Not-So-Quiet-Time: Acts 23
At-Home Bible Guide for the Week of 3/8
Day 1: Verses 1-11
The Pharisees believed in the resurrection, while the Sadducees did not. And this was a big disagreement within the council that was hearing Paul’s case. Of course, the gospel requires resurrection: the resurrection of Christ and the resurrection of those who trust in Him. When Paul brought up this common ground with the Pharisees, violence broke out again and Paul was removed by the Romans. This kind of violent response against him was discouraging, but God gave him the encouragement and mission he needed at just the right time (23:11). Ask God to give you the encouragement and mission that you need to follow Him as well.
Day 2: Verses 12-15
Paul wanted his people to know Christ, but some of those same men wanted to kill Paul because of what he was teaching and doing. And some of the Jewish religious-leaders were in on this evil plan. This shows the unique posture of Christians toward the world. Others may hate us, but we want to love them. Others may want to harm us, but we want to help them. This is the counter-cultural life that Jesus commanded: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you (Luke 6:27). Ask God to help us to love those who don’t love us.
Day 3: Verses 16-22
An unlikely hero arises in this part of the story. The son of Paul’s sister heard about the plan to kill Paul, and he was brave enough to go to Paul and then the Roman tribune to report this in order to save Paul. God used this young man mightily to continue his gospel work through Paul. God can use you for his purposes as well. Ask the Lord to guide your steps as you seek to follow Him.
Day 4: Verses 23-20
God was now using the same kind of Roman soldiers who had crucified Jesus to protect Paul. This shows us that God is strong and able to work out his plan in just the way He wants. Everyone we meet in this episode, other than God, is limited. The would-be assassin can’t carry out their plan. The Romans need an informant to know what to do. Paul is basically locked up. But God carries out his plan, knowing all, and freely doing everything according to his will. Things in our lives might often seem to be going wrong. And bad things do happen. But we can trust that in all things—good and bad—God is working out his perfect plan in his perfect way.
Day 5: Verses 31-35
Those who had intended to kill Paul had accidentally set up a meeting between him and the governor. Trying to silence him, they put him on the most high-profile stage of his life so far. Again, we see God’s plan being carried out. This does not mean that this was an easy time for Paul. But Paul knew that the very real difficulties of this life were nothing compared to the eternal weight of glory in Christ (2 Cor 4:17). Pray that God would help you to see that, even when it’s hard, following Him is always worth it.
Catechism Connection: 11
God’s providence is on display in this chapter as God worked through council disputes, family members, and Roman soldiers. In ways we could never imagine or plan, our Lord works though his “most holy, wise and powerful acts of preserving and governing all his creatures and all their actions” (WSC 11). And we can trust Him.
Monthly Memory: Romans 5:8
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Day 1: Verses 1-11
The Pharisees believed in the resurrection, while the Sadducees did not. And this was a big disagreement within the council that was hearing Paul’s case. Of course, the gospel requires resurrection: the resurrection of Christ and the resurrection of those who trust in Him. When Paul brought up this common ground with the Pharisees, violence broke out again and Paul was removed by the Romans. This kind of violent response against him was discouraging, but God gave him the encouragement and mission he needed at just the right time (23:11). Ask God to give you the encouragement and mission that you need to follow Him as well.
Day 2: Verses 12-15
Paul wanted his people to know Christ, but some of those same men wanted to kill Paul because of what he was teaching and doing. And some of the Jewish religious-leaders were in on this evil plan. This shows the unique posture of Christians toward the world. Others may hate us, but we want to love them. Others may want to harm us, but we want to help them. This is the counter-cultural life that Jesus commanded: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you (Luke 6:27). Ask God to help us to love those who don’t love us.
Day 3: Verses 16-22
An unlikely hero arises in this part of the story. The son of Paul’s sister heard about the plan to kill Paul, and he was brave enough to go to Paul and then the Roman tribune to report this in order to save Paul. God used this young man mightily to continue his gospel work through Paul. God can use you for his purposes as well. Ask the Lord to guide your steps as you seek to follow Him.
Day 4: Verses 23-20
God was now using the same kind of Roman soldiers who had crucified Jesus to protect Paul. This shows us that God is strong and able to work out his plan in just the way He wants. Everyone we meet in this episode, other than God, is limited. The would-be assassin can’t carry out their plan. The Romans need an informant to know what to do. Paul is basically locked up. But God carries out his plan, knowing all, and freely doing everything according to his will. Things in our lives might often seem to be going wrong. And bad things do happen. But we can trust that in all things—good and bad—God is working out his perfect plan in his perfect way.
Day 5: Verses 31-35
Those who had intended to kill Paul had accidentally set up a meeting between him and the governor. Trying to silence him, they put him on the most high-profile stage of his life so far. Again, we see God’s plan being carried out. This does not mean that this was an easy time for Paul. But Paul knew that the very real difficulties of this life were nothing compared to the eternal weight of glory in Christ (2 Cor 4:17). Pray that God would help you to see that, even when it’s hard, following Him is always worth it.
Catechism Connection: 11
God’s providence is on display in this chapter as God worked through council disputes, family members, and Roman soldiers. In ways we could never imagine or plan, our Lord works though his “most holy, wise and powerful acts of preserving and governing all his creatures and all their actions” (WSC 11). And we can trust Him.
Monthly Memory: Romans 5:8
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
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