IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Paul Before the Sanhedrin

Date: Sep. 2, 2019

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.

And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to 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 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?” Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God’s high priest?” 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.’”

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.” And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 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.”

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 23:11

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.”

1. Paul fulfilled his duty to God (22:30-23:5)

The commander brought Paul before the Sanhedrin in order to find out why the Jews were accusing him. Paul stated to them that he had fulfilled his duty to God in all good conscience. This caused the high priest to have Paul struck, which was against Jewish law. When Paul tried to point this out, he was rebuked for speaking in such a way to the high priest. Paul repented immediately. He was a man of great conscience.

2. The Lord told Paul to take courage (6-11)

The Sanhedrin contained both Pharisees (who believed in the resurrection) and Sadducees (who didn't). Paul used this to his advantage and stated that he stood on trial because of his hope in the resurrection. This caused a huge uproar that necessitated the removal of Paul for his own safety. That night, the Lord stood near Paul and told him, "Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome." As the Lord stood near Paul in his time of fear, so the Lord stands with us in our trials as well.

Prayer: Prayer: Lord, I know you always stand with me. Help me to take courage, knowing this.

One Word: Take courage! Testify to the Lord.

Daily Bread

Hallelujah!

Revelation 19:1-10

Key Verse: 19:1

Rejoicing in Heaven

19:1 After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out,

  “Hallelujah!
  Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,

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