Day 44

Memorize: Council of the Sanhedrin

Acts 23

Key Verses: 3, 11, 12, 17, 23, 35

Paul stands up for himself. This can be hard for some people to do! Some people become a doormat for other people’s abuse. A proper High Priest would not exact a punishment without having first questioned the suspect and then the witnesses. It took the testimony of two or three witnesses to convict. So Ananias overstepped his authority. That is why Paul questioned his position. He was not acting in line with his position. No wonder Paul did not know he was High Priest.

As Paul is in protective custody the Lord appears to him and gives him a further mission: testify in Rome. If you have never been to Rome take the chance if you ever get it. Even after almost 2000 years the splendor of Rome in Paul’s day can be seen. It was a one of a kind city. Its buildings were unparalleled. The power that resided in that city extended further than any other empire of its day. And Paul would speak to those powers. He would speak from his powerlessness about the resurrection power of Jesus, the power to change lives.

Of course his enemies don’t like Paul and they come up with a plan: stop eating until Paul is dead. They want motivation to kill him quickly, but their plot fails. Since Paul lived, did these forty men starve to death? I don’t think so. We must be slow in making vows; rash decisions rarely are the best ones. The plot is discovered by a young boy overhearing the plan. This young boy is sent to the commander, a man of importance. Paul gets protected. Look at the size of the escort. The President of the United States would be happy with a personal security detail like this, the best of that day. No one would dare try to take Paul from such a force.

Paul begins witnessing to Roman power when he is taken to Antipatris, the governor of Caesarea. This would be like getting to speak directly to the governor of a state, not something most of us get the privilege of doing, especially when we are under a cloud of suspicion. The Lord opens the door for the mission that was given. He provides the transportation and the proper introductions. He is accomplishing His mission through Paul. Paul is just a vessel willing to be used. Are you willing to be used?

REVIEW: Keep running HOLY SPIRIT WORKING IN THE