Lesson 29:Paul’s Defense Before the Sanhedrin & Armed Transfer to Caesarea (22:30-23:35)

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

A. Paul was taken before and made his defense to the Jewish Sanhedrin (22:30-23:10).1. The Roman commander (at temple), Claudius Lysias,

summoned the Sanhedrin (22:30).2. Paul began his defense before the Sanhedrin but was

harshly struck (23:1-5).a) As Paul looked at the Sanhedrin members, he may have known

some of them.b) Paul affirmed that he had “lived in all good conscience before

God” (23:1).

I.

A. One’s conscience is not a safe or trustworthy guide in religious matters!1. Paul said, “I have lived in all good conscience before God until

this day” (Acts 23:1; 26:9).a) He thought what he was doing was right. He was wrong!

2. God plainly taught that blindly following one’s conscience has serious consequences (Prov. 16:25; Rom. 10:2-3).

3. One’s conscience is his inner guide to the rightness or wrongness of his behavior.

a) One’s conscience is only as good as the standard used to train it.b) In order for one’s conscience to be trusted, it must be trained by God’s

Word!c) Our thoughts (1 Cor. 4:6), words (1 Pet. 4:11) and actions (Col. 3:17)

must be governed by His Word.

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

A. Paul was taken before and made his defense to the Jewish Sanhedrin (22:30-23:10).1. The Roman commander (at temple), Claudius Lysias,

summoned the Sanhedrin (22:30).2. Paul began his defense before the Sanhedrin but was

harshly struck (23:1-5).a) As Paul looked at the Sanhedrin members, he may have known

some of them.b) Paul affirmed that he had “lived in all good conscience before

God” (23:1).c) After only one sentence, the high priest ordered Paul struck on

the mouth (23:2).d) Paul pronounced God’s judgment on Ananias for his corrupt

behavior (23:3-5).

I.

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

A. Paul was taken before and made his defense to the Jewish Sanhedrin (22:30-23:10).3. Paul used the sharp divide between Sadducees &

Pharisees against them (23:6-9).a) The Sadducees were essentially “materialists”—not believe in

the resurrection of the dead, immorality of the soul, angels or spirits (23:7). But, the Pharisees did.

b) Sadducees held majority in Sanhedrin; high priest was Sadducee.

c) Paul announced that he was a Pharisee, on trial for the resurrection (23:6).

d) The Pharisees, agreeing with Paul, said, “Let’s not fight against God” (23:9).

4. Claudius Lysias had Paul forcefully returned to the barracks (23:10).

I.

B. Tradition is a powerful motivator, blinding men to God’s will and condemning souls!1. The Pharisees & Sadducees were so locked into their

traditions, they rejected truth!2. Following man-made tradition will cause men to violate

God’s will (Mark 7:1-13).3. Following man-made tradition will condemn the souls of

others (Matt. 23:15).4. Following man-made tradition will please self and others

but not God (Gal. 1:10-15).

II. Significant Truths from this Passage for Our Understanding

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

B. Forty Jews conspired to have Paul killed, devoting themselves to the task (23:11-22).1. Perhaps (we don’t know) Paul was feeling great stress and

even fear for his life.2. The Lord came and stood by Paul (23:11). Every indication

is that He was really there!3. Forty men bound themselves under oath (of death) to kill

Paul (23:12, 14, 15, 21, 27).4. Perhaps by providence, Paul’s nephew heard the details of

the plot (23:16-22).

I.

Overview of the Passage & Helpful Facts for Further Bible Study

C. Paul was dispatched to Caesarea, where Felix the governor lived (23:23-35).1. Claudius Lysias mobilized 470 of his troops as an armed

escort for Paul (23:23-24).2. Claudius Lysias wrote a letter to the Roman governor of

Judea, Felix (23:25-30).3. Paul arrived in Caesarea and awaited trial before Felix

(23:31-35).

I.

A. Our conscience must be properly trained by God’s Word before we can trust it!

B. Let us remember that we live before God every day, so let His Word be our standard!

C. Man will divide himself into varying doctrines and practices, but let’s stick with God!

D. Regardless of what others do, even plotting against us, the Lord will always be with us!

III. Practical Points of Application for Our Lives