The Apostle Paul – Lesson 55: – What to do with Paul

John 8:9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one

Did we learn our lesson? Study Questions from lesson 54 (Jerusalem – Time To Go)

1. According to Acts 22:24, how do the Romans plan to learn the truth about Paul? Answer: By scourging (torturing) him.

2. According to Acts 22:25, what two conditions did Paul note to challenge his captors? Answer: A. Paul claims Roman citizenship, and B. Uncondemned (not found guilty by trial).

3. According to Acts 22:26, who does the centurion inform of Paul’s news? Answer: The chief captain (EC – Lysais, noted in :10)

4. According to Acts 22:29, why were the Romans concerned? Answer: They violated the rights of a Roman citizen (bound an uncondemned man).

5. Complete the following scripture: Hebrews 9:22 without shedding of blood is no remission.

True / False

False Paul asked to be removed from the crowd. (ACTS 22:24 – Commanded to be taken) False Paul purchased his Roman citizenship. (ACTS 22:28 – He was born free) False All Roman soldiers were citizens. (Wikipedia – A non-citizen could serve in the Auxilia) True The blood of Christ represents the . (MATT 26:28)

Lesson 55: Jerusalem – What to do with Paul

The conscience is a window – Warren W. Wiersbe ( Exposition Commentary – 1989)

The conscience may be compared to a window that lets in the light.

- The cleaner the window is, the more the light shines in - As the window gets dirty, the light gets dimmer; and finally, the light becomes darkness.

A good or pure conscience is one that lets in God’s light so that we are properly convicted if we do wrong, and encouraged if we do right.

A defiled conscience is one that has been sinned against so much that it is no longer dependable:

1 Timothy 4:1-2 (1) Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (2) Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; - Once given over to sin (see reprobate), the conscience is no longer aligned to God (it is corrupt)

Paul faces the world and testifies of his conscience to bring out the true nature of the world.

Acts 22:30 – First, figure out what is going on (30) On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them. The chief captain (I will call him Claudius – because that is his name) now has a responsibility to Paul to fulfill, as he is a Roman citizen:

- The charges against Paul must be clearly defined The problem: What, exactly, are the charges against Paul? o Not only must the charge be communicated, there is also official documentation that must be submitted to support a trial if necessary (Even by today’s standards, one cannot be detained ‘just because’ – Charges must be noted) o At this time, no one can articulate exactly what Paul’s crime is.

The solution: Arrange a meeting between the accused and his accusers to define the charge

o Since this is with regard to Jewish custom, bring the matter before the experts of Jewish culture – The chief priests and their council

The Jewish council is made up of the Sanhedrin – About 70 leading Jewish teachers responsible to interpret the law as related to Jewish governing.

Note: There are two major Jewish groups (the Sanhedrin and the Pharisee) that share a common bond in heritage, but have some significant doctrinal differences

The Romans had conquered the region, but aligned with local native governing bodies to promote cooperation of their captives

Paul is brought in to this council to have the charges made clear.

Acts 23:1 – Paul’s introduction (1) And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

As Paul is allowed to address the council, he opens with two key statements:

Men and brethren

- This identifies Paul as a Jew (commonality): Will immediately capture the attention of council members, as there is always a movement to resist an occupying force (as Paul is being held by the Romans)

I have lived in all good conscience

- Lived: To indicate Paul was loyal to the law, observed Jewish tradition and custom in his daily life, and has a reputation to support this claim - Conscience: Although he stands before the council to be accused, his conscience is clear in his obedience to the law, scripture and prophecy guiding the Jew to God.

Paul also uses the word ‘conscience’ frequently in his epistles to identify that innate ability of the individual to identify right and wrong, and to issue internal approval or disapproval”

Romans 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another

o Paul notes the ‘conscience’ as the work of God, with His law written in our hearts

James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. James offers similar guidance

Philippians 3:5-6 – Paul’s self description before knowing the Lord (5) Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; (6) Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. o As a Jew (Pharisee) Paul had not only pride, but confidence in his zeal of his interpretation of the law, that it established him as ‘blameless’ (before both God and government) o Paul’s conscience was clear at that time o This is the conflict many have today: The self image of being good (a condition of pride)

Philippians 3:7 – Paul’s clarity of conscience changes with the truth of Christ (7) But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. o Until we come to Christ, our worldly gains are worthless

Acts 23:2 – Not so fast (2) And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

Paul’s profession of living in good conscience struck a nerve with the high priest, as he ordered a council member to strike Paul – This is a prideful, careless and without love.

Hebrews 5:1-2 Character of a high priest (1) For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: (2) Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.

- The high priest demonstrates a lack of compassion (similar to the accusation of Christ – John 18:22)

Acts 23:3-4 – Action not befitting the office (3) Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? (4) And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest? (5) Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

Paul reacts not with an apology, but with a response to render respect to the office of high priest, while criticizing the man Ananias as corrupt to his position, and an abuser of the duties entrusted to him – Citing his action as illegal:

Leviticus 19:15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.

- The high priest reacts contrary to the law by issuing punishment before establishing guilt

Satan nurtures your pride that you are good enough for heaven, that despite your flaws, you are accepted, you are ‘blameless, and have a right to heaven.

This is a deception, as God had revealed: Exodus 34:7 and that will by no means clear the guilty

- Who is guilty? Romans 6:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God

Until you become a child of God through Christ, you are a child of Satan (of this world) and will follow his will.

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

As Ananias trusted in his position, we trust in ourselves until the love of Christ is manifested within us (indwelling of the Holy Spirit) and we become a new creature.

Next lesson, Jerusalem – A House Divided

Lesson 55: Jerusalem – What to do with Paul

Study Questions

1. According to Acts 22:30, why did Claudius bring Paul to the chief priests?

______

2. According to Romans 2:15, What bears witness to the law of God written in our hearts?

______

3. Referencing Acts 23:1, how does Paul try to establish commonality with the Jewish council?

______

4. According to John 8:44, who is the father of the worldly?

______

5. Complete the following scripture:

James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do ______, and doeth it not, to him it is _____.

True / False Reference

T F One’s conscience can be corrupted ______

T F While as a Pharisee, Paul professed a clear conscience in his zeal ______

T F Ananias commanded Paul be struck after his opening remarks ______

T F God will not punish all sin ______