http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 1 Answers to Questions on Acts 23:1-35 1. Is a clear conscience proof that a person is doing right? No. Explain your answer. Paul believed he was doing right when he persecuted Christians. 2. When did God smite the High Priest? Annias was killed by his own people at the beginning of the Jewish wars circa 66 A.D. 3. Were the high priests above the law, above being held responsible for their actions? If not, who is above the law? No. No one!
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 2 4. What action by Paul shows he was a superb speaker who was highly gifted in working a crowd? He sided with the Pharisees and turned them and the Sadducees against each other. 5. How can it be said that Paul was being persecuted for his hope of the resurrection of the dead? He was preaching it was through the resurrection of Christ that he had hope of being resurrected from the dead. 6. Paul was a Pharisee Christian. Is there a problem with a person being a Baptist Christian, a Methodist Christian, a Presbyterian Christian, et. al.? The beliefs held by Paul as a Pharisee did not conflict with Christian beliefs. A Christian must not be a member of any organization whose beliefs conflict with Christian beliefs. If there is no conflict, all is well.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 3 7. What did the chief captain do to help Paul and why did he do this? The chief captain rescued Paul from the riotous mob that threatened to tear him to pieces. The chief captain could not risk having a Roman citizen killed while in his custody. 8. What did Jesus say to Paul the following night? Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome. (NIV) 9. The Holy Spirit had told Paul of the troubles he would face at Jerusalem. Did Paul do wrong to go to Jerusalem on this occasion? No. During his Jerusalem troubles, the Lord comforted and encouraged him and providentially cared for him. 10. Who concocted a conspiracy against Paul and what was their plan? The Jews. The Sanhedrin plotted to ask the chief captain to bring Paul before them again so they could obtain more information about Paul s beliefs. It was at that time the assassins planned to kill Paul.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 4 11. How was Paul s death averted? His nephew became aware of the plot told Paul who arranged for him to tell the chief captain about this conspiracy. 12. Verse 15 suggests the Jews were to ask the chief captain to bring Paul before them again that they might judge him. Verse 20 suggests the Jews were going to ask the chief captain to bring Paul back before them so that he would know what wrongs Paul had committed. Reconcile these statements. There is clearly no conflict between these statements. Both purported to seek information about Paul. If there were conflicts in what the Jews were saying, we should not be surprised. 13. Why did the chief captain order Paul s nephew to tell no one about the Jewish plot? He didn t want the conspirator to know he was aware of their plot. If the conspirators were aware the Roman s
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 5 knew of their plans, they could have tried to kill Paul under different circumstances. 14. The chief captain called two centurions and commanded, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go as far as Caesarea. Also make ready seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen. Beasts were provided on which Paul would ride. Be ready to leave at 9:00 p.m. Bring Paul safe to Caesarea. 15. Who was Felix? Felix was governor of Judea, a successor of Pontius Pilate. Felix was a wicked man. He hoped to get a bribe for Paul s release. He had Jonathan, a high priest, killed by assassins. 16. What was the name of the chief captain? Claudius Lysias 17. Describe the chief captain s character. He was an honorable man, a loyal Roman officer who discharged his duties faithfully.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 6 18. What eleven points did Claudius Lysias make in his letter to Felix? Paul was seized by the Jews. The Jews were about to kill Paul. I and my soldiers rescued him. I knew he was a Roman citizen. I wanted to know why the Jews were accusing him. I brought him to their council. He was found to be accused of violating Jewish law. He had done nothing worthy of death or of bonds. A plot was made known to me that assassins had sworn to kill him. I then sent him forthwith to you. Paul s accusers were advised to bring their charges to you. 19. Claudius Lysias put his own spin on one of these points. Which one was it and how did Claudius Lysias not state this point accurately? He learned that Paul was a Roman citizen later than his letter would indicate. They did not rescue Paul the first time becaue he knew Paul was a Roman. He learned that fact later than the first rescue.
http://www.biblestudyworkshop.org 7 20. When Felix had read the letter from Claudius Lysias and had determined that Paul was of his jurisdiction agreed to hear the case when Paul s Jewish accusers had come to Caesarea to levy their charges.