The Book of Acts: Discipleship In Action Pt. 103 The Good Providence Of God Delivered Paul

Conspiracy to kill Paul. 

Acts 23:12-15  And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 13)  And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. 14)  And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. 15)  Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him. 

The pattern of God blessing His church and Satan swiftly opposing it, continues in this text.  Luke recorded the great blessing of Jesus Christ standing by Paul, and strengthening His apostle. Right after this, we find that a devious plot to kill Paul was set in motion. 

Who were these Jewish men? They were "sicarii" also known as the assassins. They formed a class of fierce zealots, who took justice into their own hands and thought they had a right to kill  anyone who disagreed with their religious views.

Forty men vowed not to eat or drink anything until they had killed Paul. They told the high priest to ask the chief captain to bring Paul down again from the fortress under the guise of asking him more questions. They would then kill Paul. 

God's providential provision foils the plot. 

Acts 23:16  And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. 

The providential hand of God was on display again, for He had Paul's nephew near enough to hear the evil plotting and he quickly informed Paul about their plan. 

Acts 23:17,18  Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him. 18)  So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee. 

Paul immediately called a centurion over and requested that he take his nephew to Lysias. He did not call one of the common soldiers. He wanted a centurion to handle this matter because he reported directly to Lysias.

The chief captain heard about the plot and took swift action.  

Acts 23:19-22  Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me? 20)  And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly. 21)  But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee. 22)  So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me. 

Paul's nephew informed Lysias about the plot to murder Paul. His nephew must have been pretty young in age and was courteously treated with fatherly deference by Lysias. 

The chief captain listened intently to Paul's nephew and admonished the young boy not to tell anyone. 

Jesus promised Paul that he would be a testimony for Him at Rome, and it is the Lord's working that made it possible for the plan to be foiled. 

God providentially provided protection for Paul 

Acts 23:23,24  And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Caesarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night; 24)  And provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor. 

Lysias did not hesitate to do whatever it took to ensure Paul's safety. He commanded that seventy Calvary men prepare to take Paul to Caesarea. 

They would be supported by two hundred heavily armed legionaries, two hundred lightly armed troops. In all a very formidable force that would easily repel any attack along the way from Jerusalem to Caesarea. 

Again, God used Lysias and the Roman military to spare Paul's life. His good hand and providential oversight lined all of the necessary people and military might to protect Paul.

It was about 70 miles from Jerusalem to Caesarea. 

Lysias' letter to the Roman governor regarding Paul

Acts 23:25-30  And he wrote a letter after this manner: 26)  Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting. 27)  This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman. 28)  And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council: 29)  Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds. 30)  And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell. 

Lysias sent a formal letter to the governor at that time, named Felix. Notice Lysias saw that the Jews intended on killing Paul in the initial uproar in the Temple. 

Lysias put himself in a favorable light, in that he said once he realized Paul was a Roman, he came with an army to rescue him. 

Yet, the initial rescue was in Acts 21 and it was not until he was ready to have Paul scourged that he learned Paul was a Roman (Acts 22).

No doubt, Lysias wrote his letter in this manner to avoid admitting that he put Paul into bonds. In fact, he did not mention scourging or putting chains on Paul at all. 

Lysias presided over the Jews trial of Paul and he understood that this was a dispute over differing religious views. He realized that Paul had done nothing worthy of death or bonds. 

Thus, when he learned of the plot to kill Paul, he sent him to Felix and commanded the Jewish leaders to travel to Caesarea to make their case before Felix. 

Paul safely delivered to the governor. 

Acts 23:31-33  Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32)  On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle: 33)  Who, when they came to Caesarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him. 

Roman soldiers safely transported Paul to Antipatris which was 40 miles from Jerusalem, more than halfway to Caesarea. 

The foot soldiers then returned to Jerusalem and the Calvary escorted Paul the rest of the way.  They brought Paul to Felix and gave the governor Lysias' letter. 

Acts 23:34,35  And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia; 35)  I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall. 

Felix then established that he did in fact, have legal jurisdiction to hear Paul's case. He told Paul that there would be a hearing when his accusers arrived. 

Felix told Paul that he would give him a fair, full, and attentive hearing when his accusers came. Paul would be permitted to defend himself.

Paul was allowed to stay in the palace where the governor resided. It was a magnificent palace built by Herod the Great, and Roman procurators occupied it whenever they needed to hold legal hearings. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

Paul was an Old Testament scholar and knew the following verses very well. He would have rejoiced in seeing the providence of God at work in his life. He had joy and peace because Jesus stood by Paul to strengthen him and tell him what was going to happen. 

Genesis 50:19-21  And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? 20)  But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. 21)  Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them. 

Joseph's brothers were ready to kill him because of jealousy. Instead, they made a profit by selling him into slavery. Yet, God overruled their evil intentions because He had plans for Joseph to be used in a mighty way to save the entire family of Jacob. 

Proverbs 16:9  A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. 

Proverbs 19:21  There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

Many times we think we have everything planned for and figured out, but God ultimately directs our ways. We can trust Him because He will always do what is for our best good.

God will work all things out for our good according to His perfect will (Romans 8:28). We need to trust God and avoid trying to plan out our whole life. We do not know what tomorrow will bring but God does. 

May the Lord Jesus Christ strengthen us to walk day by day right by His side.

Bob