The Book of Acts
Paul's Before the Sanhedrin
Acts 23:6-10
The Apostle Paul very often found himself in very complicated and dangerous positions. In Acts 22 and 23, he is accused by the Jews in Jerusalem of being anti-Jew, anti-temple, anti- Moses and anti-God.
When he is given an opportunity to defend himself, what he says starts a riot. He is then taken into custody of the Romans who, in an attempt to find out what's going on, are about to beat him. When they find out he is Jewish, they bring him before the Jewish Sanhedrin.
The High Priest doesn't like what he says and orders him to be punched in the mouth, and he has to apologize publicly for reviling God's appointed leader.
Things just continue to go from bad to worse.
But, watch what he does. The Spirit of God has given this man such wisdom, it is amazing! Paul knows this crowd. In Jewish life and theology, there were three basic groups: the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and the Essenes.
The Essenes were the hippies of the day. They lived down near the Dead Sea in Qumran and were the egghead, bookworm types. They were into esthetics.
The more mainline groups were the Pharisees and the Sadducees.
The Pharisees were the super-legalists. They believed in miracles, and they believed in the literal interpretation of Scripture.
The Sadducees were the liberals of the day. They denied miracles, and in particular, they denied the resurrection, which is why they were sad, you see. By the way, keep that in mind because it becomes very significant in a moment. Also, they were the group that was made up of the high priestly families.
The Pharisees were ultraconservative fundamentalists. By the way, you know the definition of a fundamentalist don't you? No fun, too much dam, and not enough mental. They were on the extreme end of legalism.
So these are the two factions that dominated, much like Republicans and Democrats in America today. And in like manner, there was a majority party and a minority party, and the Pharisees were the majority as far as number went. But the Sadducees had control because they were the priestly family.
So, Paul looks at the Sanhedrin, a group he knows well because he was a member, and he recognizes that these two groups are there: Pharisees and Sadducees. Now, these people got along only when they met together in the Sanhedrin.
The rest of the time, they fought like cats and dogs. Most of the time, the Pharisees would overrule because they had more people and they would win the vote. But there was a terrible friction between the Pharisees and Sadducees.
The only two things they ever agreed on, as far as the New Testament relates, is to get rid of Jesus and get rid of Paul. Apart from that, they disagreed on everything.
So Paul looks them over, and he knows there’s not a chance for a fair trial, and listen to what he says,
verse 6
Now that is a shrewd maneuver because it immediately starts a fight between the groups.
verse 7
The Sadducees are immediately on the defensive and the Pharisees are saying, " This guy can’t be too bad. After all, he's one of us and his father was too!"
And notice, the main point of contention, which Paul stresses, is the resurrection.
verse 8
Remember, the Sadducees said there is no resurrection or spirit world and the Pharisees said there was and all of a sudden, their same old theological argument heats up, and Paul just steps back out of the way and let's them fight.
And notice the wisdom of Paul. He doesn't specifically mention the resurrection of Jesus Christ, although it is obvious it is to that he is referring.
He's already told given them his testimony about going down to Damascus Road and encountering Jesus.
Well, if Jesus showed up and spoke to him and knocked him in the dirt, then He must be alive, which means He resurrected. But he doesn't mention the resurrection of Jesus specifically. He talks about the "hope and resurrection of the dead".
And the reaction of a Pharisee would be, “Well, there’s nothing wrong with believing that. That’s solid doctrine.” So all of a sudden, the Pharisees are on his side.
It's interesting that for 30 years now, they have denied the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and all of a sudden, they are agreeing with Paul!
But the Sadducees say there is no resurrection, nor angels, nor spirit. The Sadducees denied all angels. They denied spirit in the sense that they denied the spiritual part of a man. They denied that the soul lived after the body. They said, “The body dies. The soul dies. It’s all over with. There’s no heaven. There’s no hell. There’s no nothing.”
So, they’re at each others’ throat. Paul calmly stands there, and watch what happens.
Verse 9a "loud outcry"
It is an all-out shout down your opponent yelling match at this point. Here they’re arguing now. They are going at it like crazy, and all of a sudden, the scribes get involved.
verse 9b "No evil in this man"
They were actually willing to let Paul off the hook ifn order to make their theological point against the Sadducees. That gives you an idea of the antagonism between them!
verse 9c
Now understand, Paul had said nothing about a spirit or an angel speaking to him. No doubt, it was Jesus that spoke. But they change the testimony to fit their theology. Again, that was a jab against the Sadducees. And once again, they would fight about that.
