Paul before the two-party Sanhedrin—Congressional debate over the resurrection turns hostile.

Acts 22:30 through 23:1-11

• Special session of the two-party Sanhedrin is called to inquire of Paul.
• Sanhedrin congress sits as if to govern by the law of God but strikes Paul contrary to the law of God.
• Paul affirms his reverence for the word of God amidst condemning the leader of the Sanhedrin.
• Division in the two-party Sanhedrin between belief in the resurrection and not believing.
• Paul is pulled out of the hostile two-party congress.
• Encouragement for spreading the Gospel of Christ on the journey to the world capital.

Special session of the two-party Sanhedrin is called to inquire of Paul.
“The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them.” Acts 22:30

Paul was being accused by the Jewish people of polluting the temple of God, in such a way that they were beating him to death, as described in Acts 21:26-36. The Roman commander wanted to know why. The commander put chains on Paul, tied him with thongs, and prepared to whip him while planning to interrogate him, until he discovered that Paul was a fellow Roman citizen [Acts 22:25-29]. Upon hearing that, Paul was immediately released from the bonds and thongs, and the Roman commander required a hearing before the chief priests and all of their council. The chief priests and all of their council was a two-party system consisting of the Pharisees and Sadducees [ As we discover in the coming verses].

The followers of Jesus Christ are accused by the atheistic culture of today of polluting the temple of God. They say that the temple of God, our body, belongs to the entity that intertwines within physiology to give people what to think, feel, say, and do. This entity is the one “…who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:4. The “he” in this verse is the “man of sin”. Click here for a post on the “man of sin”. Today’s culture believe we are polluting the temple because we believe the word of God who says, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16

The global government and its global culture are empowered and founded on the entity that replaces the conscience and spirit to give people what to think, feel, say, and do. For that reason, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is in the crosshairs of the governing powers. Christianity is the only faith that claims the body as being the home of the Holy Spirit. The Christian faith finds itself being on trial in the two-party system of the United States congress. Even today, the governing lawmakers no longer integrate the values of the Bible into laws and policies. The educational system does not allow the teaching of the Bible in classrooms, and the spread of the Gospel of Christ is not welcomed in any sector of society. In fact, the churches have abandoned the Gospel of Christ to align themselves with the atheistic community culture.

Our Lord Jesus Chist says, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” Mark 8:36 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

Sanhedrin congress sits as if to govern by the law of God but strikes Paul contrary to the law of God.
“Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.” And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?” Acts 23:1-3

Paul stood before the two-party congress of the Sanhedrin, and from the good faith of his heart, mind, and soul, testified about living in good conscience with God. For that, the one presiding over the congress of the Sanhedrin commanded that Paul be slapped on the mouth. That is what’s happening to the testimony of Jesus Christ within the two-party congress of the United States. If anyone desires to declare that they live in good conscience with God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, they are metaphorically slapped on the mouth for doing so.

The testimony of Jesus has not been heard coming from the US congress for decades. The congressional members will mention God, but without mentioning Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit they are not talking about the Living God. That’s because the Three are a Trinity. To mention God is to speak openly of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. To speak of the Trinity is to share the power of Salvation, which is to share a born-again experience through Jesus, which is His Gospel written on our heart.

Paul let the leader of the Sanhedrin congress know exactly how he felt about being slapped on the mouth for saying he lived in good conscience with God. Paul proclaimed God’s judgment against the congressional leader by saying, “God will strike you“. Paul also let the congressional leader know that he was nothing more than a form of Godliness that denies the power of God, as he said, “…you whitewashed wall!“

Today, the judgment of God is coming against America as we see the stormy weather everywhere within the borders of the United States. The striking of America includes becoming a submissive state brought under the thumb of the atheistic one world government of the United Nations. The congress of the United States is nothing more than a whitewashed wall, meaning they put up an image of being Godly, but inwardly they are filled with the dead bones of the Christian faith.

