Change of strategy (v 6-10)

“But Paul, perceiving that one group were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, began crying out in the Council, ‘Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for the hope and resurrection of the dead!’” (1) Realizing that he would not receive a fair interrogation, Paul changed his strategy. (a) The Sanhedrin was composed of Sadducee and Pharisee members. (b) The two groups held differing views on the resurrection of the dead (this debate had continued for over a hundred years). (2) Paul declared that he was a Pharisee. “The hope and resurrection of the dead” was the foundation of his mission. (3) As a result, the Sanhedrin became divided. The Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection, angels, or evil spirits. This led to a clash of opinions between the Pharisees and the Sadducees. (4) The Pharisees sided with Paul. They acknowledged his innocence and began to accept the two visions he had seen (one on the road to Damascus and the other in the temple). “And when a great dissension occurred, the commander was afraid that Paul would be torn to pieces by them, and he ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks.” The commander had no understanding of why the Jews were causing such an uproar. Jewish debates were often noisy and intense. If this continues, Paul’s life will be in danger. Therefore, the commander ordered that Paul be taken into protective custody and brought to the barracks. Meanwhile, he allowed the Sanhedrin’s debate to continue. Paul identified himself as a Pharisee. (1) This was because he upheld the fundamental doctrines of the Pharisaic tradition: (a) the resurrection of the dead, (b) the immortality of the soul, (c) eternal reward and judgment, (d) the existence of angels and evil spirits, (e) God’s sovereignty (balanced with human responsibility), (f) the authority of the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament). (2) A Pharisee could remain a Pharisee even after believing in Christ, though their understanding of the Law had to change. However, a Sadducee could not become a Christian without changing their beliefs. In other words, believing in the resurrection of the dead is essential to becoming a Christian. We Christians believe in the resurrection of the dead and the immortality of the soul. The Lord Jesus has truly risen. Let us walk each day with this conviction in our hearts.