Acts 21 – Paul was arrested Acts 22 – Paul’s defense Acts 23 – Taken before Sanhedrin & delivered to Felix

Paul Before The Sanhedrin And Delivered To Caesarea I.Paul Before The Sanhedrin (vv. 1-10) A.Paul said that he had lived in good conscience (v. 1) B.Ananias commanded that Paul be struck on the mouth (vv. 2-5) C.Paul stated that the was condemned because of the hope of the resurrection from the dead (vv. 6-10) II.The Lord Appeared To Paul At Night (v. 11) III.A Plot Against Paul Revealed (vv ) A.Forty (plus) Jews took an oath to kill Paul (vv ) B.Paul nephew spoiled the plot (vv ) IV.Paul Delivered To Ceaserea (vv ) A.The commander prepared protection to bring Paul to Felix (vv ) B.A letter from Lysias to Felix was sent along with Paul (vv ) C.Paul delivered to Felix (vv )

Acts 23:18 So he took him and brought him to the commander and said, "Paul the prisoner called me to him and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to say to you."

Acts 23 Reflects Paul’s character, struggles & how he was treated

I. Conscience (v. 1)

A.Conscience is: Faculty of mind that prompts us to do what we believe to be right – refrain from doing what we believe to be wrong 1.A. T. Robertson: (comments on Acts 23:1) “joint knowledge” – to know together. 2.Con (prefix) = together with; science = knowledge 3.Knowledge of what should do and what you do.

I. Conscience (v. 1) A.Conscience is: B.Paul’s point: I have always been sincere – always done what I thought to be right 1. Acts 24:16 2. Acts 26:9-10

I. Conscience (v. 1) A.Conscience is: B.Paul’s point: I have always been sincere – always done what I thought to be right C.Various states: 1.Pure / Good conscience (1 Tim. 3:9; 1 Pet. 3:21) 2.Weak conscience (1 Cor. 8:12) 3.Evil conscience (Heb. 10:22) 4.Seared conscience (1 Tim. 4:2)

I. Conscience (v. 1) A.Conscience is: B.Paul’s point: I have always been sincere – always done what I thought to be right C.Various states: D.Clear conscience can be wrong 1.Thus – sincerity is not enough – to be saved 2.Possible to do wrong – not be bothered

I. Conscience (v. 1) A.Conscience is: B.Paul’s point: I have always been sincere – always done what I thought to be right C.Various states: D.Clear conscience can be wrong E.Good conscience is essential (Rom. 14:23) 1.Can’t violate your conscience and be right 2.Doesn’t mean – “Let your conscience be your guide” 3.Conscience must be educated by the word (Rom. 2:15) 4.Conscience is only as good as the knowledge we have

I. Conscience (v. 1) II. Courage (vv. 2-5)

A.Took courage to make a bold claim innocence before council (vv. 1-2) 1.To believer – honorable statement 2.To council - insult to the august body who viewed him a heretic of worst sort 3.Thus, Ananias (HP) – commanded he be struck – to silence him for speaking improperly (v. 2)

II. Courage (vv. 2-5) A.Took courage to make a bold claim innocence before council (vv. 1-2) B.Took courage to point out hypocrisy (v. 3) 1.Such treatment of Paul was contrary to Law (Lev. 19:15,35) 2.Yet – they are going to judge Paul “according to law” 3.Thus – Paul cries hypocrisy!

Paul was Rebuked for Rebuking the High Priest Acts 23:4 And those who stood by said, "Do you revile God's high priest?" Was a violation of law to speak disrespectful of ruler (Exo. 22:28) So Paul was wrong to do so

II. Courage (vv. 2-5) A.Took courage to make a bold claim innocence before council (vv. 1-2) B.Took courage to point out hypocrisy (v. 3) C.Took courage to admit he was wrong (v. 5) 1.Said he did not know – he was HP (v. 5) a.May be did not see who had spoken b.May be didn’t know who was HP for – been a stranger to the religion for 25 yrs c.May be didn’t recognize – him (without garment)

II. Courage (vv. 2-5) A.Took courage to make a bold claim innocence before council (vv. 1-2) B.Took courage to point out hypocrisy (v. 3) C.Took courage to admit he was wrong (v. 5) 1.Said he did not know – he was HP (v. 5) 2.Was still wrong – quotes Exo. 22:28

I. Conscience (v. 1) II. Courage (vv. 2-5) III. Conflict (vv. 6-10)

A.Real conflict with Paul – Resurrection (v. 6) 1.Heart of his preaching – Jesus was raised 2.If raised – then he is Son of God (Rom. 1:4) 3.If raised – then must accept and follow him 4.Did not like the consequences of what he taught!

III. Conflict (vv. 6-10) A.Real conflict with Paul – Resurrection (v. 6) B.Conflict with Pharisee & Sadducees (vv. 6-10) 1.Two groups try to stand together against Paul 2.Paul uses their differences to disrupt what would not be a fair hearing anyway! 3.Now they are divided and arguing – rather than standing against Paul 4.Notice how – Pharisees defend Paul – really a defense of selves (v. 9)!

I. Conscience (v. 1) II. Courage (vv. 2-5) III. Conflict (vv. 6-10) IV. Comfort (v. 11)

A.Lord told Paul to be of good cheer 1.“Take courage” (NASB) 2.No doubt discouraged – uncertain about future 3.“Paul never needed Jesus more than now” (A. T. Robertson) 4.“It is a brave word” (ibid)

IV. Comfort (v. 11) A.Lord told Paul to be of good cheer B.Assurance that: 1.Life be spared 2.Testify in Rome 3.Fulfillment of Acts 26:16

I. Conscience (v. 1) II. Courage (vv. 2-5) III. Conflict (vv. 6-10) IV. Comfort (v. 11) V. Conspiracy (vv )

V. Conspiracy (vv ) A.Forty Jews take an oath to kill Paul (vv ) 1.See the degree of hatred for Paul – for the truth 2.Plan: a.Not eat or drink till killed him b.Worked with chief priests, elders and council (v. 16) c.Ambush on way to council 3.Not as serious as sounds – if couldn’t fulfill vow – exempt from the vow

V. Conspiracy (vv ) A.Forty Jews take an oath to kill Paul (vv ) B.Paul’s nephew spoiled the plot (vv ) 1.He told Paul (v. 16) 2.Paul had nephew taken to Claudias Lysias (vv )

V. Conspiracy (vv ) A.Forty Jews take an oath to kill Paul (vv ) B.Paul’s nephew spoiled the plot (vv ) C.Moved to Caesarea with protection (vv ) D.Providence 1.Had been promised life spared (v. 11) 2.God used nephew, etc. to accomplish his purpose 3.Although God has given his promise – Paul didn’t sit with idle hands – did what he could to secure himself.

I. Conscience (v. 1) II. Courage (vv. 2-5) III. Conflict (vv. 6-10) IV. Comfort (v. 11) V. Conspiracy (vv ) VI. Communication (vv )

V. Communication (vv ) A.Letter from Lysias to Felix (vv ) 1.Accurate 2.Didn’t tell that he was about to scourge him 3.Paints himself in a favorable light 4.To be fair – does protect Paul since learn he was a Roman

V. Communication (vv ) A.Letter from Lysias to Felix (vv ) B.Paul was delivered to Felix with the letter (vv )

I. Conscience (v. 1) II. Courage (vv. 2-5) III. Conflict (vv. 6-10) IV. Comfort (v. 11) V. Conspiracy (vv ) VI. Communication (vv )