Acts 45. Acts 22:30 - 23:12

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Before you begin this lesson, read Luke 12:8-12 and 21:12-19. Then read Acts 23:11–26:32 prayerfully, observing how Paul acted before governors and kings and imagining yourself in his place. 
For Thought and Discussion: How do Luke 12:8-12 and Luke 21:12-19 resemble Paul’s experiences and actions? 
  
 cf. Acts 9:15 "a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel"
 
Luke 12:8-12 speaks of Jesus acknowledging us if we acknowledge Him, and of being taught of the Spirit what to say in the hour of trial.
21:12-19 There would be betrayal and arrest, but an opportunity to bear witness. Words and wisdom would be given. We will be preserved to the end. cf. 2 Ti 4:18 "The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen."
 
Paul was likely not fearful. He welcomed the opportunity to witness (21:39-40, 23:1, 24:10, 26:10)
He was not afraid of death. 
 
 
For Thought and Discussion: In what sense was the division between the Pharisees and Sadducees (see the notes on pages 56–57) at the heart of the issue for which Paul was on trial—the issue of whether Christianity was the true fulfillment of Judaism? 
Paul framed his stand on the Resurrection of Christ - for him, Chriat was a living reality and had been confirmed to be the Jewish Messiah by the Resurrection. 
 
For Thought and Discussion: What was God’s role in the events of 21:16–23:11?
He led Paul to Jerusalem
He led the church there to encourage Paul to engage in Jewish rituals in the Temple
He allowed Paul  to be arrested in the temple
He allowed Paul to be spared Roman flogging
He brought Paul before the Sanhedrin. 
 

1. The Lord discloses His plan in 23:11. How do this verse and 9:15-16 summarize what happens in the following sections of Acts? 
"you must testify also in Rome" 
 
21:17–23:10. Paul returns to Jerusalem, meets with the church leaders, is asked to affirm that he remains a faithful Jew, goes to the Temple, faces a mob, is arrested.
23:12–26:32 The Jews plot to kill Paul. He gets Roman protection, faces a trial, remains in remand, appeals to Caesar, Appears before Agrippa and Bernice
27:1–28:31  The journey to Rome under Roman guard, with shipwreck and deliverance,
 

For Thought and Discussion: How does the oath of 23:12 reflect a different attitude toward God than the Nazirite vow?
This was an oath to destroy, not sanctioned by the Law or tradition.
A voluntary act of devotion to God vs  a desire to achieve their own justice 
Devotion toward God vs Devotiion against a person  It assumes that their cause is God’s cause
 
The action of the Jews was
  • Premeditated
  • Based on deceit
  • Motivated by zeal or possibly vengeance, not legal justice
  • Without due process
 
Paul had done nothing worthy of death under the Law of Moses (e.g. blasphemy 
Lev 5:4-6 forbids evil vows 
 
Perhaps they were invokingDeuteronomy 13:6–10 – calls for death for anyone, even a close relative, who entices others to serve other gods.
cf. Acts 21:21 “They have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to abandon Moses...”
 

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