Scriptural Highlights

• Paul reports on his journeys and faces an angry mob in Jerusalem.
• Paul is taken to the Sanhedrin
• Paul testifies to Agrippa, but his testimony is rejected.
• Paul is shipwrecked on his way to Rome.

Chapter 21

1. At the conclusion of Paul's third mission (abt AD 58), he returned to Jerusalem for his fifth and last visit.
• V17: "And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly."
2. After reporting on his mission, the Jerusalem brethren, lead by James (the Lord's brother), was presented with a grave problem that was increased by his presence in the city.
• The problem: Many of the Jewish Christians were upset by Paul's teaching that salvation came through Christ alone, not the law of Moses.
• This is 25 years after the death of Jesus Christ and thousands of Jewish Christians were still adhering to the Law of Moses.
• It still was not clear to these Jerusalem Jews that the Law of Moses was done away upon the death and resurrection of the Master.
• Paul did not impose the requirements of the Law of Moses, such as circumcision, upon the Gentiles.  Neither did he forbid the Jews from their practice of the Law - though they needed to understand that salvation came through Christ alone.
3. In an attempt to placate the Jewish Christians, and hold the church together, Paul agreed place himself under a vow, go to the temple, and undergo the full ritual cleansing as required by the Law of Moses.
• This included 7 days of purification and sacrifice.
• Paul knew that these practices were no longer necessary and yet he agreed to this Mosaic ritual.  Clearly he was filled with the spirit of Christ and wanted peace within the church.  By not complying with the request, he may have alienated many of the Jewish Christians.  Possibly, he hoped to eventually bring them to an understanding that the duties under the Law of Moses were no longer necessary.
• As we read of Paul's conciliatory spirit, I am reminded of an incident during the early days of the British mission led by Heber C. Kimball.  The following is from Heber's journal: "The effect of the Gospel of Jesus Christ now began to be apparent, not only in the hearts of believers, but likewise in the hearts of those who rejected it. Our meeting in Preston being disturbed by the Methodist ministers, we got our hall licensed, and two gentlemen named Joseph Brown and Arthur Burrows, who were policemen, proffered their services to preserve the peace, and protect us from any further disturbance; which they continued to do as long as we stayed in that land. Many began to persecute us for preaching without a license from the authority of the nation. This idea of obtaining a license from the secular authority was somewhat novel to us; but after consulting our friends...we found it was according to the laws of England. Brothers Hyde and I therefore made application to the Quarter Sessions and obtained licenses....

    "Having now obeyed the requisitions of the law, we felt ourselves tolerably secure, knowing that our enemies could not lawfully harm us. I wrote to Brother Richards that I had taken the oath to be true to Her Majesty and see that the laws were executed, also the abjurgation oath provided for foreigners who were not naturalized, and obtained a license as a preacher of the Gospel; and recommended him to do the same at Bedford: but they made him take the oath of allegiance before they granted him his license to preach. After we had obtained our licenses, to our surprise we found there were only a few licensed preachers in Preston; and when they abused me I told them if they did not cease their abuse I would see the laws put in force according to the oaths I had taken; and this generally silenced them." (quoted in Life of Heber C. Kimball, pp159-160)
• Though Elder Kimball and his brethren saw no need to obtain the license, they went ahead and did so, including an oath to be true to Queen Victoria, to stay on the good side of the law in order to further the work of the ministry.  In order to keep harmony in the church and further the work, Paul made a gesture he did not feel was necessary.  As long as we remain true to the principles of the gospel, there is no reason why we cannot be flexible in order to build the kingdom.
4. Perhaps the greatest cause of internal conflict in the early church was the issue as to whether Jewish Christians should continue to abide by the Law of Moses or embrace the higher law that Jesus taught.
• WHY DO YOU THINK THE PEOPLE SO STRONGLY RESISTED GIVING UP THE LESSER LAW FOR THE GREATER ONE?
• People naturally resist change.
• There was a certain comfort and security in the Law which they would loose.
• There is greater responsibility within the gospel framework to live a righteous life.  Which is easier to comply with:  Paying 10% or loving your neighbor?  Tithing is a specific law that is fulfilled by doing a specific thing, paying 10% of one's income to the Lord.  It is easy to write on my To Do List, pay tithing and then check it off.  It is much more difficult to do the same with loving one's neighbor.  What do you do?  When do you get to check it off?  Many of the Jews were spiritual children.  It was easier for them to understand the specifics of the Law then to love one's neighbor or let their light so shine.
• DO WE TEND TO HOLD ON TO THE OLD AND RESIST CHANGES THE LORD HAS ASKED US TO MAKE?  IF SO, HOW IS THIS MANIFEST?
• HOW IS THIS AFFECTING US?
• HOW CAN WE OVERCOME THIS?
5. Paul seized by a Jewish mob.
• Near the end of the seven days of purification, certain Jews from Asia who had come to the Feast of Pentecost recognized Paul in the Temple.
• Earlier they had seen Paul in the streets of Jerusalem with Trophimus, an Ephesian Gentile.
• Not being supporters of Paul, they imagined (jumped to the conclusion) that they saw Paul in the Temple with Trophimus.  Bringing a Gentile into the Temple was an offense worthy of death.
• These Asian Jews seized him and raised a cry against him.
• V30-31: "And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.

