March’s memory verse:
"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
Acts Chapter 23:
Well, the Jews have had it with Paul! So much so, that they are now relying on the Romans to arrest him! The Romans don't really see a reason for this arrest, and seek to understand.
As Chapter 23 opens, Paul stands before the Jewish council (the chief priest and leaders) to explain the bad blood between him and the Jewish leaders and offer a defense. But as soon as he opens his mouth, they attempt to close it. Seeing the closed door in front of him, he creatively drops a one-line statement (in verse 6) which causes the Jewish council to turn on themselves. As the dissension among them turns violent, the Romans realize that Paul is in grave danger and take him to the barracks. DON'T miss how the Lord meets Paul in those barracks!
Suddenly, a plot to kill Paul is revealed by an unlikely source and God shows up—four hundred seventy soldiers are used by God to exaggerate His faithfulness and protection (way more than enough)!
We're nearing the end of Acts...you don't want to miss this chapter!
Here are a few application questions from this chapter to ponder this week:
Compare and contrast Jesus’ interaction with the high priest in John 18:19-24 with Paul’s interaction with the council in Acts 23:1-5.
How does Paul shift his defense in verse 6? How does Paul try to identify with some of the members of the council?
Ananias gave a command that violated Jewish law by assuming Paul was guilty before he had been tried (verse 2). Paul commented in verses 3 and 5 that he didn’t recognize that Ananias was the high priest. What subtle message do you think Paul was sending to Ananias and those who witnessed his behavior?
If you need a quick synopsis of the events in the previous chapter, keep scrolling.
Summary of Chapter 22:
Paul asks to speak to the crowd in Hebrew, and a great hush falls over everyone when they hear their native language.
Paul shares his testimony to a Jewish audience and confesses that his job now is to guard the gospel and not the garments of Stephen.
Acts 22:14 is a wonderful capsule of the duty of everyone before God: To know His will, to see the Just One (Jesus), and to hear the voice of His mouth (His word).
When the Jews heard him speak what the Lord said, "Go, for I will send you to the Gentiles," they raised their voices and yelled, "Away with this man!"
The tribune decides to examine Paul by flogging, but before he begins, Paul asks if it is lawful to flog an uncondemned Roman citizen (hint: it is not).
Immediately, the treatment Paul receives from the Roman soldiers changes because he is a Roman citizen by birth.
This Year’s Memory Verse
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. “
Acts 1:8