The Bible assures us that God is in control, even when our situation seems utterly unmanageable.

Today on Truth for Life, Alistair Begg examines the signs of providence that appeared throughout the Apostle Paul's life,

will learn how his experiences equipped him for ministry and prepared him to face trials.

We're studying from Acts chapters 21 and 22.

It's in this context that we find the second case of mistaken identity.

First, remember, they assumed that one of the four was Trophemus, and they deduced from that

that Paul had violated the law. Now we discover that the commander had made his own deduction

on the basis of what he discovered, and he assumed that the fellow that he had his troops' arrest

was none other than this false prophet Egyptian character who'd been around in the last little

while. The commander system himself, I think it's the Egyptian chap back again. And when Paul addresses him in this

diplomatic way, he says to him, oh, do you

speak Greek? I thought you were the Egyptian chap.

Paul answered

verse 39, well, no, I'm actually a Jew from

Tarsus in Solisia. No mean city.

You know?

Can I please speak to the people?

See, once again, the commander had put two and two together and got five.

Let's beware of false deductions.

Now, as we move on and we must, I made a further parenthetical note, and it was this.

Note that the institution of Roman law became the vehicle employed by God for the protection of his servant.

Remember, the Bible teaches us that God has established government,

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