David Bahn – Reflections

Acts 23:1-11

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.’”

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?” 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.”

Osama bin Laden is reported to have said of the American solders: We have religion, we have Islam. The American soldier may have the best weapons in the world, but on the inside, he is spiritually empty – a paper tiger. According to Wikipedia, a

Paper tiger is a literal English translation of the Chinese phrase zhǐlǎohǔ (simplified Chinese: 纸老虎; traditional Chinese: 紙老虎), meaning something that seems as threatening as a tiger, but does not withstand challenge.

Paul’s response to the threats of the chief priests, Sadducees and Pharisees shows him to be no paper tiger. The difference is remarkable; the key to true courage is good conscience. Paul shows himself to be courageous on this occasion, but his courage is founded on a higher strength than his own. He is in service to God and committed to being faithful in his service to Christ. His conscience is clear which is why he can be truly courageous.

Paul’s claim to a good conscience is simple and clear: “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” His willingness to stand up to the crowd and speak in the face of threat and eminent physical harm is testimony to his courage. These two are a powerful combination.

Need courage? Follow where God leads. Need a good conscience? Confess and forsake your sin. That may take you far in the face of paper tigers or real threats. The would needs people of good conscience and courage. Those who embrace these qualities have profound kingdom impact.