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The Bible Project Daily Podcast
How Brave Should We Be. (Acts 22:30-23:10)
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Welcome:
In today's episode, we ask the important question, "How brave should you be?" We'll examine Paul's boldness before the Sanhedrin in Acts 23:1-10 and reflect on the nature of true courage rooted in a clear conscience and God’s truth. Let’s discover how we can be courageous in our own lives for the sake of the gospel.
Episode Notes
Title: How Brave Should You Be
Scripture Reference: Acts 22:30- 23:10
Key Themes:
- The nature of boldness rooted in a good conscience shaped by God's Word.
- The role of wisdom, courage, and grace when confronting hypocrisy or doctrinal error.
- Paul’s defence before the Sanhedrin and how his strategy demonstrates wise and courageous witness.
Main Points:
- A Clear Conscience: Paul declares his good conscience before God, highlighting that conscience must be aligned with Scripture to be reliable.
- Confronting Hypocrisy: Paul boldly calls out the illegal and hypocritical actions of the high priest, balancing truth with respect.
- Strategic Wisdom: Paul uses the theological division between Pharisees and Sadducees to shift the debate, focusing on the resurrection of the dead.
- Courageous Living: True bravery involves standing for truth with love, wisdom, and grace—not brashness or self-serving confrontation.
Practical Application:
- Be courageous for the gospel but temper boldness with humility and love.
- Speak truth wisely and rely on the light of God’s Word to guide your conscience.
- When facing opposition, pray for grace, seek wisdom, and trust God with the results.
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How Brave Should You Be. (Acts 23: 1-10)
Transcript:
Some believers feel intimidated when it comes to talking about the things of the Lord with others. They look at those who are bold in sharing their faith and think, “That’s too much—I could never be that brave.”
But here’s an important question: How much boldness is the right level of boldness?
This passage today in Acts 23 gives us a compelling example of boldness in the life of Paul. When I first read it, I thought, “Wow, that’s was a brave move!” But today as we reflect on Paul actions, I want us to examine our own lives and what we can learn about boldness…..
With that in mind, let’s close out Acts 22.
Paul Before the Sanhedrin.
22:30 The commander wanted to find out exactly why Paul was being accused by the Jews. So, the next day he released him and ordered the chief priests and all the members of the Sanhedrin to assemble. Then he brought Paul and had him stand before them.
To fully appreciate what’s happening here, we need some context.
Paul had been warned repeatedly that going to Jerusalem would bring trouble. Sure enough, upon his arrival, controversy erupted. Some Jews believed he was teaching people to abandon the law of Moses. To show that he wasn’t dismissing Jewish customs, Paul participated in temple rituals. However, rumours still spread that he had brought Gentiles into forbidden parts of the temple, and a mob grabbed hold of him.
Roman soldiers saw what was going on and fearing a full blown riot they intervened and took Paul into custody, but the commander still didn’t fully understand what was happening. So, he in effect summoned the Jewish council—the Sanhedrin—to sort it out.
Lets here what Paul says to them.
23:1 Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” 2 At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!”
4 Those who were standing near Paul said, “How dare you insult God’s high priest!” 5 Paul replied, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’
(Acts 22: 30-23:10)
In this setting, Paul now speaks to the Sanhedrin, defending himself against accusations of violating Jewish law. The confrontation quickly escalates. Let’s look closely at verse 1:
“Paul said, ‘, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.’”
This is a bold statement. Paul is declaring that his conscience is clear—that he has lived in obedience to God.
But What Is the Conscience, and where does it fit in with the prompting of the Holy Spirt, is it the same thing as some would claim, or is it more complex than that?
This passage is one of the few in the New Testament that explicitly mentions the conscience. Paul describes himself he has done what he has done in good conscience, which raises the important question: What is a good conscience?
The conscience, according to Scripture, is the part of our in built personality that must be educated and shaped by a moral standard. We are all born with an innate sense of right and wrong—what Paul refers to in Romans as the law written on our hearts. However, the conscience doesn’t set the standard for truth; it merely applies it.
If you accept a moral code aligned with God’s Word, your conscience will function as a reliable guide. The Bible calls this a good or clean conscience.