God speaks these words to us, “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. For surely I will shake My hand against them, and they will become spoil for their servants. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me.” Zachariah 2:8-9

The Sanhedrin congress violated every law of Moses that was written as they began governing according to the dictates of their own will. When Paul was struck in the mouth, it violated the law of Moses that said no person could be struck before being found guilty of some crime. The Sanhedrin came together as a congress to try Paul according to the law, but at the same time violated the law when they hit him. In other words, Paul wasn’t really being tried by the word of God, he was being tried by the will of the Sanhedrin. There were no rights for the defendants brought before the congress of the Sanhedrin.

Today, the Gospel of Christ, Christians, and all of Christianity have already been found guilty by the United States congress. What is the crime? Devoting our body as the temple of the Holy Spirit instead of the temple of the entity that gives people what to think, feel, say, and do. The congress sets in Godly pretension of judging for righteousness as a nation founded on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They even lay a hand on the Bible when they are sworn into office. However, they strike Christianity contrary to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Their justice is based on moving the nation forward in aligning with the agenda of the United Nations to become the one world government. Christianity is not part of that agenda, not part of their future. They follow the entity empowering them in their thoughts, feelings, words and actions. They welcome this entity to give life to the image of the beast to speak and live through them. They are groomed to the mark of the beast by what they are given to say and do. As Christians, we say with Paul, “For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?“

Paul affirms his reverence for the word of God amidst condemning the leader of the Sanhedrin congress.
“And those who stood by said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?” Then Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’” Acts 23:4-5

In the post on Acts 23:1-3, Paul was struck on the mouth for saying, “I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day…” The leader of the two-party congress of the Sanhedrin ordered him to be struck. The Sanhedrin consisted of the Sadducees and Pharisees. Striking Paul was a violation of Jewish law, so Paul said, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?”

The members of the Sanhedrin said to Paul, “Do you revile God’s high priest?” The Sadducees and Pharisees were doing whatever they wanted to do, regardless of taking an oath to uphold the laws of the Old Testament. They were spiritually corrupt. This is like the members of the two-party system of the United States Congress who have sworn on the Bible to uphold the Christian values written into the United States Constitution, but they come against those who say they are a whitewashed wall not interested in the values of the Bible at all.

When the members of the Sanhedrin congress questioned Paul’s response to authority, Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’” How could Paul possibly know that the one who ordered him to be struck, in violation of the law, was the leader of a congress sworn to uphold the law? Likewise, as Christians we do not even recognize the United States Congress as being a place where laws are upheld to defend the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Even though they are sworn in with their hand placed on the Bible, Christianity has no rights as the atheistic entity that gives people what to speak, do, think, and feel dominates the population of America. There is nothing more American than living for God through Jesus Christ in the presence of the Holy Spirit.

The law Paul quoted was, “You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.” Exodus 22:28 The Holy Spirit speaks these words to us in this way, “…be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.” Titus 3:1-2 Our Lord Jesus Christ teaches us to, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” Mark 12:17

In today’s atheistic culture, the governing authorities do not tolerate criticism of defendants, especially if it comes in the form of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They do not want to hear about their judgment being skewed because of the lack of the Holy Spirit in their life. Their judgment comes from the atheistic entity that gives them what to do, say, think, and feel. They govern for the collective community values not for the innocence nor justice of individuals who follow the way of Jesus Christ.

Today, anyone who is part of the community culture, living for the entity that gives them what to say, do, think, and feel are made superior to Christians. Any backtalk towards those community members results in negative consequences for the followers of Jesus Christ who live for the testimony of Jesus. The Gospel of Christ is that we are all sinners in need of reconciling to God by the forgiveness of sin through Jesus Christ.

Division in the two-party Sanhedrin between belief in the resurrection and not believing.
“But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!” And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both. Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, ‘We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.‘” Acts 23:6-9

Paul realized that the congress was divided into two-parties, the Sadducees and the Pharisees. Being a “Pharisee of all pharisees”, Paul knew that the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection, spirit, or angels. But the Pharisees did. This was a point of hot contention between the two parties. In that awareness, Paul said plainly that he was on trial for belief in the hope of the resurrection from the grave. If the congress were to find Paul guilty or innocent of violating the laws of Judaism, they would first have to come together as a united congress. The whole congress would have to confirm their denial of the resurrection, or they would have to confirm their belief in the resurrection. That unification didn’t happen! In fact, an enormous uproar broke out in congress, a loud outcry, between the two parties.

