2015.07.05 Acts 23: 12- 35
The LORD delivers Paul from 40
Assassins
This morning, we are continuing our study in the book of
Acts…. As we pick up in Ch 23… the Apostle Paul is now a prisoner…. By way of
review… turn with me to Acts 23: 11… Here in Acts 22 and 23…
Paul had just been through three riots….. They were all caused the hatred of the
unbelieving Jews…. Paul was delivered
from death by the Romans three times in less than 2 days… . Now, he sits alone
in the Roman fortress…. Although they have been trying to kill him… Paul isn´t
worried… He knows that the Lord has given him more
time… The Lord himself called him to fight the good fight of Faith… One day He
will lay down his life for the Lord…. But not yet…. that comes later…. The Lord
Jesus comes to him…. and says these words of comfort…
Acts
23:11
NKJV slt 2000
11
But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer,
Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear
witness at Rome.”
11 Aber in der folgenden Nacht trat der Herr zu ihm und
sprach: Sei getrost, Paulus! Denn wie du in Jerusalem von mir Zeugnis abgelegt
hast, so sollst du auch in Rom Zeugnis ablegen.
The Lord comes in the middle of the night to a
discouraged and sad apostle and cheers him
up….. He says take courage…. Then because of what Jesus says…. We get a look
into Paul´s heart…. He was discouraged about his poor testimony… However (aber) That´s not how the Lord looked
at Paul´s work… Jesus appeared to
him and said…. It´s ok Paul… You gave a
good testimony… Be encouraged…
He needed to be encouraged too… He failed in his attempts
to Proclaim the Gospel to his own people and the Sanhedrin… That was his
mission… Paul was certainly encouraged to hear that the Lord approved of his
ministry… And to make it even worse… It seems that the whole world is trying to
kill him….
I am sure that even before the Lord Appeared to him…. The Word of God was his
comfort and strength… I often quote the Psalms and the scriptures to my self
during hard times…
Maybe Paul felt a little bit like David…. David ran for
so much of his life from those who would murder him….
This must have been the feeling of Paul…. as the Lord had
just said, "You're going to live, and you're going to go to Rome."
As Paul sat in the fortress prison cell..… I believe that
Paul was comforted by remembering The scriptures….. And now the presence of the
Lord in his time of disappointment and despair… Brought him great comfort… He was encouraged….
So now he's secure in God´s blessing and protection… He
is more than willing to lay down his life….. But he knows that he is not
finished running his race yet…. As he takes courage and comfort from the Lord
that night….. It was a very tempory relief from the storm…. Paul did not know
about the plot that was going on against his life…. Moment by moment…. His
faith and trust was in God…..
It will be 2 years before Paul actually gets to Rome…. He
will face many trials and disasters…. But he never let´s go of God´s promise…. He
hangs on to the Lord day by day… As we
continue in Acts 23… verse 12…. there is an incident that helps Paul to know
that his trust and hope in the Lord is correct… God will
deliver him again… Let´s read Acts 23…v12…
Acts
23: 12-15 NKJV
12
And when it was day, some of the Jews banded together and bound themselves
under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had
killed Paul.
13
Now there were more than forty who had formed this conspiracy.
14
They came to the chief priests and elders, and said, “We have bound ourselves
under a great oath that we will eat nothing until we have killed Paul.
15
Now you, therefore, together with the council, suggest to the commander that he
be brought down to you tomorrow, as though you were going to make further
inquiries concerning him; but we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”
Acts 23: 12-15 NKJV
12 Als es aber Tag geworden war, rotteten sich etliche
Juden zusammen und verschworen sich, weder zu essen noch zu trinken, bis sie
Paulus umgebracht hätten.
13 Es waren aber mehr als vierzig, die diese Verschwörung
gemacht hatten.
14 Diese gingen zu den obersten Priestern und Ältesten
und sprachen: Wir haben uns mit einem Fluch verschworen, nichts zu genießen,
bis wir Paulus umgebracht haben.
15 So werdet nun ihr samt dem Hohen Rat bei dem
Befehlshaber vorstellig [mit der Bitte], daß er ihn morgen zu euch hinabführen
soll, [indem ihr so tut,] als ob ihr seine Sache genauer untersuchen wolltet;
wir aber sind bereit, ihn vor seiner Ankunft umzubringen!
v12…
Saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul…
These men are full of zeal…. But their zeal is not according to knowledge
(Romans 10:2)…. Zeal and devotion alone prove nothing about some ones relationship
with God…. They are only fanatics… And as we see…
v14…
Would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul… Did
these men who made the vow of fasting die because they failed to kill Paul???
