Song # 956.2 from Our Gospel In Song Collection by Col Johnston. The Sanhedrin is the
Supreme Council and Court in ancient Jerusalem. Sadducees do not believe in resurrection, Angels or spirits while the Pharisees do believe in these things.
After the commander found out that Paul was a Roman citizen (Acts 22:29), he wanted to find out exactly why Paul was being accused by the Jews, he released him and ordered all the Sanhedrin to assemble. Then he brought Paul and had him stand before them (Acts 22:30). Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day” (Acts 23:1). At this, the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth (Acts 23:2). Then Paul said to him “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall!” You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!” (Acts 23:3). Those who were standing near Paul said “You dare to insult God’s high priest?” (Acts 23:4). Paul replied “Brothers, I did not realise that he was the high priest; for it is written ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people’” (Acts 23:5). Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin “My brothers, I am a Pharisee. I stand on trial because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead” (Acts 23:6). When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided (Acts 23:7). The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither Angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all (Acts 23:8). There was great uproar and some of the Pharisees stood up and argued vigorously “We find nothing wrong with this man.” they said. “What if a spirit or an Angel has spoken to him?” (Acts 23:9). The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take Paul away from them by force and bring him into the barracks (Acts 23:10).
Thought for today: God can do extraordinary things through ordinary people.
Thought for the future: have faith in God. Where will you spend eternity?