In The Word
Read: Acts 22:30-23:10
30 Now on the next day, wanting to know for certain why Paul had been accused by the Jews, he released him and ordered the chief priests and all the Council to assemble, and he brought Paul down and placed him before them.
Paul before the Council
23 Now looking intently at the Council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life with an entirely good conscience before God up to this day.” 2 But the high priest Ananias commanded those standing beside him to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to try me according to the Law, and in violation of the Law, order me to be struck?” 4 But those present said, “Are you insulting God’s high priest?” 5 And Paul said, “I was not aware, brothers, that he is high priest; for it is written: ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”
6 But Paul, perceiving that one group were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, began crying out in the Council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for the hope and resurrection of the dead!”7 When he said this, a dissension occurred between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. 9 And a great uproar occurred; and some of the scribes of the Pharisaic party stood up and started arguing heatedly, saying, “We find nothing wrong with this man; suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 10 And when a great dissension occurred, the commander was afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, and he ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Paul sized up his accusers and spoke with boldness, “I have lived my life before God in all good conscience until this day” (Acts 23:1). Realizing the boldness of this statement, Ananias, the high priest, told those standing by him to strike Paul in the mouth. From that moment, great confusion ensued. They thought Paul to be a heretic of their faith. And for them, this statement seemed to be arrogant. After all, how could this traitor have a good conscience for God!
But what Paul was saying was not arrogant. In fact, it was very humbling. He was identifying that even the things that he did in his past toward the church were done out of a good conscience. As strange as that may sound, Paul was not saved. Therefore the only guide that he had was in the blindness of his own consciousness. Now, the Holy Spirit was his guide. Without the Holy Spirit, we all will be left to our own understanding. We too will believe that the things that we do are justified and are for a good cause. Proverbs 3:5 says to trust in the Lord and not in our own understanding. A good conscience before God is one that is led by the Spirit of God. Seek the mind of Christ in every decision, even if those around you do not understand. Beloved, do not trust in your flesh to guide you; it will leave you shipwrecked. Trust the gift of the Holy Spirit to steer your life. He is the difference-maker.