Not likely… The Ancient rabbis allowed for a vow to be broken…. For example when vows that
cannot be fulfilled because of being prevented from outside forces…
v15…
Suggest to the commander that he be brought down to you tomorrow, as though you
were going to make further inquiries concerning him… These
wicked men think nothing of lying to the Roman commander…. They
will readily disobey God to accomplish their wicked plans… They think nothing
of lying to the Romans as part of their plot… They were willing to lie in the
name of Religion…. That is a very popular idea today…. You may not know this…
But many cults and even entire religions say that it is ok to lie…. JW´s… Mormons..
and many cults teach that they must lie to unbelievers to protect themselves…
Islam even tells Muslims to lie when it will help them defeat their enemies… For
many of these groups… Unbelievers don´t count for anything… Let´s continue in
Acts 23…v16…
Acts
23: 16-22 NKJV
16
So when Paul’s sister’s son heard of their ambush, he went and entered the
barracks and told Paul. 17 Then Paul called one of the centurions to him and
said, “Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him.”
18 So he took him and brought him to the commander and said, “Paul the prisoner
called me to him and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something
to say to you.”
19
Then the commander took him by the hand, went aside, and asked privately, “What
is it that you have to tell me?”
20
And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask that you bring Paul down to the
council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire more fully about him. 21
But do not yield to them, for more than forty of them lie in wait for him, men
who have bound themselves by an oath that they will neither eat nor drink till
they have killed him; and now they are ready, waiting for the promise from
you.”
22
So the commander let the young man depart, and commanded him, “Tell no one that
you have revealed these things to me.”."
Acts 23: 16-22 slt 2000
16 Als aber der Sohn der Schwester des Paulus von diesem
Anschlag hörte, kam er, ging in die Kaserne hinein und berichtete es dem
Paulus.
17 Da rief Paulus einen der Hauptleute zu sich und
sprach: Führe diesen jungen Mann zu dem Befehlshaber, denn er hat ihm etwas zu
berichten!
18 Der nahm ihn und führte ihn zu dem Befehlshaber und
sprach: Der Gefangene Paulus rief mich zu sich und bat mich, diesen jungen Mann
zu dir zu führen, der dir etwas zu sagen hat.
19 Da nahm ihn der Befehlshaber bei der Hand, ging mit
ihm beiseite und fragte ihn: Was hast du mir zu berichten?
20 Und er sprach: Die Juden sind übereingekommen, dich zu
bitten, daß du morgen Paulus in den Hohen Rat hinabführen läßt, als ob sie
seine Sache noch genauer untersuchen wollten.
21 Laß dich aber nicht von ihnen bereden, denn mehr als
40 Männer von ihnen stellen ihm nach; die haben sich verschworen, weder zu
essen noch zu trinken, bis sie ihn umgebracht haben, und jetzt sind sie bereit
und warten auf deine Zusage.
22 Da entließ der Befehlshaber den jungen Mann und gebot
ihm: Sage niemand, daß du mir dies angezeigt hast!
v16-22…
Paul´s nephew hears of the plot?? What a coincidence… In these
very unusual circumstances…. we see God's protecting hand… God knows how to
take care of His servants!... v23..
Acts
23: 23-33
NKJV
23
And he called for two centurions, saying, “Prepare two hundred soldiers,
seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at the third hour
of the night; 24 and provide mounts to set Paul on, and bring him safely to
Felix the governor.” 25 He wrote a letter in the following manner:
26
Claudius Lysias, To the most excellent governor Felix: Greetings.
27
This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them. Coming with
the troops I rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman. 28 And when I
wanted to know the reason they accused him, I brought him before their council.
29 I found out that he was accused concerning questions of their law, but had
nothing charged against him deserving of death or chains. 30 And when it was
told me that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him immediately to you,
and also commanded his accusers to state before you the charges against him.
Farewell.
31
Then the soldiers, as they were commanded, took Paul and brought him by night
to Antipatris. 32 The next day they left the horsemen to go on with him, and
returned to the barracks. 33 When they came to Caesarea and had delivered the
letter to the governor, they also presented Paul to him.
Acts 23: 23-33 slt 2000
23 Und er ließ zwei Hauptleute zu sich rufen und sprach:
Haltet 200 Soldaten bereit, daß sie nach Cäsarea ziehen, dazu 70 Reiter und 200
Lanzenträger, von der dritten Stunde der Nacht an;
24 auch soll man Tiere bereitstellen, damit sie Paulus
daraufsetzen und ihn sicher zu dem Statthalter Felix bringen!3
25 Und er schrieb einen Brief, der folgenden Inhalt
hatte:
26 »Claudius Lysias schickt dem hochedlen Statthalter Felix
einen Gruß!
27 Dieser Mann wurde von den Juden ergriffen, und er
sollte von ihnen umgebracht werden; da griff ich mit der Truppe ein und
befreite ihn, weil ich erfuhr, daß er ein Römer ist.
