Acts 23

Today we are reading Acts 23. In this chapter we hear of Paul’s trial. “Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?” And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks. The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”” Acts‬ ‭23:6-11‬ ‭ESV‬‬ As Paul is accused before the hostile Sanhedrin, he cleverly divides them and turns them on each other. Although this move saves Paul, the hate and anger that these religious leaders have for each other is terrible. How can we defend ourselves from division in our marriages, in our families, in our communities and in our church? What can you do to maintain the peace and unity? May God raise you up to be a peacemaker. Password Tim

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