15 April - Acts 23

Today we are reading Acts 23 in the Tattoo Church Reading Plan. Here are some thing to think about:

1. Remember that the last time we were reading Acts we left off with Paul claiming his rights for a trial as a Roman citizen. He was bought before the Sanhedrin to stand trial. The Sanhedrin was a group of religious leaders who were kind of like the religious court of their day. And that’s where we pick up the story today. 
2. Paul tells the Sanhedrin that he has fulfilled his duty to God in good conscience and the high priest orders Paul to be punched in the mouth. That’s really nice, huh? At which Paul asks the high priest how he can judge Paul according to the law yet break it himself by ordering Paul to be struck?
3. Then Paul realizing that the Sanhedrin was a mixed group of leaders; decided to distract the men by getting them to argue amongst themselves. It got so crazy the Roman soldiers took Paul away afraid that he would be ripped apart by the groups arguing.
4. Then some Jewish leaders plotted to kill Paul but he found out and informed the commander of the soldiers. Who then transferred Paul to another Roman official, Governor Felix, under the watch of 470 soldiers! Crazy!

The Sanhedrin had some leaders that were Sadducees and some Pharisees. These were separate groups that differed on what they believed, one difference was if there was life after death (also called the resurrection). Once Paul noticed this he decided to take the heat off himself. Paul called out that he was a Pharisee himself and he was only on trial because he believed in the resurrection. At this all the Pharisees took Paul’s side and started a huge argument with the Sadducees and it became quite the circus. Paul’s approach was quite genius. He knew he couldn’t reason with these men because they only wanted to kill him, which they proved when they later plotted to do just that. Then 470 Roman soldiers protected Paul on his way to Governor Felix. When he got there Felix said he would wait to hear from Paul until his accusers got there and he put Paul up in Herod’s palace! Probably not the worse place to be put up while waiting to stand trial. Paul realized he couldn’t reason with the Sanhedrin. The truth is some people just refuse to listen to the truth. However, Paul said he had fulfilled his duty to God in good conscience. Is this something you can say? 

Have you been asking God what he wants you to do with you life? Have you “fulfilled” what he has asked you? Are you at least taking steps in the right direction? It’s probably not going to be speaking to a Governor like Paul, maybe it’s a simple life change that is more healthy, or volunteering to help people, or committing to going to church on a regular basis. Maybe it’s to even help with what we’re doing at Tattoo Church and partner with us. Whatever it is, take steps towards God this week. You’ll find he’s always there waiting for you.