[Paul] “I am on trial concerning the hope of the Resurrection Of The Dead.” When he said this, a dissension began between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, or angel, or spirit; but the Pharisees acknowledge all three.) Acts 23:6b-8
Lysias, the tribune or governor, has brought Paul to stand before the council as Lysias wants to find out what Paul has done and in hope that Paul will be charged by the Jews. Paul states, “I am on trial concerning the hope of the Resurrection Of The Dead.” Acts 23:6b. Paul has already given his witness of meeting Jesus Christ alive. When Jesus knocked Paul off of his high horse and Paul asked Jesus who He was Jesus responded, “I am Jesus of Nazareth whom you are persecuting.” Acts 22:6
Then a scribe of the Pharisee’ group speaks up and says that he understands Paul to be saying that an angel spoke to Paul and there is nothing to charge Paul for at this time. Then the saducees and the pharisees disagree loudly, become violent, and the tribune takes Paul by force back to the barracks as tribune believes if he leaves Paul there they would tear him to pieces.
Our Lord compassionately cares for Paul and speaks to Paul that night saying, “Keep up your courage! For just as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also in Rome.” v. 11 Jesus would speak this to Paul because his courage has dipped and even so we can understand what our brother has been through. In earlier places prior to this where he was beaten or hurt badly Paul could see it coming. These former events could not have prepared him for the violence that came against him that day from the people that he knew well and hoped would take his witness into their hearts as truth, the unmistakable truth of salvation in Savior Christ.
Jesus speaks, “Keep up your courage,” not only to Paul but to us also. How many times have we told family or close friends of a Jesus experience and it was not taken to heart, pushed aside, and closed off by someone? One such experience is enough to cause our courage to dip low and to us Jesus says, “Keep up your courage.”
Jesus says to Paul, “Keep up your courage! For just as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also in Rome.” Jesus is our hope giver and Paul receives strength from Jesus’ words. Paul will witness to some of the greatest persecuters of Christians in Rome and that is really something!
“I am on trial concerning the hope of the Resurrection Of The Dead.” When he said this, a dissension began between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, or angel, or spirit; but the Pharisees acknowledge all three.) Then a great clamor arose, and certain scribes of the Pharisees’ group stood up and contended, “We find nothing wrong with this man. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” When the dissension became violent, the tribune, fearing that they would tear Paul to pieces, ordered the soldiers to go down, take him by force, and bring him into the barracks. That night the Lord stood near him and said, “Keep up your courage! For just as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also in Rome.” Acts 23:6b-11
