God Is For You

Acts 23

​“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31(ESV)

In Acts 23, Dr. Luke documents that the Apostle Paul was in danger. If the Romans did not imprison him, the Jews would kill him.

According to Warren Wiersbe, God used integrity, strategy, advocacy, opportunity, and authority to help Paul accomplish His will.

“And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” 4 Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God’s high priest?” 5 And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ” Acts 23:1–5 (ESV)

Paul had nothing to hide, and his conscience was clear. Ananias was out of line when he had Paul slapped; but Paul showed respect for the office, not the man; however, he stated, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall!”

The phrase whitewashed wall refers to a thing made to look clean on the outside though it is actually dirty on the inside.

Dr. Tony Evans says that “some interpreters think Paul truly didn’t know to whom he was speaking in verse 3. Others think Paul’s eyesight was bad. But more likely, Paul considered Ananias an illegitimate high priest because of his unjust actions in conducting the trial. In any case, by quoting Exodus 22:28, Paul was acknowledging respect for the leader’s office but saying, “This is a fake leader.”

“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.” 7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9 Then a great 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?” 10 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.” Acts 23:6–10 (ESV)

This did not set Paul free, but it did divide the enemy camp and get the Romans to protect their prisoner better.

It was clear to Paul that he wasn’t going to get a fair hearing. So when he realized that some of those gathered were Sadducees (a group that denied the resurrection of the dead) and some were Pharisees (a group that believed in the resurrection of the dead), he told them he was a Pharisee on trial because of the hope of the resurrection. That was a shrewd move because technically, he was right. His message was the proclamation that Jesus was the Messiah who had risen from the dead. But he used that truth to highlight the theological conflict that existed between the two groups, winning sympathy for himself from the Pharisees.

“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.” Acts 23:11 (ESV)

Paul had the best lawyer available! Christ had assured him when he was in Corinth, and He would assure him again.

Paul’s nephew lived in the city, and by the providence of God, he discovered the Jewish plot. Only the Lord could have worked that out. We never know what friend or relative God will use to help us.

“When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 13 There were more than forty who made this conspiracy. 14 They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul. 15 Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.” 16 Now the son of Paul’s sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul. 17 Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him.” 18 So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, “Paul the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you.” 19 The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?” 20 And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him. 21 But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent.” 22 So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of these things.” Acts 23:12–22 (ESV)

If the Lord knows how to have a nephew at the right place at the right time to foil the plans of a band of killers, then he knows how to take care of you no matter what you’re up against.

Paul had the protection of 472 Roman soldiers, and the whole authority of the government was behind him. The Romans did not give Paul a fair hearing, but God still used them to protect Paul and get him to Rome.
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Today, know that God’s plans will not be thwarted and He will use whatever means to accomplish His Will. Understand that even though we can often feel pinned in the corner, or see no escape to our difficulties, God will provide a way out and provide peace and hope. May you increase in your faith in Jesus as you continue to surrender to His word, path, and Lordship.

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