Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. (Acts 23:6-7 ESV)
Fear Not… Then Tell the Truth
Paul was in a tight spot.
And perhaps we would expect articulate Paul to talk his way out of his fix with rhetoric, passion, and logic. We might like to see him argue, catch pagans in logical errors, and twist the words of his accusers into knots. Cheering him on from the historical sidelines, we want to see Paul win, we want to see Paul victorious, we want to see Paul in his impressive oratory destroy his enemies.
But he does not.
He sees in front of him the Romans beginning to be interested in the gospel. He sees in front of him angry Jews. He sees in front of him the worried faces of his companions, in need of hope.
It might seem that his words setting Pharisee and Sadducee against each other are a trap. It might seem that he is pushing them into an argument to gain credibility with the Romans. It might seem that he is encouraging his friends by presenting the weaknesses of his accusers.
And perhaps those things might be the result of Paul’s choice of tactic.
But simply, Paul tells the truth.
He declares his background, and the hope of the gospel.
I wonder how many times our conflicts, internal and external, would be resolved with a similar choice of tactic.
Jesus says the truth sets us free. (John 8:28)
We do not have to be clever on the front lines of gospel dispute. We do not have to be strategic as the Kingdom of God comes under attack in our front yard. We do not have to be crafty, sneaky, or lay logical traps when presenting the hope that is in us. (I Peter 3:15)
We have the truth. God is. Sin separates. Christ redeems, restores, and renews. (Colossians 1:13)
Fear not, then tell the truth.