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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Paul was witnessing/preaching/testifying to the Jewish people, who had already sought to kill him earlier that very day! He virtually reviews his life as a Christian … then began to relate how God called him to preach to the Gentiles!

Paul’s words as given us by Luke … “And he (the Lord) said unto me (Paul), Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the GENTILES. And they gave him audience unto THIS WORD, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth (kill him): for it is not fit that he should live. And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air.” Another riot, another unruly Jewish throng, quoiting verses 21-23 of Acts chapter 22.

They listened to Paul’s past life as a Jew … but when he showed favor to the GENTILES … that was all they could take! (That’s the one word that triggered another potential riot!)

They were about to stone him again!

What animosity!

Or was it pride, one group feeling that much “better” than another? That much superior?

(Paul would have been much safer had he stayed among the Gentiles to whom God had called and sent him! Surprisingly he was more loved there!)

But in the next verse or two … look who rescued Paul!

“The chief captain (a Roman, a Gentile, a stark heathen) commanded him to be brought into the castle.” Acts 22:24, into a guarded military facility!

(The Jews trying to kill Paul … the Gentiles here saving and protecting him! Indeed God’s Ways are NOT our ways!)

This deliverance of Paul from sure death … eventually led to Paul’s being able to testify before the whole Sanhedrin! Their “Supreme Court!” Seventy men who critically needed to hear about Jesus, from a believer!

“The chief captain loosed him (Paul) from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council (the Sanhedrin) to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.” Acts 22:30

Wow!

Paul is being tumbled about like a piece of clothing in the dryer, like a ship in a stormy sea … but at every opportunity he preaches the Word of God! He exalts our Saviour!

So should we!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Tomorrow morning, the Lord willing, Acts 23. Something about Paul and the Jewish Council, the “Sanhedrin.”

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The second of many! Paul never tired of telling how the Lord Jesus Christ saved his lost soul!

Acts 22 (today’s Text) relates in detail that great testimony the just-arrested Paul gave to the people of Israel seems to look three directions, but here’s how it begins: “Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.” The chapter’s first verse, King James Version.

Three directions?

Past and present and future.

The “Past” is discussed in verse 3, for example. “I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.”

Then the “Present” tells of his conversion. Specifically so. (It was Luke who recorded this miracle back in Acts 9. Here’s one of Paul’s personal recollections of that epochal day.) “And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. And I said, What shall I do, Lord?” Verses 6-9, which precise events apparently still “live” with Paul each day he travels and preaches! (One never gets over his or her salvation experience!)

(By the way, there is a Bible sense in which we who have been Blood-washed have been saved … past tense … then also we are being saved … present tense … and yet some day will be saved … future sense! Already saved from the penalty of sin! Yet now being saved from the power of sin! And some day will be saved from the very presence of sin!)

The “Future” in Paul’s Sermon is found in these words: “And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance; and saw him (the Lord) saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. And he said unto me, Depart: for I WILL SEND THEE FAR HENCE UNTO THE GENTILES.” Verses 17-18 and 21, his future ministry was to concern the Gentiles! And largely “to the Gentiles” he has preached! (Remember that desire of his to go all the way to Spain, Gentiles for sure, and tell them about Jesus!) Future goals!

There are some minor differences between Luke’s Acts 9 Record and Paul’s Acts 22 Story. But each of these is due to the eye-witness variation present in the hearts and minds of these two godly men. “Minor differences” but no real unsurmountable contradictions!

God’s Word, divine inspired and literally inerrant!

Today take a few minutes and reflect on your PAST and PRERSENT and FUTURE as a Christian! Then tell someone your experience with the saving Grace of God! That real witnessing, folks!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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In the world of “theology,” particularly its branch called “Bible Study,” the word “apology” does NOT mean vocalizing these words: “I’m sorry!”

It is rather defined as: “Words that are spoken or written to defend something that other people criticize.” It’s Greek in origin! Where “apo” means “from,” as from my heart, from my mind, from my heart and soul! And “logos” clearly means “words, speech, saying.”

Philippians 1:7 gives us a perfect example: “Even as it is meet for me (Paul) to think this of you all (the Christians at Philippi), because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the DEFENCE (apologia) and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.”

Thus, Paul’s five “apologies” (the title of today’s Lesson), are the five upcoming speeches (sermons) or orations he gives defending his beliefs in Jesus! (We have godly men yet today who have given their lives and ministries to defending the Word of God against the onslaughts of evolution, textual criticism, sexual perversion, humanism and secularism and materialism! And a whole lot more!)

Let me now enumerate Paul’s speeches. I think our Hero (the Apostle) would have better served our Lord out preaching the Gospel and establishing Churches … among the gentiles … as God had called him to do! (Romans 11:13 … “For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office.” Then also in 2 Timothy 1:11 Paul again acknowledges … “Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.”)

