Verse 23:2 opens with Paul getting hit for speaking the
truth:
Ananias the high priest signaled
those standing near Paul to hit him on the mouth.
Paul was just stating his case and got blindsided by the
opposition. Image if this happened in government today. Hold it, based on the
countless YouTube videos it already does in various countries and courts today.
Paul is getting under the skin of the established system of Judaism as most
Christians since they were upending their meal ticket.
I imagine this would happen today if Jesus returned. Many of
the mega-church preachers will have a problem with change in their system since
they have become so comfortable. I would hope they would not be blinded, but
history has shown that when Jesus stood before those who preached His coming,
they rejected that He was the One. So a legalistic church that preys on people’s
faith to make more money would most likely reject Jesus turning their tables
over. So be ready and aware of His return and don’t reject it.
Verse 24:14 has Paul defending his position (and his life):
But I can
make this confession: I believe everything established by the Law and written
in the Prophets, and I worship the God of our ancestors according to the Way,
which they call a heretical sect.
Supposedly all this hubbub is over Paul believing in reincarnation
which the Sadducees flatly rejected yet the Pharisees accept. But this is
the fodder to which they are trying to suppress the message Jesus brought. Paul
makes sure that they understand this is not over anything of real meaning or
consequence based on the charges, but rather the importance of the overall
message.
Verse 24:27 has Paul sitting in jail because he will not
bribe his way out:
As a favor to the Jews, he did
nothing to resolve the case and left Paul in prison for two years. Then Felix
completed his assignment as governor, and Porcius Festus succeeded him.
Imagine sitting in jail for two years without hope for
a trial! All you need to do is break the law and give the judge some money to
let you free. What would you do? What would Jesus do? I think you know the
answer since Jesus could have easily been freed and spared from the cross by
just rejecting everything he taught.