The belief in the resurrection has everything to do with eternal life beyond the grave. However, today’s culture, which is global, has no belief in anything beyond the grave, they only believe in what can be explained through human rationale, and they scoff at an eternal spirit or an angel. In fact, the entity with power over physiology replaces the spirit and conscience to give people what to think, feel, say, and do. This explains humanism, which is the fig leaf worn by the entity that has power over physiology, humanism is “An outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters. Humanist beliefs stress the potential value and goodness of human beings, emphasize common human needs, and seek solely rational ways of solving human problems.”

The above paragraph explains the nature of the global government and the nature of the goals of the United Nations. With that, national government leaders around the world are those setting in their own nation’s congresses. Those who embrace the progressing of the United Nations as the one world government deny any prospect of the resurrection from the dead. It’s ludicrous to them. Others in the congress want to cling to the cultural heritage of their nation, including their belief in God [in one form or another]. Even today, we hear about how members of national congresses around the world flare up into heated debate, loud outcries, and even physical brawls. This is basically a clash between the proponents of the new world order and those holding fast to their cultural heritage.

The constant bickering between congressional members in the United States congress is downright hostile, leading to protests, riots, fights, and lethal violence on the grassroot level around the nation. The divide between the red Republican and blue Democratic parties is beyond repair. In the United States, as a nation founded on the Gospel of Christ, the belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the eternal life given to Believers is at the heart of the matter. In order for the United States to move forward in acknowledging the United Nations as the one world government, the Gospel of Jesus Christ has to be put in extinction.

In the U.S. congress, those on the “left” “side of the aisle” [the “blue” Democrats], want to dismantle the cultural heritage of the United States. Those on the “right” “side of the aisle” [the “red” Republicans] are defined by the MAGA movement [Make America Great Again] under President Donald Trump. They want to retain the cultural heritage of America, which seems to be defined by the 1st and 2nd amendments to the U.S. constitution, which is the freedom of speech and the right to own guns. Those two amendments are subject to heated debate among the congressional members of the United States. The elimination of the freedom of speech comes under the guise of eliminating hate speech etc. The elimination of gun ownership comes under the guise of eliminating the gun violence that plagues the nation.

Oddly enough, the right of the Gospel of Christ to be spoken freely in public is not given an ounce of publicity, even though it is covered in the 1st amendment. That right has already been taken away. The freedom to share the Gospel of Christ does not exist in America. The churches have abandoned the message of the Cross, government lawmakers no longer integrate the values of the Bible into their laws and policies, the educational system does not allow for the Bible to be taught in classrooms, and Christianity is not welcomed in any sector of society.

For America to come together in unity would require a complete separation from the goals of the United Nations and stifling the progress of the formation of the one world government. Or America could come together in unity by denying the resurrection and the Gospel of Jesus Christ to accept the atheistic agenda and goals of the United Nations. In doing that, the United States would surrender to put themselves under the thumb of the one world government.

Only by belief in the resurrection is there belief in Jesus Christ, the word of God, and God Himself. “Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? “But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty…For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! … If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.” 1 Corinthians 15:12-14, 16-17, 19

“But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” Matthew 28:5-7

Paul is pulled out of the hostile two-party congress.
Now when there arose a great dissension, the commander, fearing lest Paul might be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks.” Acts 23:10

The dissension in the two-party congress of the Sanhedrin became so great that the Roman commander feared that Paul would be pulled apart by them. The division arose from Paul affirming his belief in the resurrection from the dead. That division is described in the previous section on Acts 23:6-9.

The Romans, like the governing authorities of today’s culture, do not tolerate disturbances within their community. Because the will of the masses of people dominates over truth and justice, Christians will always be the few who suffer at the hands of the majority. “Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground…” Daniel 8:12 The transgression is the denial of God, the rejection of Jesus Christ, and the oppression of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Because of that, the army of the global population has been given over to the “horn”, which is the atheistic entity that has power over physiology to give people what to think, feel, say and do. The masses of the global population are empowered to oppose the Gospel of Jesus Christ and all of the followers of Jesus. Click here for a post on Daniel 8:1-14.

