The resurrection divides
The resurrection covers the death and rise of Jesus, and the subsequent hope that He will raise us after death. This is deeply offensive to those who refuse to be accountable to a moral authority - Who rules over life and thereafter. No matter how we package the resurrection, it will be refused or distorted by those who refuse to humble themselves before Jesus Christ. What are we to do about that? We must not be disheartened, Jesus shows us how deeply he cares for our imperfect efforts and how He uses our testimony.
Scripture
Acts 22:30-23:11 ESV But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them. [23:1] And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” [2] And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. [3] Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” [4] Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God's high priest?” [5] And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’” [6] Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” [7] And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. [8] For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. [9] Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?” [10] And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks. [11] The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”
Through the Scripture
Decades haven’t changed the accusers
Paul is being attacked by a crowd that’s stirred up by religious elites. The leaders of Israel, under Roman rule. It’s the same organisation that persecuted Jesus to death and they haven’’t changed. Look at their approach in John 11 - they know God is working, but they don’t like what He’s doing because it doesn’t suit their goals. Do you encounter this kind of opposition to Jesus today?
Acts 22:30 ESV But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them.
Luke 22:66-67 ESV When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. And they led him away to their council, and they said, [67] “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe,
John 11:47-48 ESV So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. [48] If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”
Good conscience offends bad conscience
At first glance, it’s difficult to see what’s so offensive about Paul’s approach to the council. Was it that he looked them in the eye, called them brothers or confidently voiced his innocence in relation to the charges. These may be factors, but the Bible also warns that just the desire for a godly life that comes from being a believer in Jesus Christ will cause deep offence.
Acts 23:1-2 ESV And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” [2] And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth.
2 Timothy 3:12-13 ESV Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, [13] while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
Responding to wicked opposition
There are a few parallels between these events and the way that the same sort of people charged and condemned Jesus. Jesus handled it very differently to Paul though. He knew they wouldn’t listen to His Words, and instead of retaliation, He calmly spoke the truth. What other difference in approach do you see between Paul and Jesus?
Acts 23:3-5 ESV Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” [4] Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God's high priest?” [5] And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”
John 18:19-23 ESV The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. [20] Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. [21] Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” [22] When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” [23] Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?”
Looking for support or stirring dissension?
Paul had a deep passion for the Jewish nation, since they were his people. He would have had even more of a connection with the Pharisees - he had once belonged there. Whether he was seeking their support or just wanted a way out, we can see his words had the effect of polarising the opposition. He appears to be trying to share the Gospel with them.
Acts 23:6 ESV Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”
Romans 9:1-3 ESV I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— [2] that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. [3] For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.
The resurrection divides
Interestingly even though they turned against each other, and the Pharisees seemed to support Paul, they could still not accept his testimony about Jesus. For them Jesus meeting Paul may have been an angel or spirit. Just not the Son of God in the flesh.
Acts 23:7-9 ESV And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. [8] For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. [9] Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?”
Saved by gentiles again
It's ironic that even though Paul has tried to appeal to his former belonging with this group, they offer him no help or support. Instead his ife is once again in danger and once again he’s removed by the the gentiles to a place of safety. This is now the second time that Paul has failed to deliver the full Gospel message or his full testimony - and the second time he needs to be rescued from the audience.
Acts 23:10 ESV And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.
Testifying to the facts
The final verse offers such a rich and powerful blessing to the Church. Jesus stands by his imperfect witnesses. He gives us courage, as we know, He’s been there in the flesh. He rewards the testifying of fact - He doesn’t pay commission on sales, only the Holy Spirit can convert someone, and enable them to receive the Gospel. Or job is to speak the truth. Finally, He assures Paul that the journey is not over!
Acts 23:11 ESV The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”
1 Corinthians 12:3 ESV Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.