Exposition of Acts: Favorable Intervention
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A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
I. MAN’S PLOT
A. PLAN
>>1. CONSPIRACY
Acts 23:12-13 When morning came, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. (There were more than forty who made this conspiracy.)
(II Tim 3:12; Rom 10:2)
>>2. COLLUSION
Acts 23:14-15 They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul. Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”
B. PERMISSION
>>1. CONFESS
Acts 23:16-17 Now Paul’s nephew heard of their ambush, so he entered the barracks and told Paul. Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him.”
(Prov 9:10; Jas 1:5)
>>2. CONFIDENTIAL
Acts 23:18-19 So he took him to the tribune and said, “Paul the prisoner asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something important to tell you.”
The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”
>>3. CONFIRMATION
Acts 23:20-21 And he said, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him. But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. Even now they are waiting your agreement.”
C. PROVISION
>>1. COMMAND
Acts 23:22 So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, “Tell no one that you have informed me of these things.”
>>2. COMPANY
Acts 23:23-24 Then he called two of the centurions and said, “Get ready two hundred soldiers, two hundred lancers and seventy cavalry to leave at 9:00 pm and go to Caesarea. Also, provide mounts for Paul to ride and take him safely to Felix the governor.”
II. GOD’S PROVIDENCE
A. PETITION
>>1. CONTENT
Acts 23:25-28 And he wrote a letter to this effect: “Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings.
This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen. And desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council.
>>2. CONCLUSION
Acts 23:29-30 I found that he was being accused about questions of their law but charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment. And when it was disclosed to me that there would be a plot against the man, I immediately sent him to you, ordering his accusers also to state before you charges they have against him.”
B. PROGRESS
>>1. CONVOY
Acts 23:31-33 So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul through the night to Antipatris. The following day they returned to the barracks, letting the cavalry go on alone with him.
(I Sam 4:1-10)
>>2. CONVEYANCE
Acts 23:33 When they reached Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and also presented Paul before him.
C. PAUSE
>>1. CONDITION
Acts 23:34 On reading the letter, he asked what province he was from. And when he learned that he was from Cilicia,
>>2. CONSEQUENCES
Acts 23:35 he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.” And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod’s praetorium.
(Acts 9:15; Rom 8:28)