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Previous Lesson -- Next Lesson ACTS - In the Triumphal Procession of Christ
Studies in the Acts of the Apostles
PART 2 - Reports About Preaching Among the Gentiles and the Foundation of Churches From Antioch to Rome - Through the Ministry of Paul the Apostle, Commissioned by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13 - 28)
E - Paul's Imprisonment in Jerusalem and in Caesarea (Acts 21:15 - 26:32)
6. Christ’s Appearance to Paul at Night (Acts 23:11)ACTS 23:11 Paul’s conscience was always clear, for he served God day and night. He did not behave recklessly while he was in Jerusalem, nor did he create a tumultuous situation intentionally. He obeyed the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and was prepared to die. His Lord, however, had other plans for him. He appeared to him personally, in the darkness of night, and said to him: “Be of good cheer, and do not be afraid. Death is not at hand, even though it encompasses you like hungry wolves. They will not harm you, for I am with you. I will close the mouths of the beasts. I will be a fiery wall around you.” The brothers scattered from Paul. Not a single friend from Asia or Europe accompanied him to prison. Nor did James appear with thousands of Jewish believers to help him, to mediate for him or to comfort him. It was as if he was a dispersed vapor. But Christ, in person, was with him. He was his comfort, righteousness, power, and hope. Dear brother, you have neither hope in this life nor in the next, except for the presence of Christ, just as Paul wrote: “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” This assurance of the power of the Holy Spirit continues even in death and torture. Brainwashing is unable to wipe out this assurance. Christ declared to Paul what he had prepared for him from eternity, that is, He would crown his ministry by sending him to Rome, the capital of the universe at that time. With the achieving of this goal, Christ’s triumphal procession would be completed. At the point of greatest defeat, in the night of despair, Christ consoled and revived him, giving him assurance that he would finish the last part of his missionary journey and testify to Him in Rome. This procession compromises the mysterious banner of the Book of the Acts of the Apostles: from Jerusalem to Rome. Paul stood like a runner at the starting point of his last journey. His Lord, however, willed that he not proceed forth in this stage free and victorious, but imprisoned and bound. Nevertheless, in his inmost being, Paul was truly liberated, knowing that nothing could happen to him except that which was prepared for him by Christ. Thus he called himself from now on the prisoner of Christ. In this manner, in chains and handcuffs, he set out to Rome, to win the capital to his Lord.
7. The zealots’ plot against Paul (Acts 23:12-22)ACTS 23:12-22 Luke told Theophilus, the official at Rome, how the zealots, unsatisfied with the interrogation of Paul by the highest council, plotted in their extreme duplicity to devour this corrupter of the Jewish nation. They contrived secretly to make the highest council agree. Thus Paul came to the verge of serious danger. But Christ used the Roman commander, who had 1000 soldiers under him, to keep Paul, the Roman, who was imprisoned and under his charge, and take him out of imminent danger. In his written account Luke described the behavior of the Roman officer in a positive manner, as if he wanted to make correction for the wrong he had done. It is interesting to learn from Luke´s reports that Paul had a married sister, who lived in Jerusalem and had active children. It is probable that sometime earlier Paul’s parents and their children had moved from Tarsus back to their hometown Jerusalem, so that after their death they might be buried in the holy land, as was the custom of many of the Jews. We do not know if they were Christian believers, as their son Paul was, but we see that the son of Paul’s sister had some connection with the fanatical legalistic rebels. He heard about a conspiracy involving forty zealots, who intended to kill Paul. When Paul’s sister heard of the plot, she wished to save her brother. She even endangered her life for him, and sent her son to the prisoner to inform him of the danger that awaited him. When Paul learned about the contrived conspiracy, he sent his sister’s son to the commander, who, hearing of the plot, became angry with the people, and took immediate measures to protect Paul. He chose to send him to Caesarea, the residence of the Roman governor, that the latter himself might judge in this matter. All Jerusalem was agitated, for Paul was the destroyer of Jewish unity. Furthermore, he was under the special protection of the Romans government. This alone was sufficient to kindle the hatred of the zealots against Paul. They carefully plotted to kill him, imprecating the heaviest curses upon themselves if they did not do so. Everything was to happen so quickly that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed him. They hungered and thirsted for a long time, for Christ kept his servant and appointed him for new service. He sent Paul, the prisoner, to Rome, that everyone might see that true liberation was not civil freedom, but redemption from sin, death, and the wrath of God. Jesus had already stated: “If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36) We see in Paul that the spiritual freedom of Christ is also realized in a bound prisoner, for Christ frees the hearts from its lusts and pride, and leads us to the praise of God, whatever the circumstances around us may be. PRAYER: O Lord Jesus Christ, we worship You, for You are living, You care for Your servants, even if they are in prisons. You keep them as the apple of Your eye. Keep us by Your presence at all times, and comfort all those that are imprisoned for Your name´s sake, that they may enjoy the freedom of a clear conscience. QUESTION:
QUIZ - 7Dear reader,
We encourage you to complete the test examination for the Acts of the Apostles. In so doing, you will receive an everlasting treasure. We are awaiting your answers and praying for you. Our address is: Waters of Life Internet: www.waters-of-life.net |