Have Courage!

Courage is defined not as the absence of fear but as the commitment to pursue one's passions despite it. The article illustrates this through personal anecdotes, emphasizing that true bravery often manifests in everyday actions. Courage involves taking small, consistent steps toward one's goals, even when faced with uncertainty and fear.

Have courage because your life testifies about Christ!

(Acts 22:30–23:11)

Speaking Truth in a Hostile World – How Paul Models Boldness, Wisdom, and Hope in Trial”

Even when the world is chaotic and unjust, God remains sovereign, and His people are called to bear faithful witness to the resurrection hope.

1.God is in control over all opposition.

I. The Setting: A Roman-Initiated Inquiry (22:30)

The Roman tribune (Claudius Lysias) wants to know the exact charge against Paul.

He commands the Sanhedrin to assemble and brings Paul unbound before them.

Key reality: This is not a formal Jewish trial; Rome still holds ultimate authority.

II. Paul’s Opening Declaration (23:1)

“Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.”

A Clear Conscience Does Not Guarantee a Fair Hearing → Paul’s integrity is attacked immediately. Expect opposition when you stand for truth.

Paul asserts his integrity and continued loyalty to the God of Israel.

Implication: A clear conscience does not protect us from suffering, but it anchors our witness.

God Is Sovereign Over Chaos → Roman soldiers, corrupt priests, theological debates—all are instruments in God’s hand to bring Paul to Rome (cf. Acts 1:8).

III. The Immediate Conflict (23:2–5)

High Priest Ananias orders Paul struck on the mouth.

Paul’s sharp response: “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall!” (23:3) → Quoting Ezekiel 13:10ff imagery of hypocrisy and coming judgment.

Ezekiel 13:10 “10 “ ‘Since they have led my people astray by saying, “Peace,” when there is no peace, and since when a flimsy wall is being built, they plaster it with whitewash,”

When told it is the high priest, Paul quotes Exodus 22:28: “You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.”

Paul’s claim “I did not know he was high priest” is best taken as irony or protest against Ananias’ illegal behavior (he was notoriously violent and pro-Roman).

Ananias

"But as for the high priest Ananias, he was a great hoarder up of money; he also had servants who were very wicked, who joined themselves to the boldest sort of the people, and went to the thrashing floors, and took away the tithes that belonged to the priests by violence, and did not refrain from beating such as would not give it up."

God Strike You!

The High Priest Ananias, son of Nedebaeus, was assassinated by Jewish nationalists (often referred to as Zealots or Sicarii) at the beginning of the First Jewish-Roman War in A.D. 66.

According to the historian Josephus:

His house was burned down by the rebels.

He was forced to flee and hid in an aqueduct on the grounds of Herod's palace.

He was discovered while in hiding and was killed by the assassins, along with his brother Hezekiah.

This violent death was a consequence of his pro-Roman stance and his widely unpopular, unscrupulous conduct during his time in office, which drew the hatred of the Jewish nationalist factions.

2.God Word is a dividing line even within the “Religious”!

IV. Paul’s Brilliant (and Controversial) Tactic (23:6–9)

Perceiving the council is divided between Pharisees and Sadducees, Paul cries out: “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” (23:6)

Wise as Serpents, Innocent as Doves (Matt 10:16) → Paul uses shrewd, theologically accurate rhetoric to divide his opponents. This is not manipulation; it is exposing where true allegiance lies.

Result: Immediate dissension erupts.

Sadducees: “There is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit.”

Pharisees: “We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?” (23:9)

Paul shifts the debate from himself to the central theological divide of 1st-century Judaism: the resurrection.

3. Gods Protection is alway available for His People!

V. The Riot and Roman Rescue (23:10)

The dispute becomes so violent the tribune fears Paul will be torn to pieces.

Roman soldiers intervene a second time and remove Paul to the barracks.

VI. The Lord’s Nighttime Encouragement (23:11)

“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.’”

Direct promise from the risen Jesus: Paul’s mission is not finished; Rome awaits.

"We are immortal until all God has us do is done," is English revivalist preacher George Whitefield (1714–1770).

Personal Encouragement in Dark Moments → When human justice fails, Jesus Himself draws near with a fresh commission: “Take courage… you must testify in Rome.”

Have courage because your life testifies about Christ!