Acts 23: The Plot to Kill Paul

Alongside our Sunday teachings, we’re keeping things simple. We’ll be reading through the book of Acts, featuring the many unique voices of the ClearView Church congregation. Each week, we’ll release two chapters, followed by a few reflection questions.

In this  episode, you’ll hear a brief introduction from Pastor Phil, followed by a reading of Acts 23 and some reflection questions from a member of our congregation.

Read along with the following reflection:

And so, the plot thickens! What word or phrase stuck out for you as you listened to this action packed chapter?

Perhaps you noticed God's sovereignty woven throughout the story. God is working through a surprising series of events to preserve Paul’s life. A nephew overhears a plot. A commander takes action. Soldiers provide protection. Again and again, God is at work behind the scenes. What does this passage reveal about who God is?

Where might you see yourself in the story? Are you like Paul, seeking courage in the midst of uncertainty? Are you like Paul's nephew, faithfully responding to an opportunity God places before you? Are you being invited to trust that God is at work even when His plans are not immediately visible?

Linger over these questions and bring your thoughts to God. Is there anything you would like to ask Him? Pray your life to God and take a moment to rest in His presence.

Faith Matters is a ministry of Clearview Church, Oakville, On.
https://clearviewchurch.com/

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:04

You are listening to the Faith Matters Podcast from Clearview Church, where we explore everyday faith in a complex world. Our goal is to strengthen and equip followers of Jesus just like you through practical and theological discussions and resources. In this season of the podcast, we're diving deeper into the practices of prayer and study. Each week, we'll release two episodes featuring voices from our congregation reading a chapter from the book of Acts, along with a few reflection questions. Each episode will begin with a short introduction to help set the context of the passage. As you listen, we encourage you to go slow. There will be built-in pauses with gentle background music, giving you space to reflect and wonder about what you're hearing. You might choose to follow along in your Bible or use a Bible app as the passage is read aloud. Above all, invite the Holy Spirit to speak to you and reveal what you need from the text. Now, on to the book of Acts and the passage of the day.

SPEAKER_00 1:35

He describes his violent past, his encounter with Jesus, and the call on his life that has changed everything. And his words bring both revelation and rage. And now, starting at the end of chapter 22 and throughout chapter 23, we hear of more council trials, more opportunities for Paul to testify to the gospel, and all of it leading to the fulfillment of God's promise that Paul must testify in Rome.

SPEAKER_02 2:08

The commander wanted to find out exactly why Paul was being accused by Jews. So the next day he released him and ordered the chief priests and all the members of the Sanhedrin to assemble. They brought Paul and had him stand before them. Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day. At this, the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, God will strike you, your whitewashed wall. You sit there to judge me according to the law. Yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck. Those who were standing near Paul said, How dare you insult God's high priest? Paul replied, Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest. For it is written, Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people. Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in Hesahedron, My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead. When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits. But the Pharisees believed all these things. There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Pharisees stood up and argued vigorously. We find nothing wrong with this man, they said. What if a spirit or an angel had spoken to him? The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks. The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, Take courage, as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome. The next morning, some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. More than forty men were involved in this plot. They went to the chief priests and elders and said, We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. Now then you and the Sanhedrin petitioned the commander to bring him before you on pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here. But when the son of Paul's sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, Take this young man to the commander. He has something to tell him. So he took him to the commander. The centurion said, Paul, the prisoner, sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you. The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside, and asked, What is it you want to tell me? He said, Some Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him. Don't give in to them. Because more than forty of them are waiting in ambush for him. They have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him. They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their request. The commander dismissed the young man with this warning. Don't tell anyone that you have reported this to me. Then he called two of his sentrons and ordered them, get ready a detachment of 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen, and 200 spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight. Provide horses for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix. He wrote a letter as follows Claudius Lassius to his Excellency Governor Philips. Greetings. This man was seized by the Jews and they were about to kill him. But I came with my troops and rescued him, for I had learned that he's a Roman citizen. I wanted to know why they were accusing him, so I brought him to their Zahijon. I found that the accusation had to do with the questions about their law, but there was no charge against him that deserved death or imprisonment. When I was informed of a plot to be carried out against the man, I sent him to you at once. I also ordered his accusers to present to you their case against him. So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul with them during the night and brought him as far as Antipatris. The next day they let the cavalry go on with him while they returned to the barracks. When the cavalry arrived in Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and handed Paul over to him. The governor read the letter and asked what province he was from. Learning that he was from Silesia, he said, I will hear your case when your accusers get here. Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod's palace. Take courage. As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so must also testify in Rome. And so the plot thickens. What word of phrase stuck out for you as you listen to this action-packed chapter? Perhaps you notice God's sovereignty woven throughout the story. God is working through a surprising series of events to preserve Paul's life. A nephew overhears a plot? A commander takes action? Soldiers provide protection. Again and again, God is at work behind the scenes. What does this passage reveal about who God is? Where might you see yourself in this story? Are you like Paul, seeking courage in the midst of uncertainty? Are you like Paul's nephew, faithfully responding to an opportunity God places before you? Are you being invited to trust that God is at work, even when his plans are not immediately visible? Linger over these questions and bring your thoughts to God. Is there anything you would like to ask him? And take a moment to rest in his presence.

SPEAKER_01 11:07

Thank you for listening to the Faith Matters podcast. We hope this time has helped you slow down and create space to hear from God. Join us again for our next episode as we continue through the book of Acts together. Go in peace and may you continue to grow your life with Christ.