To be a Christian is to be a warrior.

The good soldier of Jesus Christ must not expect to find ease in this world: it is a battle-field.

Neither must he reckon upon the friendship of the world; for that would be enmity against God.

His occupation is war.

Jan 27, 2012

The Council of Wolves!


The next day…

Paul was set before the council…

at Jerusalem.

On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.  Acts 22:30

And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.  Acts 23:1

They were hostile…

And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?  Acts 23:2-3

and indignant…

And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest?  Acts 23:4

In humility, Paul apologized…

Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.  Acts 23:5 

and in wisdom he replied…

But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.   
 Acts 23:6-7

By this…
the council was sharply divided…

their hearts being revealed…


Variance. Strife. Contention.

And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.   Acts 23:9

Paul was nearly torn asunder…

And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.   Acts 23:10

And the night following…

the Lord stood by him, and said…

Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem,
so must thou bear witness also at Rome.  Acts 23:11

Again, a strong conspiracy rose against him…

And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.  Acts 23:12-13

Fueled by hatred…

they purposed to kill Paul…

and conspired with the council to do so…

at the earliest opportunity.

And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.  Acts 23:14-15

God  intervened…

and the conspiracy was discovered…

And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.  Acts 23:16-17

Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me? And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly.  But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.   Acts 23:19-21


and prevented…

So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.  Acts 23:22

And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night; And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.  Acts 23:23-24

Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris. Acts 23:31


Paul’s journey is not over…

Convicting testimony.
Unveiled hearts.
Thwarted Plot.
Exposed fruit.

God has a purpose…



Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.   
Matthew 10:16-18







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