ADULT STS LESSON 219 PAUL’S TRIAL BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN

MEMORY VERSE: “And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome” (Acts 23:11).

TEXT: ACTS 23:1-35

Paul the apostle continued the defence of his ministry, this time, before the Sanhedrin. Recall that the Jews caused an uproar in the temple on the supposition that he had brought in Trophimus, a Gentile, into the inner courts of the temple (Acts 21:27-29) and arrested him. With respect and politeness, Paul made his defence by testifying of his conversion and commission from Christ to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. Rejecting his explanation and testimony of conversion, the crowd rose against him and demanded that he be put to death. But the Roman commander, not acceding to jungle justice based on religious sentiments, took him from the mob and attempted to extract confessions from him by flogging. He, however, could not do it when Paul asserted his Roman citizenship. Rather, he summoned the Sanhedrin to meet and determine Paul’s case.

The Sanhedrin was the highest Jewish tribunal during the Greek and Roman periods. It consisted of about seventy members made up of the high priest, chief priests and elders drawn from the two major religious sects of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The council was the final court of appeal on all issues connected with the Mosaic Law and the Jewish religion.

As we discover how God intervened to thwart the conspiracy of the enemy and deliver His faithful servant, our faith will definitely be strengthened, not only to abide in Christ, but also to preach His saving gospel.

1. PAUL’S DEFENCE AND THE LORD’S ASSURANCE (Acts 23:1-11; 1 Timothy 1:15,19; 2 Timothy 1:3; Acts 27:22,23; Luke 21:12-15)

Paul began his defence by observing the normal Jewish courtesy saying, “Men and brethren”. Then, looking steadfastly at the council, he said, “…I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day” (Acts 23:1). Here, we see the necessity of a pure conscience before God and man. The conscience is the inner faculty that approves of a person’s actions. But the conscience can only function effectively when it has adequate knowledge and right standards.

The Bible reveals that there is good conscience (1 Peter 3:16; 1 Timothy 1:5,6,19; Hebrews 13:18); conscience void of offence (Acts 24:16); evil conscience (Hebrews 10:22); and weak conscience (1 Corinthians 8:7,12). To have a good conscience, a person must get saved by repenting of sin and believing in Christ. The mind must be saturated with the word of God so that it can properly discern between what is right and wrong (Hebrews 5:13,14).

Paul’s claim of a pure conscience made Ananias, the high priest, instruct those standing by to smite him. When corrected for his sharp response, Paul apologised immediately. Regardless of the personality who occupies an office, we should accord such the respect because of his or her office.

Paul wisely capitalised on the longstanding controversy between the Pharisees and Sadducees to divide the council. After his rescue, Christ encouraged him: “Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome” (Acts 23:11). Our God is the ever-present Help in time of trouble. He will always stand by His servants.

2. PLOT AGAINST PAUL FAILS (Acts 23:12-22; Psalm 37:12,13; Proverbs 10:31; Isaiah 8:10)

More than forty Jews swore to neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. They hatched a plan to lay ambush. However, his nephew heard the plot and reported it. The chief captain arranged and sent Paul under tight security to Caesarea. The plot against Paul shows Satan is unrelenting in his attacks against servants of God — but God positions His people to hear the enemy’s plans and act accordingly. Divine sovereignty works most effectively when complemented with human responsibility.

3. PAUL DETAINED BY FELIX AT CAESAREA (Acts 23:23-35)

God used the Roman army to deliver Paul from the Jews and send him to Caesarea. The chief captain acted with promptness and sent Paul to safety. As believers, we must do whatever assignment God commits into our hands with a sense of urgency. Sinners out there are in serious danger and soul-winners must take urgent steps to rescue them. From events before and after his imprisonment by Felix until he finally got to Rome, the Lord was in absolute control. As children of God and ministers of the gospel, no power on earth, underneath the earth or in heaven can destroy us until we have fulfilled the divine purpose for our lives.

Questions for review:

1. How can a person have a good conscience before God?
2. State the steps to receiving the sanctification experience.
3. Point out some lessons from Paul’s response to those who corrected him for reviling the high priest.
4. What can believers learn from the way God encouraged Paul?
5. Explain the lessons from the plot against Paul and how God delivered him.
6. What should be our attitude when men raise false accusations against us?
7. Why should Christians and ministers of the gospel remain faithful and committed to fulfilling their ministry?