Change the Subject

How did we get here?

Prophets warn Paul

Paul cautioned by James

Bringing Greeks into the Temple

the Roman Tribune

Paul vs Ananias

Living with clear conscience

Ananias proves partiality

Paul: outburst or prophecy?

The New Revised Standard Version False Prophets Condemned

Because, in truth, because they have misled my people, saying, “Peace,” when there is no peace; and because, when the people build a wall, these prophets smear whitewash on it. 11 Say to those who smear whitewash on it that it shall fall. There will be a deluge of rain, great hailstones will fall, and a stormy wind will break out. 12 When the wall falls, will it not be said to you, “Where is the whitewash you smeared on it?” 13 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: In my wrath I will make a stormy wind break out, and in my anger there shall be a deluge of rain, and hailstones in wrath to destroy it. 14 I will break down the wall that you have smeared with whitewash, and bring it to the ground, so that its foundation will be laid bare; when it falls, you shall perish within it; and you shall know that I am the LORD. 15 Thus I will spend my wrath upon the wall, and upon those who have smeared it with whitewash; and I will say to you, The wall is no more, nor those who smeared it— 16 the prophets of Israel who prophesied concerning Jerusalem and saw visions of peace for it, when there was no peace, says the Lord GOD.

Ananias killed by rebels in 66 AD

Paul didn’t know the high priest? Unlikely

High priest not acting like high priest

The New Revised Standard Version Ritual and Moral Holiness

You shall not render an unjust judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbor.

Paul playing the “law game” that the sanhedrin have been playing

Changing the Subject

Paul then changes the subject

Original charge was for bringing Greeks into the temple

Paul changes subject to resurrection

The two are closely related in Paul’s mind, but not in the mind of the Sanhedrin

Paul knows this will cause trouble

Riot breaks out

Trials of Paul and Jesus

Is Paul in the right to do this?

The New Revised Standard Version The Ministry of the Apostles

When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we speak kindly. We have become like the rubbish of the world, the dregs of all things, to this very day.

The New Revised Standard Version Concerning Retaliation

But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also;

Jesus was silent during his trial

Wisdom and Virtue

Christians are called to virtue, but virtue includes wisdom

Christ’s purpose vs Paul’s Purpose

Paul convinces the Tribunal to take him to rome

Ends condition means vs Ends Justify means

Paul and the “Peaceful passive” Christian

The New Revised Standard Version Coming Persecutions

See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues; 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the Gentiles. 19 When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you at that time; 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Learning to change the subject: seeing the truth behind the lies

Paul understood there was more going on than what the Sanhedrin said, so he changed the subject to address the real problems

Much goes on in our world that poses itself as one problem. We must be wise to change the subject