Snoopy Approaches Acts

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Hello. Glad to see this still going. Here's a little something for you. It's the Areopagus as seen from the Acropolis the other day. Our tour was on a tight schedule so we had no time to visit the Areopagus ourselves.

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Interesting read on this ---read all for yourselves --I just posted this


What was the Areopagus?​

The older Greek term, Areopagus, was still used in Paul’s day, mostly in reference to the council that met there. When Paul gave his famous address on Mars Hill, one could say this occurred both “at” the Areopagus and “in front of” the Areopagus. For the most part, however, the term Areopagus as used in Acts chapter 17 refers to the group of Athenian leaders and thinkers who met on the hill.
 
Acts 22:22-30
After listening attentively, the crowd turns on Paul. The people scream, throw their cloaks on the ground and toss dust in the air. They demand Paul's death.

The commanding officer orders Paul to be brought back to the barracks. He orders interrogation by the lash.

But Paul protests he is a Roman citizen and cannot be treated like this. (The commanding officer purchased his citizenship but Paul was born into his.)

The officer is frightened, knowing he ordered Paul to be tied up. But he wants to know the true reason Paul is being accused by the Jews.

So Paul is released to appear before the Sanhedrin.
 
Once again, we see a fickle and potentially violent crowd.

Paul has the civic authorities flummoxed, it seems. So they look to the religious court for answers.
 
Well ---again it is not good for Paul -----you have to strongly admire this man for being able to stay the course -----and run the Faith race that he is enduring -----No man could or would survive what Paul and others have endured on their own power ------there Deep rooted Faith and Trust in God to protect them and be in their midst when trials come is impressive -----anyone who can't see that is Blind in my view -----

We see that the crowd listens intently till Paul says he was sent to the Gentiles ----then all hell breaks loose -----the Jews I don't think mind that the Gentiles become followers of the Way as long as they are saved in the same way as the Jews ---but bringing the Gentiles in under a different set of rules was a NO NO in the Jewish minds -----

The crowd becomes so angry they start throwing dust in the air and want Paul Stoned to death ----so the commander orders Paul be brought to the barracks and be interrogated with a whip in order to learn why the people were shouting against him that way.

But when they had Paul laid bound with leather straps he said to the centurion
“Is it legal for you to whip a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned [without a trial]?

The centurion goes to the commander ---and wants to know how he is going to handle this as Paul says he is a Roman ----and we know there are consequences for the commander if he goes against Roman Law -----and Paul was already bound with leather straps ------so the commander already had broken Roman law -----and violated Paul's human rights ----

The Commander ask Paul if he was Roman and wanted to know how he was a roman citizen as the commander had purchased his citizenship and Paul answered by saying he was born a Roman citizen

So immediately Paul was untied and let go just before he was about to be interrogated and the commander was in fear because he had him Bound and was afraid for his own safety ----

So the next day ---Paul was brought before The the chief priests and the whole Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) to assemble; to try and find out why the Jews wanted Paul stoned -----

We learn down the way here in Acts that Paul has a vote in Rome ----so maybe he will use this to his advantage here in this situation ??????

AI
Paul's "vote in Rome" refers to him exercising his legal right as a Roman citizen to appeal to Caesar for judgment, a process that bypassed the local governor and ensured his case would be heard before the emperor's court. This was a strategic move to secure a fairer trial and was possible because his Roman citizenship was known and recognized, a right he had inherited or been granted.
 
Paul has the mindset of a martyr
I agree with this ---I think Paul's Mindset of a martyr comes from his deep rooted Christ like Character ---Jesus gave Himself Freely to shed His Blood and die on the Cross for all of us -----
Paul is such a great role model for True Christians to follow ----

The Spiritual Character Paul has shown since his conversion here in Acts is astounding ----

His fearlessness of Preaching the Real Truth of the Gospel knowing the dangers and backlash that can arise from this ----is mind blowing

Not like that today Folks
Today Ministers will cowl down and will only preach what the people want to hear --- all the nice and fluffy stuff ---and a bunch of Lies -----no real truth just watered down scripture --Most are not attached to the Vine -----Christ's faith is not rooted in them --and their Trust in God is none --

Christ's Faith and Trust was deeply rooted and grounded in Paul with no wavering at all -----Paul was tightly attached to the Vine and there was nothing moving him from that no matter what came against him in these Chapters -----

His Grace and Compassion was so evident going back to check on his church even when danger was present ----

He never complained once to God about his situation he handled it with Grace and Joy ---

Think about what Paul so far has endured in Acts with no complaining to God ---and go back to the Israelite's when they were freed from slavery --all they did was complain to God about their situation ---no joy exuded from them -----and they are still complaining and jealous here in Acts

The Spiritual maturity that Paul shows here is remarkable -----and I say -------not one True Christian today will reach his Spiritual level of Spiritual Maturity in their life time --

Paul's Christ like Character here in Acts so far is a model for all who are True Followers of the WAY today --
 
Acts 23:1-11
Paul stands before the Sanhedrin and the high priest orders those nearby to strike him on the mouth. Paul challenges him and calls him a whitewashed wall.

