True to the Truth

 DEVOTION

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

TRUE TO THE TRUTH

Acts 23:6-10

6 Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, "My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. I stand on trial because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead." 7 When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8(The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.) 9 There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Pharisees stood up and argued vigorously. "We find nothing wrong with this man," they said. "What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?" 10 The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks.

NIV

Paul knew he was going to cause a huge dispute, between the Pharisees and the Sadducees. This was done so as to reflect any claim of judicial authority they might think they have over the destiny of Paul. This might be useful in our day and age if we are suspected of causing some kind of insurrection either in the church or perhaps in some place within the world that we traverse on a daily basis. It is a Jewish concept that if two Jews were in the same room, there would be three different opinions, So it is within Christendom, as well as in the culture of today. It is doubtful we could find two Christians that espouse the exact same beliefs, although we confess, or rather we should say profess that we do. This may be why so many preachers and teachers tread lightly and avoid too many, or, controversial biblical issues. Such unabridged sermons or adult Sunday school or small group lessons might infringe on the  beliefs of too many Christians which could cause such a ruckus and division within the church that it could cause damage to first, the spiritual welfare of the church in general, and second, a loss of members, or attendees, that could have been assisted in their spiritual growth rather than hindered. However, the truth should never be abandoned to simply keep the peace. Although Paul knew the truth would create chaos within the Sanhedrin, he did not spare the truth for the sake of trying to get along. The resurrection is at the core of our faith, for without the resurrection of Jesus, any faith in him would be useless. True, our sins are forgiven because of his shed blood, but what hope would we have if that is all there is? No, our hope is in the resurrection, as Jesus was the first of many. Paul makes it clear his hope is in the resurrection. What we have a difficult time grasping is why the Sadducees, Jewish by birth, with all the history of their forefathers and their experiences with God would not believe in life after death or the resurrection. However, it reveals again, how so many of the same religion can have such differing views. Yet, we have been called to let our voice be heard, not to be silenced for fear of causing some debate, even violent disputing of what we have said. Sometimes debate, disputing over the difference between truth and traditional thinking or the traditional way of viewing certain scriptures may actually be good, stimulating spiritual growth. Let us always be faithful to the truth, not our view of the truth, but the Spirit's view of the truth, and he will lead us into all of that truth.