However, if your moral compass is misaligned—if your values contradict God’s truth—then your conscience will be unreliable, you will do things with yes a clear mind set, untroubled by your action but they still may be morally repellant to God.
In 1 Corinthians 8:7, Paul refers to what he calls, ‘a defiled conscience’. In 1 Timothy 4:2, he also describes a seared conscience—one that no longer feels conviction because it has been ignored too often.
A seared conscience is like a broken compass. When someone repeatedly suppresses the truth, their conscience stops functioning properly. Eventually, they will get to a point where they no longer feel guilt for sin.
Think of it this way: the first time you violate your conscience, it bothers you. But over time, if you continue ignoring it, and doing what you are doing, your heart grows hard, and that particular sin no longer feels wrong.
Conscience works like a sundial. When the sun shines on it, it accurately tells time. But if you shine you flashlight on it, you can make it show any time you want, but it won’t necessarily be an accurate guide.
Similarly, a conscience needs the light of God’s Word to guide it. Without that light, it becomes unreliable.
So, should you ever “let your conscience be your guide”?
Sometimes, but you can only hope to do that if your conscience is aligned with God’s truth. Otherwise, it will lead you astray.
So, Paul begins with a striking declaration: “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day”
His statement is bold. He’s claiming that his life, actions, and faith have been consistent with the truth of God’s Word. When he talk about a “good conscience,” Paul means one that aligns with Scripture—a conscience that is not a law unto itself but educated by divine truth. It is this confidence that gives Paul a foundation for boldness.
Immediately, Paul’s boldness provokes a violent response. Ananias, the high priest, orders that Paul be struck on the mouth.
This reaction reveals the corrupt nature of Ananias.
According to historical account, Ananias was one of the most corrupt high priests in Jewish history. Josephus, a first-century Jewish historian, describes him as greedy and brutal, he was known for using violence to gain wealth. His order to strike Paul was not just cruel, but importantly it was also illegal according to the Mosaic law.
Jewish law held that a man was presumed innocent until proven guilty. A principle inscribed to this day into common law. Deuteronomy 25:1-2 provides specific instructions for administering such punishment, and it can only be allowed after a properly constituted trial.
The Mishnah—a compilation of Jewish oral traditions and teaching about the Pentateuch states that striking a fellow Israelite without just cause was a serious offense. Furthermore, striking someone on the mouth was seen as a the most profound act of disrespect and injustice.
Paul’s response is powerful and exposes the hypocrisy of Ananias: “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall!” (Acts 23:3).
The imagery of a “whitewashed wall” carries significant weight. It references the outward appearance of righteousness that conceals inner corruption. Jesus used similar language in Matthew 23:27, rebuking the Pharisees as “whitewashed tombs”, clean and white on the outside but full of dead bones and uncleanness within.
Paul’s accusation highlights that Ananias, who claimed to uphold the law, was violating it blatantly.
Some have wondered what Paul’s next outburst means. He says, “I did not know, that he was the high priest” (Acts 23:5). Interpretations vary, but I believe the correct one is that Paul was being ironic/sarcastic here. Paul may have been saying, in effect, “A man acting like you couldn’t possibly be a high priest.”
Yet even as he rebukes the high priest, he acknowledges the scriptural principle, “You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people” (Exodus 22:28). This balance between boldness and respect is a model for us. Boldness in confronting sin must always be anchored in truth and moderated with humility.
Paul’s boldness wasn’t reckless or self-serving. He had undeniable proof of Ananias’s hypocritical behaviour right in front of him. True bravery comes from standing on the solid ground of God’s Word and clear evidence.
This principle is crucial when confronting sin or error in others. Truth, even when hard to hear, is the most loving message we can offer.
However, we must be cautious. Boldness isn’t an excuse for harshness or judgmentalism. When confronting sin, we should follow biblical guidelines.
Matthew 18:15-17 outlines a process for addressing wrongdoing—privately at first, then with witnesses if needed, and finally involving the wider church only when those two other methods have failed. Reprimands without love can do more harm than good.
6 Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.” 7 When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees believe all these things.) 9 There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Pharisees stood up and argued vigorously. “We find nothing wrong with this man,” they said. “What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 10 The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks.
