Devotional Acts 23: Paul Before the Sanhedrin and Unity in Christ Discover in Acts 23 the origin of religious divergences and why Christians should focus on the essential truths that unite us in Christ. Topics: Devotional, New Testament.

Devotional Acts 23: Paul Before the Sanhedrin and Unity in Christ

Today’s devotional is found in the book of Acts, chapter 23, and this is what happened.

Synopsis: This chapter begins with Paul standing before the Sanhedrin (Council) and addressing them. Paul starts by stating that he has lived his life in all good conscience fulfilling God’s will, whereupon the high priest orders those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. Outraged by this action, Paul calls the high priest a whitewashed wall (hypocrite) for breaking the law by ordering him to be struck. Some of those standing nearby told Paul that he should not speak to God’s high priest that way, and remembering the law, Paul conceded. However, Paul realized that the underlying reason he was being accused was that he was a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee, and for believing in the resurrection. This sparked a major controversy and division between the Pharisees and Sadducees due to their differing beliefs (i.e., the Pharisees believe in the resurrection, spirits, and angels, while the Sadducees do not). The Pharisees declared that they found nothing wrong with Paul, suggesting that a spirit or an angel might have spoken to him. This escalated the division even further, as the Sadducees maintained the opposite. As the dispute became so violent that the commander feared Paul would be torn to pieces, he ordered the soldiers to go down and take him away to the barracks again. Meanwhile, more than 40 Jews formed a conspiracy and took an oath to kill Paul. They only needed the religious leaders and the Council to ask the commander to bring Paul down for further questioning regarding his case, so they could ambush and kill him on the way. When Paul’s nephew heard of the plot, he went to inform Paul, and Paul asked a centurion to take the young man to the commander because he had important information to share. Once the commander learned of the plot to kill Paul, he ordered soldiers to transfer him to Caesarea to be tried by Felix, the governor. Finally, after the soldiers delivered Paul to the governor, they returned, and the governor promised Paul a hearing as soon as his accusers arrived.

Observations

These were my observations:

1. Denominational differences began with the Jews. Today, both Christians and non-Christians know that various denominations exist within Christianity. However, I believe most people do not realize (myself included) that these differences in doctrine and beliefs also existed among the Jews. Today, for the first time while reading this chapter, I realized that division already existed between the Pharisees and the Sadducees. For the Pharisees believe in the resurrection of the body, in spirits, and in angels, whereas the Sadducees believe in none of these things (Acts 23:8 NIV). This shows us that we should not be surprised that many doctrinal differences exist within Christianity today as well. Most importantly, we must learn to focus more on the essential core beliefs that unite us, rather than those that divide us. For focusing on division strays us from our purpose and leads us to fight one another (Acts 23:7, 9–10 NIV).
2. Most people respected the customs, laws, and traditions of their people. Paul knew that despite being tried for his belief in the resurrection of the dead, he also had allies in the Council. Being a Pharisee by lineage and upbringing, he knew that the other Pharisees would not allow him to be condemned for believing the very thing they believed in (Acts 23:6 NIV). On the other hand, Paul also knew that in the eyes of the Sadducees he was not innocent, as what he preached was indeed a transgression according to their laws. In other words, Paul knew both groups were far too entrenched in their religious dogma to reach a compromise. Yet, that was precisely the purpose of the gospel of Jesus: to bring near through the blood of Jesus Christ all those who were once far off and divided (Ephesians 2:13 NIV). Paul was preaching the gospel to everyone so that all could obtain salvation (Acts 4:12 NIV) and cease dividing themselves by identity, social class, or gender, for we are all made one in Christ (Galatians 3:28 NIV). Therefore, we must seek unity in Christ with everyone, for despite our differences, we are all one in Christ. For there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we can be saved and united except Christ (Acts 4:12 NIV).