CHILDREN STS LESSON 11 PAUL'S TRIAL BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN

TEXT: Acts 23:1-35

The army commander that rescued Apostle Paul from the angry mob, desired to know exactly what he had done wrong. In view of this, he asked the Sanhedrin to try Paul according to the Jewish law. The Sanhedrin were the council of Jewish rulers made up of the Pharisees and Sadducees. As Paul stood before this council, he pleaded his innocence. But instead of fair judgment, the high priest Ananias commanded that Paul be smitten on the mouth. Paul responded sharply, but quickly apologised when told the man was the high priest. He then wisely declared himself a Pharisee, which caused a great division in the council between the Pharisees and the Sadducees. The soldiers had to rescue Paul before he was torn apart.

That night, the Lord stood by Paul and 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). Then Paul’s nephew discovered a plot by more than forty Jews to ambush and kill him. The chief captain acted immediately and sent Paul under massive security to Governor Felix in Caesarea. God used the whole Roman military system to protect one faithful preacher. No plan of the enemy can prosper against the child of God who is walking in His will.