Paul is Spared
In Acts 23:1-5, we see Paul get punched while being held down. The command to punch him came from the High Priest Ananias. Paul's response was an insult to whoever commanded the punch, but according to Exodus 22:28, Paul was wrong to insult a ruler of people.
Then in Acts 23:6-11, Paul knows that the Sadducees and the Pharisees were divided on their stance of Paul's innocence and guilt, he lets the crowds know that he is a Pharisee. Because he believed in the resurrection of Christ (the dead being a risen is believed possible by Pharisees and not Sadducees), then he aligns himself with the Pharisees saying that he is one of them. The disagreements became violent and in order to keep Paul from being harmed he was moved. The next night he was told by God “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome (Acts 23:11).”
There was a plot to kill Paul and the Jews made an oath to not eat or drink until Paul was dead. Paul's nephew (his sister's son) found out about this and told Paul who had his nephew taken by the centurion to tell the tribune of what was waiting for him. Paul was then sent to Felix the Governor. A letter was accompanied with Paul and those he was sent with explaining Paul's situation including his possible innocence (Acts 23:28-30). After the arrival, Felix decided not to charge Paul with anything until the accusers arrived and he could hear them out.
I learned from Paul's trials that when you are led by the Holy Spirit, keep going. I see Paul as an example of courage in the Spirit of God to keep pressing on even when it seems hopeless. I see God's hand guiding Paul the whole way. Have you ever taken the time to look back at life and see where God's hand was guiding you in accordance with the Bible?
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Paul's Courage and Dedication in the Holy Spirit
Once again we have an example of Paul being courageous and standing strong in the Holy Spirit. This man has had quite the journey from being one who arrested and killed Christians to now being arrested for being a Christian.
Now Paul is in a position to where he was told by others through the Holy Spirit to not go into Jerusalem. Through the Spirit he was warned but persisted to go on to Jerusalem anyway by saying in Acts 21:13 "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Some might say those words were foolish, but I think it takes a brave man to be ready to die for Jesus. Some may say that Paul felt guilty for having Stephen killed, but we don't know that at this time so it sounds like he is dedicated to doing God's will and being ready to endure whatever comes his way. I like the response that was given by those that were with him when they said in verse 14, "Let the will of the Lord be done." They could have yelled at him and called him names, but they did not. They realized they cannot control or persuade him to do something different than what he was dedicated to do. Paul took several men with him and participated in purification practices. After those seven days were up he was captured in the temple by Jews from Asia. The crowd was so angry and loud an physically vicious, Paul had to be carried into a separate barracks. He asked to speak to the people and in Acts 22, we will see what Paul said.
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Paul Preaches and Uncovers Idols
Paul and Silas made it to Thessalonica and Paul preached the word on three Sabbath days (as was his custom) that Jesus was the Christ and had to suffer and rise from the dead. More people began to follow Jesus and the Jews who did not like what was happening became jealous. The gathered wicked men and formed a mob to find Paul and Silas. Instead they found Jason (his house served as the church) and brought him before city officials. Jason and those that were with him had to leave a security deposit to keep the riots from happening again (Acts 17:1-9).
Paul and Silas were saved and were sent to Berea and went to another Jewish Synagogue. These Jewish people received the word and were more noble and eager to receive the word. But once the Jews from Thessalonica heard that Paul and Silas were there, they went there too looking for them. Paul and Silas were made to escape which sent Paul to Athens and Silas and Timothy to meet up with him later (Acts 17:10-15).
While Paul was in Athens, he saw that the city was full of idols. Some didn't want to hear what he had to say and other saw him to be a preacher of foreign divinities (they did not know of Jesus). Paul goes on to tell them that their "unknown God" (as was an inscription on some idols) did not live in temples made by man (Acts 17:17-31).
As "cool" as it is to have a nice gold crucifix or a bracelet or set of beads, we must remember that God does not live in these items. If you need a reminder of what Christ did for you, then personally I understand. But personally, you have to make sure that what you have is not for looks or fashion or to be in awe of others. Just because you have the biggest crucifix necklace or the shiniest crucifix necklace, it doesn't mean that you are a believer. Your necklace and Christ inspired jewelry is not what truly represents your faith in Christ. It is what you do with that faith in Christ.Will you serve? Will you love others? Will you submit to the will of God? That is a true mark of your faith, not what you wear or what idol you have made.
