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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
In Acts 23, Paul is on trial in Jerusalem and as he looked around that courtroom he saw two groups - we could regard them as two denominations - and he sided with one of them. There were the Pharisees and the Sadducees. The Pharisees were the conservatives who believed in the Resurrection - they believed in angels - they believed in the spirit of God. The Sadducees were the liberals - who did not believe in miracles - who did not believe in the supernatural - and they said there was no resurrection and no Holy Spirit.
Paul said, "I am a Pharisee - and my father was a Pharisee - and I am here on trial because I believe in the resurrection of the dead. The courtroom was divided, and we may do that at times too. Uproar again! Some wanted to tear him limb from limb - yes, religious people - the leading lawyers of Jerusalem.
Paul has to be rescued again - for his own safety - and taken back to the barracks which were only yards away from the Courtroom and the Temple.
BUT, what was going on in the dear man's mind? What was going through his mind? Because the following night Jesus appears to him in his prison cell - verse 11. "Take courage - as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome." Paul, you have spoken well for ME here. I want you to speak the same way for ME in Rome. Jesus Christ was pleased with the ministry of Paul even though he has to pay such a high cost. This type of testifying is not easy. Ministering in this way may sound romantic and exciting but it is sore and painful. Why do you think the risen living Jesus dramatically appeared to Paul with this powerfully encouraging word?
It had all happened just as Agabus had prophesied. There has been nothing but trouble since Paul arrived in the city. Had he got it all so terribly wrong? NO.
It was night. It was dark. A Jerusalem jail was not a comfortable place to be. Paul was lonely and down - perhaps feeling discouraged or even defeated - and Jesus appears to minister to His servant at such an hour.
Around our world today, thousands are being sorely tried and severely persecuted. As this theme arises from our passage, I ask you again to pray for those who are finding life in the front line of the Kingdom of God a painful experience in these present times. These Bible studies must have practical implications - that is essential at every stage.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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