Acts 22:30 "The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them.” 

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Something to Think About:  We would all agree that Paul was fearless for Jesus and willing to take a beating for the name of Jesus. However, Paul knew that a Roman citizen was an honor and a privilege and that Roman citizens had rights. With this knowledge Paul used his legal rights to avoid the scourging and to do what Paul's passion was, to preach the Gospel to his people the Jews; "Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until 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 will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?” Acts 23:1-3  Was Paul right or wrong to speak so aggressively against God's high priest. "And those who stood by said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?” ⁵ Then Paul said, “I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’" Acts 22:4-5 There are various interpretations of what happened hear but it appears both men were wrong. The act was illegal and Paul was out of line for his words to the high priest even though he was legally correct in his interpretation of the law.The lesson for us today is to know your rights, know the law and to know God's Word well enough to know what to do and what to say at the right time.  Then after you have done all you can to ensure your decision to speak remember; "You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. ¹⁹ But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; ²⁰ for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you." Matthew 10:18-20