15th Nov 2010

Acts 22:30-23:11 – Paul before the Sanhedrin

• “How to play to your enemies weakness ”
• When you are being opposed it always helpful to know that ultimately your enemy will fail.
• It’s even better to know why he will fail because then you can play to your enemy’s weakness.
• Paul is dragged before the Sanhedrin the Jewish Court.
• As he looks around, he no doubt see the faces of people he knows, especially if some historians are correct when they suggest that at one time he was one of them.
• Paul knew that his real enemy was not the men of the Sanhedrin because he once advised a church that;

• “…our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms”. Ephesians 6:12
• He also knew that Jesus had told His disciples one of the key reasons their enemy would fail;

• “Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?” Mathew 12:25-16
• Have you realized that?
• Your enemy will ultimately fail because they are not united.
• Evil is always self-centered and looks for personal gain.
• It is not bound together by love but instead separated by selfishness.
• In the spiritual realms at least; there is no honor amongst thieves.
• The High Priest in this situation was Ananias who was known for cruelty and violence, when the revolt broke out in Rome, he was killed.. by his own people.
• Paul understands all this and what comes next is pure genius.

1. In the Sanhedrin there were both Sadducees and Pharisees.
• The Sadducees do not believe in the resurrection of the dead.
• The Pharisees certainly did.
2. He knows that if he can play to his enemy’s weakness; then he can divert attention from himself.
3. So he purposely leads off with the fact that he is a Pharisee citing that the basis of the reason he stands on trial is because of the resurrection of the dead – immediately creating a split between his enemies.
4. The Sanhedrin can no longer agree and he avoids death as the Romans had given the Sanhedrin authority in these matters to grant the death penalty.
• The reason we will win is that we are united by Jesus.
• I must stay united and I must remember that ultimately my enemy will fail.
• Knowing the principles of the spiritual realm will enable me to advance the Kingdom in their worldly realm.
• Praying for spiritual insight today.