The Book of Acts ~ Study Seventy

"No Earthly High Priest Will Do"


Acts 23:1-11 (NLT) Gazing intently at the high council, Paul began: “Brothers, I have always lived before God with a clear conscience!”
   Instantly Ananias the high priest commanded those close to Paul to slap him on the mouth. But Paul said to him, “God will slap you, you corrupt hypocrite! What kind of judge are you to break the law yourself by ordering me struck like that?”
   Those standing near Paul said to him, “Do you dare to insult God’s high priest?”
   “I’m sorry, brothers. I didn’t realize he was the high priest,” Paul replied, “for the Scriptures say, ‘You must not speak evil of any of your rulers.’”
   Paul realized that some members of the high council were Sadducees and some were Pharisees, so he shouted, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, as were my ancestors! And I am on trial because my hope is in the resurrection of the dead!”
   This divided the council—the Pharisees against the Sadducees—for the Sadducees say there is no resurrection or angels or spirits, but the Pharisees believe in all of these. So there was a great uproar. Some of the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees jumped up and began to argue forcefully. “We see nothing wrong with him,” they shouted. “Perhaps a spirit or an angel spoke to him.” As the conflict grew more violent, the commander was afraid they would tear Paul apart. So he ordered his soldiers to go and rescue him by force and take him back to the fortress.
   That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, “Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well.”

After Paul had declared his citizenship of Rome the Roman officers took him in front of the Sanhedrin. They wanted to find out exactly what they had against him. Paul stood before them and addressed them. He knew these people well because he had been on their side and had done their dirty work for them. He declared to them a clear conscience before God. The high priest Annais, the same one who brought Jesus to his crucifixion, ordered those standing near Paul to slap him on the mouth. Paul didn't take this quietly and called Anaias a "hypocrite" The NIV says, "white-washed wall."

Jesus Himself said something very similar and He even went further in His sermon on "The Seven Woes  on the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees": found in Matthew 23. (A must-read.)

Matthew 23:27-28 (NLT) “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."

Why was this so insulting to them? What is a white-washed tomb exactly? They represent a covering-up of death. In other words, they are presentable on the outside, even pretty sometimes, but inside they are full of death. The NLT uses "hypocrite" in the place of "whitewashed tombs". The word "hypocrite" is tossed around a lot nowadays when describing the church and christians. The word "hypocrisy" comes from the Hebrew root word "hnph" and means "pollute, profane, godless and ungodly." (NIV Pocket Dictionary)

It makes me sad that we are described this way. I'm sure there is some truth in saying that, but real Christians aren't or shouldn't be. Here Jesus and Paul were describing Temple Leaders. We too must be careful when we listen to the leaders in our churches who live one way in public but their personal life is totally different. As Christians we must examine ourselves as well making sure we live as Christ wants us to live.

We read that Paul was reprimanded by those around him when he called Anaias this name. He said he didn't know he was speaking to the high priest. I believe it was a tongue-in-cheek statement. He was saying that he didn't recognize Ananais as the real High Priest. Jesus is the real High Priest.

Sometimes I think we forget who is really head over the Church as a whole. Jesus is head of His Church.
The Churches that are based on the lead pastor will fail. However, when the lead pastor bases all his decisions on the will of the true High Priest, Jesus, then the Church will be strong.

Hebrews 3:1 (NLT) And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and are partners with those called to heaven, think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God’s messenger and High Priest.


Hebrews 4:13-15 (NLT) Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.
   So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.

No one else understands us or loves us like our High Priest Jesus. When we keep our eyes on Him and not a pastor or teacher, who can and probably will let us down, we will remain firm and focused in our faith. We cannot be shaken or tripped up because of human frailty. Jesus is Lord and rules justly. He leads in the right direction that brings us into a holy relationship with God. No preacher or teacher can do this for us.

Hebrews 12:28-29 (NLT) Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. For our God is a devouring fire.

No earthly high priest or pastor can do what Jesus has done for us. He is the Ruler of a Kingdom, His Kingdom, that cannot be shaken. We must live in the knowledge that He alone is our source of life, wisdom and knowledge. He gives us, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, the ability to live according to His will and purpose. Let's take our eyes off of the earthly leaders who can and will fail us at times. Instead let's come under the protection and leadership of Jesus, our true High Priest, who connects us to God.