Paul appeals to the Pharisees on the council. He declares that he is a Pharisee himself and is on trial concerning the hope of the resurrection of the dead.

An argument breaks out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees. The assembly is divided. In contrast to the Pharisees, the Sadducees do not believe in resurrection or angels/ spirits.

The Pharisees find no fault with Paul. What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?

The commanding officer fears Paul will be torn to pieces and orders him returned to the barracks.

The following night, the Lord appears to Paul and tells him to have courage. Just as he has testified in Jerusalem, he must testify in Rome.
 
Paul is a clever one. And of course, according to the narrative, he has supernatural protection.
 
So Paul now goes in front of the Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court and looks intently at them as he speaks to them ----

This word intently here is not just a willy nelly human physical stare ----this is a spirit led stare

Strong's concordance
Lexical Summary
atenizó: To gaze intently, to look steadfastly

To “look intently” is therefore more than a physical act;
it is a Spirit-enabled posture that beholds divine glory and embodies bold witness until faith becomes sight.


Paul states to them
I have lived my life before God with a perfectly good conscience until this very day.”

This comment upsets the group and the high priest Ananias orders Paul be struck on the mouth -----

So why did this comment Paul made upset Ananias to want to strike Paul's mouth ------

My view is ------Ananias was thinking that Paul caused a riot amongst the people the day before by what he spoke and therefore was lying that he lived his life before God with a perfectly good conscience to this day -----

Showing that Ananias was not understanding the Spiritual life that Paul was referring to -----Ananias only understood and heard what took place in this Physical world -----and was considering what Paul was saying was untrue in his eyes ------

So Paul fires back at Ananias by stating ---

“God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall!
Do you actually sit to judge me according to the Law, and yet in violation of the Law order me to be struck?

I say ---So Paul here is showing the hypocrisy of Ananias -----as the Law required that every man could defend himself and be judged fairly --and with the strike on his mouth Ananias was judging Paul on his own merit and therefore was breaking the Law himself ------

I think Paul is remembering what Jesus said to the Pharisees -----

Matthew 23:27-28 AMP

27 Woe to you, [self-righteous] scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!

For you are like whitewashed tombs which look beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean.

28 So you, also, outwardly seem to be just and upright to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness

So some speak up and tell Paul that he has insulted the high priest of God ------and what does Paul do -----verse 5

5 Paul said, “I was not aware, brothers, that he was high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’”

I say --Paul here Quotes the Law ---------and says he was not aware that Ananias was the High Priest --so maybe he is offering an apology here ????

So Paul uses good Straggly here ---clover on his part ----as he understands that both the Pharisees and Sadducees are in the group and he knows they believe differently in the resurrection of Jesus ----Pharisees believe in the resurrection and Sadducees do not

So he plays on this ----and says he is a Pharisee and his Father was a Pharisee and he shouts out that he is on trial for the Hope and Resurrection of the Dead -----

Well of course this gets the Crowd in an uproar ----and they become divided in 2 ---and some of the scribes who were Pharisees were siding with Paul -----finding nothing wrong with Paul and saying he could have had an angel or spirit speak to him -----so the dissension became even greater,and so the commander gets frightened that Paul will be torn to pieces and orders some troops to get Paul away from there and bring him to the barracks ---

Verse 11 --speaks for itself ----Maybe Paul needed the Lord to give him encouragement after the Terrible day he put in -----He was wanting to Preach the Gospel and failed at that and there had been 2 riots to boot ---so Jesus came to boost his moral up --this is just my view --

11 On the following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Be brave; for as you have solemnly and faithfully witnessed about Me at Jerusalem, so you must also testify at Rome.”
 
Acts 23:12-35
The Jews take an oath not to eat or drink anything until they have killed Paul. More than forty of them are involved in this conspiracy and they plan an ambush..

But the son of Paul's sister alerts the commanding officer. The son is told to keep quiet about this.

The officer instructs that a party of 470 men be made ready by evening to deliver Paul safely to Felix the governor.

The officer explains in a letter to Felix that Paul is a Roman citizen and he is about to be killed by the Jews. The Sanhedrin has accused him in reference to controversies about Jewish law. But no charge against him deserves death or imprisonment.

The commanding officer asks the governor to hear from Paul and his accusers.

Felix agrees to conduct a hearing when Paul's accusers arrive. Paul is kept under guard in Herod's palace.
 
