Acts 28:15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum, and The Three Taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God and took courage.
Well my august Friends, Canada Day is over. I hope you all did not celebrate too heartily, and did get in some thanks and praise for all our Good Lord has done for us. The ole fella just chilled, caught up on his rest, since I’m not as young and energetic as Bruh Paul was when he faced the mob in Jerusalem. Anyway, the next morning, the captain, still anxious to learn why they wanted Bruh Paul’s death so badly, made arrangements for the Jewish High Council, the Sanhedrin, to meet, and brought Bruh Paul before them. And he, always excited by a forum to expound his beliefs, declared to them: ‘Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.’ (Acts 23:1) But the high priest, Ananias, ordered them to slap him in the mouth. That brought forth this undaunted reply from Bruh Paul. ‘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?’ (Acts 23:3) He certainly had cojones to be calling the high priest white washed and accusing him of illegal judgement. And when asked; ‘Revilest thou God’s high priest?’ He claimed ignorance, ‘for it is written thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.’ (Acts 23:4-5) And so it is my people. ‘Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.’ (Ex.22:28) It’s a part of the human relations edicts that Moses gave to the Israelites. But we still do it, justifying it by saying that our rulers are either, inept, corrupt, oppressive or criminally inclined. The Preacher was quite clear on that point too. ‘Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.’ (Eccl.10:20) As we were constantly reminded; the walls have ears and the windows eyes. Peter railed against it too: ‘But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities,’ (2 Pet.2:10) It doesn’t stop us though. As soon as our rulers displease or disappoint us, we curse and belittle them. And what of Bruh Paul? He then exhibited his extraordinary potential in people psychology. The Good Book says; ‘But when Paul perceived that 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. And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.’ (Acts 23:6-8) Yes Friends, give Bruh Paul full marks for discerning that trump card and using it admirably. It’s a wonderful example of the divide and conquer principle. Now, as per the scholars, the Sadducees were a small, elite sect, made up of the priestly family. They were best known for what they denied; rejecting all aspects of the supernatural, such as miracles, angels and the resurrection. They also rejected all of the Old Testament except the five books of Moses, the Pentateuch. Their political bent was liberal, which enabled them to win the favour of Rome and so control the high priest’s office, appointed by Rome. The Pharisees by contrast, were of the common folk, and therefore had more sway over them. They accepted all of the Old Testament, including a lot of tradition, considered Oral Law, handed down from the time of Moses. They accepted the supernatural; miracles, angels and the resurrection. Bruh Paul’s family was truly a long time member of the Pharisees, so in this time of adversity, he wisely identifies himself with them, appealing for support in his belief in the Resurrection, thereby deflecting the anger and hostility of the council away from him, back to the council itself. What a brilliant bit of strategy and manoeuvring by Bruh Paul! ‘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.’ (Acts 23:9) Things got so heated on the council floor that the captain, fearing they would tear Bruh Paul to pieces, sent his soldiers down there to take him out by force and return him to the castle. ‘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.’ (Acts 23:11) Oh Friends, what a tumultuous, adventurous and faith filled life Bruh Paul lived! There seems to be very few calm, quiet moments in it. But I’m sure he would have gladly said, if asked about it: ‘It’s all for my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Nothing is ever too much for Him.’ So too my people, should we be framing our responses re our individual testimonies and ministries: ‘Doing it all in Jesus’ Name!’ I know it takes much time and effort, but once we consider ourselves believers, then it automatically becomes our job, our destiny. So please, let’s not shirk our duty. Let’s stand together strong and work real hard to help our Saviour bring the great unsaved mass to Him, cause he wants to lose none of them; not even a single one. More Bruh Paul tomorrow. Some of you might be well versed in these scriptures, but others are not. Those well versed can always use a refresher course anyway. (smile) So please bear with the ole fella, cause that’s where I’m guided. Much LOVE! …remember…. the longest journey begins with the first step…let’s take it for Christ nuh…
