Atos 22

Atos 22

Guzik - Paul was an extremely rare individual. It was uncommon to find such an educated, intelligent, devout Jew who was also a Roman citizen. God would use this unique background to use Paul in a special way, even as he wants to use your unique background to use you in a special way. (Ibid) Those who were about to examine him immediately let go of him - The examination was quickly brought to a halt! Some officials flaunted this law Keener recording that "some Roman procurators crucified Jerusalem aristocrats who were Roman citizens." (Ibid) As note in (Acts 21:38-40) this commander clearly respected the Roman law. Examine (426) see notes above on anetazo Immediately (2112)(eutheos from euthus = straight, immediate) is an adverb which generally means at once, right away, forthwith, straightaway, without an interval of time or a point of time subsequent to a previous point of time And the commander also was afraid when he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had put him in chains - The commander and the soldiers under him did not want any part with scourging a Roman citizen that had not be tried and found guilty. Was afraid (5399)(phobeo from phobos = fear source of our English "phobia") means to be in an apprehensive state that can range from mild uneasiness to stark terror as when one is frightened, terrified or alarmed. It is hard to say where along this "fear continuum" that the Commander had landed, but clearly he feared possible retribution for his illegal conduct (he had already bound him which would have been illegal). Jack Andrews - He was afraid for his position, his life, his well-being. He had made a grave mistake and he was fearful because it could cost him dearly. I don’t know if you have ever messed up on the job—trying to do a good job, trying to be conscientious, trying to work hard—and still blow it! When that happens you definitely don’t want to see your boss coming or have to go report to your boss. (Jack Andrews Expository Studies – Understanding Acts) John MacArthur gives five practical principles from the pattern of Paul's testimony - First, Paul accepted the situation as God ordained it. Facing persecution never caused him to be unfaithful to God's plan. He had known for some time that he faced arrest when he arrived at Jerusalem (Acts 20:22-23; 21:4, 10-13). He calmly accepted that as God's will, telling those trying to dissuade him from going to Jerusalem, "I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus" (Acts 21:13). Second, Paul used his circumstances as an opportunity. The crowd had not gathered to hear him preach but to beat and kill him. Paul, however, used that occasion to proclaim to them how God's saving power had transformed his life. Third, Paul was conciliatory toward his persecutors. He did not threaten the hostile crowd or seek revenge. Instead, he courteously addressed them as "brethren and fathers" (Acts 22:1) and even assigned to their vicious beating of him the noble motive of zeal for God. Paul practiced the command he had earlier given to the Roman Christians: "Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not" (Rom. 12:14). He was like his Lord Jesus, who "being reviled... did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously" (1 Pet. 2:23). Fourth, Paul exalted the Lord. His defense to the crowd focused not on his impressive credentials and achievements but on what God had accomplished in his life. That was consistent with his words to the Corinthians: "Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord" (1 Cor. 1:31). Exalting the Lord also served to exonerate Paul and put the crowd in the position of opposing God. Finally, and most important, Paul maintained the proper attitude—one of selfless love. It was his love for other believers that brought him to Jerusalem (to deliver the offering). It was his love for his weaker brethren and desire for unity in the church that brought him to the temple. It was his love for his unsaved countrymen (cf. Ro 9:1-3) that led him to evangelize the hostile crowd. And it was his love for God that motivated his love for people and caused him to give glory to Him. Believers who practice these principles will, like Paul, be able to give a positive testimony in the most negative of circumstances. (The MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Acts 13-28) Acts 22:30 But on the next day, wishing to know for certain why he had been accused by the Jews, he released him and ordered the chief priests and all the Council to assemble, and brought Paul down and set him before them. KJV Acts 22:30 On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them. wishing to know for certain why he had been accused by the Jews Acts 21:11,33; 23:28; 26:29; Mt 27:2 ordered the chief priests and all the Council Acts 22:5; 5:21; 23:15; Mt 10:17 Video of Paul before the Sanhedrin Acts 22 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries PAUL'S DEFENSE BEFORE THE JEWISH SANHEDRIN Paul's delivery to the Sanhedrin sets the stage for his defense in Acts 23:1ff that ended up with him again back in the hands of the Roman commander (Acts 23:10). From now until the end of the Book of Acts, Paul will be in Roman custody. But on the next day - Where he spent the night is not stated, but surely in the Fortress of Antonia, for the Jews would have killed him. Wishing (boulomai) to know for certain (aphales) why he had been accused (kategoreo) by the Jews (Ioudaios) - The commander is still confused about the accusations against Paul and so he calls for an "emergency" session of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish "Supreme Court." He released him (3089)(luo) means to loose, release, dissolve. Here the meaning is to set free from his bonds (presumably the thongs). And ordered (keleuo) the chief priests (archiereus) and all the Council to assemble (sunerchomai) - The Romans commander calls the Sanhedrin to meet. In cases of emergency, as this was, a Roman official, such as the tribune, could order the Sanhedrin to meet. Council (supreme court) (Sanhedrin)(4892)(sunedrion from sun/syn = together + hedra = a seat or hedraios = sedentary, as one seated in a chair) means ones seated together. This noun generally describes an assembly or council. In classical Greek sunhedrion initially referred to the place of meeting; and later described the assembly itself or the “council.” Guzik - The Sanhedrin was the Jewish congress or parliament. Paul would be given the opportunity to speak before the group that he was once a member of. Acts 26:10 clearly says that Paul had a vote – usually, that would be used as a member of the Sanhedrin.. Paul would logically think this was the opportunity of a lifetime, to preach to those he loved so much and knew so well....Paul knew the general plan; but just like us, he didn’t know how it would all work out. He had to trust God, just like every believer. And brought Paul down and set him before them - The scene would have been somewhat like depicted above. Brought down (2609)(katago from kata = down or intensifier + ago = to lead, bring) means literally to bring down (Acts 9:30; 22:30; 23:15, 20, 28; Rom. 10:6; Sept.: Ge 44:21; 1 Ki 1:33). (See video reproduction on youtube) Katago - 9x - bring...down(3), brought(1), brought...down(3), put(2). Lk. 5:11; Acts 9:30; Acts 22:30; Acts 23:15; Acts 23:20; Acts 23:28; Acts 27:3; Acts 28:12; Rom. 10:6 Jack Andrews - Thank God that when he was rejected by man that he was not rejected by God. When men turned on Paul he didn’t turn from God! He trusted the Lord, served the Lord, honored the Lord, and witnessed for the Lord even when he was being rejected by the Jews. How do we respond when we are rejected? How do we treat those who are mean to us? How do we act toward those who are hostile toward us? Often we do not respond Christ-like! Often we retaliate, ridicule, defend ourselves, and dishonor God! Would you trust Him in the face of adversity? Would you honor Him in the midst of rejection? Would you repent and stand up for Jesus in a hostile world? May we learn from Paul how to handle adversity and rejection! Let us be faithful to the Lord and remember that our citizenship is in heaven and we are to be loyal citizens to our King! (Jack Andrews Expository Studies – Understanding Acts)