Who knew that Paul's nephew showed up in the story with an important role? :)

The plot thickens.
 
Poor Paul -----without God with him behind him and around him Paul would have been dead long before Acts 23 ---

It Blows One's mind to think that a group of people who have been trying to kill this one man for so long could carry such hatred for so long -----and not just say ----OH The Hell With it lets just give up and let the man speak what he likes --we just can't kill this guy ---the hatred they have is so deep rooted in their veins --bones and body that they just can't give it up ----

Being under the law and Telling God they would keep the laws God gave them ----they are such hypocrites and breaking the 6th Commandment ---not to kill -----and here they are planing a premeditated Ambush on Paul


So we see that 40 Jewish men are planing this plot -----No only are they planing this they bind themselves by taking an oath ---that they would not eat or drink until Paul was dead ----they call for the chief Priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves under a solemn oath not to taste anything [neither food nor drink] until we have killed Paul.

This oath or vow was know as a cherem vow ---this was a serious oath as they dedicate this vow to God and ask God to curse them if they fail to kill Paul -----

Strong's Concordance
cherem: devoted thing, devotion, ban

accursed , ban , curse , devoted , devoted to destruction
appointed to utter destruction, Extermination

So these man want the commander notified -and the Plot is unveiled -----verse 15 AMP

15 So now you, along with the Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court), notify the commander to bring Paul down to you, as if you were going to investigate his case more thoroughly. But we are ready to kill him before he comes near [the place].”

So we see that the son of Paul's sister gets wind of this plan and goes to the barracks and tells Paul -----So Paul sends in the centurions, said, “Take this young man to the commander, for he has something to tell him.”So the centurion takes the son to the Commander ---

when the Commander hears what is going on he tells the son not to say a word to anyone that you have given me the information ----

the commander Moves Paul

Paul Moved to Caesarea Maritima​

23 Then summoning two of the centurions, he said, “Have two hundred soldiers ready by the third hour of the night (9:00 p.m.) to go as far as Caesarea, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen;

24 also provide mounts for Paul to ride, and bring him safely to Felix the governor.”

25 And [after instructing the centurions] he wrote a letter to this effect:

So he details to this Felix governor all that happen to Paul and said he sent him to appear before him about the allegations against him ---so the solders comply and take Paul and the letter to this govenor -----

After the governor reads the letter he says “I will hear your case when your accusers have arrived,” giving orders that Paul be kept under guard in Herod’s Praetorium (the governor’s official residence).

More on this vow or oath these 40 men took

AI Overview

In Strong's Concordance, the Hebrew word cherem (חֵרֶם) refers to a devoted thing, a ban, or something set apart for destruction. It derives from the root charam, meaning "to ban" or "devote to destruction," signifying a thing or person that is wholly dedicated or consecrated to God, often through annihilation.

Key Meanings of Cherem (H2764):
  • Devoted Thing/Devotion: A thing or person consecrated to God, set apart for Him.

  • Ban: A formal prohibition or separation.

  • A thing devoted to destruction/Accursed: In many contexts, this refers to something that is to be utterly destroyed, often in a religious context, as seen in accounts of Achan's sin.

So Paul has had God working for him behind the scenes in every instance so far to protect him and guide him -----and this is how it still is today for all of God's Children who walk in His Faith and Trust -----all who are Grounded and rooted in the Vine who is Jesus -----we are the branches and if we are not rooted in the Vine --we can bear no fruit -----and the branches that bear no fruit are taken away =====and the branches that do bear fruit are pruned so that they can bear more fruit -----
 
Acts 24
The high priest Ananias and the lawyer Tertullus bring formal charges against Paul to the governor.

Paul defends himself before Felix. He makes the case that he is on trial for preaching the resurrection of the dead.

Felix understands the facts concerning the Way more clearly. He keeps Paul imprisoned for two years but extends some leniency to him. Paul is allowed some freedom and his friends are not stopped from meeting his needs.

Paul speaks repeatedly to Felix about faith in Jesus Christ. Felix becomes frightened when Paul discusses righteousness, self control and the coming judgment.

Felix also hopes for money from Paul.

Festus succeeds Felix.
 
Before I get into today's scripture this is some interesting information -----just in case some were not aware of this Jewish group ----

The Jews had an assassin group called The Sicarii

Read all if you wish -----


Topical Encyclopedia
The Sicarii were a radical Jewish splinter group active during the first century AD, particularly known for their role in the Jewish resistance against Roman occupation. The name "Sicarii" is derived from the Latin word "sica," meaning "dagger," reflecting their use of concealed daggers to carry out assassinations. They are often associated with the Zealots, another Jewish group that opposed Roman rule, but the Sicarii were distinguished by their extreme tactics and willingness to employ violence against both Romans and Jewish collaborators.
 
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