28 Da ich aber den Grund ihrer Anklage gegen ihn
ermitteln wollte, führte ich ihn in ihren Hohen Rat hinab.
29 Da fand ich, daß er wegen Streitfragen ihres Gesetzes
angeklagt wurde, daß aber keine Anklage gegen ihn vorlag, die Tod oder
Gefangenschaft verdiente.
30 Da mir aber angezeigt wurde, daß von seiten der Juden
ein Anschlag gegen diesen Mann geplant ist, so habe ich ihn sogleich zu dir
geschickt und auch den Klägern befohlen, vor dir zu sagen, was gegen ihn
vorliegt. Lebe wohl!«
31 Die Kriegsknechte nun nahmen Paulus, wie ihnen
befohlen war, und führten ihn während der Nacht nach Antipatris.
32 Am folgenden Tag aber ließen sie die Reiter mit ihm
ziehen und kehrten wieder in die Kaserne zurück.
33 Jene aber übergaben bei ihrer Ankunft in Cäsarea dem
Statthalter den Brief und führten ihm auch Paulus vor.
v23…
Prepare two hundred soldiers… Again we are impressed with the wisdom of the Roman
commander… He is determined to protect Paul… He writes a letter to Felix the
Governor…
v27…
I rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman… Claudius
says nothing of the way Paul was bound twice and almost scourged even though he
was a Roman citizen…
The assessment that Paul had nothing charged against him
deserving of death or chains was important for Luke to record….. Since Roman
officials trying Paul's case were going to read this document…. they needed to
know that other Roman officials had already judged Paul "not guilty."
v34…
Acts
23: 34,35 NKJV
34
And when the governor had read it, he asked what province he was from. And when
he understood that he was from Cilicia,
35
he said, “I will hear you when your accusers also have come.” And he commanded
him to be kept in Herod’s Praetorium.
Acts 23: 34,35 slt 2000
34 Nachdem aber der Statthalter den Brief gelesen hatte
und auf die Frage, aus welcher Provinz er sei, erfahren hatte, daß er aus
Cilicien stammte,
35 sprach er: Ich will dich verhören, wenn deine Ankläger
auch eingetroffen sind! Und er befahl, ihn im Prätorium des Herodes zu
bewachen.
v34,35…
And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's Praetorium… Now
Paul awaits trial in Caesarea… how do you think he was doing? How would you be
doing? Afraid? Discouraged?
Because he had received the Lord's words of encouragement….
He remembered the LORD´s promises…. Even in his hard times… Paul firmly trusted
in God´s will and Sovereignty…. Have you received the Lord's words of
encouragement and promise to you? Are they making a difference in your heart
and mind?
Let me show you something at the end of verse 35…. it's
really interesting….. And he commanded
him to be kept in Herod’s Praetorium…. It was the residence of the governor…..
He said, "Keep him in my
house."
Do you know what the
Praetorium was in Caesarea? It was once the palace of Herod…. Herod had
built a magnificent palace there…. But Herod wasn't really able to enjoy it…. God struck him and worms ate him because he
didn't give glory to God….. That's in Acts 12…..
Paul was escorted by Romans Soldiers to safety… and now
no prison for Paul…. He is to be the guest of the Governor….
Can you imagine… Paul
is in the palace praising the Lord for a promise given just the night
before…
It is the Love and
care of the Lord for His children….. God has miraculously delivered Paul
and His people on many occasions… Do you see a miracle in the passage? No
miracle this time….
What you see is God at work in His providence… ordering
the circumstances…. ordering the lives of the people…. moving all the scenes
and characters on the stage to accomplish His sovereign will…
Beloved, this passage tells us a important thing about The
LORD our God....
1
God is faithful… He always keeps his promises
What a faithful God…. He makes a promise to Paul in verse
11…. And That very day….The Lord brings it to pass…
God wonderfully confirmed that promise in his heart….. Time
and time again… Paul learns by experience
that God is faithful…. Phil 1….. He
will complete the work that he has started in us too…
Can you see the love and care of God in Paul´s life and
ministry?
We can see how The Lord takes care of His servants.… He
knows how much Paul can handle…. He knew that this wasn't the time for Paul to be
beaten or stoned…. He knew how much Paul had endured… This man of God´s life
was not about prosperity or about suffering…. It was about Glorifying the Lord
Jesus with his life….. The circumstances did not matter…… He was determined to
finish his race….. And to do it with joy…
Paul saw Jesus on the road to Damascus….. The Lord
Radically transformed his life…. He heard the call of God to proclaim Christ
Jesus as Lord and Savior….. No matter what the cost…. Paul was not shaken off
of his course when he was told that suffering and bonds and afflictions awaited
him….. Do you remember what he said? Turn
with me to Acts ch 20…v…24…. He said….
