Pause for thought

When the Roman Commander was told that Paul was born a Roman citizen, he treated Paul better than if Paul had simply been a Jewish prisoner.
The Holy Spirit was able to use Paul’s Roman Citizenship to good purpose. Paul escaped the attempt on his life, because of the protection of the soldiers. He was able to receive visitors while under arrest, another privilege of being a citizen of Rome. later standing before before Festus, Paul was allowed to appeal to Caesar. Paul used his Roman citizenship to good effect 23:11.

Paul angered the Sanhedrin by addressing them as Fathers and brothers, he was showing himself as equal, to the leaders, ( he was a leading Pharisee himself, and it was members of this group that had sent him to Damascus years before to arrest Christian’s) Paul was aware of what Ananias was truly like, that was why he said Ananias was like a white washed tomb looking fine on the outside, but filthy on the inside. 23:3
When Paul says he hadn’t realised that Ananias was high priest, he was probably meaning that he didn’t recognise that a man so unclean as Ananias could possibly be the High Priest ( William Barclay)

Paul’s strategy was to divide and conquer the opposition. He appealed to the Pharisees being once a Pharisee himself who believed in the resurrection. Immediately a division occurred between the Sadducee’s who did not believe in spirits, Angels or the resurrection. And the Pharisee’s who believed in both 23:8.

The Holy Spirit’s purpose was that Paul should testify before Gentiles, Kings, and Israel. Paul’s Roman citizenship and his Pharisaic Jewish heritage were both used by God to bring about Gods purpose in Paul’s life and ministry.

A verse to remember

Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid of them! The Lord your God will go ahead of you, He will be with you, He will neither fail you nor forsake you Deuteronomy 31:6. N.L.T.

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Pause for thought

Although the decree of the Jerusalem counsel was written and decided (Acts 15) there was still controversy both within the Jerusalem church (Acts 21:20) and in the wider Jewish community. Fearing trouble from baseless accusations that Paul was teaching against not just circumcision and the Law but the Temple and Judaism. The Jerusalem leaders headed by James the Lords brother persuaded Paul to accompany and pay for four Jewish men who were making a vow over seven days in the Temple, this they hoped would show that Paul still kept and honoured the Law 21:24. I feel sure that the relevancy of these things to Paul were gone, but for the sake of the Jerusalem church Paul agreed to their plan. I believe Paul’s compromise was not weakness but a sign of strength.

At the time of Pentecost Jews from the whole Roman Empire were in Jerusalem. Some who were at odds with Paul and had seen him in Asia preaching the gospel, mistakenly thought Paul had taken Trophimus a Greek into the Temple, they started a riot and then tried to kill Paul. Compromise on this occasion almost led to disaster!

Paul was rescued by the Roman garrison, and was given permission to address the crowd. It’s noticeable that no mention of the Holy Spirit is made although He obviously caused Luke to write about these events. However when Paul motioned with his hand It was at that moment and during Paul’s address that the anointing of the Holy Spirit was evident 21:40

Compromise is sometimes needed to avoid disagreements about minor issues getting out of hand, like Paul we need to be firm about the essentials of our faith but flexible on those non essentials!

Memory verse

When I am with those who are oppressed, I share their oppression so that I might bring them to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ 1 Corinthians 9:22 N.L.T.

Please send any comments, questions, or prayer requests to jesusinprint@gmail.com

Pause for thought

Although the decree of the Jerusalem counsel was written and decided (Acts 15) there was still controversy both within the Jerusalem church (Acts 21:20) and in the wider Jewish community. Fearing trouble from baseless accusations that Paul was teaching against not just circumcision and the Law but the Temple and Judaism. The Jerusalem leaders headed by James the Lords brother persuaded Paul to accompany and pay for four Jewish men who were making a vow over seven days in the Temple, this they hoped would show that Paul still kept and honoured the Law 21:24. I feel sure that the relevancy of these things to Paul were gone, but for the sake of the Jerusalem church Paul agreed to their plan. I believe Paul’s compromise was not weakness but a sign of strength.

At the time of Pentecost Jews from the whole Roman Empire were in Jerusalem. Some who were at odds with Paul and had seen him in Asia preaching the gospel, mistakenly thought Paul had taken Trophimus a Greek into the Temple, they started a riot and then tried to kill Paul. Compromise on this occasion almost led to disaster!

Paul was rescued by the Roman garrison, and was given permission to address the crowd. It’s noticeable that no mention of the Holy Spirit is made although He obviously caused Luke to write about these events. However when Paul motioned with his hand It was at that moment and during Paul’s address that the anointing of the Holy Spirit was evident 21:40

Compromise is sometimes needed to avoid disagreements about minor issues getting out of hand, like Paul we need to be firm about the essentials of our faith but flexible on those non essentials!

Memory verse

When I am with those who are oppressed, I share their oppression so that I might bring them to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ 1 Corinthians 9:22 N.L.T.

Please send any comments, questions, or prayer requests to jesusinprint@gmail.com