Note for 20250810

Acts

Twenty Three

Part 23 - Acts 23 - Sanctuary

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The House of Bread · Note for 20250810 - Acts - Part 23 - Acts 23 - Sanctuary

Acts 23:1-35 KJV

[1] And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. [2] And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. [3] 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? [4] And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest? [5] 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. [6] 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. [7] And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. [8] For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. [9] 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. [10] 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. [11] 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. [12] 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. [13] And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. [14] 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. [15] 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. [16] And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. [17] 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. [18] So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee. [19] 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? [20] 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. [21] 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. [22] 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. [23] And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Cæsarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night; [24] and provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor. [25] And he wrote a letter after this manner: [26] Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting. [27] This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman. [28] And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council: [29] whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds. [30] And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell. [31] Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris. [32] On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle: [33] who, when they came to Cæsarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him. [34] And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia; [35] I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.

https://bible.com/bible/1/act.23.1-35.KJV

Psalm 91:2 KJV

[2] I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God; in him will I trust.

https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.91.2.KJV

Going into this devotional note today, I want you to pay special attention to this verse:

Acts 23:11 KJV

[11] 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.

https://bible.com/bible/1/act.23.11.KJV

Everything, from here on out for Paul, to Rome is of GOD. What many may have a hard time hearing, is that from here on out, Paul stands under divine protection to deliver him to Rome for his witness to be given there. In essence, Paul is promised "a tomorrow" until he reaches the purpose of the Lord. This will be important for you to know to understand all that follows for Paul.

Friends, I cannot stipulate clearly enough that Paul was uniquely born for this purpose. The "pedigree" of Paul was precisely that which would see him through most of his trials and tribulations. Now, what may be harder to see, is that GOD placed Paul precisely where He would have to stand, in order to give his sanctified testimony for Jesus Christ. It is because He spoke Hebrew, that the Jews would hear him. It is because he was a Pharisee, that the scribes of the Pharisees would stand at his defence for the matter of the resurrection and the Spirit. It is because he was born a Roman citizen that those who arrested him at first, became his protection and look at this mighty protection he received in this chapter.

But we have been led too, friends. Because we have read some of the letters by Paul prior to Acts, like those to Timothy, we can know that this protection by the Roman guard stands until Paul's end comes by the order of the Roman Emperor, Nero. (Full title: Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus) That is, if you have been following along. We have been guided in reading since the Book of Revelation, which is about a year ago now. And all we read now, is still part of a view of the Word of GOD pertaining to the question, "who may enter into the City of GOD?" (Revelation 21)

What is the basic concept of sanctuary then? You see, for Paul it was survival of shipwrecks, the onslaught of the Jews, the immunity against the bite of a poisonous snake on the Isle of Malta and yes, even restoration after he was stoned and left for dead at Lystra. (Acts 14)

From our reading, we have learned that the Risen Jesus Christ Himself has sent Paul. He was selected by GOD for this purpose he stands in now. But, it was not always "smooth sailing," there were often plots, like we read of here in Acts 23, against Paul. Apart from Jesus Christ, I can't think of a better example in the New Testament of GOD'S protection as we read of it in Psalm 91:2, written by the same Moses who the Jews honours for the Law he brought them of GOD.

And here I sit, with folded legs in the sanctuary of the shelter the Lord has brought me, in silence. Paul, often protected by being in a prison cell or taken from Jerusalem all the way to Rome with a Roman guard. Paul had a road to walk on, a course to sail at sea, much the same for you and me. Each born as GOD saw it good for us, that would ultimately give us the best possibility to walk into His City, on the day that the gates of it open up for us.

Now, let us consider this "Way." Ever since (at least) the cross, every saved believer has followed the way of Christ through the grave. And if then through the grave with Jesus Christ, only by the same resurrection like Jesus Christ can we enter into the City of GOD. There is no other way, not until this day that we stand in now. Not until this:

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 KJV

[16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

https://bible.com/bible/1/1th.4.16-17.KJV

Now we know in part, but we know that death cannot hold us if we belong to Jesus Christ.

For those that have ears to hear and eyes to see. There is record of this as prophesied by Isaiah, the prophet of GOD. If you need more than John 3:16, then have this too:

Isaiah 44:1-8 KJV

[1] Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen: [2] thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen. [3] For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: [4] and they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses. [5] One shall say, I am the LORD's; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel. [6] Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. [7] And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people? and the things that are coming, and shall come, let them shew unto them. [8] Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.

https://bible.com/bible/1/isa.44.1-8.KJV

Isaiah 44:21-23 KJV

[21] Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me. [22] I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. [23] Sing, O ye heavens; for the LORD hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel.

https://bible.com/bible/1/isa.44.21-23.KJV

What is a sanctuary? Our sanctuary is in the Love that GOD has for us, to redeem us from our sin, by the innocent blood of His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ as sacrifice. God did it, we received it for free, by faith in Jesus Christ.

Now, read it again and see it for Paul in this chapter, and take it for you; as it is written by Moses:

Psalm 91:2 KJV

[2] I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God; in him will I trust.

https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.91.2.KJV

Selah

Shalom

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Verse of The Day

From the YouVersion Bible App

Luke 12:40 KJV

[40] Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.12.40.KJV

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