Acts 23:12-35 - A Plot To Kill Paul

READ THE TEXT - 23:12-35

Introduction

Last Week

Paul was before the pharisees and sadducees

Paul has words with the “high priest”

Paul then starts a argument between them all

Paul is brought away

Christ appears to him and says:

Acts 23:11 ESV

11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

This promise is important for our passage today

We will see all that God will do to be sure that Paul makes it to Rome

THE TEXT

The Plot to Kill Paul - (v.12-15)

Acts 23:12–15 ESV

12 When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 13 There were more than forty who made this conspiracy. 14 They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul. 15 Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”

Proof of the “white washed wall”

These men (with the approval of the counsel) are going to try to MURDER PAUL

They are hypocrites!

Stark contrast to Jesus who vowed that he would not eat or drink again until his death for those who were His enemies

Mark 14:25 ESV

25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

These men bring curses upon themselves for their evil plotting

Isaiah 29:20–21 ESV

20 For the ruthless shall come to nothing and the scoffer cease, and all who watch to do evil shall be cut off, 21 who by a word make a man out to be an offender, and lay a snare for him who reproves in the gate, and with an empty plea turn aside him who is in the right.

Isaiah 59:7–8 ESV

7 Their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; desolation and destruction are in their highways. 8 The way of peace they do not know, and there is no justice in their paths; they have made their roads crooked; no one who treads on them knows peace.

God abhors this dishonesty and plotting

Psalm 55:22–23 ESV

22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. 23 But you, O God, will cast them down into the pit of destruction; men of blood and treachery shall not live out half their days. But I will trust in you.

Let us not be like these people! We may not be wishing to kill someone (or we may I don’t know) but lets not plot and wish harm or wrongdoing on others. This is against every Biblical principle. It is ok to morn and long for justice but we do not want to be the people who sin in our plotting.

Paul learns of the plot (v.16-22)

Acts 23:16–22 ESV

16 Now the son of Paul’s sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul. 17 Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him.” 18 So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, “Paul the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you.” 19 The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?” 20 And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him. 21 But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent.” 22 So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of these things.”

Paul’s nephew - the unsung hero

Somehow Paul’s nephew overheard the whole plot and told Paul

Then Paul sends him to the tribune and he delivers the message

Do not overlook the importance of youth in the church

1 Timothy 4:12 ESV

12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

If we simply overlook our youth and do not orient ourselves to the next generation then our church will die.

Our ultimate goal as a church should be to be disciples that make disciples of our children and families.

We need to be willing to sacrifice our own preferences for the sake of reaching the next generation.

It could be the preference of the look and feel of the room or even the music we sing.

Sometimes we begin to treat our kids and teenagers as background objects that are just here to serve us.

It is good when they serve (in fact thank you to all who serve) but we must be willing to serve them too!!

Frankie - the lawn and mowing

Zeke - Helping in the nursery and also has come in and done some serious manual labor

Some of my greatest ministry training time occured when I was a youth who was serving in various ministries.

Our kids are not incompetent - they may need a little patience but they can do mighty work for God.

God ordained that he would use this youth to continue Paul’s mission - what will he do here?

Preventing the Plot (v.23-35)

Acts 23:23–35 ESV

23 Then he called two of the centurions and said, “Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night. 24 Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor.” 25 And he wrote a letter to this effect: 26 “Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings. 27 This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen. 28 And desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council. 29 I found that he was being accused about questions of their law, but charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment. 30 And when it was disclosed to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him.” 31 So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 And on the next day they returned to the barracks, letting the horsemen go on with him. 33 When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him. 34 On reading the letter, he asked what province he was from. And when he learned that he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.” And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod’s praetorium.

God uses the civil magistrate

Though the Romans were pagan and evil - God still used them to accomplish his will.

Notice that the Tribune (Claudias Lysias) omits the part in the letter where he was about to flog him.

He is saving his own neck here

If he turns a blind eye to the murder of a roman citizen when he knew about a plot against him he would be in big trouble.

This is also a great way to get rid of this guy! No more drama for the Tribune

Paul will be on his way to Felix with an entire army of men!!

See how God works?

Felix

Felix is the governor of Caesarea

Former slave who was freed and rose to power -

Romans Historian Tacticus wrote of him: “Felix occupied the office of a king while having the mind of a slave, saturated with cruelty and lust.”

Next week we will see how God will use this man to accomplish his purpose for Paul

Conclusion

Avoid sinful plots against others

Do not overlook the youth - let’s seek to reach the next generation

God can use any authority to cary out His will