Today's Bible reading is the 23rd chapter of the Book of Acts. You can read it here at Bible Gateway: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+23&version=NASB

Pastor Don Gillum, now at home with the Lord, used to have a cute saying that he taught to help remind others of the difference between the Pharisees and Sadducees. He would say that the Pharisees believed in the resurrection of the dead and that the Sadducees did not. That was why they were "sad-you-see". I don't know where he had learned the saying but I'm sure he knew of the truth it spoke of from God's word. Today's text reminded me of Pastor Don's little teaching tool but adds to the basis for the sadness of the "sad-you-see". While the Apostle Paul was giving his defense to "the Council", he had perceived that one part of the Council was made up of Pharisees and the other part Sadducees. Knowing the differences between what these two groups believed, he proclaimed to them that he was on trial "for the hope and resurrection of the dead". Paul's statement prompted there to be a division between the members of the Council due to the differing beliefs among them. The Pharisees were sympathetic to Paul's claim that he was on trial for a truth in which they also believed in, the resurrection of the dead. The passage goes on to tell us that besides the resurrection, the Sadducees did not believe in angels and spirits. However we read that the Pharisees believed in each of these as well. The Pharisees even suggested the possibility that an angel or a spirit had spoken to Paul regarding the things he was testifying of. God would use the differences of men's beliefs to accomplish His perfect will. Much turmoil would be the result of these differences and would make it necessary that the Romans intervene in the matter to restore order and in doing so, save Paul. Praise the Lord "for the hope and resurrection of the dead" that is found in our risen Savior.