Acts 23
Devotional
But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!”
And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection—and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both. Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, “We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.”– Acts 23:6-9
There are two things I love about this exchange in Acts 23. First, Paul, understanding the culture of his countrymen, uses culture to his advantage. Second, Luke—the author of the Book of Acts—understanding that his primary audience (A non-Jewish man named Theophilus) did not grasp the cultural divide between the Jewish religious sects (Pharisees and Sadducees), takes a brief moment to explain why Paul’s simple statement about the resurrection caused an uproar and an end to the proceeding.
Culture is important!
Helpful Resources
Enduring Word Commentary with Pastor David Guzik
Read the Scriptures at Bible.com
Download the YouVersion Bible App
Additional Daily Devotionals
My Utmost for His Highest | Oswald Chambers
Morning & Evening | Charles Spurgeon
