The Holy Spirit Uses Human Implements

Acts 23:11-35

Paul had been warned by God that he should not go to Jerusalem, and that if he did he would be imprisoned. Ignoring the Holy Spirit, Paul went to Jerusalem anyway, and was arrested and denied the privilege of sharing the gospel with the Jews, despite every attempt. Without the Holy Spirit’s power, even Paul could not make anything happen.

In Judges 16:20, Delilah had cut Samson’s hair, “And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.” He was undoubtedly shocked to discover he couldn’t defeat the Philistines like he always had before. Paul had always been able to reach some people, and didn’t realize there was no power to enable him to do the job. He had come because he wanted to witness to the Jews. Imagine the discouragement, that he has not even been allowed to finish speaking. I’m sure he was praying about it.

“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.” (Ac 23:11)

Though Paul had disobeyed the Lord in going, God had not forgotten him. God is still going to use him to witness in Rome, even though he will have no more impact in Jerusalem. It will not happen immediately however, and Paul was not to be discouraged by the delays. The Jewish actions soon resulted in the final disposal of the case being left to the Romans as Agabus had prophesied.

“And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.
And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would inquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.” (Acts 23:12-15)

Wicked men will go to any extent to preserve their power and prestige, and a group of the Jews was no exception, conspiring to murder Paul. Like most conspiracies, cooperation of certain authorities was needed, and the leaders agreed to request another hearing to give opportunity to kill Paul. God thwarted the plan by making it known to the Romans.

“And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.

So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee. Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me?

And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would inquire somewhat of him more perfectly. But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.

So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast showed these things to me.” (Acts 23:16-23)

Recognizing the danger of such a conspiracy, the chief captain made arrangements to get Paul away safely to Caesarea and block the conspiracy, preserving Roman supremacy. The Jews were already rebelling, and had the conspiracy succeeded, they would have been emboldened to push harder. Even as it was, it was only about five years later that Rome was forced to destroy Jerusalem to quell an uprising. That he considered the threat serious is apparent from his actions.

“And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night; And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor.” (Acts 23:23-24)

Two hundred seventy troops were sent out after dark to get Paul out of Jerusalem and take him to the Roman stronghold at Caesarea. A letter explaining the reasons for his actions was sent to the governor. To have allowed the Jews to judge the case themselves would have weakened the authority of Roman laws, strengthening the Jews appearance of power..

“And he wrote a letter after this manner: Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting. This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.

And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council: Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.

And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell.” (Acts 23:25-30)

Following orders the entire force escorted Paul to Antipatris that night, probably arriving about midnight. The following morning, the main body returned to Jerusalem, leaving the cavalry to take Paul the rest of the way, since an ambush was unlikely beyond that point.

“Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris. On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle: Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him. And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia; I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.” (Acts 23:31-35)

A change of venue ensured that Paul would get a fair hearing by removing him from the Jews’ sphere of influence. It would also establish that they still had to follow Roman law. God used the conflict with Rome to protect Paul, even though Paul had not been obeying God when he went to Jerusalem.