Read Acts 23
Paul loves confrontation and is intimidated by no one. He claimed not guilty and was slapped on the mouth. He smarts off to the one who slapped him only to find out it was the high priest. Paul actually apologizes to him because he honors God's Word and the office he held.
It was revealed to him that the court was divided between Saducees and Pharasees. So he uses that to divide them. He was once a Pharasee and they believe in angels and the resurrection; the Sadducees don't believe in either. He has experienced both so that is his platform. It works well since "a house divided against itself cannot stand". They finally had to rescue Paul from being torn apart by the council and put him back at the castle. That night God stood before him and told him not to fear, he was going to testify also in Rome. That had to be comforting a little. At least he wasn't going to die tomorrow.
The devil hated Paul. He was always trying to kill him because Paul's testimony was so loud and powerful. God knows the enemies plans and gets them to God's people. The people who vowed to kill Paul were overheard by Paul's nephew so they ordered 200 soldiers and 200 spearsmen to accompany Paul out of the city. They left that night instead of the next day when they had planned. When God wants something accomplished he will use the enemy to do his will. So Paul is delivered safely to the governor of Caesarea.
We need Paul's in this age: men and women who are willing to lay down their lives for the kingdom. I want to be that kind of warrior; dangerous to the enemy.
No comments:
Post a Comment