Acts 22:23-29 - Paul claims his Roman citizenship

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The Acts of the Apostles
Acts 2223 - 2311 Paul's Defense before
Centurion/Sanhedrin

• Acts 2223-29 - Paul claims his Roman citizenship
• Were in Jerusalem still and Pauls statement
  that the Lord had sent him to the Gentiles
  infuriated the Jewish leadership and they set out
  to kill him.
• The Jews believed when the true Messiah comes he
  will abase the Gentile nations Isaiah 1311.
• And they cast off their clothes outer garments
  that were shed at the time of stoning Acts
  757, 58.
• and threw dust into the air an expression of
  their abhorrence and indignation II Sam 1613.
• The chief commander (captain) (who did not speak
  Hebrew) commanded that Paul be brought into the
  castle (tower of Antonio) and be scourged.
• Examining by scrounging was to bring about truth
  from the accused extreme punishment typically
  leaving the scourged with permanent harm.
• After being bound with thongs (cords) Paul
  addresses the centurion.

November 9, 2014 Bob Eckel
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The Acts of the Apostles
Acts 2223 - 2311 Paul's Defense before
Centurion/Sanhedrin

• Whats the centurions role here?
• And Paul restates his citizenship to the captain,
  who knew already that Paul was a Jew from Tarsus
  (Acts 2139).
• Apparently under the rule of Claudius, Roman
  citizenship came at a great price (captain), but
  on what basis did Paul claim his Roman
  citizenship (he was born free implying Pauls
  father was a Roman citizen)?
• Or were the inhabitants of Tarsus considered
  Roman citizens?
• Lying about citizenship was a death sentence.
• And notice the response of the captain
  immediate fear and departure.
• Scourging would have been a heinous crime as a
  Roman authority.
• Acts 2230 2311 Paul before the Sanhedrin
• The Romans must be good at washing their hands,
  i.e. Pilate Paul is loosed from his thongs,
  brought down and presented to the Jewish leaders
  this must be a Jewish issue, let the truth me
  made known.
• The Sanhedrin composed of 70 elders.
• Paul earnestly defends his good conscience before
  God.

November 9, 2014 Bob Eckel
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The Acts of the Apostles
Acts 2223 - 2311 Paul's Defense before
Centurion/Sanhedrin

• And Ananias (son of Nebedaeus - Josephus) strikes
  Paul ,i.e John 1822!
• Paul brings the contradiction of the use of the
  Law to their attention (Acts 233 Lev 1935).
• Paul addresses him as a whited wall you
  hypocrite you (Matt 2327).
• And they imply that Paul has reviled God's high
  priest.
• Did not Paul know that Ananias was the high
  priest (v. 5)?
• Paul knew he was to honor magistrates (Ex 2228),
  but had Ananias gone a bit too far, i.e. his
  striking Paul on his mouth?
• Paul then takes the offensive and perceives he
  can divide his Sanhedrin audience, containing
  both Sadducees and Pharisees.
• He cries out and states that he is a Pharisee and
  the hope of the resurrection of the dead is the
  basis of his persecution.
• Resurrection of Christ and/or men in general?
• Of life and/or body?
• Is it any surprise that dissension between the
  Sadducees and Pharisees arose?

November 9, 2014 Bob Eckel
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The Acts of the Apostles
Acts 2223 - 2311 Paul's Defense before
Centurion/Sanhedrin

• And the main issue is the resurrection (Matt
  2223)
• and also angels and spirit!
• Isnt the resurrection the issue that divides the
  world from the church today?
• The scribes (Pharisees) side with their own kind
  and give credence to an angel or spirit having
  spoken to Paul.
• They find no evil in Paul any reminder here?
• The captain rescues Paul from the Jewish crowd of
  dissension, and soldiers are sent down to provide
  Paul a 2nd escorted trip to the castle.
• What was Ananias motive here?
• Where are Pauls thoughts and emotions at this
  point?
• And the night following the Lord communicates to
  Paul.
• The Lord stood by him, bid him good cheer, and
  projected his witness in Rome.
• In what form was this?
• Does this affirm Pauls being led by the Holy
  Spirit to go to Jerusalem (Acts 1921)?

November 9, 2014 Bob Eckel
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