The Book of Acts ~ Study Seventy-One

"Take the Initiative"


Acts 22:12-22 (NLT) The next morning a group of Jews got together and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. There were more than forty of them in the conspiracy. They went to the leading priests and elders and told them, “We have bound ourselves with an oath to eat nothing until we have killed Paul. So you and the high council should ask the commander to bring Paul back to the council again. Pretend you want to examine his case more fully. We will kill him on the way.”

Model of the Antonia Fortress
where Paul was held
by the Romans

   But Paul’s nephew—his sister’s son—heard of their plan and went to the fortress and told Paul. Paul called for one of the Roman officers and said, “Take this young man to the commander. He has something important to tell him.”
   So the officer did, explaining, “Paul, the prisoner, called me over and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you.”
   The commander took his hand, led him aside, and asked, “What is it you want to tell me?”
   Paul’s nephew told him, “Some Jews are going to ask you to bring Paul before the high council tomorrow, pretending they want to get some more information. But don’t do it! There are more than forty men hiding along the way ready to ambush him. They have vowed not to eat or drink anything until they have killed him. They are ready now, just waiting for your consent.”
   “Don’t let anyone know you told me this,” the commander warned the young man. 

We see here that there was a plot to kill Paul. His young nephew overheard what they were planning and told Paul. He had his guard, from the fortress where he was being held, take this boy to the commander and inform him of this murder plot.

Some Jews were planning on breaking the sixth law of the Ten Commandments. What gave them the right to murder someone because they claimed Paul was breaking the Law. It's a convoluted way of looking at things.

We plot revenge and do things to people who we feel have harmed us or libeled us in some way. How is it right to sin in order to "make things right" against those who have hurt us? 

There is a difference in the boy telling the truth about what he had witnessed. He wasn't plotting revenge or lying. He simply told the truth to Paul and ultimately to the Roman commander. When we witness wrong doing and don't take the initiative to warn those who will be or are being harmed then I think we are wrong.

Have you witnessed or are witnessing someone lying or plotting to harm someone? Go to the correct authority and tell them. Sometimes we don't want to get involved or we are afraid of the person's position. If it is wrong, then its wrong and something has to be done. Action must be taken. God is the true Judge and His justice is always right. If you witness something that is wrong and hurtful, pray first for direction and wisdom. Listen for God's direction and act according to His will. If you do nothing you are just as guilty as the person doing wrong.

Exodus 23:7 (Message) Stay clear of false accusations. Don't contribute to the death of innocent and good people. I don't let the wicked off the hook.

It is so important to follow God in all things, especially when you are a witness to crime or hurtful thing.
Even if the person is in authority over you at work or church or in life, wrong is wrong and right is right.

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke)

Because Paul's nephew said something to those in charge, Paul's life was spared. It was God's plan and this young man was obedient to God. Let's see what happened next:

Acts 23:23-35 (NLT) Then the commander called two of his officers and ordered, “Get 200 soldiers ready to leave for Caesarea at nine o’clock tonight. Also take 200 spearmen and 70 mounted troops. Provide horses for Paul to ride, and get him safely to Governor Felix.” Then he wrote this letter to the governor:
   “From Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency, Governor Felix: Greetings!
   “This man was seized by some Jews, and they were about to kill him when I arrived with the troops. When I learned that he was a Roman citizen, I removed him to safety. Then I took him to their high council to try to learn the basis of the accusations against him. I soon discovered the charge was something regarding their religious law—certainly nothing worthy of imprisonment or death. But when I was informed of a plot to kill him, I immediately sent him on to you. I have told his accusers to bring their charges before you.”
   So that night, as ordered, the soldiers took Paul as far as Antipatris. They returned to the fortress the next morning, while the mounted troops took him on to Caesarea. When they arrived in Caesarea, they presented Paul and the letter to Governor Felix. He read it and then asked Paul what province he was from. “Cilicia,” Paul answered.
   “I will hear your case myself when your accusers arrive,” the governor told him. Then the governor ordered him kept in the prison at Herod’s headquarters. 

Wow! The commander didn't waste any time taking action on Paul's behalf. He knew that Paul was a Roman citizen and had certain rights according to Roman Law. He wrote a letter on his behalf to the governor explaining the situation. They took Paul to Caesarea and the governor ordered him to be held in prison there at Herod's headquarters. The governor would hear Paul's case himself.

Do you see what God is doing? He's helping Paul to preach to even more people through his imprisonment. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible says this: "God has instruments for every work. The natural abilities and moral virtues of the heathens often have been employed to protect his persecuted servants. Even the men of the world can discern between the conscientious conduct of upright believers, and the zeal of false professors, though they disregard or understand not their doctrinal principles. All hearts are in God's hand, and those are blessed who put their trust in him, and commit their ways unto him." God can and does use anyone and anything to accomplish His perfect will. He's even used animals such as a donkey and a whale. 

God's plans and purposes will not be thwarted even though we can't see a way out. Is there something you have seen and are praying that the situation would change for the better? We may not see the outcome in our lives but you can be sure of this that God's Will will be done no matter what. This isn't an excuse for us not to act if God has called you to. Is there something weighing you down and God has told you to act and you are afraid to move? Be assured that if He has told you to act then He will provide the words to say and the avenue in which to say them. When we see a wrong committed, especially by those in authority we can't be passive. We have to act according to what God has called us to do. I pray for the faith of Paul's nephew to go and do as God has told me to. What about you?