(Acts 23: 6-10)
Paul now shifts his strategy. Realizing that the council is divided between Sadducees and Pharisees, he declares, “I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!” Now this statement exploits a theological rift.
And I need to explain that the there's a huge difference between these two groups of people.
Sadducees and the Pharisees are both represented on the Sanhedrin but there are several big theological difference that divides them.
The Pharisees believed in the resurrection of the dead, and the Sadducees did not.
They Pharisees also believed in all the minutia of the oral law. The Sadducees only accepted the written words of the Pentateuch (The first five books of the bible)
Furthermore, the Pharisees believe in predestination the Sadducees believed in free will.
But the key point and difference for Paul to exploit was the fact that the Pharisees believed in the resurrection of the dead, and the Sadducees did not.
The Sadducees denied the resurrection, while the Pharisees affirmed it strongly. By focusing on this point, Paul redirects the conflict, causing a division among his accusers.
Paul’s clever strategy here demonstrates wisdom in handling opposition. He wasn’t manipulating the truth but highlighting a core issue: his belief in the resurrection, central to the gospel.
This tactic reminds us that boldness isn’t just about speaking truth—it’s about speaking the truth wisely. Jesus also instructed His followers to be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16).
Boldness is not brashness, and courage is not cruelty. We must always ‘speak the truth in love’ (Ephesians 4:15), seeking to glorify God and lead others to repentance.
Like Paul, let us be bold in our faith—but let our boldness be marked by grace, wisdom, and unwavering truth.
There was a difference, and Paul was determined to make use of it.
Why focus on the resurrection? You can’t read Acts without realizing that Paul, given the slightest opportunity, would speak boldly about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. That was always his destination. And it nearly always caused division when he did this, and immediately.
When he declared, “I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; I stand on trial because of my hope in the resurrection,” it split the assembly down the middle. The Sadducees denied the resurrection, angels, and spirits, while the Pharisees affirmed them.
Predictably, a loud dispute broke out. Some Pharisees even defended Paul, asking, “What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him? Let us not fight against God!”
Paul’s boldness not just about behavior but about doctrine. He took his stand on a theological truth.
So, what does this mean for us?
I suggest that there are moments when boldness for doctrinal truth is necessary. It requires clarity, grace, and courage. It’s not about proving a point or seeking confrontation for its own sake; it’s about loving truth enough to speak up when it’s being compromised.
There is a famous verse in the bible, maybe the most famous when Jesus speaking to a man says: “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
“Do you know that verse?” here is some peoples version of it. “Whoever believes in Him, confesses all sins, lives perfectly, and never messes up again will have eternal life.”
The truth is clear, salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone. We must stand boldly on that truth and lovingly confront error.
This brings us back to Paul. He challenged hypocrisy, false accusations, and doctrinal error with courage. But he didn’t seek conflict—it came to him.
And when it does for us, we need wisdom, grace, and the boldness that comes from God.
Back in my business days, over 30 years ago I had to read management books one caught my attention because it reveals an insightful parallel for Christians.
It identified four types of managers:
1. Courageous—those who spoke up for the good of the company, even at personal risk.
2. Confronting—those who spoke up out of personal grievances, driven by wrong motives.
3. Callous—those who remained silent out of apathy.
4. Conforming—those who stayed quiet to avoid conflict and gain approval.
The courageous managers not only made the most significant impact but also experienced greater job satisfaction and, over time, earned respect created a positive work environment and improved outcomes.
Paul’s actions here challenge us to consider the nature of boldness in our own lives. True boldness:
· Springs from a clear conscience shaped by God’s truth.
· Confronts hypocrisy and sin with courage and respect.
· Relies on undeniable truth and evidence.
· Employs wisdom in navigating opposition.
How can we then apply this to us?
When it comes to speaking God’s truth, be courageous. Don’t confront out of anger or pride, but with a heart aimed at truth, grace, and love. Don’t be callous or conforming just to keep the peace.
Be courageous, be brave, be bold, but only for the sake of the gospel.
And when the opportunity arises, pray for God’s grace, step forward, and speak.
Be bold for truth. Be bold for the resurrection. Be bold for Christ and leave the rest to God.