Take Courage!

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Take Courage!

Date: Oct. 8, 2014

Passage

Acts 22:30-23:11 (ESV)

30 But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.

1 And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” 4 Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God’s high priest?” 5 And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

6 Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” 7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9 Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?” 10 And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.

11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

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Daily Bread

First, Paul a man of good conscience (22:30-23:5). The commander released Paul because he was a Roman citizen but he had to appear the next day before the Jewish leaders. Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and declared boldly that he had fulfilled the law in good conscience. Yet, the high priest ordered he be struck, which was in itself a violation of the law. Paul was quick to point this out but when he was rebuked for speaking badly of the high priest, Paul was quick to repent what he had said. In all he did, Paul had a good conscience.

Second, you must testify in Rome (6-11). Knowing that the Sadducees and Pharisees were theologically divided, Paul announced that he was on trial for the resurrection of the dead. This was in a sense true since he testified to the Risen Jesus. A dispute arose between them and Paul had to be taken away. That night, the Lord stood near his servant and said, "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome." The Lord is with us in our trials.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for standing near me. Help me to be a faithful witness to your resurrection.

One Word: Take courage! Testify to Jesus!

Solomon’s Prayer of Dedication

2 Chronicles 6:12-21

Key Verse: 6:21

Today's Question

What does the second commandment require?

See answer and references