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Timothy, Imprisoned, Conversion
Timothy was already a disciple (we will learn more about him in other books and chapters) and met up with Paul and Silas. Knowing the issues Jews in the area had with uncircumcised men (Law of Moses), Paul, after having taken Timothy under his wing, had Timothy circumcised. The previous discussions in Jerusalem about being saved by faith was delivered to the churches in Derbe and Lystra. Through the delivery of that message, the churches were strengthened in the faith and the numbers were growing (Acts 16:1-5).
While preaching the gospel to various people they felt that the Spirit of Jesus keeping them from Mysia and the Holy Spirit keeping them from Asia. On they traveled and one night Paul had a vision (possibly a dream) of a man from Macedonia saying "Come over to Macedonia and help us." And on they went to Macedonia to preach the gospel to them. (Acts 16:6-10). From there they were traveling to a place of prayer and were followed for many days by a woman who had the spirit of divinity, which sounds good but is not godly. This woman was a fortune teller and was also a slave girl who was being utilized by her owners to gain wealth and fortune. Paul having been greatly annoyed by being followed by this woman and having her say, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” Paul cast the spirit out of her and that upset the fortune teller/slave girl's owners and they had Paul and Silas beaten and then imprisoned (Acts 16:16-24).
While Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns a great earthquake occurred and the foundations of the prison were open and the prison doors were opened. The jailer saw that the doors had been opened and knowing the custom that the jailer would be executed if his prisoner escaped, the jailer was about to kill himself. Paul let the jailer know not to harm himself as he and Silas were still there. The jailer got lights and saw them still in the jail. He then asked them what he needed to do to be saved. They told him nothing of Mosaic Law, but to believe in Jesus in order to be saved. After telling the word to him and his family, they were all baptized (Acts 16:25-34).
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The Two Splits and Fusion Attempt
There were men telling the brothers of the church that only those who are circumcised can be saved. That completely overwrites what Christ did on the cross and what Paul and Barnabas had been teaching. Paul and Barnabas tried to persuade them through debate. That didn't work so they went to go speak with the elders and other apostles about the matter but they could not come to an agreement. There were those who were circumcised as the Pharisees were, but were also Christians and still believed that circumcision led to salvation. They were split (Acts 15:1-5).
During these debates, Peter spoke on the issues setting the focus on faith and not the acts of keeping the laws of Moses. Then Paul and Barnabas spoke up on the miracles they have seen and had done through God's will. The assembly fell silent and eventually James spoke and suggested to write to the Gentiles who had turned to God. The letters were to encourage them to flee sexual immorality and to abstain from anything polluted by false idols. The letters were also to create unity in that which was divided; the church (Acts 15:6-35).
Paul and Barnabas had a disagreement. They both wanted to visit the places where they preached the word of God and check up on the people. Barnabas wanted to take Mark, but Paul did not want to because Mark had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia. This is where the disagreement ensued and they both went their separate ways with Paul taking Silas with him and Barnabas taking Mark (Acts 15:36-41).
It is okay when we disagree with one another. It is the manner in which we disagree. In other words, what did you say and how did you say it? Where was your heart? Did you listen to what they had to say? Did you ask for clarification when you were not sure of something? We don't always have to be right and in this disagreement between Paul and Barnabas those types of questions would need to be asked in hopes that the relationship remain in tact rather than split for good.
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Further Development of the Church
Peter met with the members of the church and told them about the Gentiles (non Jewish people) who had received the word of God. The brothers and sisters accused Peter of not being a faithful Christian Jew because he ate with Gentiles and they were uncircumcised at that. Peter tells them of the vision he had that allowed him to see that God had no distinction or partiality when it came to who could receive the word of God. Through this the church members were able to understand that everyone, including Gentiles, could receive the word of God. No partiality (Acts 11:1-18).
The Church in Antioch (which was far away) was growing. While there Barnabus and Saul met with other believers and taught for a year and it was also there at Antioch where the disciples were first called Christians. A prophet named Agaubus warned of a great famine that was coming to all the earth. he disciples determined to send relief to the brothers in Judea and they sent that relief by Barnabus and Saul., Everyone pitched in according to their ability (Acts 11:19-30).
From this chapter I have pulled out that when it comes to the word of God and the life and resurrection of Christ, there is no partiality. It does not matter what you look like. You can receive the word of God regardless of the outside. The word will stick based on the inside. I also learned that this was the the first recorded relief effort from one group of people helping another group of people. That takes love and concern and selfless care for others. We need that when there is a national or worldwide disaster. We need that kind of selfless giving on weekdays, weekends and holidays. We need that more often. Love takes no days off.
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