The Bible Study Podcast, Episode 160. Today, the Bible Study podcast continues the study of Acts

with Chapter 23. Welcome to the Bible Study podcast. I'm your host, Chris Christensen. As we wind down the book of acts,

you may remember that we left Paul in a little bit of trouble in Jerusalem. He had gone to the

temple. There had been a riot that had broken out because they thought he was bringing Gentiles

into the temple, and there was opposition to him. Anyway, he is saved from being beaten to death by the Roman soldiers who come quickly from the barracks.

And then they try and sort this out.

And so at the end of Acts 22, Paul was going to appear before the Sanhedron or the ruling body,

the religious ruling body of the Jews.

So we're going to start with the end there of chapter 22, which we already read,

and then continue on into 23.

The next day, since the commander wanted to find out exactly why Paul was being accused by the Jews,

he released him and ordered the chief priest and all the Sanhedron to assemble.

Then he brought Paul and had him stand before them.

And then we continue on with the new chapter, chapter 23.

Paul looked straight at the Sanhedron and said, my brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God

in all good conscience to this day.

At this, the high priest, Ananianias ordered those standing near Paul to strike

him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, God will strike you, you whitewashed wall. You sit there to

judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck.

Those who were standing near Paul said, you dare to insult God's high priest? Paul replied, Brothers, I did not realize he was the

high priest, for it is written. Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people. Then Paul,

knowing that some of them were Sadducees and others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedred,

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