Count them with me …

In Acts 22 Paul speaks to a crowd (nearly a mob) of Jews, in the presence of a garrison of Roman soldiers … defending the faith! He preaches Christ Jesus to the (representatively speaking) Nation of Israel. To the “common people.” Read Acts 22:1 … “Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.” (The Text, the chapter, for tomorrow’s Lesson, the Lord willing; Acts 22, that sermon.)

Then in Acts 23 Paul speaks (again explaining and defending the Gospel bolstering it) to the Jewish Sanhedrin (70 men who ruled the nation religiously)! Their “supreme court,” in essence!

In Acts 24 Paul preaches (defends our Bible-taught faith) before Felix, the Roman Governor of that day. “Most noble Felix,” so called in Acts 24:3, King James Version.

Next in Acts 25 Paul witnesses (expounds and defends) the Faith before the Governor named Festus! Acts 25:7-8 … “And when he (Festus) was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove. While Paul ANSWERED (the verb form of ‘apologia’) for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Caesar, have I offended any thing at all.” Whereupon Paul then preaches Jesus!

Finally in Acts 26 Paul’s we hear final “defense” (“apology”) in this series, prior to his being forced (as a prisoner) to take ship and sail to Rome, “under arrest.” He speaks to Agrippa, King Agrippa! Acts 26:1 … “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself.” What a sermon follows!

Five (one each in chapters 22-26) majestic “Defenses” of the faith, classical spiritual “Apologies” for Jesus and the Gospel!

Then, in closing today, watch this! It’s interesting, I think …

Each speech/sermon/defense/apology (now that we know the real New Testament meaning of that word) … reaches a group or person of greater rank, or higher authority, of increasing influence … in the cultural world of Paul’s day!

From the common people (chapter 22) to the autocratic Jewish Sanhedrin (chapter 23) to two prominent governors (chapters 24 and 25, Felix and Agrippa), then finally to most powerful KING AGRIPPA (chapter 26)!

Wow!

God here is taking a dismal situation (Paul needlessly a prisoner) … and turning it into (at least) an opportunity to keep the Gospel from being mocked, minimalized, marginalized, ignored!

Paul, the apologist!

Paul the defender of what we believe yet today!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

Oh yes, in 1 Peter 3:15 that Apostle teaches us: “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always TO GIVE AN ANSWER to every man that asketh you a REASON of the hope that is in you.” Where the expression “to give an answer” is the Greek word “apologia!”

Amazing!

Looks like we are ALL to be apologists for what we believe, for Jesus Christ our Lord!

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Finally the little group, at Paul’s insistence, arrived in Jerusalem. Then James (the Lord’s half-brother we think, Mark 6:3) “took over.” Here’s Luke again, directly quoting James and his crowd: “Thou seest, brother Paul, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: and they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.”

This is an almost: “I wish you had not come. There’s surely going to be trouble.”

James persuaded Paul to take a (Jewish) vow! To “shave his head,” as well! To “act” in a way that was incompatible to all Paul had preached as the Apostle to the Gentiles! (The very man who write: “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the LAW, then Christ is dead in vain.” Galatians 2:21)

Then they (the Jews, with James here being their ring leader) wanted Paul to go into the Temple!

All of which Paul did! (The Apostle of the Gentiles putting himself back under Moses, back under the Old Testament law!) Paul again: “This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the LAW, or by the hearing of faith?” Galatians 3:2

Now, here’s Paul in the Jewish Temple (a Temple already condemned by Jesus, and which will be destroyed within 40 years) … “The Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the TEMPLE, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him, crying out, Men of Israel, HELP. This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought GREEKS also into the temple, and hath polluted this HOLY PLACE. (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom THEY SUPPOSED that Paul had brought into the temple.) And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut. AND AS THEY WENT ABOUT TO KILL HIM …” Acts 21:27-31, Paul only being rescued by a band of Roman soldiers!

And, as far as the Book of Acts is concerned, Paul’s ministry of freely traveling and preaching the Word of God, of going from Church to Church (or establishing new Churches) is over!

Acts chapter 28 (read it) ends with Paul still incarcerated in Rome, a prisoner of that heathen Empire …! And this only after many a legal trial and a long, nearly deadly, ship voyage. (Acts chapters 22-28, all the rest of the Book!)

You can decide for yourself … but for my part … I wish the Apostle had heeded those multiple warning the Lord sent him … warnings NOT TO GO to Jerusalem!

Had he done so … had he continued to emphasize his ministry to the gentiles … we might have a full record somewhere of his (anticipated) trip to Spain (Romans 15:24)! Of his longing to preach Christ in the “regions beyond!” (See 2 Corinthians 10:16, Paul’s words.) Of no telling what exploits for Christ!

The “point” today?

Adam ate!

Abraham lied!

David committed adultery!

Peter denied!

And Paul disobeyed!

We’re all human!

I close this morning thanking the Lord for a single verse of Scripture … “If we (Christians) confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Hallelujah!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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