Well my august Friends, Canada Day is over. I hope you all did not celebrate too heartily, and did get in some thanks and praise for all our Good Lord has done for us. The ole fella just chilled, caught up on his rest, since I’m not as young and energetic as Bruh Paul was when he faced the mob in Jerusalem. Anyway, the next morning, the captain, still anxious to learn why they wanted Bruh Paul’s death so badly, made arrangements for the Jewish High Council, the Sanhedrin, to meet, and brought Bruh Paul before them. And he, always excited by a forum to expound his beliefs, declared to them: ‘Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.’ (Acts 23:1) But the high priest, Ananias, ordered them to slap him in the mouth. That brought forth this undaunted reply from Bruh Paul. ‘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?’ (Acts 23:3) He certainly had cojones to be calling the high priest white washed and accusing him of illegal judgement. And when asked; ‘Revilest thou God’s high priest?’ He claimed ignorance, ‘for it is written thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.’ (Acts 23:4-5) And so it is my people. ‘Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.’ (Ex.22:28) It’s a part of the human relations edicts that Moses gave to the Israelites. But we still do it, justifying it by saying that our rulers are either, inept, corrupt, oppressive or criminally inclined. The Preacher was quite clear on that point too. ‘Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.’ (Eccl.10:20) As we were constantly reminded; the walls have ears and the windows eyes. Peter railed against it too: ‘But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities,’ (2 Pet.2:10) It doesn’t stop us though. As soon as our rulers displease or disappoint us, we curse and belittle them. And what of Bruh Paul? He then exhibited his extraordinary potential in people psychology. The Good Book says; ‘But when Paul perceived that 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. And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.’ (Acts 23:6-8) Yes Friends, give Bruh Paul full marks for discerning that trump card and using it admirably. It’s a wonderful example of the divide and conquer principle. Now, as per the scholars, the Sadducees were a small, elite sect, made up of the priestly family. They were best known for what they denied; rejecting all aspects of the supernatural, such as miracles, angels and the resurrection. They also rejected all of the Old Testament except the five books of Moses, the Pentateuch. Their political bent was liberal, which enabled them to win the favour of Rome and so control the high priest’s office, appointed by Rome. The Pharisees by contrast, were of the common folk, and therefore had more sway over them. They accepted all of the Old Testament, including a lot of tradition, considered Oral Law, handed down from the time of Moses. They accepted the supernatural; miracles, angels and the resurrection. Bruh Paul’s family was truly a long time member of the Pharisees, so in this time of adversity, he wisely identifies himself with them, appealing for support in his belief in the Resurrection, thereby deflecting the anger and hostility of the council away from him, back to the council itself. What a brilliant bit of strategy and manoeuvring by Bruh Paul! ‘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.’ (Acts 23:9) Things got so heated on the council floor that the captain, fearing they would tear Bruh Paul to pieces, sent his soldiers down there to take him out by force and return him to the castle. ‘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.’ (Acts 23:11) Oh Friends, what a tumultuous, adventurous and faith filled life Bruh Paul lived! There seems to be very few calm, quiet moments in it. But I’m sure he would have gladly said, if asked about it: ‘It’s all for my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Nothing is ever too much for Him.’ So too my people, should we be framing our responses re our individual testimonies and ministries: ‘Doing it all in Jesus’ Name!’ I know it takes much time and effort, but once we consider ourselves believers, then it automatically becomes our job, our destiny. So please, let’s not shirk our duty. Let’s stand together strong and work real hard to help our Saviour bring the great unsaved mass to Him, cause he wants to lose none of them; not even a single one. More Bruh Paul tomorrow. Some of you might be well versed in these scriptures, but others are not. Those well versed can always use a refresher course anyway. (smile) So please bear with the ole fella, cause that’s where I’m guided. Much LOVE! …remember…. the longest journey begins with the first step…let’s take it for Christ nuh…
SCRIP-BITS 