Acts
20: 24 NKJV slt 2000
24
But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so
that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the
Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
24 Aber auf das alles nehme ich keine Rücksicht; mein
Leben ist mir auch selbst nicht teuer, wenn es gilt, meinen Lauf mit Freuden zu
vollenden und den Dienst, den ich von dem Herrn Jesus empfangen habe, nämlich
das Evangelium der Gnade Gottes zu bezeugen.
v23,24…chains
and tribulations await me… This was not the first time that Paul
heard these things….This is what he heard when he got saved… What do you think
that Paul would have said about all of these preachers of today…? Well I
guarantee you that they would not have fooled Paul into claiming the perfect
life… the perfect wife…. Perfect health…. No…. Paul was very clear about our
mission as believers…. He properly understood the Call of God on His people….
None
of these things move me…. Paul was determined to finish his race with joy…. the
ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the
grace of God…..
Paul
was not at all concerned about his life or his comfort…… He was totally
dedicated to the mission…. No matter what the cost… This is exactly
what Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3… let´s turn there to close……. Paul
was writing to Timothy to encourage him and to prepare him for the hard times
to come…
We need to take these warnings to heart…. We are in the
last days…. We are looking at difficult times…. The world is still trying to
shut Jesus up….. They don´t want to face their sin and pride and rebellion….
They are trying to shut all Bible believing Christians up too… They do not want
to know what the Word of God says about their lifestyle choices…
As we study the birth of the church…. I hear Paul’s words with greater power than
ever…. Paul proclaimed the Gospel no matter what the personal cost… He
proclaimed Jesus Christ…. Jesus was at center of everything he did….. That is
as it should be…. Jesus Christ is at the center of all of creation…. He is the
focus of God´s revelation of Himself… Over and over Paul wrote to the
churches….. We are proclaiming the Lord Jesus Christ…
I would like to finish our time this morning by listening
to the warning that Paul gave to Timothy…. It is a sober warning that describes
the very difficult environment that we are facing…
Close
2
Timothy 3: 1-12 NLT
1
You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very
difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They
will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and
ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and
unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be
cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be
puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act
religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away
from people like that!
6
They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence
of vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by
various desires. 7 (Such women are forever following new teachings, but they
are never able to understand the truth.) 8 These teachers oppose the truth just
as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit
faith. 9 But they won’t get away with this for long. Someday everyone will
recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres.
10
But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my
purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance.
11 You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all
about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued
me from all of it. 12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in
Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
2 Timothy 3: 1-12 Neues Leben
1 Außerdem sollst du wissen, Timotheus, dass in den
letzten Tagen der Welt schwere Zeiten kommen werden.
2 Denn die Menschen werden nur sich selbst und ihr Geld
lieben. Sie werden stolz und eingebildet sein, Gott verachten und ihren Eltern
ungehorsam und undankbar begegnen. Nichts wird ihnen heilig sein.
3 Sie werden lieblos sein und zur Vergebung nicht bereit;
sie werden andere verleumden und keine Selbstbeherrschung kennen; sie werden
grausam sein und vom Guten nichts wissen wollen.
4 Ihre Freunde werden sie verraten, leichtsinnig handeln,
sich aufspielen und ihr Vergnügen mehr lieben als Gott.
5 Sie werden so tun, als seien sie fromm, doch die Kraft
Gottes, die sie verändern könnte, werden sie ablehnen. Von solchen Leuten halte
dich fern!
6 Das sind genau die Leute, die sich in Häuser
einschleichen und das Vertrauen von Frauen gewinnen, in deren Leben sich viel
Schuld angesammelt hat und die sich von ihren Leidenschaften beherrschen
lassen.
7 Solche Frauen wenden sich ständig neuen Lehren zu, ohne
dass sie je die Wahrheit verstehen könnten.
8 Und so wie Jannes und Jambres sich Mose
entgegengestellt haben, so leben auch diese im Widerspruch zur Wahrheit. Ihr
Geist ist verdorben und ihr Glaube nur geheuchelt.
9 Aber sie werden damit nicht weit kommen. Eines Tages
wird für jeden sichtbar werden, was für Narren sie waren, so wie es auch bei
Jannes und Jambres geschah.
10 Aber du hast dich an das gehalten, was ich gelehrt
habe, Timotheus, und hast dir die Art, wie ich lebe, und meine Ziele zu Eigen
gemacht. An meinem Glauben, meiner Geduld und meiner Liebe hast du dir ebenso
ein Beispiel genommen wie an meinem Durchhalten im Leiden.
11 Du weißt, wie viel Verfolgung und Leid ich ertragen
habe und wie ich in Antiochia, Ikonion und Lystra verfolgt wurde - aber der
Herr hat mich aus allem errettet.
12 Jeder, der an Christus Jesus glaubt und ein Leben zur
Ehre Gottes führen will, wird Verfolgung erleben.
Let's pray.
