Oct 21

Matthew 26:59
Memorise Galatians 1:10
“…not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.”

The Sandhedrin Council was the ruling body within the Jewish community during the time of the NT. We do not see this word mentioned in the English Bible, as the word ‘sanhedrin’ is actually a direct transliteration from the word in Hebrew which means council or assembly, and its Greek equivalent was used in the NT to refer specifically to this Sanhedrin Council.

The Sanhedrin Council was like a government within a government. During the time of Christ, the Roman Empire had rule over the Jews. However, the people of Israel never really accepted the rule of the Roman Empire and preferred to be governed by their own people. This was done through the Sanhedrin Council. But the Council had to rule carefully because the Roman Empire allowed the Council to exist simply by its graciousness and could remove it at any time. The Roman Empire also did not give the Council too much power and autonomy because that might enable the Jews to revolt.

The Council consisted of priests, elders and scribes. The high priest was the chairman of the Council. The Council consisted of 70 members. We read in Matthew 26 about how it was this same Council that conspired to have Jesus killed. Although the Council was supposed to be religious, it was hardly godly. It was deeply corrupted. The Council was meant to administer God’s law on the rule of the Jews. Instead, its rule was filled with man’s laws, unjust practices and corrupt abuses of power. It had become wicked.

Many churches today suffer a similar fate. The founding fathers of these churches may have been godly. However, the later generation of leaders became spoiled by pride and desired only to please man and not God. They lost sight of God and did things in their own way. Leaders of fellowships and ministries must guard against running their ministries using the methods of the world. They should instead always turn to God’s Word and do all things according to God’s ways. Never man’s ways. We must pray for our leaders, that they are kept faithful, vigilant and steadfast in the keeping of God’s Word in the running of God’s work.

Thought: What can keep any church leadership faithful? The Word of God and nothing else.
Prayer: Father, we pray for our churches, that the leaders never depart from You.