Leaders' Authority (10/31/23)
Acts 23
Freya
11/1/2023
Life Lesson(s)…
Acts 23 displays various levels of "leaders" authority and shows that the Lord bestows true authority where it should be due, otherwise, chaos ensues. Basically, God, through Paul's trial(s), exemplifies what He perceives to be true authority of leaders.
With the religious "leaders", Paul is judged, struck and questions the authority of Ananias, the Pharisees, and the Sadducees. There is a bifurcation between man's choice of authority and the authority granted by God upon one He has anointed for a position of leadership. Paul was anointed with many gifts and a deep relationship with the Lord. How, then, is it possible that Paul did not know who was "high priest" as a "Pharisee of the Pharisees"? Also, Paul quoted the rabbinical law, questioning who was truly the ruler among the religious "leaders" persecuting him. Mere mention of his position set the religious "leaders" against each other in which the high priest was not able to bring back into order. This incident led to the government leaders with authority having to exercise their jurisdiction to bring peace and order.
With Paul in custody, the governmental leaders' authority is orderly and procedural. Processes are in place for varying circumstances that allow the Lord to work through Paul for his assignment to give testimony to the religious in Jerusalem and to the Roman government (see verse 11). Even with an assassination plot from the religious "leaders" of Jerusalem, the tribune had a plan to send Paul to Rome.
Your Thoughts…
Time to dive deeper- study, discuss, journal, and/or pray on the following:
Define "power" and "authority" with regard to a person in leadership. What was Paul's authority and power in the religious realm? The governmental? From God's perspective?
Do you agree that there is a bifurcation with regard to the "authority" leaders have? Why or why not? What results with leaders that do not have anointing and authority from God? Do you see any application of this authority in our times?
Read and study 1 Timothy 2:1-7 . Explain, journal and discuss with someone how these verses work in conjunction with Acts 23.
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Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?” Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God's high priest?” And Paul said, “I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’
ACTS 23:3-5 (ESV)