     "And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar."
• Paul was rescued by Roman soldiers under Claudius Lysias, the Tribune in command.  The sight of the troops caused the mob to stop beating Paul.
• Paul requested the privilege of speaking to the mob (v39).  Lysias gave his consent.

Chapter 22

1. Paul then gave his defense by telling his persecutors the simple but eloquent story of his early life and conversion (see Acts 21:40-22:20).
2. The crowd listened to his defense until he reached the story of his return to Jerusalem and the Lord's instruction in v21 to "Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles."
3. V22-23: "And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.  And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air."
4. The tribune gave orders that Paul was to be brought into the barracks and examined by being scourged, so that the truth of what the uproar was about could be learned (see v24).
1. As Paul was being prepared for the scourging, he asked the centurion (v25): "Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?"
2. The tribune stayed his hand, not knowing what to do about Paul now that he had declared Roman citizenship.  Roman citizenship carried with it certain rights.

Chapter 23

1. Paul's address before the Sanhedrin.
• The following day, Paul was taken before the Sanhedrin.  The tribune wanted to know why Paul was being accused by the Jews.
• Paul speaking to the council said (v1): "Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day."
• This caused Ananias to have Paul smitten on the mouth.
• Paul responding to their hypocrisy said (v3): "Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?"
• Paul was able to create an argument between the Pharisees and Saducees, by pointing out that he was a Pharisee.
• When the dissension grew so great, the chief captain took Paul and returned him to Roman custody (v10) "fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces".
2. V11: "And the night following the Lord stood by 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."
• As Paul lay in prison, he must have been in a low mood.  I am sure these ancient jail were dark and unpleasant places.  Also, Paul must have been frustrated that he could not continue to do the work of God.  He was a man driven to do the work of God.
• As I read this passage, I am reminded of the Prophet Joseph Smith and his trial, tribulations, and legal challenges.  We recall that as the Prophet sat in Liberty Jail, he cried out to the Lord in frustration, "How long shall thy hand be stayed, and thine eye, yea thy pure eye, behold from the eternal heavens the wrongs of thy people and of thy servants, and thine ear be penetrated with their cries?" (D&C 121:2).  As with Paul, the Lord spoke words of comfort to Joseph: "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes" (D&C 121:7-8).
• Side note:  It would appear that the Prophet had actually met and been tutored by Paul as an angel, for Joseph offered this description of Paul at the organization of a school of instruction: "He is about five feet high; very dark hair, dark complexion; dark skin; large Roman nose; sharp face; small black eyes, penetrating as eternity; round shoulders; a whining voice, except when elevated, and then it almost resembled the roaring of a lion. He was a good orator, active and diligent, always employing himself in doing good to his fellow man"  (TPJS, p180).  How could Joseph have known this detail about Paul, particularly the information about his voice, if he had not met him?  I am sure the Prophet often thought about Paul as he endured his own trials.
3. 40 Sadducees banded together with an oath neither to eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.  They conspired to have Paul brought before the Sanhedrin once again (v12-14).
4. Paul's nephew discovered the plot and informed Paul.  Paul sent his nephew on to inform Lysias, chief captain of the guard.
5. Lysias made ready a guard to march to Caesarea that evening to put him in custody of Felix the governor.  It seems that Lysias was protecting Paul, not only because he was a Roman citizen, but that he actually favored him.

Chapter 24

1. Within 5 days, Ananias, the High Priest came down to Caesarea to formally present the case before the Roman court.
2. Paul presented his defense.  Felix then postponed a decision and retained Paul in custody until he had conferred with Lysias.
• Paul ended up being retained in custody for two years - although he was allowed some freedom within Caesarea.
3. A complaint was lodged by the Jews with Nero.  Felix was recalled to stand trial and Porcius Festus succeeded him.

