YOUTH STS LESSON 219 PAUL'S TRIAL BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN

MEMORY VERSE: “And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day” (Acts 23:1).

TEXT: ACTS 23:1-35

The two preceding chapters revealed the accusation against Paul the apostle by the Jews from Asia as “the man, that teacheth all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place” (Acts 21:28). They stirred the people who almost killed him but for the intervention of the chief captain of the band. He was later brought before the people to defend himself. In this chapter, he was brought before the supreme religious body in Israel called the Sanhedrin. As Paul appeared before this council, he pleaded innocence and declared that he was a Pharisee. This caused division among them. When the secret that some had banded together to kill him got revealed to the chief captain, he sent Paul under tight security to Felix in Caesarea. Paul was rescued by divine intervention.

PAUL TESTIFIES INNOCENCY BEFORE THE COUNCIL (Acts 23:1-5; John 8:46; Acts 26:4-7; Matthew 5:14-16; Psalm 32:2)

“And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day” (Acts 23:1). Paul was conscious but not fearful of his audience. He knew the council was made up of Pharisees and Sadducees who were all highly respected in the land. So, he started by pleading guiltless before God and invariably before man. He was calm and put on a friendly, loving disposition by calling them “Men and brethren“.

Question 1: What lesson can a youth, wrongly accused of an offence, learn from Paul’s comportment before the council?

The first lesson from Paul’s disposition is that he knew his audience to be men and brethren. Any youth falsely accused should endeavour to handle the situation wisely. Do not lose control of your temper. Remain calm and fearless. Show real love towards your accusers by using the right language as a child of God. It is not wrong to prove your innocence when and where necessary.

Paul’s testimony of innocence was misunderstood by the high priest Ananias who commanded him to be smitten. Paul retorted sharply but then apologised immediately when he was told the man was the high priest: “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 23:4-5). He made restitution immediately. Are you humble to make restitution when necessary?

Question 2: Was the reaction of Paul the apostle to the attitude of Ananias right?

He was initially wrong but he corrected himself after realising his error. That is the mark of a person of integrity — they do not wait to be pressured. They correct themselves when they see the truth.

PAUL’S TESTIMONY CREATES DISSENSION IN THE COUNCIL (Acts 23:6-22; Luke 21:12-15; Matthew 10:16-20)

Paul perceived that the council was divisible — one part Sadducees, one part Pharisees. He wisely declared himself a Pharisee, which he was, and centred his case on the resurrection of the dead. The Sadducees did not believe in resurrection, angels, or spirits. The Pharisees believed in all of these. Division broke out between the two groups. The Pharisees said they found no fault in Paul. The soldiers had to forcibly remove him before he was torn apart. Through it all, the Lord stood by Paul and assured him: “Be of good cheer, Paul…thou must bear witness also at Rome” (Acts 23:11). “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). God also made it possible for Paul’s nephew to discover and report the evil plot against his life.

PROTECTION FOR PAUL BY THE CHIEF CAPTAIN (Acts 23:23-35; Isaiah 43:2-7; Jeremiah 1:18-19; Daniel 3:23-27)

The chief captain sent Paul to Caesarea under four hundred and seventy soldiers for maximum security. God used the instrument of Lysias to achieve His protection plan for Paul. Christian youths should trust in God’s ability to keep them in the time of persecutions and perils as they faithfully stand firm. Paul’s Roman citizenship also gave him special favour before the chief captain — a reminder that when we become born again, we become citizens of God’s kingdom (Philippians 3:20), with all the divine privileges that come with it (Romans 8:14-18).

In every situation, God determines the means of deliverance and rarely follows the same pattern twice. All you need to do is wait on the Lord patiently and He will deliver you. “The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom” (2 Timothy 4:18). Keep trusting God’s promise.