Dissension

Acts 23:11

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.

With the Roman Tribune observing, Paul faced the Jewish council composed of the high priest, the Sadducees.  Of course the Jews were livid almost mad with hatred before Paul even spoke. He began his defense stating that he had lived his life in all good conscience. What a wonderful thing, to live in all good conscience! I wonder how many men in that room could say the same thing.Yet, the high priest ordered those closest to him to strike him on the mouth. Yikes! He hasn't even said anything yet. Definitely reveals the heat in the room!

Paul answered, "God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! [metaphor for hypocrisy] Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?" Because of all Paul's training he could poke them right where it hurt the most. Their lives were not what their words said they were. They were judging others for the same thing that was found in their own lives. In Paul's confrontation, we can see some tactics to use in a situation like this. First, he struck them full force with stinging words. I guess we could call that the shock effect.

Then Paul divided the room as a means to shift the heat from himself. Full well knowing that the Sadducees and the Pharisees differed on the resurrection, he took a stand with the Pharisees. A full-blown dissension arose, a great clamor. One of the Pharisees stood up declaring that they saw nothing wrong with this man. By this time the dissension was violent. The Tribune feared for Paul's life so he removed him to the barracks. And it was on the following night that the Lord stood by Paul. So cool! What a great visual! Not only was the Lord there standing, He spoke, "Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome. I am not sure whether this was good news or not. But Paul was willing to testify anywhere because the Lord stood by him in all that he did. [The account continues tomorrow. ]