Testimony in front of a public meeting
Contents
Title: Testimony in front of the council
Bible: Acts 22:30-23:11
2010.2.21. Afternoon
The apostle Paul proudly testified of Jesus Christ in front of the crowds who had gathered to kill him. At that time, the Jews would no longer listen to the apostle Paul. Then they threw stones and blown away the dust. Commander Cheon tried to interrogate Paul by beating him, but he knew that he was a Roman citizen of the apostle Paul and was afraid to bind him.
1. Paul delivered before the council
The next day, Captain Cheon untied him and set him up before the priests and all the councilors to hear his testimony as to why the Jews had accused the apostle Paul.
We too are sometimes set up in front of the world because of our faith in Jesus. There are people who stand in front of them with shameful hearts, but in fact, Paul was dignified without the slightest wavering. Are we proud to stand in front of the world after being persecuted and suffering in the name of Jesus?
I used to suffer in front of my brother-in-law's friends for not believing in Jesus and not drinking alcohol. There were even times when alcohol was sprayed on his face. But they smiled and refused. I wanted to scream out loud, but I endured it. He endured in the name of Jesus.
2. Rebuke the High Priest
During the interrogation, when the apostle Paul testified according to his conscience that he was a man who served God, Ananias the high priest shouted loudly to strike him on the mouth, and the apostle Paul said that he was a whitewashed wall, and God will strike you. Do you sit down, judging me according to the law, and break the law and strike me? inquired.
Ananias, the priestess, who is he?
A person who served as high priest from 48 AD to 58 AD. He was known as a man of cruelty and greed.
According to Josephus, he was rented by other common priests at a rate of one-tenth for his personal clothes, and was a man who paid lavish bribes to the Roman magnates. For his pro-Roman policy, he was hated by Jewish nationalists. Then, when the war with Rome began in AD 66, the Jews burned his house and hid in the aqueduct of Harod the Great, where they were caught and executed.
But right after he announced that he was the high priest, he quoted the Bible <Exodus 22:28> and apologized, "You shall not curse the judge or curse your servants." Here is his truth.
3. Conflict between the Pharisees and the Sadducees
Paul knows that one of the council members is an apostle and the other is a Pharisee, and he uses the wisdom of the moment to promote a conflict between the classes. The apostle Paul emphasized that he was a Pharisee.
* Pharisees - believe in the Spirit. I believe in both angels and resurrection. - Strict legalists
* Sadducees - do not believe in spirits and angels, nor in resurrection - - staunch realists
4. God's Comfort and Revelation
That night the Lord appeared to the apostle Paul.
“Be bold. Just as you testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify in Rome.” promised
It was a method we did not know. Two years later, he goes to Rome as a prisoner.
Dear saints,
Appearance may vary. The method may be different. However, the gospel remains unchanged. There is no change in that the gospel saves human souls. We pray that you will be able to understand clearly what the mission God has given you and to dedicate your precious life for it.