So what happened?
verse 10
It is an all-out brawl at this point, and the Roman commander, poor guy, once again has to step in to protect Paul from being killed.
What he thought would be a reasonable solution to the problem and allow him to get to the truth has resulted in the entire Jewish court fighting with each other, and Paul’s still standing there with no accusation.
So they rescue Paul again, and Paul leaves, really with a win under his belt.
What looked like it would certainly end with either him being killed by the Jews or scourged by the Romans, instead ends with the Jews fighting with each other and Paul safely protected by the Romans.
And watch what happens? Paul is put in the barracks for the night, and there in that Roman prison, oneof the sweetest interchanges that ever happens between the Lord and Paul occurs.
verse 11
Isn’t that good? Five times in Paul’s life the Lord Jesus came to him Himself. This is one of those five. Always at times of crisis, the Lord stood by him. He was alone in the cell. Maybe he was saying, “Really Lord, Is this how it's going to end? Don't you care about me?”
Or maybe he was saying, “Lord, it sure seems like You’ve been gone a long time! Have You forgotten me?” You know, you can have those kind of moods when you’ve been through something like that easily.
And it wasn’t enough for the Lord to just remind him of a few principles. Jesus came to him. Jesus came and stood by him and He gave him three little words.
Watch this. First came,
- Consolation
“The Lord stood by him and said, ‘Cheer up, Paul.” Can’t you imagine you’re sitting there and, all of a sudden, you hear Jesus say, “Cheer up, Paul.”
By the way, do you believe the Lord is that close to you? The Bible says the Holy Spirit dwells where? In us. Jesus said, “I may be going away from earth, but I’ll never leave you or forsake you. Lo, I’m with you always.” The Lord stood by him consolation.
Our God is a God of comfort. As I said, Paul found himself in a lot of dangerous places, but he never found himself there alone. He knew the comfort of God.
Listen to what he wrote to the Corinthians. This is in the midst of pain and being run from one place to the other by people who hated him, “Blessed be God,” 2 Corinthians 1:3, “...even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort” – listen – “...who comforts us in all our tribulation.”
He says, “I never go through anything that God doesn’t comfort me.” “And He does it that we may be able to comfort them who are in any trouble by the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted of God.” God comforts me so that I can teach you about God’s comfort.
“For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation abounded by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your comfort.” Whether we be comforted, it is for your comfort.” He says, “God keeps comforting me in every trial in order that I might teach you about His comfort.”
In 2 Corinthians 7 verse 4, “I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.” Verse 5, “When we were in Macedonia, our flesh had no rest. We were troubled on every side: without, fightings, within fears. Nevertheless God, who comforts those that are cast down, comforted us.” God always comforts His own.
“Don't you care?” “Yes Paul, I care.”
And He came into that little cell that night and stilled the waves and calmed the sea. “Cheer up, Paul.”
There's not a lot of theology in that. It's not a great doctrinal lecture. But man, is it practical! He just said, “Cheer up. I’m here.”
Do you know what Paul said in Philippians? He said this, “Be anxious for nothing.” Why? “The Lord is at hand.” Isn’t that good? “I’m here; cheer up.” Consolation.
The second thing was
- commendation
verse 11 continues,,
“Paul, for as you have testified of Me in Jerusalem.” You know, the word “testify” means “given full witness.” He said, “Paul, you did the job. Cheer up. You finished your work here. You testified of Me in Jerusalem. You did what I wanted. You gave the complete testimony.”
His thoughts could have been at that split second, “Does that mean it’s over?” Then He gives him
- confidence
Verse 11 c
“And so must you also bear witness” – where – “at Rome.” I imagine he just came right up off the floor. “I’m going to get to go to Rome.” That’s confidence. The Lord just gave him that promise.
Do you think God cares for you? God came to Paul and He gave him thanks for the past, comfort for the present, and assurance for the future. He’s the God of all comfort. I’ve seen Him comfort many people. I’ve seen Him comfort in my own life and give consolation. I know you have. In the midst of any trial, He cares. Cast your care on Him.
Let’s pray.
