Conspiracy! Acts 21-24

May the mumbling commence!

Sometimes, we can be insatiable.  Our overactive appetite can be beneficial, but most of the time it is detrimental to our health – physically, psychologically, socially and spiritually.  How do we gage our appetite as either healthy or unhealthy?  Let us read an example from Acts chapter twenty-three:

The next morning the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.  More than forty men were involved in this plot.  They went to the chief priests and elders and said, "We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.  Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here." 

But when the son of Paul's sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul.  Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, "Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him."  So he took him to the commander.

The centurion said, "Paul, the prisoner, sent for me and asked me to bring this young man to you because he has something to tell you." 

The commander took the young man by the hand, drew him aside and asked, "What is it you want to tell me?" 

He said: "The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul before the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about him.  Don't give in to them, because more than forty of them are waiting in ambush for him. They have taken an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him. They are ready now, waiting for your consent to their request." 

The commander dismissed the young man and cautioned him, "Don't tell anyone that you have reported this to me." (Verses 12-22)

Jesus warned his disciples that there would come a time when God-fearing people would think that killing followers of the Way would please God.  Paul (once known as Saul) was one of these persons.  Jesus changed him – transformed him – into an instrument of the Messiah. 

Now, God-fearing men thought killing Paul would please God.  So these forty men took an oath to neither eat nor drink until they killed Paul.  Now, there is spiritual hunger – forgoing physical food to serve God.  But that spiritual hunger was misguided even as Paul’s former hunger for persecuting the followers of the Way was.  Indeed, to kill Paul or any other Christian was a conspiracy against God’s will.

That is why their plan failed – EPIC FAILURE.  God’s will cannot be changed by human effort.  I wonder how long these forty men stood by their oath when Paul was far beyond their reach…

I wonder how long I starve myself spiritually because I refuse to do as the Holy Spirit guides me.  There are ways that may seem right to you and me, but God’s ways are not our ways.  God’s ways are higher – by far.

In fact, I feel that killing is a conspiracy against the will of God.  “Thou shall not kill.”  Yes, I know that God ordered Israel to kill in the Old Testament.  Perhaps there will be a time when God orders such acts in the future.  But I will leave the burden of proof on those who desire to kill for the Name of the Lord. 

God must speak clearly when we are to violate the commands and the Spirit they are based upon.  God must speak clearly to a community of Christians across all denominational lines.  Even then, we must proceed with care, listening for God’s command with every step we take.  Otherwise, we leave ourselves open to conspiracy and division that will make Satan smile.

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out