Godbey's Commentary - Acts - Romans - Enter His Rest

ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
CHAPTER XXIII.
THE HIGH PRIEST.
1-6. Paul hears the order to smite him on the mouth, but did not know who spake. When it turned
out to be the high priest, he apologized. In the gospel dispensation (1 Peter 2), we see the priesthood
is transferred to the membership, justification making you a priest, and sanctification a high priest,
corresponding to the two courts of the temple in the sanctum and the sanctum sanctorum. The high
priest first offered the sacrifice in the sight of the people; then he went into the Holy of Holies and
interceded for them, after coming out and blessing them. So our great High Priest first offered His
sacrifice on Calvary, in presence of the people; then He went up to heaven to intercede. Finally, He
will come back to bless the people in the glorious millennial theocracy.
PAUL APPEALS TO THE PHARISEES.
The Sadducees were rationalistic infidels, i.e., high critics. While the Pharisees were orthodox,
they were spiritually dead. Pursuant to the Pauline policy, “All things to all men,” he here very
shrewdly avails himself of the sympathy and co-operation of the Pharisees, beautifully illustrating
to us that amiable and invaluable gift of the Spirit denominated wisdom (1 Corinthians 12 8). God
expects us to use the intelligence He has given us.
THE CONSPIRACY AND DELIVERANCE.
11-35. That mighty vision was the secret of Paul’s redoubtable courage and sanctified versatility.
He knew he was to “see Rome.” God’s heroes are immortal until the last battle is fought. What a
formidable conspiracy! Forty stalwarts, oath-bound never to eat nor drink until they kill Paul. God
quickens the acute ears of Paul’s little nephew, unnoticed by the conspirators. Lysias here shows up
a noble character, as well as true loyalty in the protection of a Roman citizen. When Martin Cozta,
an Americanized Hungarian, was condemned by the Austrian General at Smyrna, on the
Mediterranean, to die, Captain Ingram, with only one hundred men, in command of the United States
warship St. Louis, delivered him out of the hands of one hundred thousand Austrian soldiers. Lysias
sends two hundred infantry and seventy cavalry to take Paul, at nine o’clock that night, and carry him
safe to Governor Felix, at Cæsarea, with an explanatory letter stating how he had interposed and
rescued Paul, regardless of expense and labor, because he was a Roman citizen. Here we see Paul’s
old Lictorian Pharisaical identity and his political rights are all laid under contribution to save his
life. God works by means. Some things He can do through wicked, worldly people, like the Roman
soldiers, and other things He can do through dead church members, like the Pharisees. God help us
to appreciate His providence as well as His grace. Herod had a palace at Cæsarea and a judgmenthall
in it, which, we find, becomes the comfortable quarters of Paul.