The Plot to Kill Paul

HOOK

DO NOT FORGET TO UNMUTE

It’s the 10th day of February— MONDAY— Pastor Noel & Mike Ebbah

Yesterday right here at “The Message” we looked into the events that occured when Paul was brought by the commander to the sanhedrin—after Paul was struck in the mouth because he bravely responded to the chief high priest, some of those who were standing close to him said, “how dare you insult God’s high priest>’

A dispute broke out between the Sadducees and the Pharisees when Paul said that the reason for his trial was because of his hope of the resurrection of the dead— the Pharisees believed that while the Sadducees do not believe there is resurrection

So the council was divided because of their opposing doctrines— from these we learned that:

JESUS IS THE GREAT HIGH PRIEST

A HOUSE THAT IS DIVIDED AGAINST ITSELF CANNOT STAND

Now let’s see how this saga of apostle Paul went on — open your Bible to Acts 23:12-22

When studying the Bible, look for words that defines the CHARACTER of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit— keep an eye on COMMANDS to obey— good EXAMPLES to follow, and bad examples to avoid— PROMISES that you could claim— sins to CONFESS— CHALLENGES you encountered— and ENCOURAGEMENT to keep you going

READ ACTS 23:12-22

BOOK

Acts 23:12–22 NIV

12 The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. 13 More than forty men were involved in this plot. 14 They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. 15 Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here.” 16 But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul. 17 Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.” 18 So he took him to the commander. The centurion said, “Paul, the prisoner, sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.” 19 The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, “What is it you want to tell me?” 20 He said: “Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him. 21 Don’t give in to them, because more than forty of them are waiting in ambush for him. They have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him. They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their request.” 22 The commander dismissed the young man with this warning: “Don’t tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”

WHAT: More than forty men vow not to eat until they kill Paul

WHERE: Jerusalem (show 3d topography & short media of Jerusalem & Caesarea)

WHEN: 57 AD

WHO: Paul, Paul’s nephew,

WHY: Because they hated Paul so much

LOOK

SOME JEWS FORMED A CONSPIRACY AND BOUND THEMSELVES WITH AN OATH

An oath not to eat or drink until they’ve killed Paul— there were more than forty men involved in this plot

THEY WENT TO THE CHIEF PRIEST AND THE ELDERS

Take note that the council was divided on their stand concerning Paul— these plotters very likely had avoided the Pharisees

They went to see Ananias [the chief high priest] and the Sadducees who did not believe on the resurrection of the dead, spirits nor angels— they said, we have taken a solemn oath not to eat or drink we have killed Paul— the anger here is outraging!— take not that Sanhedrin is a religious council— these are teachers of the law— part of that law is the 10 commandment— thou shall not kill is the 6th of the 10

So much for the law and justice in the Sanhedrin— we should see here how hatred confuses people’s minds

People has the tendency of killing because of anger/hatred— remember Cain and Abel— Genesis 4:4-5

BUT WHEN THE SON OF PAUL’S SISTER HEARD OF THIS PLOT

He went to his uncle Paul and told him about everything he heard— Paul then called on the Centurion [captain of the guards] and asked him to accompany his nephew to the commander because he has something to important to tell him— so the centurion brought Paul’s nephew to the commander and he said..

DON’T GIVE IN TO THEM BECAUSE MORE THAN FORTY OF THEM ARE WAITING IN AMBUSH FOR HIM

The commander dismissed the young man warning him not to tell anyone everything that he had reported to him

What resonated to me here are two things:

God used Paul’s nephew to thwart the plot, and two..

Their hatred against Paul confused the way they thought— they were religious leaders— teaching the law and bound to obey them— and yet they allowed themselves to become part of this plot— Bad example!

TOOK

GOD USES EVEN A NOBODY TO CARRY OUT HIS PLAN

HATRED CONFUSES THE WAY I THINK

SING

Agape Worship Team— Reckless Love