“…be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.” Titus 3:1-2

The Roman commander sent his Roman soldiers to take Paul by force from amidst the riled-up congress of the Sanhedrin, and to place him in the barracks. Today’s governing “police” has removed by force the Gospel of Jesus Christ from amidst the two-party system of the United States congress. There was no debate on the floor of the congress, no vote, or anything else concerning the removal of the Gospel of Christ. It was just removed, by force, no national debate. Today, the government lawmakers do not integrate the values of the Bible into their laws and policies.

Imagine what type of situation would have occurred if there was a vote on whether or not to keep America a Christian nation. The demand to eliminate Christianity would have been so powerful that the governing “police” would have feared for the safety of the meek, gentle, and peaceful Christians everywhere. Instead, we have been brought into “barracks” away from mainstream society, a sort of isolation within our own living quarters. Christianity is quietly brought to extinction. Today’s atheistic culture wants to avoid all appearances that make them look like persecutors of Jesus Christ and the fulfillment of prophecy as the government of the beast.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, lie, and say all kinds of evil things about you because of me. Rejoice and be glad because you have a great reward in heaven! The prophets who lived before you were persecuted in these ways.” Matthew 5:11-12 Click here for the whole scripture passage from Matthew 5:1-12.

Encouragement for spreading the Gospel of Christ on the journey to the world capital.
“But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.” Acts 23:11

Rome would be the last stop of Paul’s ministry, where he would be imprisoned and executed by beheading at the command of the Roman Emperor Nero. This verse mirrors what Paul spoke when he was on the ship [as a prisoner] sailing towards Rome, as quoted, “For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar…” Acts 27:23-24 

The Roman commander of Acts 23 sent Paul to Felix in Judea [Acts 23:23-24] where Paul was imprisoned for a little over two years [Acts 24:27]. This was after Pul’s confrontation with the two-party congress of the Sanhedrin [Acts 22:30 through 23:10]. After his imprisonment under Felix, Paul was put on the ship sailing for Rome. The journey to Rome took at least four months, [spent three months on Malta during the winter [Acts 28:11]. Once arrived in Rome, Paul spent another two years imprisoned [Acts 28:30-31] for a total of about 4 1/2 years continuous imprisonment. We could say that Paul’s 1st imprisonment was in Judea, with four months traveling to Rome till his second imprisonment in Rome.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are prisoners in this world that is sailing towards the world capital of the global government. Under these circumstances, we are to share our born-again experience, which is the Gospel of Christ written on our heart. However, in opposition to the word of God, to reach the global government, the agenda and goals of the United Nations are being used. The agenda and goals are empowered by the atheistic culture of humanism, which is the fig leaf worn by those who live and govern for the entity that gives them what to think, feel, say, and do. This entity gives life to the image of the beast to speak and live through people, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is despised. Today’s culture, which is global, is groomed to the mark of the beast by what they are given to say and do, and they reject the word of God living in them.

The Holy Spirit speaks these words to us, “Be of good cheer, for as you have testified for Me before, so you must also testify of Me in the coming days, as the world sails for the global government of the beast”

Jesus said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

Those who were killed for the testimony of Jesus Christ were in Heaven asking God how long it would be before He avenged their deaths. The Lord answered that many more will be killed as they were, for the sake of the Gospel of Christ, and when that is completed, then He will avenge all of their deaths. “When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed. Revelations 6:9-11

With Paul, who was beheaded [at about the age of 60] in Rome at the command of the Roman Emperor Nero, there is a crown of life awaiting us who remain faithful to Jesus Christ, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Jesus says to us, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves…You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles…Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew 10:16, 18, 21-22.

Jesus says, “Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.” John 16:20

With Paul we say, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18

The prophecies of the book of Daniel and the Revelation are unfolding in front of our eyes.

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11