Respect Authority - Acts 23-24

 Acts 23:1-5 (ESV Strong's)

1 And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.” 2 And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. 3 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?” 4 Those who stood by said, “Would you revile God's high priest?” 5 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.’”

Respect Authority 

Paul respected authority ... at least the authority he knew that was the authority.   We find Paul constantly respectful of the authorities he spoke to (Acts 15, 17,  19, 21, 22, 24, 25).   He had every right to claim his rights (and did ... Acts 22:28).   He could have claimed his apostleship, but didn’t (1 Corinthians 15:9).  There were times he claimed his apostleship and authority (2 Corinthians 10-13).  But, he was ready to recognize that God puts people in authority.  In the above text we see him actually respectful to those who are accusing him.   Paul understood God divine order.   God knew the reference the “council” was referring to and submitted himself to it.  

Exodus 22:28

(ESV Strong's) “You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.

God has placed others in authority.  He does this according to His divine plan.  We are to recognize authority in our lives and live in a way that honors the authority and God.  Yes, there are times we have to make a choice (Acts 5:29).   But, when we study Scripture there are an exceeding amount of times that believers followed the authority God put in place as compared to those when they did not (Abraham, Moses, David, Daniel, Nehemiah, Joseph).    Solomon recognized authority and speaks much to the relationship we have with the “king.”  This passage is not directly in line with those references, but is a good proverb to remember when we are working under abusive authority (like Paul was, above):

Proverbs 16:7 (ESV Strong's)

7 When a man's ways please the LORD,

he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Paul said it this way:

Romans 12:18 (ESV Strong's)

18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all, 

We have to remember that that verse in Romans was writing in the context of those who are wronging you and in the context of civil government.   God wants us to honor authority.   That is how we honor His authority.