INTRODUCTION
Christian courage is based entirely on the conviction that God is for us, that God is on our side. It is based on the certainty that the resurrection of Jesus Christ means that our sins have been completely paid for. It is based on God’s perfect justice and a completely clean conscience before God.
If we are a cowardly people, it is because we are guilty people. So the courage and innocence of Paul is a message we desperately need today.
THE TEXT:
“And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and three dust into the air, the chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle…” (Acts 22:23-23:11)
SUMMARY OF THE TEXT
As the Jewish mob erupted again in chaos, the captain ordered Paul to be interrogated by flogging, but as they were tying him up, Paul asked the centurion if it was lawful to scourge a Roman citizen without a trial (Acts 22:23-25). Startled, the centurion told the captain who was surprised for the second time that day to find out that Paul was a freeborn citizen and cancelled the interrogation (Acts 22:26-29).
The next day, the captain brought Paul to face the Jewish council, when, as soon as Paul said he was innocent, the high priest ordered him to be struck on the mouth (Acts 22:30-23:2). To which, Paul vehemently objected, but when he realized it was the high priest, he took it back, which may indicate that Paul’s eyesight was very poor (Acts 23:3-5, cf. Gal. 6:11). When Paul gathered that the council was filled with both Pharisees and Sadducees, he cried out that he was being accused because of his belief in the resurrection, and the assembly descended into bedlam, requiring the captain to drag Paul out of the council (Acts 23:6-10). The following evening, the Lord appeared to Paul and encouraged him with the promise of testifying in Rome (Acts 23:11).
IS IT LAWFUL?
In this text, there are two scenes back-to-back where Paul appeals to what is “lawful.” Both refer to the lawfulness of striking someone without due process of law (Acts 22:25, 23:3). This underlines two significant principles in biblical law: presumption of innocence and the inherent violence granted to the civil magistrate.
Throughout Scripture, God requires two or three witnesses to convict anyone of sin or crimes: “One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established” (Deut. 19:15, cf. Deut. 17:6). This principle is reinforced by Jesus: “But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established… For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matt. 18:16, 20). And this is a particular protection in the civil sphere because God has granted magistrates the sword of vengeance (Rom. 13:4). This is why Christians must believe in limited government.
This biblical principle of justice means that God requires us to presume innocence and give the benefit of the doubt where there are not multiple witnesses. God says it is better if a criminal occasionally gets off than for the innocent to be punished. Closely related, the Bible requires that false witnesses be held liable to the penalty they would have inflicted on their neighbor (Dt. 19:19). This is a stern warning against false/mistaken accusations.
GOOD CONSCIENCE
One of the most offensive things in a fallen world is a good conscience. This is why whenever people are upset, they almost immediately begin demanding apologies. Just admit you were wrong. Nobody’s perfect. You’re not Jesus. When people are offended, one of the most offensive things you can do is say that you have a clean conscience.
Paul had just given his testimony, which included the acknowledgement that he had persecuted Christians, including his consent to the blood of Stephen (Acts 22:4, 20). And he was baptized for the remission of his sins (Acts 22:16). But Paul’s conversion and baptism are the very reason why he can begin his defense before the council with the words, “I have lived in all good conscience before God…” (Acts 23:1). Peter makes a similar point, referring to Noah’s flood, when he wrote, “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 3:21).
Do you have a good conscience before God? This was what was so offensive about Job. He was certain that he had not done anything to deserve the calamities that fell on his house (and he was right). The sinless innocence of Jesus was also particularly offensive (Jn. 9:24).
BE COURAGEOUS
In the midst of this cacophony of false accusations, the Lord Jesus visits Paul again, coming upon him, overshadowing him, and said, “Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome” (Acts 23:11). Literally, he says, ‘Be courageous, Paul’ (e.g. 2 Cor. 7:16, Heb. 13:6). Think of the Captain of the host of the Lord appearing to Joshua to send him to Jericho (Josh. 5:13-6:5), all in the context of the command, “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Josh. 1:9).
Jesus is sending Paul to Rome, the first century “Jericho.” And while that city took longer than seven days, Paul and many other faithful preachers blew their gospel trumpets for many decades, and those walls of pagan unbelief did come tumbling down.
APPLICATIONS
Paul is on trial because of the resurrection on multiple levels. He is on trial because the risen Jesus appeared to him and commanded him to preach to the gentiles. He is on trial because by the resurrection of Jesus, he has a completely clean conscience before God. He is on trial because the resurrection of Jesus has made him bold to obey no matter what (cf. 1 Cor. 15:10).
The law requires presumption of innocence, and this really is remarkable in a fallen world, where everyone is guilty of something. But this underlines God’s disposition towards us: “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy… Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him” (Ps. 103:8, 13). “The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge” (Ps. 46:7). And we must imitate this grace in our families and neighbors. With the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
Satan is the accuser; Jesus Christ is our advocate with the Father, the propitiation for our sins (1 Jn. 2:1-2). We have three witnesses of our complete innocence: the Spirit, the water, and the blood (1 Jn. 5:8). And all three say with a united voice, “not guilty.” This is our confidence, our Christian courage.