067 God Keeps His Promise
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22 And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!” 23 Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air, 24 the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him. 25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?”
26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, “Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman.”
27 Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?”
He said, “Yes.”
28 The commander answered, “With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.”
And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.”
29 Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
30 The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them.
1 Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?”
4 And those who stood by said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?”
5 Then Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ”
6 But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!”
7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. 8 For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both. 9 Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, “We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.”
10 Now when there arose a great dissension, the commander, fearing lest Paul might be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.
11 But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”
Context.
Paul was in Jerusalem against the counsel of his friends.
By the leading of God.
The Jews started to beat him.
The Romans stepped in.
As the Romans were taking him away he asked to speak to the Jews.
He recounts his life.
He proves his love for the Jews and the Jewish heritage.
Then he says that God sent him to the Gentiles.
Up to this point they listened but then wanted death.
The word “gentiles” was a trigger word.
They immediately quit listening.
We have the same divisive things happening.
Trigger words or hot topics.
They called for his death.
They yelled obscenities.
They were loud and obnoxious.
They tore off their clothes.
Ridiculous behavior to show their anger.
They through dust in the air.
Yet again showing their anger and distain.
Yet accomplishing nothing.
Paul was guarded by Roman soldiers so all they could do is make threats.
So the Commander orders him to be brought to the barracks so he can be questioned.
No just questioned, but scourged or whipped.
Tortured until he confesses.
This shows the commander believed the crowd.
1. Paul’s defense.
1. Paul’s defense.
(1) A. I am a Roman.
(1) A. I am a Roman.
22 And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!” 23 Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air, 24 the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him. 25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?”
26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, “Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman.”
27 Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?”
He said, “Yes.”
28 The commander answered, “With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.”
And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.”
29 Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.
There are two ways to become Roman citizen.
Be born a citizen.
Purchase it at a high price.
There are some valuable rights that come with being a Roman citizen.
The right to vote on in certain circumstances.
The right to hold certain governmental offices.
The right to a legal trial. (Before Caesar if requested.)
Paul will use this right.
The right not to be scourged.
Paul will use this right.
Paul was wise when using his rights.
Acts 16 Paul and Silas...
Beaten and put in prison.
Paul does not claim his right as a Roman citizen.
They end up leading the jailer and his family to Christ.
The officers wanted to sent them out secretly but Paul refused.
For the good of others.
Now Paul claims his Roman citizenship before he is whipped.
Why?
There is no more opportunity for the furtherance of the gospel.
Everything Paul did was not for his own good, but the for the good of the gospel.
22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.
Paul used his Roman rights cautiously.
He was not thinking about himself first.
We often think about ourselves rather than the gospel.
We need to make sure that there is no more opportunity for the furtherance of the gospel.
We need to make sure we are standing for our rights for the correct reason.
I hear the argument that if we truly love our neighbor that we will stand up for their freedom even if they don’t know they want it.
What is more important… their life on earth or their eternal life.
What good does their freedom do them now if they spend an eternity in torment?
I hear the argument that the gospel will spread quicker and the church will thrive under freedom.
Are you currently and active disciple-maker?
Are you currently sharing the gospel with your friends, families, and co-workers.
(1) B. I am a Pharisee.
(1) B. I am a Pharisee.
30 The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them.
1 Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?”
4 And those who stood by said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?”
5 Then Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ”
6 But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!”
7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. 8 For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both. 9 Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, “We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.”
10 Now when there arose a great dissension, the commander, fearing lest Paul might be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.
Paul was calling on his Jewish heritage again.
Pleading with them to have mercy.
Begging them to hear what he said.
We need to learn something here (file it away for later).
Three things happen that show us Paul was not perfect.
First is Paul’s retort to Ananias the High Priest.
Paul rightly tells them that he has a good conscience with God.
That doesn’t set well with Ananias and he has those by Paul hit him in the mouth.
Remember Paul had been beaten by the Jews.
This was not an easy hit and his face was already sore.
Now Paul has had enough and he nails Ananias with some scorching words.
You whitewashed wall… are you going to sit there and judge me and you live contrary to the law yourself? God will strike you.
27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
Paul was no doubt referring to Jesus’ comment.
You and I would agree.
Now the council asks do you revile God’s high priest?
Paul immediately apologizes.
He knows it is written that you should not speak evil of those who rule over you.
Paul has lashed out in anger.
No scholar can agree on why Paul didn’t know he was the high priest but it doesn’t matter.
Second, Paul claimed to be a Pharisee.
Paul once was a Pharisee, but currently was not.
It doesn’t seem like Paul was deliberately lying, but allowed the pressure of the moment to get the best of him.
Third, he divides the council.
Paul sees that there are Pharisees and Sadducees and he knows that the Pharisees believe in the resurrection of the dead.
Better said - any form of spiritual life outside the body.
No hope of resurrection.
This is clearly not why Paul was being charged, but Paul starts an argument.
Still God uses this. Its Paul’s ticket out.
In both of these moments Paul’s past - his Roman birth was used to save his life.
God was working His sovereign plan in Paul’s life before the moment even happened.
2. Paul’s true citizenship.
2. Paul’s true citizenship.
11 But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.”
(2) A. Paul was faithful to his King.
(2) A. Paul was faithful to his King.
Verse 1: “I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.
My guess is that Paul would have liked to have relived this day.
Yet, the pattern of his life was faithfulness.
This failure did not define who Paul was.
He had faithfully preached and endured persecution.
He was IN JERUSALEM because of his faithful obedience to Christ.
You have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem.
(2) B. Paul’s King was faithful to him.
(2) B. Paul’s King was faithful to him.
The Lord stood by him.
God is not asking us to do anything He will not help us with.
3. The King’s promise to Paul.
3. The King’s promise to Paul.
(3) A. Your life isn’t over yet.
(3) A. Your life isn’t over yet.
What a great promise for Paul.
To know that his life wasn’t over.
This also meant that Paul still had work to do.
(3) B. You will go to your beloved Rome.
(3) B. You will go to your beloved Rome.
10 making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.