07/20/2013 The Attitude of Paul Acts 22:23-30 Acts 22:23-30 And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, the tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this. 25 But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, "Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?"26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, "What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen." 27 So the tribune came and said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?" And he said, "Yes." 28 The tribune answered, "I bought this citizenship for a large sum." Paul said, "But I am a citizen by birth." 29 So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him. 30 But on the next day, desiring to know the real reason why he was being accused by the Jews, he unbound him and commanded the chief priests and all the council to meet, and he brought Paul down and set him before them. ESV Comments / Questions: - A Roman flogging (done with leather strips connected to a wooden handle on one end, and tipped with pieces of metal and bone on the other) could bring a person near to death or even death, from blood loss or infection. - Paul did not panic or curse the men who about to hurt him, but asked calmly whether it was lawful to do this to a Roman citizen. - Paul’s actions when he was violently seized, and then arrested and almost flogged show his character as a man surrendered to the Lord’s will and filled with His Spirit of love. a) He accepted the situation as being ordained by God, even though it involved suffering b) He loved people § He came to Jerusalem to deliver a love gift from the Gentiles § He came into the Temple out of love and honor toward the elders in Jerusalem § He gave his testimony out of love for those that wanted to kill him, even in the midst of pain c) He loved God § He gave glory to the Lord, rather than himself in the extraordinary things that happened to him. § He obeyed, to the point of being at risk of death - How is the Lord using Paul’s life as an example to you, about attitudes of the heart and resulting actions? Acts 21:13 Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." ESV Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. ESV 1 Peter 2:23 When he [Jesus] was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. ESV 1 Corinthians 1:31 Therefore, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." ESV Romans 9:1-3 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. ESV Matthew 22:36-40 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" 37 And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." ESV What got to my heart? Prayer, Action, Thoughts.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Jul 2013 06:01:45 +0000
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