Acts 23:1 Gazing intently at the high council, Paul began: “Brothers, I have always lived before God with a clear conscience!”
2 Instantly Ananias the high priest commanded those close to Paul to slap him on the mouth. 3 But Paul said to him, “God will slap you, you corrupt hypocrite! What kind of judge are you to break the law yourself by ordering me struck like that?”
If Paul hasn’t been able to preach Jesus to the mob on the temple mount, now he has the opportunity to preach to the religious rulers of Israel. Who knows what God might do? Paul begins by saying, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” This greeting sounds polite, so why does the high priest command someone to slap Paul on the mouth? According to William Barclay, this address meant that Paul was bold in speaking to the council, setting himself on an equal footing with them. The normal style of address was to say, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel.” The last thing the high priest wants is to be spoken to by Paul as if they are equals. After all, Paul is a renegade, a traitor to his rabbinic training. What does this upstart mean by speaking in this fashion? How can he possibly claim to have a clear conscience? No matter what the high priest’s motive is, this order is illegal, for the Jewish law said, ‘He who strikes the cheek of one Israelite, strikes as it were the glory of God,’ and ‘He that strikes a man strikes the Holy One.’” (David Guzik Enduring Word Commentary)
4 Those standing near Paul said to him, “Do you dare to insult God’s high priest?”
5 “I’m sorry, brothers. I didn’t realize he was the high priest,” Paul replied, “for the Scriptures say, ‘You must not speak evil of any of your rulers.’”
Score one for Paul and zippo for the high priest! By apologizing while invoking Scripture, Paul has seized the moral high ground. The high priest must be chewing his beard in frustration. And Paul is about to up the ante.
6 Paul realized that some members of the high council were Sadducees and some were Pharisees, so he shouted, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, as were my ancestors! And I am on trial because my hope is in the resurrection of the dead!”
7 This divided the council—the Pharisees against the Sadducees— 8 for the Sadducees say there is no resurrection or angels or spirits, but the Pharisees believe in all of these. 9 So there was a great uproar. Some of the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees jumped up and began to argue forcefully. “We see nothing wrong with him,” they shouted. “Perhaps a spirit or an angel spoke to him.” 10 As the conflict grew more violent, the commander was afraid they would tear Paul apart. So, he ordered his soldiers to go and rescue him by force and take him back to the fortress.
Well, Paul has set a cat among the pigeons. For generations, the Sadducees and Pharisees have been arguing about resurrection from the dead and angels and spirits. As a Pharisee, in the past, Paul has participated enthusiastically in these arguments. Now Paul, with a gleam in his eye, crise out “I am on trial because my hope is in the resurrection of the dead!” Paul knows that the Pharisees will instantly leap to his defense while the Sadducees will scream in protest. How this contest will end, Paul doesn’t know, but he has a hunch that the Roman commander will be duty bound to deliver him from these men. Paul is right; the commander surveys the worsening situation and orders soldiers to remove Paul to the fortress. If Paul were the kind of guy who cracked his knuckles in triumph, he’d be cracking them right now. And Jesus must be smiling also, for he’s about to give Paul a new assignment.
11 That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, “Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.”
Were we to find ourselves in Paul’s situation, we might be terrified. But Paul is dauntless. The definition of dauntless is “incapable of being intimidated or subdued, fearless, undaunted.” Why is Paul so calm? The answer is found in Paul’s farewell address to the Ephesians in Acts 20:23-24 “I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me. 24But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus— the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”
Ever since Jesus confronted Paul on the road to Damascus, Paul and Jesus have conducted an ongoing conversation. Paul is tough-minded enough that Jesus has hidden nothing from him. Paul has already been stoned and left for dead and beaten; he knows that going to Rome might easily mean death. But Jesus has called Paul to be His ambassador, and once an ambassador has accepted an assignment, he has many duties. In writing to various churches, Paul repeatedly refers to himself as God’s ambassador. Why is this such an important assignment?
In Paul’s time, political ambassadors had several key responsibilities.
Representation
Ambassadors acted as representatives of their home states, conveying messages and negotiating on behalf of their leaders. They were tasked with maintaining diplomatic relations and ensuring their state’s interests were protected.
Communication
They communicated important information between governments, often relaying messages that could influence political decisions. This role was crucial in an era with limited communication methods.
Negotiation
Ambassadors engaged in negotiations to resolve conflicts or establish treaties. Their ability to negotiate effectively was vital for maintaining peace and cooperation between different regions or states.
Cultural Exchange
They also facilitated cultural exchanges, promoting understanding and cooperation between different peoples. This included sharing customs, traditions, and sometimes even religious beliefs, which was significant in the diverse cultural landscape of the Roman Empire.
Ambassadors, or envoys, were often tasked with representing their states in foreign lands, negotiating treaties, and maintaining diplomatic relations. However, their authority was typically constrained by the political climate and the directives of their home governments.
Retreat and Withdrawal
- Limited Autonomy: Ambassadors had limited autonomy and were expected to adhere strictly to their government’s policies. Retreating from a diplomatic mission could be seen as a failure or a breach of duty.
- Political Consequences: In the context of the Roman Empire, where Paul lived, retreating could lead to severe political repercussions, including loss of status or even punishment.
Historical Context
The Roman government during Paul’s time was known for its political corruption and brutality, which would have made the role of an ambassador particularly precarious. The Apostle Paul himself faced numerous challenges and often spoke of suffering for the sake of the Gospel, reflecting the difficulties faced by those in diplomatic roles
From our perspective, we know that ultimately, Paul will die by being beheaded in Rome. However, before dying, Paul will write letters to churches that now make up much of the New Testament. The question for us is this: How dedicated are we to Jesus? Christians in India and northern Nigeria are meeting together, knowing full well that before the meeting is over, they might be slaughtered for their faith; yet they continue to meet. May God help us to be as dauntless as our brothers and sisters in these perilous situations.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to remain steadfast, no matter what kind of opposition we face. Help us to be dauntless ambassadors for You. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
Burunche's Blog 
Leave a comment