul said, "I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT SPEAK EVIL OF A RULER OF YOUR PEOPLE.'"
Acts 23:1-5

Last time we considered Paul’s respectful opening words as he addresses the Jewish council, the fact that he was slapped on the face, and his angry (though prophetic) response (v.1-3). We’ll comment this time on the next phase of those proceedings in (v.4).

“Those who stood by” rebuked Paul for speaking disrespectfully to the high priest (v.4). Though the council was trying Paul unlawfully, their sin did not excuse Paul’s lack of composure. He had a right to be angry, but we could all do with a reminder than anger does not need to be displayed disrespectfully. This is especially true when we are angry with those in authority. Remember Paul’s words in Romans 13:1-7 that all in authority hold their positions by appointment of God—including evil authorities. We are charged to be respectful even when speaking truthfully against their evil deeds.

There is an old military saying, “Salute the rank.” The meaning is that while those who outrank us may be less than deserving people, we need to be properly respectful to the office, even if the officer is not respectable.

This is practical and much needed in our day. Speaking for myself, it is been over 30 years since we had an American president that I did not have serious objections to—whether regarding policy or personality, or both! I can get exercised with my disapproval of these leaders. Obviously I have not spoken inappropriately to their faces, but I have spoken disparagingly about them. This is wrong. To speak truth—or even honest opinion—even when angry, is one thing. To speak disrespectfully is another.

I am reminded of Paul’s words in Ephesians 4:26 (which is a quote from Psalm 4:4): “Be angry and sin not.”

Lord, may we restrain our words with grace. Teach us to honor You, by honoring those You have appointed to positions of authority—even when they are evil.

Order in the court!

Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, "Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day." And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, "God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?" And those who stood by said, "Do you revile God's high priest?" Then Paul said, "I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT SPEAK EVIL OF A RULER OF YOUR PEOPLE.'" Acts 23:1-5

Paul started his appearance before the Jewish council with respect. That changed rather abruptly.

The high priest Ananias, ordered that Paul be slapped in the face. For what? Not for anything Paul had said in court. He hadn’t said much and he began most respectfully (v.1). Ananias, unlike our Great High Priest Jesus, was not an easy man. According to the Jewish historian Josephus, he was known for being both vicious and violent. Having Paul struck in the face was just the way Ananias did business.

He did not have Paul slapped for anything Paul said while in court that day. He was struck for what Ananias had already falsely determined to be true about Paul: that Paul had been perverting the Jewish religion and therefore deserved to be humiliated.

You may remember in John 18:22-23 when Jesus stood before Caiaphas, He too was struck in the face. Jesus calmly asked the person who struck Him why He had been treated as such. Paul reacted rather angrily (v.3).

Note that Paul charged the Jewish official with breaking Jewish procedural law by punishing a person before his case was settled and an official judgement was rendered. As the Jewish trials of Jesus were carried out unlawfully, so was Paul’s trial. As to the manner of Paul’s response, he rather disrespectfully pronounced a curse on Ananias. However, his words were prophetic. As history records, King Agrippa punitively removed Ananias from office in A.D. 59. Then in A.D. 66, Ananias was assassinated. But neither of those events were as bad as what awaited Ananias when he faced God for judgment.

What about Paul being rebuked for his disrespect for the high priest (v.4)? Next time.

Preparing for persecution

The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them. Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, "Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day." Acts 22:30-23:1

It had been twenty years. That’s right, twenty years earlier the deacon, Stephen, stood where Paul was now standing (Acts 7). Stephen was on trial before the chief priests and the council. Stephen gave a brilliant explanation for his faith in Christ, urging his inquisitors to join him in trusting Christ. They refused, “and they cast [Stephen] out of the city and stoned him.” (Acts 7:58) And the rest of verse fifty-eight:

And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
Acts 7:58

Now Paul was standing where Stephen stood, but Paul was on trial this time. Ironic.

Once the court was in session, official words were no doubt spoken stating the charges against the former persecutor of Christians, turned champion of the faith. Ananias, the high priest who presided over the Jesus’ religious trial, was without a doubt presiding.

When it was Paul’s turn to speak, Paul looked “intently at the council.” (ESV) Though his life was indeed on the line, Paul’s gaze was no doubt respectful, but he was not about to back down. Paul’s words were likewise respectful. Paul affirmed that he had always lived his life according to the will of God, in as much as he understood God’s will. This was true regarding his zeal for the law as a Pharisee. It was true regarding his vehement persecution of Christians. And it was now true regarding his passion to preach Christ. The difference was that before Paul was saved, he did not understand God’s will.

Paul’s plea before the court was innocence before God—even though in the eyes of his accusers, he was indeed “guilty” of being a Christian.

I have lived my entire life free from persecution for being a follower of Christ. If that were to change, would I follow the example of Paul before his accusers. Would I follow the example of Stephen? And of Christ Himself? The likelihood of persecution of Christians in the United States is increasing. The time to prepare for persecution is before it begins. The way to prepare for persecution is to live our lives “in all good conscience before God.” All day. Every day.

Heaven help us.