Acts 22:30-23:11
ACTS STUDY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What caught your attention in our study of Acts 22:30-23:11?
Paul stood before the angry crowd, then stood briefly before the Roman tribune, and now is thrust before the Jewish Sanhedrin (the highest ruling authority in Jerusalem). How does this fulfill Jesus’ words in Luke 21:12-19 and Acts 9:15? Why is this important to remember, and how does it encourage you?
Paul says he has fulfilled his obligations before God with “all good conscience.” What do you think that means? How does having a clear conscience before God provide the ability to stand confident before human beings? What does Paul say in 1 Corinthians 4:1-4 that sheds light on how he can stand confidently before man even when reviled? How does preaching the gospel to ourselves keep us from being people pleasers?
Ananias was notorious for being overconfident in himself, immoral, and taking bribes. Paul’s claim to have done nothing wrong infuriated him. Striking Paul was a power play to humiliate Paul and put him in his place. How does Ananias’ character immediately contrast with Paul’s (cf. Lev 19:15)? Why is character so important to the Christian life?
Paul knew the law inside and out, and he knew that Ananias’ actions were unjust, so he immediately responded, stating that fact. Though it was a highly charged and emotional moment, what do you make of the fact that Paul immediately appealed to Scripture (Ex 22:28)? Though Ananias is the high priest and in the formal position of authority, what authority does Paul ultimately recognize and submit to? What can we learn from Paul about how gospel-transformed believers can handle these types of difficult situations?
In Acts 22:23-29 Paul is bound and nearly flogged. In Acts 23:1-2 Paul is punched in the mouth. In other words, the one who ought to be respected is shamed; the one who ought to be honored is humiliated. We live in an upside-down world, but if our citizenship is in Heaven, what is true of us according to Matthew 5:10-11? How does this right-side-up perspective sustain us in an upside-down world?
Why is Acts 23:11 so interesting and encouraging? How does Jesus encourage Paul? How does it feel seeing the Lord present and with Paul in the midst of dark circumstances? What hope and confidence does Paul have in every circumstance, according to 2 Timothy 4:17-18? What is the primary way today that the Lord comes to us, encourages us, sits with us, and speaks with us during challenging times?
Though Paul is on trial, whose name are his trials meant to magnify? Paul’s trials open the door for unprecedented gospel proclamation. How does that encourage you in your own trials? How does that challenge your view of trials and adversity? What are your key takeaways from this study of God’s word?
