In Acts 23 Paul testifies before the august Jewish Sanhedrin (a term meaning 70 seats, literally; being 70 judges over Israel.)

Things did not go so well … as Paul sought to secure his own freedom (prove his innocence from the false charges on which he was arrested), or at least (very possibly) spare his own life.

“And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. 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? And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest? 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.” Acts 23:1-5

Paul’s first statement overwhelms me. “I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” If by this he meant “all his life,” or even all his “adult life” … this suggests even when Paul was persecuting Christians (having a part in the deaths of many of them) … his conscience was “good, clear!”

Wow! This alone proves that the human conscience is NOT a good guide when it comes to God’s Standard of right and wrong! One’s conscience can indeed be skewed (seared) says Paul himself in 1 Timothy 4:2. (And if Paul here means “all his Christian life,” he certainly did not say so, not clearly! But even that would be an astounding claim!)

Whatever the Apostle had in mind, it got him a “slap in the face” for such a statement! A blow ordered by the presiding Officer of the Sanhedrin, the High Priest himself! The first “Ananias” in Paul’s life (at least as far as Scripture records) was a kind man. He came to Paul within days of his salvation experience and encouraged his heart, instructing him regarding God’s Will for his life! (See Acts 9:10-17.)

Now this (second) Ananias in our Text today is an apostate (unsaved) “High Priest,” proving you can be (very) religious but still (very) lost! I suspect he had Paul slapped because of jealousy … the High Priest feeling that he alone could make such a “pure” statement … certainly no other man could boast of such a conscience!

Whatever, Paul reacted to the physical assault! And then immediately apologized for his “blunder?”

Luke has it: “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?” Acts 23:3, Paul having in mind Jesus’ words back in Matthew 23:37, our Lord attacking the Pharisees, kindred spirits to this wicked High Priest! (“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.”)

The Paul (very uncharacteristically) apologizes … “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.” Quoting Exodus 22:28.

I personally am not at all sure Paul was in the Will of God … having gone to Jerusalem and having taken that vow and having shaved his head and having obeyed James’ counsel!

I do know things did not go well for Paul that day … and he had to resort (tomorrow’s Lesson) to verbal skill to avoid possible death! (Sly … but certainly not Paul at his best!)

And I (with reverence) am reminded of Proverbs 16:7 … “When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.”

Wow!

A lot to ponder!

This line of thought helps me better understand the abrupt ending with which the Book of Acts leaves us.

No more missionary journeys! (Again, according to Acts.)

No more Churches established!

No more freedom!

Paul under house arrest at Rome … period!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

I close by gong back to Acts 21:10-12, not many days earlier. “And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind (put in chains) the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him NOT TO GO up to Jerusalem.”

Wow!

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