The
Religious and Political Confrontations faced by Paul – By Dr. Thomas Chung
dated 26.10.14
Background
This sermon is based on Act 23. Acts
chapter 23 is relevant to today’s Malaysian Church. What were written than are also happening now
in our country. What happened to Jesus
also happened to Paul. In John 20:30 it
was written that Jesus performed many miracles but only some were
recorded. Similarly for Paul he did many
things and also performed miracles but only some of these were recorded. Why?
This was because God used special stories to tell His people and also for the
purpose of teaching His people.
At that time, the Church was in
transition. Paul was dealing with the
Jews who believed in the Old Testament, and he had to deal with gentiles who
were pagans. Paul faced many challenges
with the Jews who only believed in Old Testament carried many baggage whereas
pagans were non- believers.
There are four sections to this sermon:
1.
V1-11 – Religious confrontation
2.
V12-22 – Religious Extremism
3.
V23-30 – Protection under the
law
4.
V31-35 – Political corruptions
( also Ch.24:22-27)
Religious
Confrontation – The Sanhedrin, the religious
authority were controlled by Sadducees conflicted with Paul. They were politically motivated and they did
not believe in spirituality. The
Pharisees also conflicted with the Sadducees. Paul was just testifying and not attacking
anyone but the High Priest ordered him be stuck on the face. Paul knew the different beliefs of the
Sadducees and Pharisees, so he “played politics” with them. Because of this
difference, the Pharisees sided with Paul and said they found him not guilty.
There was an uproar and to protect Paul, the Commander put him in jail.
Religious
extremism-forty Jews plotted to kill Paul. Paul nephew knew of the plot and told Paul
who in turn asked him to inform the Commander.
The Commander instructed his nephew to tell no one about this plot. Paul was a Roman citizen.
Protection
under the law-after knowing about the plot to kill
Pau, the Commander ordered 470 soldiers to protect Paul as they proceeded to
Caesarea. Paul being a Roam citizen knew
the law well, and under Roam law their citizens needed to be protected until
proven guilty. The Commander was well
aware of Paul’s status and the importance to protect him for the trial. Paul
was brought before Governor Felix. Actually Felix came from a slave family, but
his brother manipulated and got him to be a ruler. The Governor asked Paul he was from, and when
Paul said Cilicia. The Governor ordered him to be put in jail.
Political
corruption- Paul was brought to Antipatris and on
to Caesarea. He appeared before Governor
Felix. After the Governor learnt that
Paul was from Cilicia he ordered him put into jail and will only hear him the
following day. Actually he was delaying
hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe.
But none was offered. In a way
the Commander also passed his problem to Felix.
Important
issues in Act 23
-Respect for law and authority. Paul did not condemn the authority because he
knew that the authority was appointed by God. Roam 13:1 spoke about this
authority. The perfect will of God
applies here.
-Protection under the law- Paul was a Roam
citizen and he knew his rights as a citizen.
He demanded that he be protected under such law.
-Perfect and permissive will of God. In Luke 16:8 the parable of the unrighteous
steward, God commended the unrighteous steward, and this can happen because of
the permissive will of God. In another
example, Kin David eating the show bread which was reserved for the priests.
1 Corinthians 11:31-33 – do all to the
glory of God. Paul did not give offense
to the Jews. His concern was their
salvation.
