Paul’s defense before the mob almost results in a second riot.
Paul’s Roman citizenship offers him protection.
Paul’s trial before the Sanhedrin leads to another uproar.
But the high priest Ananias ordered those who were standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. (Ac 23:2)
6 When Paul realized that some of them were Sadducees and the others were Pharisees, he shouted out in the Sanhedrin, “Gentlemen, brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. I am on trial concerning the hope for the resurrection of the dead!” 7 When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 (For the Sadducees say there is no resurrection or angel or spirit, but the Pharisees believe in them all.) (Ac 23:6–8)
[Jesus said] Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. (Mt 10:16)
Then there was a great uproar, and some of the experts in the law who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and protested strongly: “We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?” (Ac 23:9)
The uproar became so great that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He commanded the soldiers to go down, take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks. (Ac 23:10)
The following night the Lord stood next to Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have solemnly testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” (Ac 23:11)
18b Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 because I know that this will turn out for my deliverance, through your prayer and the support of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 20 This matches my earnest expectation and hope that I will in no way be put to shame, but with all boldness, as always, so even now, Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 Yes, for me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to go on living in the flesh, that will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet which should I prefer? I do not know. 23 I am pulled in two directions, because I have the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far. 24 But, it is more necessary for your sake that I remain in the flesh. 25 And since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and will continue with all of you, for your progress and joy in the faith. (Php 1:18–25)
Zealous ______________________ who wanted to put Christians to ___________.
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. (Ac 9:1a)
Approved of Stephen’s _______________.
7:58 They threw him out of the city and stoned him. The witnesses laid their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul. ... 8:1 Saul agreed with putting Stephen to death. (Ac 7:58, 8:1a)
_____________________ Christians both men and women.
I persecuted this Way to the death, tying up and throwing both men and women into prisons, (Ac 22:4)
Tried to destroy the _________ of Jesus and all of his ___________________.
9 I too was convinced that it was necessary to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus the Nazarene. 10 And that is what I did in Jerusalem. After receiving authority from the chief priests, I put many of the saints in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 I often tried to make them blaspheme by punishing them throughout all the synagogues. Because I was so insanely angry with them, I even pursued them to foreign cities. (Ac 26:9–11)
This saying is trustworthy and worthy of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,” of whom I am the worst.” (1 Ti 1:15)
For the wages of sin is death, but the undeserved gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Ro 6:23)
God will wipe away every tear from their [his] eyes. There will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain, because the former things have passed away. (Re 21:4)
As distant as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our rebellious acts from us. (Ps 103:12)
Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. (Jas 4:7b)
33 Who will bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies! 34 Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus, who died and, more than that, was raised to life, is the one who is at God’s right hand and who is also interceding for us! 35 What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will trouble or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ... 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor rulers, neither things present nor things to come, nor powerful forces, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Ro 8:33-35, 38-39)
Points to Ponder
What is one thing that stood out to you from this week's message?
Read James 4:7b. How can you make this practical for your daily life?
Read Romans 8:33-35, 38-39. Put these passages in your own words. How can you use this passage in your daily life?
