The Pilgrim Path---Acts 23: 6 – 11 

Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. Then a clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?” And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks.

The following night the LORD stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

“…THE HOPE & THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD”

The Apostle Paul brought the “facts” to bear concerning the hope of Israel---and resurrection. This created a firestorm in the Council (the Sanhedrin):

---Intriguing “how” the LORD uses aspects of our “past” to benefit us in the present…

---In Paul’s situation before the Council, all he had to do was present the facts as a follower of the Living Christ. As a Pharisee (with no peer---see Philippians), Paul knew his doctrinal assertions would immediately create tension between the Sadducees and Pharisees…

---In testifying to Gospel Reality (resurrection / eternal life in Jesus)---the LORD gave Paul a way to avoid any potential physical threat he might have faced---If determined to be a blasphemer and false teacher…

---In a few moments---the LORD took everything “out” of the hands of the High Priest---and sent Paul “away” under Roman protection! And notice---these seemingly religious folk in the Council---got violent---and Roman soldiers “took” Paul from them by force…

From Matthew Henry: His being a citizen of Rome saved him in the foregoing chapter from his being scourged by the chief captain as a vagabond, and from being condemned by the Sanhedrin, as an apostate from the faith and worship of the God of Israel. It will consist very well with our willingness to suffer for Christ to use all lawful methods, nay, and arts too, both to prevent suffering and to extricate ourselves out of it. The honest policy Paul used here for his own preservation was to divide his judges, and to set them at variance one with another about him; and, by incensing one part of them more against him, to engage the contrary part for him.

From Ezekiel Hopkins: There is an invisible and wise hand that molds and fashions all. Put the whole frame and series of providences together, and it will appear most admirable and glorious.

From John Flavel: It is certainly a highway of walking with God in this world. A soul may enjoy sweet communion with him in his providences. How often have observers melted into tears of joy at seeing his wise and unexpected productions?

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason