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We will devote each Lord’s Day in 2021 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2021. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter Three: Of God’s Eternal Decree. Part 3.

6. As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so hath he, by the eternal and most free purpose of his will, fore-ordained all the means thereunto.^a Wherefore they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ,^b are effectually called unto faith in Christ by his Spirit working in due season; are justified, adopted, sanctified,^c and kept by his power through faith unto salvation.^d Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only.^e

a. Eph 1:4-5; Eph 2:10; 2 Thes 2:13; 1 Pet 1:2. • b. 1 Thes 5:9-10; Titus 2:14. • c. Rom 8:30; Eph 1:5; 2 Thes 2:13. • d. 1 Pet 1:5. • e. John 6:64-65; 8:47; 10:26; 17:9; Rom 8:28-39; 1 John 2:19.

7. The rest of mankind God was pleased, according to the unsearchable counsel of his own will, whereby he extendeth or withholdeth mercy as he pleaseth, for the glory of his sovereign power over his creatures, to pass by, and to ordain them to dishonor and wrath for their sin, to the praise of his glorious justice.^a

a. Mat 11:25-26; Rom 9:17-18, 21-22; 2 Tim 2:19-20; 1 Pet 2:8; Jude 1:4.

Take the time today to read each attribute along with its corresponding biblical reference. You will be blessed and edified.

Soli deo Gloria!

^12 “When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. ¹³ There were more than forty who made this conspiracy. ¹⁴ They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul. ¹⁵ Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.” (Acts 23:12–15)

The providence of God is the active outworking of God’s sovereignty in every circumstance of life. Everything that happens in all of creation is in some way the result of God’s providence. We do not live in a closed universe, but rather a universe in which the creator of the universe is actively working and involved; not only in the extraordinary things of life but also in the seemingly insignificant things.

Chapter Five of the Westminster Confession of Faith states, “God the great Creator of all things doth uphold, direct, dispose, and govern all creatures, actions, and things, from the greatest even to the least, by his most wise and holy providence, according to his infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of his own will, to the praise of the glory of his wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and mercy.”

“Although, in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the first Cause, all things come to pass immutably, and infallibly; yet, by the same providence, he ordereth them to fall out, according to the nature of second causes, either necessarily, freely, or contingently.”

“God, in his ordinary providence, maketh use of means, yet is free to work without, above, and against them, at his pleasure. However, God is neither the author nor approver of sin.”

The providential working of God in the life of the Apostle Paul is conspicuously evident in today’s text. The Jews planned to kill Paul. They swore an oath to do so. There were over forty who made this pledge. They even revealed their plot to the chief priests and elders and said, ““We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul. Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”

Remember, when Jesus appeared to Paul in the Roman barracks, he said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” (Acts 23:11 (ESV)

God the Father would providentially use the free acts of the unbelieving Jews in Jerusalem to eventually and providentially bring Paul to the City of Rome. How could God do this? He could do this because He is sovereign and the Lord of heaven and earth.

God works His providence in our own lives. Take the opportunity today to look back upon the circumstances of your life and reflect on how God worked all things together for good and for His glory (Romans 8:28). Then take the opportunity to praise Him.

Soli deo Gloria!

^10 “And when the dissension became violent, the tribune, afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him away from among them by force and bring him into the barracks. ¹¹ The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” (Acts 23:10–11)

In writing to the Church in Rome, the Apostle Paul stated, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NASB95)

The truth of that verse is illustrated in the life of the apostle. This was certainly the case when he faced the Jerusalem mob in Acts 22, and certainly when he spoke to the Sanhedrin in Acts 23. The Lord caused all things to work together for His ultimate good and purpose in the life of Paul. What was true in the apostle’s life is true in our lives as well.

The situation in the Sanhedrin council setting turned from a theological disagreement between the Sadducees and Pharisees into a dissension of violence. Therefore, the Roman tribune, Claudius Lysias (Acts 23:26), fearing that Paul would be killed by members of the council, commanded his soldiers to take the apostle away and bring him into the Roman barracks.

It was while Paul was incarcerated in the barracks, that the Lord Jesus stood beside him and said, ““Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “This encouragement given by special revelation from the Lord assures Paul of his survival to bring the gospel to the imperial capital, as Christ granted him a similarly encouraging vision in Corinth (Acts 18:9-10). A host of obstacles—assassination conspiracies, legal delays, storms, shipwreck, and snakebite—would arise to threaten this promise, but none could prevent its fulfillment (Acts 27:23-26).”

Believers in Christ today need to also take courage that the same LORD of heaven and earth is also causing all things to work together for our good and His ultimate glory. Be strong and courageous today, my friends.

Soli deo Gloria!

^6 “Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” ⁷ And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. ⁸ For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. ⁹ Then a great clamor arose, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees’ party stood up and contended sharply, “We find nothing wrong in this man. What if a spirit or an angel spoke to him?” (Acts 23:6–9 (ESV)

The Sadducees and the Pharisees emerged during the historical period between the Old Testament and the New Testament, often referred to as the 400 silent years. These two distinct groups had different political and religious views.

Sensing the potential conflict between the two diverse parties, Paul said, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” Paul took advantage of these religious differences and identified himself as a Pharisee and a believer in the resurrection of the dead. He knew this would create agitation among the Sadducees who denied a future bodily resurrection along with the existence of angels and spirits (Acts 4:1-2; Matthew 22:23-32).

Dissension did arise between the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Consequently, the assembly was divided. The dissension was so great that there was shouting and screaming as each group verbally attacked each other.

Finally, some of the Pharisees strongly protested and publically stated that they found no fault with the Apostle Paul. They reasoned that maybe an angel or a spirit may have spoken to the apostle. These potential adversaries became Paul’s staunch defenders.

How would the Sadducees respond to these developments? We will continue our study tomorrow and discover the answer. I’m looking forward to it.

Have a blessed day in the Lord.

Soli deo Gloria!

^6 “Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” ⁷ And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. ⁸ For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.” (Acts 23:6–8 (ESV)

One of the distinguishing features of the Jewish council known as the Sanhedrin was that half was comprised of the Sadducees while the other half were the Pharisees. Each group had 35 members. The 71^st member of the council was the current high priest.

The origin of the Sadducees cannot definitely be traced. The first time they are mentioned is in connection with John the Baptist’s ministry. They came out to him on the banks of the Jordan, and he said to them, “O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (Matt. 3:7.) The next time they are spoken of they are presented as coming to our Lord tempting him. He calls them “hypocrites” and “a wicked and adulterous generation” (Matt. 16:1–4; 22:23). The only reference to them in the Gospels of Mark (12:18–27) and Luke (20:27–38) is when they attempted to ridicule the doctrine of the resurrection, which they denied, as they also denied the existence of angels. They are never mentioned in the Gospel of John.

The Sadducees showed their hatred of Jesus in taking part in His condemnation (Matt. 16:21; 26:1–3, 59; Mark 8:31; 15:1; Luke 9:22; 22:66). They endeavored to prohibit the apostles from preaching the resurrection of Christ (Acts 2:24, 31, 32; 4:1, 2; 5:17, 24–28). They were the deists or sceptics of that age.

The origin of the Pharisees is also unknown. They held to a strict adherence to the Mosaic Law. There was much that was sound in their creeds, yet their system of religion was religious formality and nothing more. They had a very lax morality (Matt. 5:20; 15:4, 8; 23:3, 14, 23, 25; John 8:7). On the first notice of them in the New Testament (Matt. 3:7), they are also ranked by our Lord with the Sadducees as a “generation of vipers.” They were noted for their self-righteousness and their pride (Matt. 9:11; Luke 7:39; 18:11, 12). They were frequently rebuked by our Lord (Matt. 12:39; 16:1–4). The Pharisees did believe in the resurrection and the existence of angels.

As we shall see, Paul used the fundamental differences between these two groups in order to play one against the other. More to come.

Soli deo Gloria!

“And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” ² And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. ³ Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” ⁴ Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God’s high priest?” ⁵ And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ” (Acts 23:1–5)

Immediately following the Apostle Paul’s opening remarks to the Sanhedrin about having a clear conscience before God for ministering the Gentiles, Ananias, the high priest, ordered those who stood near Paul to strike him on the mouth. Luke does not comment as to why Ananias ordered this done. Perhaps he thought Paul’s remarks to be inappropriate or disrespectful.

Ananias the high priest was one of Israel’s cruelest and most corrupt high priests. His pro-Roman policies alienated him from the Jewish people, who murdered him at the outset of the revolt against Rome (A.D. 66).  By ordering Paul struck, Ananias was committing an illegal act during the court proceedings. The verb translated “strike” is used of the mob’s beating of Paul (Acts 21:32) and the Roman soldiers’ beating of Jesus (Matthew 27:30). It was no mere slap on the face, but a continuing and vicious series of blows.

Following this incident, Paul responded by saying, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” The tone of Paul’s comment was one of righteous anger. The phrase “whitewashed wall” is a Jewish figure of speech meaning a hypocrite or an imposter. Paul was saying that Ananias was a religious hypocrite and had no business judging Paul regarding the question of his obedience to God’s Word because as the high priest Ananias violated that very Word of God by ordering Paul beaten.  

Paul’s response to Ananias solicited a response by those who stood by and were watching the scene unfold. They said, ““Would you revile God’s high priest?”

Apparently one’s position, political or religious, permitted an individual to violate the very law they were sworn to uphold. Regardless, Paul immediately apologized and said, ““I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ” Paul’s biblical reference was Exodus 22:28.

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “Some believe this to be another manifestation of Paul’s eye problems (cf. Gal. 4:15); or that Paul was so angry that he forgot to whom he was speaking; or that he was being sarcastic, since Ananias was not acting like a high priest should. The simplest explanation is to take Paul’s words at face value. He had been gone from Jerusalem for many years and would not likely have recognized Ananias by sight. That this was an informal gathering of the Sanhedrin (see note on Acts 22:30) would have meant the high priest would not have been wearing his official garments.”

God’s Word requires that believers respect their leaders: political, religious, economic and family. This is to be done even when the leader is not behaving respectably. The principle was illustrated by David who honored the LORD’s anointed, King Saul, even though Saul sought to kill David (I Samuel 24:3-15). The principle is also taught by the Apostle Paul (Romans 13:1-7; I Timothy 2:1-4) and the Apostle Peter (I Peter 2:13-17).

Have a blessed day.

Soli deo Gloria!                          

^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. ¹And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” (Acts 22:30–23:1)

The Roman tribune Claudius Lysias (Acts 23:26), in charge of the Apostle Paul’s arrest due to the riot which occurred in Jerusalem (Acts 21:27-36), decided to bring the accused to the Jewish chief priests and the council known as the Sanhedrin. Since the Jews accused Paul of crimes, Claudius thought it best to bring Paul to the Roman approved and delegated Jewish authorities. He did so the day after the events recorded in Acts 21:27-22:29.

The Sanhedrin was the Jews’ national ruling body and Supreme Court. It had 71 members, including the high priest. The Sanhedrin is prominent in the Passion narratives of the Gospels as the ruling body that tried and convicted Jesus. It appeared again in Acts as the judicial court that investigated and persecuted the growing Christian church (Acts 4).

It is interesting that Claudius brought Paul to the council unbound and sat him down before them. A wise and astute soldier, he would not have done so if he sensed the apostle was a threat to anyone. The purpose for bringing him to the council was to discover the real reason(s) why the Jews accused Paul.

Dr. John Walvoord writes, “By this time the commander knew the accusations against Paul were Jewish (cf. vv. 23–29), and the best way to unearth these was to have a hearing before the Sanhedrin. If the prisoner was found innocent he could be released, but if the charges were valid the case could be remitted to the procurator, the Roman governor (cf. 23:26–30).”

Before going into any details, Paul began his testimony before the council by stating that he had a clear conscience in living his life before the LORD. While the Jews might find him guilty, Paul was confident that God would judge him innocent and righteous. Paul’s confidence was based on God justifying him by grace alone, through faith alone, in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone (Romans 3:21-26), and his subsequent obedience to the Word and will of God (Ephesians 2:1-10).

May each of us have our confidence, before God and men, rooted and grounded in God’s grace. Have a blessed day.

Soli deo Gloria!

We will devote each Lord’s Day in 2021 at hiswordtoday.org to present a portion of the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF). For those unfamiliar with the WCF, a brief explanation is appropriate. 

The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith. Drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly as part of the Westminster Standards to be a confession of the Church of England, it became and remains the “subordinate standard” of doctrine (to Scripture) in the Church of Scotland and has been influential within Presbyterian churches worldwide.

It is to that “most precise and accurate summary of the content of biblical Christianity” that we will give our time and attention to each Lord’s Day in the year of our Lord, 2021. I trust you will be edified and encouraged each week by The Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter Three: Of God’s Eternal Decree. Part 2.

4. These angels and men, thus predestinated and fore-ordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed; and their number is so certain and definite that it cannot be either increased or diminished.^a

a. John 13:18; 2 Tim 2:19.

5. Those of mankind that are predestinated unto life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to his eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of his will, hath chosen in Christ, unto everlasting glory,^a out of his mere free grace and love, without any foresight of faith or good works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving him thereunto;^b and all to the praise of his glorious grace.^c

a. Rom 8:30; Eph 1:4, 9, 11; 1 Thes 5:9; 2 Tim 1:9. • b. Rom 9:11, 13, 16; Eph 1:4, 9. • c. Eph 1:6, 12.

Take the time today to read each attribute along with its corresponding biblical reference. You will be blessed and edified.

Soli deo Gloria!

^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 un-condemned?” 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.” (Acts 22:25–28 (ESV)

You never know when the LORD will use the circumstances of your birth, life and ministry to remind you of His providential care. How could Paul have known, either as a child or as a new believer in Christ and as an apostle about to be flogged by the Romans, that God would use the apostle’s Roman citizenship to prevent such a scourging?  

The Romans stretched Paul out for the whips. The whips in question were made of leather thongs with bits of metal or bone attached at the ends. It could maim for life or kill. Jesus was scourged with such a whip (John 19:1). Thus far, Paul had been beaten (Acts 18:22-23; 2 Corinthians 11:24-25) but never endured this kind of severe punishment, which could not be inflicted on a Roman citizen without due process of law.

Just as the scouring was about to begin, Paul said to the centurion in charge of the scourging, ““Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and un-condemned?” The obvious answer to this rhetorical question was “absolutely not.”

Upon hearing this statement, Luke records the centurion’s reaction. “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.”

Luke then recorded the tribune’s response.  ^“So the tribune came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” And he said, “Yes.” Paul’s answer prompted the tribune to ask a follow-up response. The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.”

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “Roman citizens were exempted (by the Valerian and Porcian laws) from such brutal methods of interrogation. Paul now exerted his rights as a Roman citizen. His claim would not have been questioned, because the penalty for falsely claiming Roman citizenship was death.”

Dr. R. C. Sproul writes, “Roman citizenship was highly prized, usually given only to those of high position or those who had performed some valuable service to the state. It was then passed on to one’s family, as in Paul’s case, since he is a citizen by birth.”

As we will soon see, the scouring plans are stopped and Paul will be held in the barracks while the tribune Claudius Flavius (Acts 23:26), weighs his legal options.

Regarding God’s providential care, the more perceptive you are the more awe you’ll have. May you have a blessed day.

Soli deo Gloria!

^22 “Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.” ²³ And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, ²⁴ 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.” (Acts 22:22–24)

You may be wondering what was the crowd’s reaction, both Jew and Roman, to Paul’s passionate defense of the Gospel. Was it reminiscent of the Athenians who were either critical, curious, or convinced (Acts 17:16-34)?

Up to this point, the crowd had listened to him. Then they turned violently vocal and repeatedly said, ““Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.”  In other words, they wanted Paul executed.

Luke then introduces a cultural idiom or phrase describing their behavior. “And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air.” First, the Jews were persistently screaming for Paul’s death. Second, their intense anger against Paul was displayed by throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust in the air. The act of throwing and flinging, respectively their outer garments and dust in the air, displayed their uncontrolled spasm of wild rage.

Seeing this scene, the Roman tribune, Claudius Lysias (Acts 23:26), ordered his soldiers to bring the apostle in the barracks. The tribune had every intention of flogging, or whipping, Paul in order to discover why the people were so agitated against him.

Dr. John MacArthur writes, “Lysias realized he would have to interrogate Paul privately. He ordered his soldiers to bring the prisoner into Fortress Antonia, away from the angry mob so that he should be examined by flogging. This was a brutal Roman interrogation method. Prisoners frequently died after being flogged with the Roman flagellum (metal-tipped leather thongs attached to a wooden handle).”

When next we meet, we will discover how Paul avoided such a punishment. Until then, consider reading and meditating upon Ephesians 2:12-19, Hebrews 12:22-24, and I Peter 2:10-11 about what it means that this fallen world is not the believer’s true home.

Soli deo Gloria!