Chapter 25

1. The Jewish authorities made a case against Paul to Festus and asked that Paul be brought to Jerusalem.  The were plotting to ambush and  kill him on his way.
2. Festus asked Paul if he would be willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial on the charges brought before him by the Jews.  Paul refused to go.  Paul knew that if he went down to Jerusalem he would be killed.  He knew that his mission was not complete and thus his refusal to go.
• Once gain, we are reminded of Joseph Smith and his last days.  Joseph knew that if he went down to Carthage, he would be killed.  History records that Joseph went down to Carthage and his words were fulfilled.  Unlike Paul, Joseph's mission had been fulfilled and thus his reluctant willingness to face his demise.
3. Paul then said to Festus (10-11): "Then said Paul, I stand at Caesar' judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.  For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them.  I appeal unto Caesar."
• It was Paul's right as a Roman citizen to appeal to Caesar.
4. About this time Festus was visited by King Agrippa II (king of the region about the Sea of Galilee) great grandchild of Herod the Great.
• Festus, not being a Jew, wanted counsel from Agrippa on how he should present his case to Rome regarding Paul.

Chapter 26

1. Paul presented his case before King Agrippa - telling of his life, of the persecution of the Christians and of his conversion.
• V22-23: "Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles."
• In v27 Paul challenges the king: "King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets?  I know that thou believest."
• V28: "Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian."
2. VIEW VIDEO: Paul: A Chosen Vessel.
3. WHY DO YOU SUPPOSE THAT AGRIPPA DID NOT ACCEPT PAUL'S TESTIMONY OF CHRIST?
• He would have had to sacrifice his position, power, and wealth.  It seemed to be too much of a sacrifice.
4. WHAT KEEPS PEOPLE TODAY FROM ACCEPTING THE DIVINITY OF CHRIST?
• It is often the same as with Agrippa.
• They do not wish to give up their worldly life.  They believe they are comfortable in their position and they view such a change as a sacrifice of their freedom and liberty, not knowing they have already done that by insisting on maintaining their present lifestyle.
5. After the hearing there was discussion regarding Paul's case.  They agreed that Paul had done nothing for which he deserved death or imprisonment.
• V32: "Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar."

Chapter 27

1. It was determined that Paul should sail to Italy.  He was placed on board a ship in Caesarea.
• Luke and Aristarchus sailed with Paul.
2. The centurion holding custody switched ships in Myra, Lycia.
3. About two months from their start, they arrived at a place called Fair Havens along the south side of the island of Crete.
• At this point Paul prophesied (v9-10): "Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives."
• The centurion did not heed Paul's warning and continued the trip.
4. A furious storm struck and took the boat off course.  The gale continued for several days, threatening the boat and its passengers.
• Paul spoke to those on board (v21-26): "Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island."
5. Eventually they came near land and the ship began to break up.
• V42-44: "And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.  But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship.  And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land."
6. They landed on the island of Melita or Malta.

Chapter 28

1. V3-6:  V3-6: "And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.

    "And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.
    "And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.
    "Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god."
2. The father of the governor of the island was ill.  Paul blessed him and he was cured.  Other sick people on the island also came to Paul and were cured.
3. Paul spent three months on Malta before continuing his journey to Rome.
4. Upon his arrival in Rome, he was accorded the privilege, doubtless upon the recommendation of Festus, of living in a private place outside of the military barracks, guarded by a soldier (see Acts 28:11-16).
• During his more than two years in Rome, Paul was given relative freedom, having visitors and often calling the Roman Jews together to speak to them.  He also wrote some of his epistles from Rome.

Lessons From The Life Of Paul

1. WHAT LESSONS MIGHT WE LEARN FROM THE EXPERIENCES OF PAUL?
• How do deal with adversity.
• The Lord supports his servants.  He may not always make their path easy, but he supports them in their difficulties.
• Consider again the life of Joseph Smith or any of the latter-day prophets.
2.  WHAT ARE WE WILLING TO SACRIFICE FOR THE KINGDOM?
• From the time of Paul's vision of the Lord, his life was anything but comfortable.  He dedicated all that he had to the building of the kingdom of God.
• Joseph Smith sacrificed a life of comfort and in the end, his life.
• The early Saints in this dispensation sacrificed much for the kingdom.
• The apostles left their families in dire straights for their mission to England.
• Many gave their lives in Missouri, crossing the plains, and in Utah.
• They gave up most of their worldly goods - for some it was multiple times.
• These sacrifices forged the strength of the church that has brought it to its present greatness.
3. WHAT WILL WE SACRIFICE TO CONTINUE THE BUILDING OF ZION?
• Joseph Smith: "The sacrifice required of Abraham in the offering up of Isaac, shows that if a man would attain to the keys of the kingdom of an endless life; he must sacrifice all things." (TPJS, p322)
• This is a tough doctrine, but if we have our vision focused on the eternal scheme of things then we realize, as Joseph learned in Liberty Jail, that "thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes" (D&C 121:7-8).

Next Week

Lesson 39:  Ephesians

Additional Reading:  John 17:11; Mosiah 18:21-22; D&C 27:15-18; 38:25-27; Bible Dictionary, "Dispensations," 657-658