Good Tuesday May twelfth as we study from God’s word to know His will for us.
Before the Sanhedrin-
Paul wanted to go to Jerusalem to the temple and share the Gospel to all the Jewish leaders and people. He finally gets the opportunity but finds that he has neither the support of the Christian leaders, as they seemly had no control over those who added concepts, rules to the free gift of the gospel. Acts 21:20b-21 “You see, brother, how many myriads of Jews there are who have believed, and they are all zealous for the law; but they have been informed about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.” Jesus made this statement, John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” You hear people say Christians are narrow minded people believing only one entrance is given to go to heaven; well it’s the truth, only one heaven one entrance. John 10:9 “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” If you struggle let me clear things up, religion says only if you are one of them can you enter heaven, and to be right with religion means you have to work for your attendance in heaven, do the rules and rituals given by man. Jesus says all, meaning anybody, everybody is welcomed as the work has been completed and you just need to say I love you Lord and entrance is given. Paul now will go on trial before the Sanhedrin so let’s read together from Acts 23:1-5 “Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 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?” And those who stood by said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?” 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.’ ” Paul is here to testify that he is not teaching heresy, he begins by addressing the men here and the brethren meaning that he was a member of this council, he being a Pharisee himself. When Paul says “I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day” the high priest has Paul struck on the mouth as Paul is considered an enemy to the law. The high priest was Ananias who historians note was known to be cruel in nature, one who loved possessions was greedy, and one who compromised much to keep his position. Remember the Jews were allowed to remain as long as they caused no problems to Rome, so Ananias was a good politician. Paul not knowing Ananias was the sitting high priest says, 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?” but when he learns who Ananias is he asks forgiveness, authorities are to be honored. Hebrews 13:17a “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account.” Honoring leaders, how are you doing? Remnant
