Chapter 23

NOTE: I had an internet issue last night and couldn't upload today's episode until this morning. Sorry!

I once referred to Paul’s ability to make enemies. He’s a craftsman.

You want proof? Check out Acts 23:1-3!

Paul is so completely unafraid of the High Priest that he tells the Priest off for daring to slap him! How’s that for boldness?

In fact this chapter is quite an enjoyable read, because Paul really cuts loose. He’s taking the approach of “no more Mr Nice Guy”.

Not content to give the High Priest a spray (complete with sarcastic follow-up – ‘Really? That stuffed shirt is the High Priest? Go on . .”), Paul recognizes the composition of the crowd, and throws an inflammatory subject into the midst.

Now, an image from today might help us to understand what is going on here.

The crowd seems to be composed of Pharisees – staunch believers in miracles, prophecy and the Resurrection – and Saducees, who didn’t believe in miracles etc.

Paul understands this (the Saducees are currently in the ascendancy) so he stirs up the fight by simply referring to the most contentious issue – the resurrection!

To avoid a bloodbath, Paul gets them so busy fighting each other that they have no energy reserves for fighting him!

The cops pull them away as a near-riot breaks out. I can imagine that the Centurion wouldn’t have been pleased.

Things are getting a little heated, though. Paul’s nephew gets a message to him that he’s in danger. It must be a credible threat because Paul passes it on to the soldiers, who immediately send him to Caesarea by another route, guarded by a whole maniple of troops. He wants this man to get there alive, to go before Felix.

Can we learn something from this?

I believe so.

Paul’s defence at the beginning, stirring up the Pharisees, is frankly impressive. And one of the impressive things about it is that Paul doesn’t seem to mind that he is making things harder for himself. He understands that this is going to lead to a riot; he just doesn’t care.

Paul, in short, is more concerned that the message gets out to all rather than consolidating his position. He’d rather cause a riot in the cause of Christ than be safe. He could water down the message, but he’s not going to do that.

I wonder if the same could be said for each of us. Would we rather tell the truth? Or would we settle for a cut down message?